Bucksend Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Hi all, Just thought I'd say hello. Only recently discovered this forum off the back of some research. I like to cook low n slow on my 47cm weber, it's a bit small but works until I get round to building a UDS. Also cook classic 'burn it before it rains' summer BBQs and can't get over how good and simple a 'dirty steak' is! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Hi Bucksend and welcome to the forum. Where in the South East are you from? The Weber is a great way to start and it is good to see that you are looking to build a UDS. A number of members here have experience building them so you should get lots of good advice. Cheers, Wade 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share Posted January 21, 2019 Thanks @Wade Yeah, I have already seen a new idea (butterfly valve) worth looking into! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icefever Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Welcome to the forum Bucksend, there's a couple of us building UDS at the moment. Ice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 welcome aboard. thank you for joining in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Welcome aboard ! My advice on building a uds is don’t over think it . And get your grill grate holes at sensible increments . Leave enough distance between the top grate level and lid . To allow to sit a pork butt or brisket and not let the lid hit either ! And the bottom intake holes see a diagram that Ryan sent me . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 Thanks for the picture @Raptor72 Anyone used any parts from Big Poppas smokers, thoughts if so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Monkey Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 I think @Steve j used part of a kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 If I was you I’d go for the other kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 If I was you I’d go for the other kit I know the USA manufacturer ! But a uk company have imported some kits and seem to be selling them off at cost https://prosmokebbq.co.uk/products/self-assembly-ugly-drum-smoker-kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) If I was to build one again I’d use this kit . But mine was made from plumbing parts and anything I could salvage or customise . The big poppa kits look expensive for what you get . But I guess they work Edited January 23, 2019 by Raptor72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Or look at https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_pn_1?srs=15705193031&rh=n%3A11052671&page=2&ie=UTF8&qid=1548243691 dracarys stuff you could buy similar items to the big poppa kit cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 Yeah they are pricey, but easy. Hadn't seen Dracarys stuff, thanks. How have you attached the right angles on the inside? Just with the nut that would come with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Monkey Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Just looked at the Dracarys air vent. Not sure if it would fit a 45 gallon drum. Looks like the radius is too tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, Smokin Monkey said: Just looked at the Dracarys air vent. Not sure if it would fit a 45 gallon drum. Looks like the radius is too tight. Yeah I was wondering about compatibility, worth an email though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 12 minutes ago, Bucksend said: Yeah they are pricey, but easy. Hadn't seen Dracarys stuff, thanks. How have you attached the right angles on the inside? Just with the nut that would come with? Sorry which ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 Sorry, for the vertical inlets 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Bucksend said: Sorry, for the vertical inlets 😊 They were 2 x 22mm brass compression to male 3/4 elbows and brass back nuts inside to tighten up . It was a labour of love as if ever made anything in the past . But I own a pit barrel cooker and Weber gbs . So I don’t use the thing now lol . It has a decent manlaw thermometer at the front from USA . Which is so accurate it matches my inkbird readings . But with all the stainless steel fixings internal 4 tins of paint etc I’d just go for a kit and a drum . Or buy a pit barrel lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) @Smokin Monkey Steve did an excellent UDS build Edited January 23, 2019 by Raptor72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 How many people do you cook for ? What do you mainly want to cook what’s your budget ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 1- Usually cook for just the family(Waaaaay more than we eat) but have parents and others over for a meal occasionally and I'd love to be able to cook up a brisket or a few rack of ribs. max 10 people is the short answer! 2- Meat.(and fish, I want to be able to try anything!) 3- Low but not too much of an issue. I like the idea of building from scratch but want to end up with a good quality dedicated smoker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor72 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) The pit barrel is smaller so 33 gallon drum . It cooks faster and slightly hotter than a UDS . Depending on fuel but I use it more than I did my UDS https://www.pitbarrelcooker.com/ Edited January 23, 2019 by Raptor72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Kettle (like weber) would do it for that, and maybe a wsm to give more versatility. They will would give you a cold smoke option too. I can hot and cold smoke on both of those and I have a cardboard pro q eco smoker too for cold smoking cheese and things like that when it is dry. I sometime think of some other option but i just do not need them. I can easily have a brisket and a pork butt smoking on the wsm and bruschetta, beans, wings , cornbread etc or smoke more meat smoking on the kettle a the same time. And maybe smoking some salmon at the same time in the proq eco box. Remember on UDS one smoking cook going. three smaller items like kettle and bullet smoker , more versatility if you have a crowd. And Weber quality rock solid no build, you could always build your own cold smoker? ideas and plans on that on the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksend Posted January 23, 2019 Author Share Posted January 23, 2019 Yeah I looked at ProQ/smokey mountain but didn't think they were worth the extra £££ above a decent UDS. Many advantages over a UDS other than access to the fire? I have a 47 weber kettle but it's just a bit tight for space if I want to cook any more than a single item. And I'll keep it for hot n fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 @Smokin MonkeyCan we move this thread to the relevant place please, not in rollcall 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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