The UDS worked out pretty good. Unfortunately I learned my mistake and used a crappy camera. I will take new ones of the final product. I actually bought the Big Poppa's Smoker kit. Actually, I didn't 'buy' it, I got it for Christmas... The experience was mostly postive for a rookie in building this kind of thing and someone who knows nothing about metal work. Here's my pros and cons on the kit:
Pro:
- Outside of the barrel, everything is included.
- The quality of the material they include is pretty good (except see cons...)
- It is pretty liberal with the required measurements. This was my first time doing anything like this and I know some of my measurements were off for the vents and mounting brackets. At the end of the day, with a little pressure, it came together with minimal smoke leakage.
- Overall time was pretty reasonable, start to finish was roughly 5-6 hours excluding barrel preparation.
Con:
- Instructions could be hard to follow if you don't know what you're doing. They provide templates, but not all templates, for the drill holes and explain perfectly how to use them. The assembly part for some components is missing.
- As mentioned, they provide templates for most holes and in the instructions they provide distances. For some of the accessories, there is general guidance. I ended up puttting stuff probably where I shouldn't have (it still works but I have to walk around the smoker to open a beer, so I do two at a time).
- They supply exactly enough hardware, and maybe not enough... Keep in mind I got this at Christmas and built it in May, but I think it didn't come with the spring for the top vent. Fortunately I was able to make my own. One of the U-bolts though for the charcoal basket broke on assembly so that means I'm one out. I've still used the smoker without it, it's just a pain to get another.
- Shipping costs: I live in Canada and it was ordered from the States. As noted, I'm not a metal head so the kit was the perfect solution. The shipping costs to Canada could it worthwile learning those skill sets...
Overall, I give it an 8 out of 10. Granted it is my first UDS, I'm also hoping it's my last for a long time. The desired outcome is 10 out of 10, I've got an amazing hot and cold smoker. I'd recommend this kit to you if it's available in a store of if you're in the States to have it shipped, the price point is reasonable. If you're in Canada, take into consideration the shipping costs.