Looking for some offset advice

I can only speak about what I have. I have had a Lang for several years and wouldn't trade

it for the world. I produces great BBQ right from the start. As a stick burner it takes more attention

then other smokers but for me that is part of the fun. 

I would say that after my Lang I also love my new WSM it's a charcoal smoker and also produces

some great BBQ. It is a lot less work then the Lang and not an offset but a damn fine smoker anyway.

I have found that I am using it more and more and my Lang only for really large family or company

gatherings. 

Smoking Boy: You're asking a hard question to answer as I can only tell you what worked for me. I started smoking with a smoking pro, which I highly modified especially to obtain the reverse flow aspect. It cooked good product -- once I plugged all the leaks. I looked at the Horizon, which is an excellent unit, but I would have had to buy accessories for reverse flow.

I'm not sure about the OK Joe's as I think they're not what they used to be. I think Horizon builds what the OK Joe used to be but I'm not sure.

I settled on a Lang, which I've had for over 1 year. I made a few minor modification such as heat bricks in the bottom of the fire box and a drilled hole for the maverick probe wires but that's it and I really didn't have to make those mod's. The lang is well built but there could be improvements in the welds but other than that I'm satisfied for the money I spent. The main thing is there are no smoke/heat leaks. Stick with units using 1/4"steel

The more you spend the better the unit but there comes a point of diminished return. In other words, a bolt or nut doesn't know if it's being removed by a Snap-On or Sear's socket. Same with meat when you're cooking on units in the above $1000 range.

smoking boy: I have a Lang 36 original patio, which is a stick burner smoker only. I could have added a charcoal cooker, which is called a Lang hybrid. I have a Weber 22.5" plus a built in gas grill so I don't need a charcoal cooker. Had I wanted to, I could have added a warmer box, which I didn't need because I have a Santa Maria Grill, which I placed over the fire box to cook tri-tip steaks.

So, you can purchase a Lang smoker only, a Lang smoker only with a charcoal grill or a Lang smoker grill and a warmer box or a Lang smoker with a warmer box. The combinations are endless --  you have to decide on you cooking needs, now and in the future, and go from there. It's only my wife and myself so the Lang patio fits our needs.

smoking boy said:

I hope some of you can help me sort through my thought process.

After many years I'm moving on from my unmodified Chargriller Smoking Pro. Over the years I've learned how to cook around it's many areas that need improvement and have put out so damn fine Q.

But now, in retirement, I want something more substantial with a larger cooking surface. I'm looking at several mid range offsets. At the lower end I like the OK Joes, and at the upper end the Langs look good. In between is Medina River, Horizon and Ace of Hearts. I assume all will need some level of modifications.

So I'm interested in what you kids think will give the best bang for the buck.

Thanks much

Click to expand...

The horizon needs no modification!

Smoking Boy, I have a Lang Hybrid with the charcoal cooker that sits in a separated section of the smoker tube. I have found it

very handy for catering gig's and competitions. That said if I was only cooking for the family and friends I would just go with the Lang 

patio and maybe add the vertical box for versatility. I have had my Lang now for 4 years and it is a work horse. I love that cooker and If you get one you will love it to.