British BBQ Society Forums

Hi, Thought I would make a thread for my UDS build I am doing.

It all started when I started watching ManVFood then I went on the watch DDD. (I have watched every episode of MvF ) I then wanted to sample BBQ food, so I went to Bodeans in London, which was tasted good to me! I then thought it must not be anything like american style BBQ as the food was most likely reheated and not fresh and I thought i could give it a go myself and maybe produce better results.

That got me thinking what i could use, I then searched online for smokers and saw the ProQ range and WSM, both of which I couldnt justify the price of, so I started to look at smoker forums and found this amazing place! I then saw the term UDS being thrown around so done some research and decided thats what I wanted to build!

Which lead me to other forums and plans for UDS'.

I then purchased a 45 Gallon barrel. After receiving this I ordered a step drill bit and drilled my intake holes, grill holder, thermometer and also exhaust holes ending up with this.




I drilled 8 1/2-3/4 inch exhaust holes as recommended on one forum. It was stated that this gave the users a more stable temp.

I also drilled three 1 Inch holes for the intakes and will control the air flow with fridge magnets as I wanted to keep this as simple as possible for now.

I then sourced a wooden pallet from my GF's dad and spent a good hour breaking it up sweating like a pig in this ridiculous weather and then proceeded to burn the barrel out. This was good fun but I don't think the neighbors were best pleased!

Looked a bit like this.




GET READY FOR IT!!




That was good fun!

Its all burned out and cleaned up now just waiting for my paint to arrive so I can tidy this bad boy up.

Today my washing machine drum arrived which ill use for my coal basket and it was bigger than i thought it would be! but it still fits, I'm going to have to drill holes in the bottom for air flow.

This is where I need some advice, shall I drill bigger holes in the side of the drum? Pics to follow. or is it okay as it is?

Also shall I cut off the bit on the top to make the top portion wider?





Once I've got the paint and basket ready and received my pit thermometer I'll update this thread with more pictures and info. Looking forward to my first cook on this!

Thanks for reading.

Bear with me trying to get photos to work

Edit: Sorted!

Update for anyone interested.

Gave my UDS a lick of paint today, must say shes looking a lot nicer than she was. Heres some pics.




Nice and black.

Then I set to work on the washing machine drum, firstly I decided i needed to remove some of the top of the drum. This was the end result, compare it to above.



Much better! Will be better for those temps.

Then I went on to drill some extra holes in the bottom of the drum.


Looking better already. Then went on to drill extra holes in the side, done about 30 holes when my drill decided to stop working



This is one side then I have the same in two other places evenly spaced.

Now the question I have is, do you think I should borrow someones drill to make even more holes round the side or will it be okay as it is?

Thanks for reading brothers.

I reckon you'll have plenty of ventilation there, good work! I wouldn't mind having a go at building one myself

Looking good

I'm at the burnt out stage with my and just trying to suss out what to use for a fire basket. And I must say I love the washing machine drum idea. How much space is left in the drum.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

do you have any pics of how you cut your lid off ?

or was it a drum with a removable top ?

Hi
Checkout the post by Engval in the Anything but section called First foray into UDS build that will answer all your questions on building a FB out of a washing machine drum.

Si

BRUN wrote:do you have any pics of how you cut your lid off ?

or was it a drum with a removable top ?

Hi mate,

I bought a drum with a removable lid, so no cutting invoved.

I got this drum delivered to my door off of Ebay btw.

Yeah I never really got why people used drums without removable lids, I guess if there's one going free....