After doing my taxes, I discovered I'm getting a $3900 refund (holy
crap! Mortgage interest makes a big difference ! So, I took this
as a sign that it's time, and I ordered a Klose Backyard Chef today.
I got it with the optional baffle for the upright, and the rods for
hanging. I decided not to get the 1/2" firebox because of the extra
weight and additional cost + additional freight (it would have been
like $600 extra, all told), I'll try adding some firebricks or
something for winter cooking.

I also ordered a charcoal basket and a couple of rib racks.

They had one in stock, and it shipped today, so it should be here
Wednesday. Too bad I didn't order it a week ago, I'm cooking 4
shoulders tomorrow for the superbowl on Sunday. I guess this will be
the last big cook on my ECB, although I may still use it for the
single rack of ribs or single chicken type cooks.

Now I just need to find a firewood source. In the meantime, I'll
probably buy a bag of 12" apple logs and a bag of oak or hickory logs
from Smoke & Fire down on 151st (Olathe/Overland Park Kansas). I've
got some cherry in 6" pieces already for doing chickens or turkeys,
and I suppose those will work pretty well. I've also got some
hardwood flooring (unfinished of course) scraps that'd probably be a
good heat base with the strong woods like mesquite.