My first UDS build

[Finatic]

Wrapping up my first drum smoker. Was able to get my hands of a couple 85 gallon drums. Did a test run a few days ago and had quite a bit of temperature difference between the center of the top grate and the edge of the top grate (about 45 degrees difference). Built a heat deflector plate (to the right of the drum) and that solved the problem. Still need to do some tuning.

What to cook first?.?.?

[ChileFarmer]

Looks good, I had to add a heat plate to mine also. I just used a round pizza type cover on my fire basket.
I would through on a nice pork butt. Easy first cook, and they are good eats. CF

[Finatic]

On your heat deflector plate did you drill holes in it? I've drilled holes in mine trying to tune it. Not sure if I'm wasting my time or not.

A pork butt is at the top of the list (I love the sandwiches and nachos with the leftovers). Some baby backs are also high on the list.

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

Nice looking drum! I use a deflector in mine, every now and then. I just use a dollar store pizza pan that has holes all in it, that are supposed to make the pizza crispier, and put it on my bottom grate. Works really good for me.

[Big Ed]

Very nice build!! I use a alum. turkey pan filled with water just above the coal basket, it catches all the drippings and just toss it when your done!

[Finatic]

Thanks y'all. How it looks doesn't matter to me as much as how it cooks. I fired it up yesterday with about 12-13 lbs of charcoal at 5:30 pm. As of 7:30 this morning (14 hours later) it's still sitting on 250. I have the heat deflector plate in and both on the gauge on the side of the drum and the oven gauge I have sitting in the middle of the top grate are reading exactly the same. It's now ready to cook!

I see why everyone is wanting one of these.