In the Market for a New Cooker

[southernsausage]

PLEASE HELP WITH DECISION ON WHICH TYPE OF COOKER!!!!!  I'M GOING TO BUY A NEW WOOD/CHARCOAL COOKER(3FT TO 5FT LONG WILL SUFFICE). I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT I CAN SLOW COOK WITH AND ALSO GRILL FAST DIRECTLY OVER COALS IF DESIRED, I.E., STEAKS, BURGERS, ETC...I WAS LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL OFFSET SMOKER/GRILL UNITS SIMILAR TO THE ONES THAT "OLD COUNTRY BBQ PITS" OF LAREDO MANUFACTURERS. ALSO WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THE REVERSE-FLOW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK...THANKS, RILEY

 

[frosty]

You can spend a ton of $ on anything. 

I am very lucky to have a Klose smoker with a side fire box.  It has a 20" x 20" fire box and the fire box has a removable expanded metal grilling grate on it. 

If I want to smoke, I take out the grill grate, so I can add wood, charcoal, etc. and still have the flexibility to smoke.

I would go larger than you might think you need, if you can afford it, the extra room will enable you to add beans, appetizers, side dishes, etc. and still have the room needed to smoke or grill.

You might consider taking a look around locally to see if some one can build you one to your preference.

The reverse flow is a great option, and I wish I had the room to have one.    

A lot of people on the forum have more than one cooker, and each one had it's place. 

I have 3, the Klose, a stainless MES 40 with front window, and a Weber Propane grill for quick sessions.  Each adds to all of our get-togethers.

For some reason, the home boss

 doesn't come out in the back yard much anymore.  Go figure.  Maybe it's because her chair is now much closer to the back fence than it used to be.

Whichever way you go, enjoy, and invite the family and friends, you all deserve it.

 

[southernsausage]

Great...thank you. I have actually been thinking about having to possibly own more than one unit to have more options at a given time.

I'm giving my son our current charcoal grill so he can have one at college.

A little gas/propane grill like your weber is a great idea to have along side the main charcoal/wood smoker. I do not know anything about electric smoker units but am interested!

Ive looked at the Klose website and its only about an 8hr drive for me. Same thing for Lang and if their reverse-flow really is a cut above the traditional smokers then that is what I want. I think the smallest Lang patio model is around a thousand bucks and they weigh something like 600 pounds.

Thanks for the reminder about side dishes and veggies. I did not think about it. Ive had three big heavy trailer-mounted steel units through the years but never one of the quality that appears to be put into the ones we have mentioned. I actually have access to a shop with welders, drill presses, grinders, buffers, etc. and could make my own with a friend but am thinking I would rather pay around a thousand to fifteen hundred and get a high-quality one delivered to my house or take a quick road-trip and pick it up.

Does anyone have an opinion about the wood smoker units that have the firebox, a grill section, and a square or round vertical chamber at the far side? How much wood/charcoal does it take to heat these up if they are the smaller version, i.e., 16" x 40" tall diameter vertical chamber with a 16" diameter x 30" long horizontal smoker connected to a 20" x 20" firebox...

 

[icemanrrc]

I grill steaks, burgers and even pizzas on my Lang 36. Best of both worlds. You can cook hot and fast as good as low and slow.

 

[mossymo]

If it were me I would go with one of these Yoder's. Good solid company that stands behind their product and the prices are not outrageous comparing them to the smoker market.

- http://www.atbbq.com/store/show/yoder_cheyenne.html

- http://www.atbbq.com/store/show/yoder_wichita.html
 

 

[southernsausage]

thanks for the suggestions. im almost decided on a custom build.

 

[smokinbobbq]

Hey southernsausage....check out the smokers from Lang.  They now offer hybrid units with 48 or 60 in smokers and a trailer mounted grill unit in front.   Lang may have the perfect solution.  I use the Lang 48 and love the way it smokes and cooks everything to perfection with its reverse flow design.  Good luck!

smokinbobbq