Heck anyone can do some nice cooks on any number of inexpensive smokers. I started out with a Brinkman gas smoker. I just recently was looking into getting a new smoker and found these reviews . I saw the Big Drum Smoker and started researching them and found a wealth of info on building a clone of these drum smokers. Well after the research and collecting a few parts I went ahead and just built my own. I've only done a couple of smokes on it and so far it's went fairly well. As with any smoker it all comes down to temperature control.

Anyone that wants a pretty good smoker that is an easy build and cost near nothing should give it a shot.

Thanks for all the complements.

Hey wid, how much smoke do these things put out? I would love to try a mini version, but living in an apartment, I don't want to attract too much attention.

City bylaws do not allow bbqs and such on balconys, but nobody enforces this. I suspect making lots of smoke would be like putting a big bullseye on your back and walking through a shooting range.

They put out a minimal amount of smoke. I don't think a good neighbor would mind the smell of a good BBQ. You can always control the smoke with the amount of wood you use.

Make sure to invite the neighbors and that will guarantee they won't mind.

Hmm... Its tempting. I wonder if the fire department likes pulled pork?

It produces no where enough smoke to worry about that. I love some pulled pork although it takes forever to make it

Thanks. It sounds like its worth looking into a little more.

For dinner today, I had a Costco hot dog with Coke, and then I had leftover mac&cheese mixed with leftover chili. All quite tasty.

The wife had a meeting tonight, the kids and I had Mickey D's, I think I'm gonna be sick, a BigMac and a Fillet of fish is about all the empty calories and fat I need for the month

In college, my roommates and neighbors made numerous trips to Costco for hot dogs or pizza. Cheapest and most filling meal around.

Michael, I totally agree. About three years ago I began making sandwiches to bring for lunch. When you get away from the fast food thing for a while you realize how yucky some of it can get.

I still get cravings every once in a while, though.