3 Month Review of the Super 55 Drum Smoker - UDS - Ugly Drum Smoker Kit
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- Опубликовано: 18 июл 2023
- Looking into Drum Smoker Kits? Do you want to make amazing BBQ? Check out this review of the Super 55 Drum Smoker Kit and get my impressions after using it for 3 months while I make some mouth watering and smoky ribs!
I have been kicking around getting a bigger bullet smoker or buying a drum smoker. The more i check into drum smokers the more i want one.
I've enjoyed the super 55. It's a solid smoker
I have my offset smoker I love to use. Drum smoker look easier to use and been heating keeps temp better.
Thanks for demonstrating and sharing your experience. Been looking different kits and I like Frank’s set up.
Thanks for the video on the UDS. Some tips along the way that I've learned and have helped me. (1) Put in a 1/4" - 1/2" layer of unscented clay cat litter on the bottom of the drum before using it. It grabs a lot of the grease so it doesn't accumulate on the bottom of the drum and makes future cleaning easier (2) have your charcoal basket already set inside the UDS with the layer of charcoal. Then just pour the lit charcoal from the chimney into the basket. That way you don't have to lift the heavier basket when it's lit. (3) Instead of using and adding paper towels at the bottom of the chimney, tear off some paper from the bag of charcoal and use that to start the chimney. You'll keep on working yourself down the bag as you use up the charcoal on another cook. You can still spray the paper with oil or a very little bit of starter to get it going. (4) There is enough room in the drum to make a second grate, doubling your cooking capacity. I have been able to cook up to 6 pork butts (~8lbs each) or 2 good size briskets and sausage. Also, by having the additional screws at the higher level, if you do wish to use a hanger assembly for ribs or other meats, the meat will hang higher from the fire and easier access to it. (5) The diffuser plate should be placed with the tabs pointing up. that way, the plate will always lay flat on the bottom with no possibility of it getting caught on the spacer or charcoal basket and getting lopsided on you. (6) There are wheel kits that can be purchased and used on the UDS that provide more stability because the wheel bracket and wheels extend out past the drum, making it less possible to tip. Also, these wheel assemblies won't get in the way of the air intakes. (7) The top vent can be left completely open. Make your adjustments at the air intake. I 've noticed I get cleaner smoke that way.
Thanks again for your videos. It's great having the UDS. Definitely a nearly set it and forget it BBQ cooking option. I've set mine up many times to do overnight cooks of briskets and allows me to get at least several hours of good sleep when I don't want to tend it like my offset. Just another great tool to have that doesn't break the bank and easy to move compared to a ceramic smoker or a heavy offset.
Also, if you haven't tried already, burgers are amazing in a UDS! All done in about an hour. Hardly use any charcoal too!
Wow. So much good advice here!
I liked seeing you cook. Great video. Like you having someone else do the filming.
Agreed! More cooking videos would be welcome.
You ever cook in it without the deflector plate ? How far is the grate above the heat source ? Great video
I haven't ever cooked without the heat diffuser. It's about 9 inches from grate to heat diffuser. About 13 inches from grate to the top of the charcoal basket, but as I demonstrated, the fire can sit further down in the basket.
I built my own super 55 as well, i really like it. My only issue is getting the charcoal to last more than 8 hours? I was under the assumption that a fully loaded basket could last upwards of 20 hours or more? I'm not sure what I am doing wrong?
Hmm. May depend on how hot you run it and what kind of charcoal you use. Reach out to Frank (builder of the Super 55). I'm sure he can give you some more ideas too.
That was my guess as well, I may have to try another brand of charcoal. @@SmokeMasterD
thanks for the video. what drum dolly did you find that works TIA .
Amazon. But I had to prop it up higher to clear the intakes
Rocktric Heavy Duty Drum Dolly 1000 Pound - Trash Can Dolly 55 Gallon Swivel Casters Wheel Steel Frame Dolly Cart Non Tipping Hand Truck Capacity Dollies
Hey smoke master d...I've used big yard garbage bags in my cookers .never had a water problem ..guess I'm frugal 😅
Just curious why you use the heat deflector upside down? Frank shows it with tabs going up. Not sure it makes a difference, but just curious.
Huh. I may have to try it that way. With the tabs down, it seats into the heat shield. That's why I was doing it that way. Wondering if it's hard to get it to stay in the middle the other way?
Yeah, it may make no difference. I’ve just seen a lot of Frank’s videos and he has it the other way. Great video. Thanks!
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How does it compare to a Weber kettle as far as cooking square inches and cost? Cheers!
It has the same square inches as a standard kettle but the possibility of hanging if you get a hanging rack. The cost of a uds depends on how much you buy your barrel for and your kit. It could be similar to the cost of a nicer end weber kettle depending on those factors.
@@SmokeMasterD So it’s basically an overpriced overweight weber 22” kettle that I can purchase from my local Walmart for $97. The Weber kettle is even semi transportable. I’d go with the Weber if you like to grill and enjoy proteins cooked in a low flow oxygen environment producing rancid strong smoke flavors from smoldering wood chunks that most pretend tastes good. Great video as usual! Cheers!
@@Isovapor You're not gonna get a smoke ring on your ribs with a weber kettle anywhere near like you would with this UDS. I have the Weber Smokey Mountain and even it doesn't put a smoke ring on ribs like the UDS does.
I was looking at your problem with the smoker not going to the bottom of your drum cart and I have the same cart you have maybe you can cut a notch out of the cart on both sides so the air inlet will drop all the way down to the carts bottom or at least closer to it… another option would be make your own cart…
That's a good idea. I may try the notch on thing.
Why don’t you just go by Lowes or Home Depot and pickup some castors????? Few screws or bolts in each one and your mobile
Interesting idea
@russellridge8623 - great minds, mate! I'm into the painting external pieces and final bits of drilling part of my S55 build. I happened to be in the HD caster aisle the other day and was like...duh. Use those. But I'll probably do Harbor Freight to save a few bucks.
who bbq's chicken with no skin on it not me
I generally do skin on. Jeremy Yoder has been doing skin free on chicken breast lately. Aaron Franklin does Turkey breast that way as well. I think it deserves a try.