[smokewagonbbq]

Here's a picture of me cooking prime rib and 10 chickens on Super Bolw Sunday this year on my monster.  It's been a great smoker but it sure eats alot of wood...at the Tempe BBQ Comp it managed to consume 70 lbs of charcoal!

It's great for bigger events where it really makes sense, but it's a little overkill for a weekend family dinner

My father in law and his metal fab company made this for me at their shop here in Glendale last year.

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[Mike (AZBarbeque)]

That is one awesome looking smoker though..  It's all about the Roll ups... You can only make one first impression..   

[force]

Nice. rig.........

[azkitch]

Maybe your FIL can tell me what this expanded metal I got is...that is to say, what type of metal.

It's silvery and shiny, but not stainless. #9 X 3/4 I believe. I know...no one can tell much from a photo. I'm going to take some to work, see if anyone can help there. I just hope it isn't galvanized, tho' I'm fairly certain it isn't. Very magnetic, it is.
dk

[smokewagonbbq]

I will ask him....Not galvanized huh??  It sure looks it..

[hillbille]

 hit it w/ a propane weed flamer and it won't be galvanized for long- stand upwind

[Quiggs]

Coulb be chromed, It is poular around here for jeep racks, not polished to super high sheen but give very good rust protection.

[bearbonez]

You able to get thing to temp on charcoal? My gator is a much smaller backyard model, and I have a hell of a time getting over 185 with charcoal.

[smokewagonbbq]

Bear,

I have used lump my whole life.....I was strictly a natural wood kind of guy.  Last weekend I used Kingsford in my UDS and I found out some good things that I am having a hard time believing....

But for the stick burner, yes only lump and whole sections of pecan/oak/apple about 8 to 16 inches long and 3 to 6 inches around.

[bearbonez]

Maybe it's an elevation thing. I am at 7000'. I have even got frustrated and gave up on minion method in the basket. Turned on the log lighter to get the whole basket going at once. I keep the intake vents wide open and have even cracked the firebox door a little bit. the thing just wont get up to temp. I gave up on charcoal and chunks. I can throw a stick on top and get temps up so I dont go through as much wood at least.
 A couple weeks ago, there was a huge pile of cut down apple trees on the side of the road, so I have a decent stock of apple wood now. Maybe bout 1/4 cord worth...now I just need it to dry out.