Planning to build a UDS (2 actually)

[YetiDave]

Did you repaint them or not burn them out yet? I'd take out the thermometer etc before you do, you'll need a seriously big fire (flames shooting out of the top) to get all that paint off and it'll probably destroy the thermometer

[kwazulu]

looking great! nice work

[PyroBoris]

Ah well, yes I thought that might be asked!

I haven't repainted it, and I haven't burnt it out either. The barrels were brand new, unused and unlined, so my theory is that there's nothing to burn out also, I'm hoping that the smoker itself won't get hot enough when in normal use to cause the original paint to come off. If it does, then they'll need a paint job for sure, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed

Also - although I used stainless steel bolts wherever possible, I did actually use some galvanised bolts for the air intake pipe standoff. So to 'un' galvanise them, I put them in a jar white white vinegar for a few days, and hey presto, no more galvanisation (Soaked them in veg oil after to stop any rust setting in)

[PyroBoris]

Need some help if possible Did a seasoning burn the other night, all seemed very well indeed, nice steady temps, went up when I opened the extra intakes, and down again when I closed them. After about 3 hours and when it was getting dark I figured I would leave it to run overnight. I'd been running with everything open till this time, so I closed off two intakes and left the main one wide open, in the assumption it would burn itself out.

Here's a pic of coal basket before I added a 3/4 chimney of lit charcoal...



When I checked in the morning, most of the coal was still there and now I'm at a bit of a loss as to why this may have happened?

Any advice would be most welcome!

[Stuarty84]

I have only just found this thread after putting a one up myself! Very helpful. Cheers