First UDS....Ready to fire it up

[B&K Smokers]

Well I got my first UDS. Really excited to fire this thing up and see what she does. Any tips?

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Don't worry about temp swings too much. When you make an adjustment it's not instant.
Enjoy it. You're about to experience some of the most juicy pork and chicken you've ever cooked.

[ChileFarmer]

Watching for photos, picturing smoke. CF

[Grillatarian]

Congrats on your new smoker! So easy to cook on, still makes me smile just thinking about it.
Tips?
Mostly just relax and enjoy learning how your particular drum behaves.
I like to have a pretty full basket of lump or lump charcoal blend. Burns better for me.
I like to use a handheld turbo torch (has a trigger igniter) to get my fuel going.
Good wood chunks on the top section of the basket gives you a good amount of smoke up front when it has the best chance of penetrating and flavoring the meat.
Once lit I watch the temps and smoke and wait until the thick white smoke fades away and turns into a more wispy blue type smoke....that also happens to smell sweet. Usually takes around 30m.
Oh, I also quit using cans in my whole chickens. Don't even throne them anymore. There is plenty of moisture in a well sealed drum. Just cook around 300 to 350F and they come out amazing.

Standard warning- limit the amount of time you have the lid off while cooking. Fire will respond to full open air and your temp will ramp. You can reduce the ramp up by closing down your intakes and letting the temp drop 10 or so degrees before you open it up.

Have fun, experiment...and just relax. You'll drumming up some good Q!

[Diablo_Gordo210]

My brother and I just built our first UDS, made a brisket on it last night. Oh man did it come out beyond my expectations! Just have fun with your new UDS you'll be fine!

[Big Ed]

Some cook hot & fast and others cook low and slow like myself, all I can tell you is do a few cooks and see what works best for ya! Good luck and welcome to the barrel club!

[B&K Smokers]

Gotta say it is pretty interesting....lol...Def a different type of cooking. I can already see my self tweaking this thing. Have about 60 ideas already! lol...I guess that is the point of these things. Next time I wont drink as many beers and remember to take some pics of the meat.


Thanks for everyones input. Think this may have to go to my comp next weekend for my yard bird.

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[jerodpb]

Next time I wont drink as many beers and remember to take some pics of the meat.

it won't help, I don't drink and it is rare for me to get pics of the finished product....I got ribs this weekend just cause it was something different....90% of everything else are the before pics, like people have never seen raw meat before

[B&K Smokers]

First cook off with it and got 1st place chicken....hooked now

[BluDawg]

Congrats those are some good looking chicks is that a 30 gal?

[CLeeSmokinQ]

Congrats on 1st.. Chicken looks awesome.. Can't wait to start my UDS project