Two years ago, I built a smoker. I use it to BBQ stuff right here at home. I have a lot to learn yet, and a lot of things to try, but things are going pretty well so far. I built the smoker out of a sterilized 55 gallon drum and added a fire box. I reinforced the inside with angle iron and used non-galvanized grating as the cooking surface. I put a small hole in the top of the grill so I can hang a temperature probe inside the smoking chamber. In the past, I would experience temperature fluctuations as much as 50 degrees near the fire box. I repaired that today by using sheet metal screws to fasten a cookie sheet inside the smoke chamger as a heat baffle. It seems to be working quite well. The repair I made has created a small problem in getting heat inside the chamber to over 240 degrees (around 250 is best), so I had to monitor the fire a bite more than usual today. This problem will be worked out with a slightly larger fire than I am used to using. I have used the smoker quite a few times for ribs, brisket, salmon, and beef ribs. http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDofRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJ0GqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QoPJ%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 While the Fire was getting going and I was getting wood and stuff, I made a snack for lunch http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDofRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJGoqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QoPo%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 On to the RIBS! These are Baby Back Ribs. 4 racks, all with a custom dry rub I created. (pictured before smoking) http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDofRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJGlqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QoPl%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 The metal you see hanging down in the picture above would be: a temperature probe, and 2 hooks to hang sausages. http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDPfRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJeJqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QPeo%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 After about 2 hours in the smoking chamber at around 250 degrees (I used apple wood), the ribs were wrapped in foil in a bath of beer for moisture. You can clearly see all the smoke. http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDofRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJeeqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QoQn%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 About 1 hour after the ribs went to foil, which is commonly called a Texas Crutch, the ribs were pulled out and sauced. http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDofRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJaPqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QoPa%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDPfRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeePJnQqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QPeP%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442 Ribs are done, and ready to be taken upstairs TO EAT! Look at the picture closely. The pink that you see is caused by the smoke. Called the "Smoke Ring". http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDofRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPooxQ00xaaGxv8uOc5xQQQlJaoeelPn0qpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QoPa%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,590,442