I just finished mine and have only done 3 cooks but I love it. I took a torch and cut the lip off of the kettle lid. Then I bolted that lip to the barrel and then I put the bottom into that lip. Think of it this way. Take your kettle lid and set in upside down into the barrel. The put the kettle bottom on also upside down. I'm getting ready to do another one and I will take pictures of the process.