The start of Gringo's first build

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 9th, 2018, 4:39 pm

Greetings all,

Ok after reading a ton of data and a couple sleepless nights, I went ahead and picked up my first barrel. This is a brand spanking barrel I was able to pick up locally for $39. It does have an epoxy coating inside, so I think I am going to have it sandblasted to bare metal. I was looking up the regulations in my to do a burn, but I believe I'm asking for trouble if I do.

As far as how my daughter (Juliette, 13) and I are going to design build it, we're going to put pen to paper and see what we come up with. She loves to BBQ with her old man so might as well include he in the journey.

One thing I know is, I want to minimize the number of screws internal to the smoker. I do like the idea of using the adjustable shelving material for flexibility.

I'll post our progress as we go, and keep count on how many times I upset the wife as we go just for fun!

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Weldun · Post by **Weldun** » January 9th, 2018, 5:28 pm

Looks like you are on your way, let the fun begin

Post by **Big T** » January 9th, 2018, 5:43 pm

temurf · Post by **temurf** » January 9th, 2018, 5:48 pm

Looking forward to following your progress.

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » January 9th, 2018, 11:52 pm

Post by **Rodcrafter** » January 10th, 2018, 1:52 pm

Just so you know Frank and Tom at HQ have done many of these without the sand blasting. They cut holes for the air intakes and build a fife with pallet wood or whatever. Then they put the hose from the shop vac on a piece of pipe and tape it then stick it in the holes at the bottom of the drum, giving it plenty of air to burn the liner out. Then after it cools down they take a little comet and it wipes right out. Don't ask me.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 11th, 2018, 1:44 pm

Thanks Rodcaster,

My only concern for doing a burn is my neighbors. I live in Miami and we’re in close quarters. They are ok when I fire of my grills, but I’m sure the police will show up if I get a good fire going. there is a sandblasting shop down the street from my office, they’re going to knock it out for me when I’m ready.

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » January 11th, 2018, 4:00 pm

I'm with you on not getting the neighbors offside. It generally only goes downhill from that point on.

Squiggle · Post by **Squiggle** » January 11th, 2018, 6:31 pm

Totally dude, they will be pissed off enough when you get that unit finished & all they can smell is the wicked Q!

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 11th, 2018, 7:57 pm

Ok I need some advice regarding my Lid. In the picture below, I have 2 tapped openings. The larger one is 2 1/4" and the smaller one is 1".

I can easily get a 1" plug and cap it off, but what should I do with the 2 1/4" ? I was planning on installing an exhaust pipe. But the standard sizes are 2".

Thoughts?

Post by **Big T** » January 11th, 2018, 8:38 pm

I believe that udsparts.com sells a screw in stack with a damper on it that will fit it.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 11th, 2018, 10:20 pm

I’ll have to email them. I only seen 2” not 2 1/4

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Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 12th, 2018, 2:29 pm

So i started to draw out my plan. I have to run sone errands since Freight Harbor is having a blowout sale today.

I'm looking to have my grates at 6" and 12" from the top. My Firebox is 12 x 12 x 11. I am still trying to figure out what to do with the 2 1/4" threaded hole I have in the lid. I still need to email Frank and see if they have anything over 2".

The two intake pipes are 2" from the bottom of the drum. Any suggestions/Comments please let me hear them. It is only an AutoCad drawing so far!

UDS Smoker.pdf: (3.63 KiB) Downloaded 42 times

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 12th, 2018, 9:34 pm

Post by **Rodcrafter** » January 15th, 2018, 8:15 am

I have never seen a bung that was 2-1/4" the one they sell at USD parts will fit.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 15th, 2018, 5:10 pm

Rodcrafter,

Thanks! I'll order it this week along with some handels.

Milton

YouTube · Post by **Frank_Cox** » January 21st, 2018, 10:59 am

awesome!
actually the 2" is schedule 40 black iron and the outside Diam. is close to 2.25 so it is the correct one.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 21st, 2018, 11:49 am

Frank_Cox wrote:awesome!
actually the 2" is schedule 40 black iron and the outside Diam. is close to 2.25 so it is the correct one.

Perfect, I ordered the pieces earlier this week and they are on their way. Muy daughter and I are off to the big box store to get some raw materials and will start marking and drilling out the barrel. I also plan on testing my welding ability on some scrap I found. I want to practice for a bit before I put it on the final product.

I can be a perfectionist at times...

As far as the dampener, I am thinking about modifying a BBQ Wok... It already has the holes in it. Depends if I can find one that is large enough.

I'm already thinking about building a second UDS that will be dedicated to Hanging VS. Racks. I would push for 3 and dedicate one to Beef, Chicken, Pork... (Color Coded of course with a distinguishing emblem on each) but not ready to take on that battle yet! LOL

Once again thanks for everyone's help if you know it or not. I have read most of the posts over the last few weeks! Very insightful...

Milton

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 21st, 2018, 4:41 pm

Hey all,

I managed to do a parts tun and get some materials. I am hoping to use a 3/4" bushing instead of a nipple assembly. My question is can I tack weld this in place? Oe do I need to use the box nut?

I am also planning on welding in 1 1/4" L brackets that I will make from angle Iron. I plan on having 2 grates located 6" & 12" from the top.

Are there any warning bells going off that I may have overlooked?

Milton

YouTube · Post by **Frank_Cox** » January 21st, 2018, 8:00 pm

looks good to me!
is that a liner I see inside the barrel? we recommend burning it out before building the cooker. here's a quick short video we did about that....

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 21st, 2018, 8:11 pm

Thanks Frank, my neighbors will fave a fit if I burned out the barrel in my yard. I’m going to have it sand blasted later this week.

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Heatermeter builder · Post by **Heatermeter builder** » January 21st, 2018, 8:36 pm

Gringo wrote:Thanks Frank, my neighbors will fave a fit if I burned out the barrel in my yard. I’m going to have it sand blasted later this week.

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Give them some BBQ and you won't have no issues :biggrillin:

YouTube · Post by **Frank_Cox** » January 21st, 2018, 8:39 pm

sucks to be them!!!!

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 23rd, 2018, 10:47 pm

Going to suck it up and do a burn in the back yard. I’ll do it during the day when the neighbors are at work (a benefit of working from home). Just hope I don’t need a burn permit!

Side note my parts that I ordered arrived today!

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Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » January 24th, 2018, 5:15 pm

Yeah... made a lot of people mad. LOL. so far no fire department or police.

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