Offset Smoker

[billbo]

I currently have an ECB and want to upgrade to an offset smoker. I have looked at countless models and everything I read as far as pros & cons just confuses me more.

I am not going to compete or anything I just want a nice unit for my back deck that will be easy to operate with as little mods as possible. I know you guys will have some opinions for me! Economy and reliability are my goals. Thanks all for your replies!

 

[howufiga]

I love my Char-griller smoking pro. I think I would rather buy one of those more expensive heavy duty units though. I may upgrade to a Lang or one of the other guys on here was talking about Bell Fabrications in Tulsa that makes a good unit.

 

[carpetride]

I'm gonna throw a curve ball in here...take a look at a stumps gravity feed if you want easy to use. He is now making a small backyarder size.

 

[billbo]

Is stumps a brand of smoker, haven't run across that one if it is. Do you have a link?

 

[garyt]

Good luck, there seems to be a void between $200 dollar smokers and $1500 dollar units. I have a 5 year old or so New Braunfels unit that if I could buy again I would get 2 more and just save them until needed



Nice metal and works great, now everything is thinner metal and problems or mods needed right out of the box, it seems like everything is either custom ordered to be quality or crap from China. Ill be watching this thread for my friends also, who want a decent offset smoker buy we cant seem to find one.

Great question, looking forward to responses.

 

[jamesb]

What is your budget? You will thank your self many times over for biting the bullet and paying for a quality unit the first time! IMO, skip the Char Broils, Brinkman etc.

One builder you should consider is Gator Pits.
http://www.gatorpit.net/

The same Gator Pit outfit also produces a "budget pit" line of cookers. Fewer bells and whistles, but still a quality pit.
http://www.budgetbbqpits.com/

There are many other builders out there, but these are the ones I've looked at most recently. Also don't forget to cruise Criagslist to see what's available in your area.

 

[rivet]

Exactly, you get what you pay for and a higher quality unit will bring you more satisfaction than having to fool around with mods- you said you didn't want to mess with them.

I spent some time just now on that gatorpit website and they look fantastic. Never heard of them until today...I want one! Can't believe the price and I am sure if you give them a call and tell them you would like this or that diffeent I'm sure they'd do it with no worries.

They also sell a rub which sounded pretty good on brisket....

Good luck to you and let us know what you decide on!

 

[cman95]

Go to Academy.com and check their smokers. They sell 2-3 models of the New Braunsful offset smokers. I have one and love it. They are not set and forget, but make some nice q. Good luck!

 

[jamesb]

The Gator Pit website sells the Texas BBQ Rub. It is an awesome rub!

As far as the Gator Pit quality, and I don't want to sound like a commercial 'cause I ain't got no stake in them, it is top notch.

My only experience with Gator Pits is a pit that I talked a buddy of mine into buying a couple of years ago. It was listed on Craigslist. The only reason the fella was selling it was that he was moving on to a larger pit for catering.

This pit is now 7yrs old and will outlast my buddy I'm sure. It cooks great! Once it is warmed up, it will hold for ever with just a small split added to the coals every hour or so. (BTW: They no longer put pneumatic tires on these pits and they have been replaced on this pit with steel wheels due to the 1500lb weight of the pit!)

 

[carpetride]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, yes stumps is a brand but it is not an offset. Thats why I suggested it was a curve ball.

stumpssmokers.com not sure he has the "baby" posted on the main website yet but he does have some posted on the user forum.

 

[billbo]

Cman, what model Academy do you have?

 

[jdt]

the academy joes longhorn are 10 guage sheetmetal and $450, the first responce picture is a 5/16 wall 24 x 36 with 20 x 20 sfb custom built by american hands for $450, if you can get anywhere near tulsa or have a dock it can be shipped to check out bellfab, his prices are to hard to ignore, mine is done and coming home next saturday night. I just couldn't pay three times more for a lang, horizon or klose of equal size.

http://www.bellfab.com/

 

[azrocker]

Dude! That is one phat rig! Sweet!