learning my first UDS

[jon in mass]

ok i got an unlined open head drum for free a couple of weeks ago and found detailed instructions on the build.
http://www.thepickledpig.com/forums/gen ... t-1-a.html
so i accumulated the pieces and brought them in to work. well between cars my guys got carried away

(when i cook i always bring in some for them i think it was a hint) so thay requested a bacon explosion.

my question arises from trying to regulate temp. with the lower vents capped and the ball valve open it just about put out the charcoal (kinsford blue bag) so with the ball valve open and one vent cap off it would maintain 250 ish. what am i doing wrong?

[Smokeone]

I dont think your doing anything wrong. A lot of variables go into running a UDS. The wind is the biggest factor I run into. If the wind is blowing straight in the open port it can cause a spike. I try to use the east or west port with a south wind. (just trying to draw a picture with words) I like the wind to blow across the open port and be drawn in not forced. But there is no rule to that, cause sometimes I need the wind to come straight in. Also I like my exhaust to be on the opposite side of the open port. In my way of thinking this makes the air flow more spread out, not just strait up to the exhaust. It is simply trial and error. Trust me I have had plenty of errors. Just keep at it you will find the sweet spot.
I usually run mine with one lower port uncapped and my valve at about a quarter. That usually puts me in the 225 range. I always leave my exhaust wide open.

Hope this helps! If not DC told me what to type.

By the way that fattie looks tasty. Yeah I'd eat that!

[Frank_Cox]

Every drum is different and when the weather changes you change a little too. sounds to me like you need to go about half on the ball valve and one cap off. sounds like your drum is nice and tight. Rick does a shut down test to test out the air tightness. sounds like yours passed nicely! Most of the time on my drums (course I use a 3/4" full port ball valve) I have all caps on and the BV full open to hit 225*F.
Your on the money, nicely done!

[The Czar]

[SmokinFF]

Your title says it all. None of us mastered it on the first cook. Take your time and play with it and see what reactions you get. Besides that, the more practice and your guys eat good.

[Tom_Heath]

I would have to vote that before you try to many different things, that you try LUMP charcoal.

Its fantastic stuff. You wont even believe how little ash there is at the end of the cook.

[jon in mass]

i did notice in frank's vidio he mixed lump and royal oak i will try that next time.

and the drum does seal well i caped it and shut the air off and within minuates it stopped any smoke leakage at all.

[Smokeone]

Sounds like you control the air flow then. That is the hardest part of a UDS. Now it is just trial and error.
+1 on Smokertom, I use lump 95% of the time. I love it, burns well, and very little ash!

[Frank_Cox]

The only reason I mix it is some lump is extra brittle. when it burns it cuts off air flow (Frontier Brand for instance). the briquettes help stop that from happening.

[jon in mass]

i noticed in Franks vidio, the defuser plate and that you have it marked for posision. interested in pros / cons and why the arrow ?

[Frank_Cox]

the arrow is because of my crappy attention to detail while I was fabbing it... I got the legs in the wrong spot lol it would only fit on the basket one way.... nice job on the observation tho LOL

[jon in mass]

i was more curious about why the defuser plate i notice some people use one and some dont

[Frank_Cox]

I will tell ya it made a huge difference in the consistency of temps in my drums. I include a diffuser on all my drum builds now. I will post a how to on the next basket/ diffuser I build

[Frank_Cox]

Ball valve (1) open and all the pipe caps (3) on and they run rock solid 225*F

[jon in mass]

do you put it in contact with the top of the basket? or just above it? and noticed the holes ?

[Frank_Cox]

I puit it about 4 inches above the top of the basket. no specific math or anything with the holes. usually they are about 1" or so no specific spacing just kinda made a pattern

[Frank_Cox]

Biggest difference I noticed was when using lump and smoking anything I injected or marinaded the juices don't put out the fire. they land on the plate and vaporize or run off the side.

[jon in mass]

sounds like i need to redo the basket handle and make one.