The lid is counter weighted and has about 40#s of lift and is perfectly balanced once it is over center. The door is only opened for cleaning or for loading when I fill the cooker up. I have what I call a snack door in the ront of the cooker that measures 24x30. As far as the steel I am a union Ironworker and I own my own welding shop so I put it together with stuff I had laying around.I have about $1800.00 worth of steel and mechanicals and #2000.00 in Busch light for engineering. The coal box runs the full length on the back side and will hold all the wood or charcol you would like.
You to my friendThe cooker will have a 2 half barrel fridge and a stainless prep table on the back over the axels after I recover from the holidays.
Have a great night!!