Look for the "made in USA" on the New Braunfels badge. Also look for New Braunfels/Okie Joe if it still has the original thermometer. They are excellent accurate thermometers btw. It should be 1/8" steel, and there is a definite difference in that and Chinese sheet metal. They are fun if you have the afternoon to tend the fire. I use mine a lot for fattys, ABT's, second smokes on hams things like that. I have other cookers I can walk away from with confidence. But an original NBBD all shined up on the patio or cooking area screams BBQ