I grabbed this redi-smok electric smoker for 10 bucks at a garage sale. I think these are still being sold, but under the Ol' Smokey brand name. I took a wire wheel on the drill and knocked down some of the surface rust on the inside, cut a hole out of the bottom with a grinder and knocked off the paint on the bottom that was gonna now be inside the bowl of the Smokey Joe.
It fits the lid perfectly, and the bottom fits tight if you have it sitting right. I think the little lip on the bowl for the cook grate makes it a little less secure than I would like. I need to get some latches to hook the mid section to the bowl, but the ones that I would like are over 10 bucks a piece. Latches off of a masterbuilt cabinet would work perfectly, but they are 12 bucks a piece too. And I think having 3 of them would be the way to go. If anyone has experience latching things together feel free to share your knowledge.
I'm building this to give to my buddy, so I would like to keep the budget as low as possible, and I will drill into the Smokey Joe if I have to.
I was thinking just a couple bolts with a silicon o-ring or something to keep them together, Idk.
I had seached the internet for extra tall mini wsms but it seems most people just use the tamale pot. I know I saw a guy building one here with a piece of steel barrel.
Anyway here's a couple pics. Its taller than an 18 wsm. And taller then a 22 if you take the lids off lol.
I want to add bolts for a third rack towards the bottom too.