I should finish collecting all my parts for the UDS in the next day or two. I purchased a new drum from Sunwest Container as recommended by others on this forum. They were very nice, and the drum looks great!
I have three questions before I start to actually build.
1. I have removed the rubber gasket that was on the inner lip of the flat lid. I assume that is not going to hold up well during a hot smoke. Now that the gasket is gone the lid has a VERY snug fit on the barrel. Since I dont have a handle on the lid yet it took me a bit to get the lid back off. Should I try to bend out the lip of the lid to get it to seat easier, or is the super tight fit preferred?
2. I purchased a drum that came with a smooth flat lid (no holes). I did this because I originally planned to drill 6 or 8 evenly spaced 3/4" holes in the top of the lid for exhaust. During a cook all would be left wide open, and then I would place flat strip magnets over the holes to put out the coals at the end. Now that I have done some more reading I have seen many people say that one 2" x 6 - 8" smoke stack might help with temps. Have any of you seen a noticeable difference between these two exhaust options, or am I over analyzing this?
3. I have decided to go with 4 1" intakes. 3 will just be the 1" nipples with removable caps, and 1 will have a ball valve. I planned to install the valve in a vertical position on a 18" pipe to make it easier on me to adjust air flow, and I think it looks better. I have read some people complain that it has made it harder to reach temps since the bends in the pipe can somewhat restrict flow. Is this something others here have encountered, or am I once again over analyzing?
Thanks again in advance!
Pics will follow shortly.