The first smoker I ever had.

[coma44]

The first smoker I ever had was a little cheap used webber kettle charcoal job.

Worked ok for what it was but never ran great no matter what I tinkered with. Rusted out after 2 years sitting on the back deck.

Got a Masterbuilt 30" electric next and still use it on hunting and fishing trips.

This was my first build .

fresh paint

Bolted to the trailer.

[Gizmo]

Good looking rig - amazing how a little kettle can start such a big addiction….

[Smokeone]

I know the kettle feeling.
It looks like you definetly upgraded!

[Rodcrafter]

That's a nice rig.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[The Czar]

Dang that is not a small cooker!! How you like it so far??

[coma44]

"Dang that is not a small cooker!! How you like it so far??

Sorry for never getting back to you. Missed the post I guess.

I love it have done 6 major cooks (catering jobs) and 4 smaller party or test runs with it in the last 8 months. I love it for the bigger jobs it was really worth the cost and effort for sure. I have started working out the plans for a smaller version for home use and small parties and or test runs on recipes. The "250" eats some charcoal and wood so it needs to be a big enough cook to make it cost effective.

As far as I have seen I would change very little. The cooker runs great the product that I have been able to make is outstanding. I have cooked enough food for 200 people on it and still had room left. I know one thing I would do is increase the fire box from 102% to 110-115% so I can load it up more and get a little longer between first fire up to the next installment of wood and charcoal. Using the pit calculator is a must do for anything I ever build that is for sure.