I came across this forum in a Google search for ways to make a fire basket and other mods for my OKJ. I did my first smoke on chicken quarters and they turned out fantastic! I got brave and then we for 2 5.5lb boston butts and 3 rack of ribs with no mods. I thought it really strange that i had to add so much fuel and the had to, at times chase the temp, to keep the heat right. The one good thing I did buy at the suggestion of this and other forums i visited is this Char-Broil Digital Remote Meat Thermometer. This was a life saver on that long day. I started out at 6am with meat on by 7am. And went through 1 and a half 20# bags of Kingsford charcoal and a 1 and a half bags of large hickory chunks. The food turned out great just the work and the fuel was exhausting. I thought there has to be a better way. That got me looking and searching. So here I am! I'm making my charcoal basket tomorrow with the direction of posts by Ski-Freak. With the help of my brother we will be up and running by dinner! From what i can tell my Joe is a little different from some i have seen pictures of. I don't have an ash catch pan (so jelous) on the bottom of my firebox, and the butterfly valve is not as long and its located on the bottom of the door not the top. Im ramming now. Thanks for the great post i have seen and i look forward to learning and hopefully posting some new pics of my mods.