History of Monson Cookers...

Just thought I could give a little background into how I got to this UDS cooker into really displacing my Weber smoker and many others.  I've been pretty obsessed with this whole meat smoking thing since 2000, and so this isn't my first rodeo. ;)  Here is a history of my Smoker/cookers and experimentation notes in order:

2000- New Braunfels - Vertical Water Smoker - 3 x 16" Diam racks.  Med heavy, open on bottom like cheap Brinkmanns.  Hard to control charcoal fires.
- Converted using fish fryer burner to propane heat.  Sat over the burner and removable. - Much improved heat control.  This was before all the 3 in 1s that do this now, but same idea.
- Used too much propane and temp decreased as tank pressure reduced on long cooks.
 - Sold 2002

2002- Oklahoma Joe Offset Smoker - Big heavy traditional Off set log burner made of 1/4" steel pipes. 20"x40" heavy cooking grate. 20x20 firebox.  Lots of cooking space!
-Added propane log lighter, cast iron grates, drain ball valve.
- Added half upper rack, tuning plates, got it to about 80% even heat.
- Great cooker, but way too much heat tending. Every 45 min had a inconsistent fire and smoke.
- Sold 2005 when I moved.

- Did a whole small pig in it once for a party. ;)

2004 - 18" Weber Smokey Mountain. 2x18" grates - vert water smoker.

- Added bigger Brinkmann water pan and lid thermo.

- Runs on Charcoal and wood chunks w/pan of water.  Very even temps and easy to use.

- After 30 minute start up, temp locks in, can run 14hrs on just one fuel load.

 - Just an incredibly easy cooker.  WSM is the best commercial smokers IMO. 
- A little small at 18" and water pan gross to clean.

- Sold 2011

2006 - 22" Weber Kettle - Tried smoking with a new grill indirectly.

- Ok for ribs but just too much work and not practical for longer smokes due to fuel usage.
- black one, the Insides rotted out.  Later the Black lid and table became part of UDS.

2007 - Free 15" Orig Japanese Kamado ceramic cooker. (same as Big Green Egg, but before it)

-Needed guts.  Fixed it up and tried slow chicken twice, good results.

- Just too small for even med cooks with just one 15" rack.  Ash cleanup a pain also.

- Almost bought a BGE or a big Kamado, but the owner of one talked me out of it as he had started to use a cooker called the BDS or Big Drum Smoker, and I liked the simplicity of those (like UDS).

- Sold 2007

2008 Upright heavy Vertical smoker, custom made of 1/4" steel with rectangular firebox below rectangular cooking box and 4 tubes connecting them. 2 x 15"X 30" cooking racks.
- Bought as an opportunity for just $80 from a guy who used to do BBQ comp circuits.
- Added Log lighter and side burner.  Still needs tighter air control as too big of gaps.
- Plan to make into super Rib cooker based on perfect size to take about 20 racks of ribs on racks.
- Honestly I have no need for this beast, but I have more BBQ patio, so why the heck not? ;)

2009 - Designed and built my own Ugly Drum Smoker I called a MUDSOG.  Like a bigger WSM but with 2x 22" racks and no water pan.  Design can both Grill or Smoke!
- 55 Gal drum, charcoal basket, 22" Weber grill racks. Uses bigger 22" Weber lid for top.
- Runs on Charcoal and wood logs or chunks.  Goes up to 18hrs on just one fuel load. ;)
- Set it and forget it cooking like a big WSM, but no water pan to mess with.  Excellent!

Anyway that's all of them for now!  Isn't that enough? ;)