UDS drum lid seal

[g-rat]

I am building my 1st UDS. I am using a domed lid from a scrap grill as the lid from the barrel was rusted through in several places. As most know the domed lids don't exactly match up to the barrels. Mine was too small, so I flattened the rim out and it now matches the OD of the barrel. My question is will this lid have a good enough seal? Or should I try to modify it for better seal? Thanks

[Big T]

I can't tell how tight it fits from the picture but you need to make sure it seals up pretty good.

[Rodcrafter]

You can get some of that Nomex self stick gasket material and put it on the flange you made on the lid that should do it.
http://bbqsmokersupply.com/

[g-rat]

Thanks for the replies. I've ordered some of the gasket material and will post an update once it is installed.

[zima-man]

I just ran I to same problem with my mini drum. Still cooks well, just have double check the temp. With the air leak up top it runs a little hotter then my big drum with a sealed lid. Once you get it dialed in... it runs great! Had some problems snuffing it out also. Yes the gasket material will help. I need to get some too.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

[Pete Mazz]

I just ran I to same problem with my mini drum. Still cooks well, just have double check the temp. With the air leak up top it runs a little hotter then my big drum with a sealed lid. Once you get it dialed in... it runs great! Had some problems snuffing it out also. Yes the gasket material will help. I need to get some too.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

I told you I have some. Since you're dropping off your 55 I'll trade you for it since it's currently at the house.

[Rodcrafter]

Watch him Pete, I hear he robs stuff. lol


Making memories.

[Pete Mazz]

Ha ha! Didn't even fire it up. It's still in the back of the truck.

[g-rat]

Follow up.
No, the lid seal is not good enough, even with the gasket material.
I did a test run. Started with 6 white coals into 1/2 a bag of charcoal with 4 oak chunks.
With all intakes closed and exhaust open about 75% the temp went up to 270 degrees in an hour. Slowly climbed after that for the next 2 hours before settling in the 300 degree range.
Smoke was white the whole burn, never saw any thin blue smoke most others report.
In hind sight I shouldn't have flattened out the lip on the dome lid. But I didn't know about these forums until after I was nearly complete with my build.
I think my best option is to start over with another dome lid.

[Pete Mazz]

What do you have for intakes? You're definitely getting too much air in there.

[Rodcrafter]

You can still use that lid, just cut the center out of the lid that belongs to that drum and attach the dome to it steel rivets through the gasket material should work nice. Then you can even use your clamp that goes with the drum.

[g-rat]

Two 3/4" and two 1" pipes with ball valves welded and sealed with high temperature RTV.

[g-rat]

The original lid was rusted through in several places, but I like this idea and will try to find a second drum lid.
Thanks!