If you don't already own a little Weber grill to turn into a smoker, or even if you do own one and simply want a Bigger Boi to host cookouts with, I would take the advice of Meathead Goldwyn and “please please please don't buy an inexpensive offset/horizontal smoker.” Sure, they look cool, but they don't direct heat or smoke all that well until you start spending north of a thousand bucks.

For a fraction of the price, you can actually build your own smoker out of a 55-gallon drum with one of these kits. Of course, you'll have to supply your own drum and some tools to get the job done:

• Electric/cordless drill
• 7/8" wrench (or adjustable wrench)
• 7/16" wrench (or an adjustable one also.)
• Tape measure
• Straight edge

Notice how there's no mention of any welding gear?

Barring that minor list of tools, the kit gives you everything else you need to turn that drum into a world-class smoker:

• Top vent
• 2 stainless steel bottom slide vents
• Nickel-plated grill cooking grate
• Lid hook
• Stainless steel lid handle with wood grips
• A pair of stainless steel drum/smoker handles with wood grips
• Side-mounted bottle opener (a critical piece, of course)
• Shield assembly
• Charcoal nest hook
• Steel charcoal nest assembly
• BBQ thermometer
• All the necessary mounting hardware
• Full assembly instructions

The company does recommend doing a high-temperature burn inside the drum after all holes are drilled, but before adding any hardware. After it's been burned out and assembled, you're gonna have a killer piece of BBQ equipment at your disposal.

This kit significantly reduces the cost, time required, and probability of error. And the results can cook competition worthy meat. Really.

—Meathead Goldyn, AmazingRibs.com

Now, if you don't want to go to the trouble of sourcing your own drum, the company does offer a number of undrilled, pre-drilled, and partially assembled drum smoker options to make things easier. Up to you.

Get the DIY drum smoker kit for $140 at BigPoppaSmokers.com