Going to tackle a UDS a couple of questions

[Davidtxs]

Ok picked up a drum and want to tackle the uds. And have a couple of questions

1. How far above the intake holes does the charcoal basket need to be.
2. To keep from having to pull the food out to add coals anyone ever cut an access door or will it loose to much smoke
3. Can we go with two cooking grates the second one about 8" below the top one we have a weber lid we want to use so we can put the top rack at the top of the barrell
thanks I am sure we have more

[dheidemann]

i had the same question on adding more charcoal to it after you start.

there is another thread going about UDS.... and he said if he fills up his charcoal basket he getts 12 to 16 hrs cook time.

here is the link to the tread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12828

[nascarchuck]

I normally use about 1/3 bag of Kingsford (if even that much) which might fill the charcoal basket half full. I have had mine run over 24 hours before never stoking or adding coals. I only made minor adjustments to the ball valve. I would not recommend an access door.

If I remember right I normally place the basket 2" or so above the intake.

I tried the 2 cooking grates and wasnt happy with the results. I never tried meat on the lower grate after that experience. If you were gonna cook baked potatoes, etc it would work just fine though

[Stewdog]

What happened with the second cooking grate.

[BluDawg]

The bottom of my basket is 4" off the bottom of the drum and 2 1/2" above the centerline of the intake.

I have 1 grate in mine and have never needed more room. You can add another rack if you want to. If it where me I would position the top grate 1" below the top of the drum and the second one 9" from the top of the drum. Which should put it about 21" above the fire.

The UDS is a low tech solution to a BBQ GRURU. one basket in mine will maintain 250 deg for 22 hrs. The only fire tending I do is a slight adj. to the intake maybe one time at about the 14 hr mark.

DO NOT cut any access into the side you will never get a good seal it will suck air and you will never be able to control the temps.

[OSD]

Go to this link and you will find drawings for UDS's with the measurements for several sizes of drums and different lid types. Also slideshows of a couple builds.

http://www.thebackyardbbqer.com/theback ... er_004.htm

this is for a 55 gal drum using a kettle lid. The drawings at the link will be much larger when printed.

55 with kettle lid (Custom) (2).jpg

[Davidtxs]

Thanks guys I got the drum yesterday and its pretty clean but does have a liner guess its time to find a sandblaster lol
thanks again

[dheidemann]

or burn it out!!!! always fun to play with fire!!!