Stick burner

I am a cheapskate and I wanted a smoker for a long time. So when I came across the barrel in a building at work I was really excited. It was part of a steam heat system that was being removed. 

I had to purchase some expanded metal for the grates, steel rod and tube for the hinges and handles. Also had to buy the wheels. 

The legs were scrap pieces leftover at jobs I was on. The wood for the shelves was also salvaged of a job. 

The pic with me was when I finished cleaning the inside. It was a mess! 

I love smoking with this. I pretty much stick to burning oak in it. It lays a heavy smoke flavor in whatever I put on it. It is a labor of love with this as you have to stick real close to it to monitor the fire. 

But for those cool early mornings you can keep the coffee warm on the hot plate I made above the firebox.