Hello from Kent

[SmokeyJoe]

Hello,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I have recently moved to Kent from London and now have a garden so I can now build myself a BBQ. I'm new to the low and slow type of cooking and in the process of collecting the bits for a couple of UDS. I have managed to source 2 drums and picked up 2 BBQs from Home base which will give me the grill and ash pan for the fire basket and 2 wheels for each UDS. Which I don't think is bad for £7.50 each.

I have a couple of questions. First, the BBQs from home base were deeper than I expected so the sides come up 70mm I will raise the base of the fire basket up so there is a gap. Should I then drill the inlet hole so they are in line with the gap between the pan and grill or should I stick with the 2-3" up from the base of the drum like most other people.

Secondly, is the about number of intakes needed as there has been some discussion on the number. I plan on using pipe nipples and ball valves, would 3 x 3/4" be enough if I needed to raise the temp for doing chicken. I want to keep the cost down as much as possible but want to be sure that it functions properly.

Any advise you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[CyderPig]

Hi and welcome
Stick with the bottom holes for the intakes at 2ins.
If you are looking to save money at first, dispense with the ball valves and nipples and just use fridge magnets to cover the holes, works just the same and can be easily adjusted to control temps.
Cheers
Si

[SmokeyJoe]

Thanks for the advice Si.

That would save some cash and get the build going quicker. It was going to be a long one to get the parts needed as the cash put aside had to go on towing and a rental over Christmas as the car died on the motorway.

[robgunby]

Hi there, good luck with your build, I have to say I love having a ball valve, I shift my UDS to my back door when cooking, and to dial in temps I only have to open the door, stick a slippered shoe out and push the lever, don't have to bend down, put shoes on or anything It only cost about £4 and saved me the cost of a nipple on that hole.

These £7.50 barbecues, have you got a link to them? Are they 22"ers? I need a second grill and the wheels would be really handy!

[SmokeyJoe]

I thnk I'll drill 1" holes and use the magnets so I can get going and upgrade the the ball valves when cash becomes available. I can't wait to get some food on after seeing all the pictures.

I have just checked the Homebase site and they are not on there any more. I must have been lucky before they got the new stock in. There were not 22" though the grill is about 43cm and the pan is 45cm so I'm using these for the ash pan and charcoal grate for the fire basket. It looks like they have replaced it with the model below but are now selling them for £19.99 and no wheels!

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st ... ber=237801

Amazon has something that looks exactly the same as the one I have but mine was a Homebase own brand. I'm sure it was just rebranded though. But they are over twice the price on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Landmann-11936- ... arcoal+bbq

I only got them a couple of weekends ago though so is anyone needs one it might be work calling the store to see if they still have any in. It was the Atlanta Charcoal BBQ. Not all stores carried them though but I was luck to have 3 stores close to me and Maidstone had 19 in stock.