UDS Kits Buyer’s Guide: Types, Accessories, & What to Expect

Thinking about getting into drum smoking but stuck between going full DIY or buying a kit? You're not alone. With all the parts, mods, and YouTube tutorials floating around, picking the right setup can feel like assembling a grill blindfolded – with oven mitts.

UDS kits (that’s ugly drum smoker kits for the uninitiated) offer a middle ground: the hands-on fun of building your own smoker without the stress of sourcing 27 random bolts and a mystery vent from a Tractor Supply.

In this guide, we’ll walk through different types of kits, what typically comes with them, and when it makes sense to go all-in or start simple. If you like smoke and simplicity, you’re in the right place.

What Is a UDS Kit?

At its core, a UDS, or Ugly Drum Smoker, is exactly what it sounds like: a big, steel barrel converted into a backyard meat-smoking machine. Simple, rugged, and shockingly efficient, it’s a favorite among pitmasters who want rich flavor without the price tag (or footprint) of a traditional high-end rig.

So where do UDS kits come in? Think of them as a shortcut for anyone who wants to build their own smoker without scouring hardware stores for brackets, vents, and high-temp gaskets. A well-built smoker barrel kit includes the essential parts – all sized to fit – so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to the fun part – building it.

A DIY drum smoker kit gives you a head start. It eliminates a lot of the part-matching trial-and-error and helps you get to your first cook with fewer interruptions. For new builders and experienced grillers alike, a complete kit can keep the process smooth and the focus where it belongs: low and slow.

The 3 Types of Smokin’ Ugly UDS Kits

Kits come in all sorts of sizes and setups, depending on how hardcore you want to get with the experience.

Smokin’ Ugly’s three complete UDS kits are a good example of how drum smokers can scale in both simplicity and features. Each model includes a 55-gallon, food-grade drum made from 18-gauge carbon steel, pre-drilled and ready for assembly.

The Basically Ugly — Starter Kit ($950)

This is the “git-r-done” setup for anyone who wants to start strong without sorting through bins of parts.

What it includes:

• Pre-drilled drum
• Hinge kit
• Latch handle
• Exhaust and inlet vents
• Utensil holder
• Grill grate
• Charcoal basket

You’ll need to apply your own high-temp paint, and the drum may arrive with some cosmetic quirks like flash rust or small dents. These are common in mass production and shipping, but they don’t affect performance.

The Completely Ugly — Mid-Tier Kit ($1,095)

The next step up builds on the Basically Ugly by adding more prep space and cleanup convenience.

Includes everything above, plus:

• Wheel kit
• Side shelf
• Charcoal chute
• Water Pan Holder/Heat Deflector Kit

The added accessories offer more comfort while cooking and help streamline the entire smoking process, from setup to cleanup.

The Extremely Ugly — Premium Kit ($1,550)

This one’s for backyard cooks who want flexibility and fun without tinkering.

Includes everything from the mid-tier kit, along with:

• Pizza oven kit
• Pizza kit griddle
• Pizza peel
• Charcoal basket hook

It still comes with the same sturdy drum and instructions – just with some added tools for those who want to branch out from brisket and try their hand at wood-fired pizza.

What’s in a Typical UDS Parts List?

A well-rounded UDS parts list gives you more than just a few brackets and a drum lid. At minimum, you’ll want the basic gear that makes the smoker functional and safe to use. Smokin’ Ugly’s Basically Ugly kit is a good example of where that baseline begins.

Whether you’re eyeing a basic oil-barrel-style drum smoker kit or something with more bells and whistles, most starter kits include:

From there, manufacturers might build out their kits with extras like shelves, wheels, or water pan holders. These additions don’t change how a smoker works, but they do make it easier to handle long cooks or clean up quickly.

Some DIY builders prefer to source everything themselves. That approach allows for more personalization, but it usually takes longer to gather the right parts – and even longer to figure out if they’ll fit together the way they should.

5 Drum Smoker Accessories That Upgrade Your Cook

Once the core build is ready, a few smart add-ons can make your smoker easier to manage. From airflow to cleanup, the right accessories can take some of the hassle out of longer cooks and help you stay focused on the food.

1. Temperature & airflow tools
2. Components that keep things simple
3. Add-ons
4. Convenience features
5. Specialty gear
   
   

1. Temperature & Airflow Tools
Vents are standard on most kits, but some designs make airflow easier to adjust mid-cook. A built-in thermometer is useful, and many builders add digital probes for extra control.

2. Components That Keep Things Simple
Hinges and latch handles make the lid easier to manage. Charcoal chutes and basket hooks help with fueling and cleanup, especially when you're cooking low and slow for hours.

3. Cooking Add-Ons
Multilevel grates and water pan holders / heat deflectors can give you more control over space and moisture. Some setups support drum-top griddles for quick meals between longer cooks.

4. Convenience Features
Wheels make it easier to move your smoker around the patio or yard. Side shelves and utensil holders give you more prep space and help keep your tools out of the grass.

5. Specialty Gear
A pizza oven insert opens up wood-fired cooking. With the right peel and griddle, your smoker can handle breakfast, birthday parties, and plenty in between.

Should You Build Your Own Smoker or Buy a Kit?

Some folks enjoy the challenge of building everything from scratch. Others just want to get smoking without hunting down parts that may or may not fit. Either way, it helps to know what you're getting into before you commit to a direction.

DIY from Scratch

Pros: Going full DIY gives you full control. You can customize the layout, source specific parts, and make tweaks along the way. With enough time, it might cost less, assuming you already have some of the tools and materials.

Cons: It’s rarely quick. Finding compatible pieces takes time, and small design decisions (like where to drill a vent) can lead to trial and error. If you’ve never built one before, you’ll spend as much time researching as assembling.

Buy a Complete UDS Kit

Pros: A full DIY drum smoker kit comes with pre-matched parts and instructions that take the frustration out of the process. Many products are pre-drilled, so you’re not spending hours measuring, marking, and backtracking. You still get to build it, but with fewer obscenities flying out your mouth.

Cons: You’ll pay a little more up-front. But that trade-off often means fewer mistakes, less time troubleshooting, and a smoother first cook.

What to Look for in a Solid Drum Smoker

Not all drum smokers are built the same. If you're comparing kits or thinking about building your own, a few practical features can make the difference between something that cooks well and something that constantly needs adjusting.

• Steel that holds up: Aim for 18-gauge, food-grade construction. Thinner drums are more likely to warp or wear down over time.
  
  
• Parts that actually work: Vents that stay put. Hinges that don’t stick. A lid that seals properly. These things matter more than they get credit for.
  
  
• Room to grow: Some designs make it easier to add grates, shelves, or specialty gear later on.
  
  
• No guesswork on fit: Kits built by experienced manufacturers usually come together cleanly, without last-minute adjustments or surprise gaps.

Choosing the Right UDS Kit for You

The best drum smoker fits how you like to cook and how involved you want to be in the build. Some offer a straightforward path to smoking, while others come loaded with features for longer sessions or more variety.

No matter where you land, a complete kit can simplify the process and take the edge off your first few cooks. It’s still hands-on – but without the hassle of chasing down mismatched parts or fixing problems mid-smoke.

Ready to Start Your Build?

Check out the full line of UDS kits and accessories to find the setup that suits your style.