How many smokers does a guy need? A question posed to me often by friends and especially by dear wife. The answer is simple. It’s not about need.

I am getting ready to build a UDS (Ugly Drum Smoker) soon. (I’ve been planning this for a month now and soon never gets here) And even though I have not started the UDS yet I think I have already found my next project.

I came across plans, if you can call them that, on ebay in the form of a magazine article from 1957. As you can see from the pictures it’s an offset UDS. This will be a nice addition to the BBQ World in my backyard.

The New Braunfels Silver Smoker and New Braunfels Bandera I owned have been modified (mods) with other people’s designs. The Great Outdoors Smoking Mountain I have is out of the box with no mods. It’s someone else’s design on the UDS. This new offset UDS will be all mine. Yes, I will start with a picture, but I’m going see what I can come up with on my own.

It will be a challenge. I’ve never worked with metal before and I don’t have welding equipment but I’m sure I can come up with the resources from friends to help me accomplish this mission. More on the “off-set UDS” in the months to come. Since it’s probably going to be summer before I get to this.