My new pig cooker

Klose in Houston makes some nice pits of all shapes and sizes. I've built a bunch of grills, and have used several ideas from pics I have seen of stuff from there.

If it's indeed a Klose, the screw-in thermometers from Academy should match threads and screw right in to the holes you have on the grill and smoker doors. Don't worry about quality...you'll get a couple good years out of any of them.

Be sure you have something in the firebox to elevate your wood off the bottom and allow airflow underneath. I used to cut pieces of crusher screen since I had access, and it worked really well. Regular thin expanded metal will burn out pretty quick. Also keep your air vents and stack covered when not in use. Water + ashes = lye which will rust out steel like no one's business!