Chet's Whiskey Barrel Smoker

I got the brinkman electric converstion unit. I set it on a grate on the bottom of the barrel and set up the cooking grates. I have not decided on a chimney yet (suggestions are welcome). Using some dryer exhaust tubing, I made a cheap chimney. Shut the lid, locked it down and plugged it in. Let it run for 2 hours and checked it. 217°, not so great, but at least above 200°.

I unplugged it and set it on an old charcoal bowl I had laying around. Lifted it about 6 inches. I filled it with lava rocks. Set everything back in place. And plugged it back in....
30 minutes later, 244°. I'm gonna leave it on for a few more hours and see where I end up. Very happy so far. Smoke was nice and constant.

I do have a question. I ordered some Weber replacement cooking grates and they came already started to rust. Is this normal? I cleaned them off and sprayed them down with olive oil for the testing.

Next question, and this is the important one... What should I do for the first cook?

Just shut her down. Was running steady at 260°.. That will do.

Updated Pic. Smoke stack is temp.

So, in less you missed my cook thread. The electric unit didn't do a good job. No smoke flavor... So I am going to be building a UDS Charcoal basket. I think if I set the basket in a high walled large bowl, it will shield the barrel from the heat.