Wally wrote: Did you build or buy your smoker. I'm thinking that may be my next step.
I bought a Weber WSM (Weber Smoky Mountain) and it's a great smoker and often available on Amazon for about $210 delivered. It's the best low cost means of entry. It's fairly easy to use and economical to buy and use. Even converting a fridge, etc., is going to get into the $200 range. The virtual bullet web site is awesome for the WSM and overall it's a good smoking web site.
I am seriously looking at building a Stumps (gravity feed) clone. Highly efficient with fuel and very easy to use. Unfortunately, the cost to build a medium size unit is likely pushing $1,000 with the cost of steel these days.
WSM - http://virtualweberbullet.com/
Stumps - http://www.stumpssmokers.com/
Stumps clone builders list - http://www.phpbbserver.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=609&mforum=smokinjim
Good, but busy smoking web site - www.thesmokering.com
The clone builders list is off the the Prairie BBQ Association list. These are a mostly Canadian group of smokers that are the single best resource I've found on the web for building a Stumps clone.
There are a ton of good smokers out there. My goal has been finding a smoker that does not require constant attention. Stick burning smokers need to be fed wood every 1/2 to 3 hours. A good charcoal burner can go 6-12 hours unattended on Kingsford, with wood chunks in it for flavor. Then there are electronic temperature controls (Guru and Stoker) too.
Jack
EDIT WSM for $179 dellivered http://www.amazon.com/Weber-2820-Smokey-Mountain-Cooker/dp/B00004U9VA/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1211537068&sr=8-1
