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I Built a $62 Smoker to Compete With a Big Green Egg... (And it Worked?)

Why Am I Green

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I spent just $62.50 to see if I could replicate a $4,000 professional smoker using nothing but terracotta flower pots. Can a DIY ceramic smoker really compete with a Big Green Egg? I put this "Flower Pot Kamado" to a real barbecue test to see if the results were actually comparable.

People spend anywhere from $1,100 to over $4,000 for high-end ceramic egg smokers. I wanted to see if I could build one myself for a tiny fraction of that price. To be honest, I was surprised by how well it performed.

Where to get parts to build your own:
✔️ Clay pots from your local Home Depot, Lowe's or garden supply store. Too expensive to mail!
✔️ Clay Feet from my local Agway. I was lucky to find them. Home Depot has the normal clay feet spacers.
Amazon:
✔️ 12 Inch Round Cooling Rack, 304 Stainless Steel: https://amzn.to/4aKG91S
✔️ 12" Stainless Steel Grill Skillet & Deep Fryer Strainer Basket with Removable Handle: https://amzn.to/4vHAMsl
✔️ Thermometer - 2 inch BBQ Thermometer Gauge Charcoal Pit Smoker : https://amzn.to/4e67XA6
✔️ 2 Pcs M10 Square U Bolts 4 Inch Wide, 3/8" x 4"W x 6" L Stainless U Bolt Heavy Duty with Nuts, Bolt Plate and Washers: https://amzn.to/49T21rK
✔️ Masonry Drill Bit Set 5pcs, Concrete Drill Bits with Carbide Tip (1/4”-1/2”): https://amzn.to/4uBzmil
✔️ Kamado Joe Classic Joe Series II 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker https://amzn.to/4xtwDtN
✔️ Fire & Flavor Premium All Natural Wood Chips for Smoking: https://amzn.to/4vb4WVl
✔️ Buy literally anything on amazon at this link to help support the channel! https://amzn.to/4ljimu3
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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FEATURES & SPECS: • Total Cost: Approx. $62.50 • 14-inch Italian terracotta pots (Lead-free) • Built-in thermometer & adjustable air vents • Locking safety clips & removable drip tray • Charcoal-powered & compact for camping, RVs, or small patios

⚠️ SAFETY NOTE: Before building this smoker, I contacted the manufacturer of the Italian terracotta pots used in this project. They confirmed that these pots do not contain lead glaze or chemical sealants. - Use ceramic drill bits designed specifically for clay to reduce the chance of cracking while drilling, elevated the smoker on ceramic feet, and used a metal tray underneath to help shield the ceramic from direct heat. - As with any charcoal grill or smoker, use common sense, inspect components regularly, and discontinue use if cracks or damage develop. - Always operate outdoors on a stable, noncombustible surface and never leave a lit grill unattended. - This video documents my own project and experience. If you decide to build one, please do so carefully and at your own risk.

#DIYSmoker #BigGreenEgg #KamadoGrill #BBQ #SmokingMeat #CharcoalGrill #TerracottaSmoker #DIYBBQ #BackyardCooking #WhyAmIGreen

#fathersdaydiy
#fathersday

20 Comments

@whyamigreen Creator 1 month ago (edited) Pinned

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@darkomatkovic4253 3 months ago

This is what YouTube is all about. Love this type of videos

@DirtyWhiteBoy0508 3 months ago

I'm betting this guy is an awesome father/grandpa etc..
Nice smoker 👍🏻

@mileswoodward78-86 3 months ago (edited)

Great design. I built my 12" flower pot smoker in 2013 and have cooked countless ribs and everything else in it since. I used the existing drain hole for the temp gauge and I use an Imusa 1100W hot plate with the cord run through the bottom drain hole. I would like to add hinges to the top for easy opening. Wrap it in an old blanket (adding 30 degrees for a total of 250), turn it on high for 4 and a half hours and I've got the best ribs in town! Oh and I paid $48 in parts to build it.

@SharkRangler 3 months ago

This is basically Alton Brown’s Little Brown Egg. I built one about 20 years ago.

@longbra 3 months ago

My house came with a used Kamado Joe smoker and a pool. Between the two, I would say I've enjoyed the smoker so much more than the pool. I don't think I'll ever go back to cooking on a propane grill or electric smoker. It is so much easier keeping the grill clean and food comes off of it tasting 100's of times better. I also inherited a pellet grill, but still prefer using the ceramic smoker with coal. I'm keeping these DYI projects in mind in case I end up retiring in a 3rd world country. LOL

@WernTheBrave 3 weeks ago

Great job big guy. Guess what im doing Saturday

@HideyHoleOrg 3 months ago

A Chimney style charcoal starter will get a good amount of coals going hotter and faster than just sitting them in a pile, and improve your grilling experience.

@scoobydog411 3 months ago

Hi I’ve been doing smoking at home over 15 years. That’s a nice project. One thing I think you would like is , when you finish cooking. Turn lid ( up side down ) buy a pot that can cover smoker as a cover. Plus you can us as a smoker stand for easy reaching. Make more videos about your smoker. Thanks Gary.

@SantisValiant 3 months ago

I love his energy and joy

@chrisschembari2486 1 month ago

You should get a slightly larger grill that just fits in when close to the top of the bottom pot. That way, you won't have to reach in at such an awkward steep angle with your spatula and other grilling tools. Plus, you can keep your hands more to the side and less directly over the coals.

@JonRoylance74 3 months ago

The Alton Brown special with charcoal instead of an electric hot plate. I made mine like Alton did on good eats, with an electric coil. A pie tin on top with wood chips and it works great. DIY is the best! 👍🏼

@Finwolven 2 months ago

For more focus on smoking your food, do a little foil envelope filled with moistened woodchips and punch a couple holes on top of it, then place that directly on the coals. You could even just have half your coal plate's area of coals going, they'll put out plenty of heat to get the chips smoking in the envelope, and then let it go on low air (plug 2/3 holes at the bottom, adjust if needed). Monitor the temps, if it's too cold pull a plug out or add a couple of coals in under the envelope. This is a gentler cooking method that'll get you beautifully smoked fish or chicken, but it does take quite a bit longer. From 45 minutes to two hours. When you pull the product, check its internal temps, and if needed you can finish it up in an oven or add more coals to up the temperature in your smoker/grill/barbeque.

I made a similar type of smoker this spring from a $20 little ball-shaped grill I had laying about, and it's added a lot of smoke flavor to everything I want ever since.

@jakewallace6077 3 months ago

One of these has been my main, smaller smoker for over 15 years. Except I put the thermometer centered in the lid, and I have two 4" cabinet handles on the sides of the lid. With an electric plate at the bottom, a steel pie tin for the smoke tray, and a grate. It can fit two whole rainbow trout or a 12 lb pork shoulder no problem.

@zeusfl72-m3o 3 months ago

Nice video, I think the best part was you are both having fun and not taking things too seriously.

@reneerupert5830 3 months ago

That was a fun build. The surprise of finding painted toe nails was hilarious!

@boydwood6104 3 months ago

A weber kettle will do anything a green egg will.

@sameotoko 1 month ago

Sir, I've seen builds like this online for about 20 years and never dared to make them my self. But your video gave me the right tools for it. Thank you so much and kee up this amazing channel