short answer, yes. When they were welded and forged in Oklahoma, they
were what Horizons ARE today. But they still arent crap by far.
I also wanted to reply to some comments here and touch on a few points.
Ive been a brinkmann owner for many years, 14 months ago i bought my latest trailmaster LE w/ special edition swing arm extra shelf from BJs wholesale for 299.
2 weeks ago a ton of snow and aluminum ended our love affair as the roof of my patio crushed my brinkmann smoker and grill. There were some downsides to the brink TB, but i loved her.
I got some advise from Vegas, the guy a few posts above me here, that i should look into OJ's. i did some research, i went to friends homes that owned them.. and they are pretty badass for the pricepoint.
Heres where the confusion comes in.
Youre going to hear some folks (like some above) talk about the major price difference between retailers on the OJ smokers. There truly isnt a difference. They are just comparing Davids to Goliaths
There are 2 models. Highland & Longhorn. Difference? Sq Inches. 879 vs 1060. some folks will even just say they own an OJ1060 , another side confusing fact is theres a 3rd model.. the OJ Longhorn... that is dual gas/coal.
Now, no matter where you shop for the OJ879 or 1060... they are the same price roughly.
Some shops however will charge you an extra surcharge for s/h.
Please dont be discouraged by Walmart selling these. They only sell online. 288$ for the small one, 428$ for the large.. and then an extra 100$ for s/h to store. you still have to pick up there.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Oklahoma-Joe-s-Highland-Smoker-Grill-Black/33605961
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Oklahoma-Joe-Longhorn-1-060-sq-in-Smoker/34702957
At Lowes, they are 299 and 429, but THIS TIME OF YEAR, you can get STEALS!
first off, note that if you take your OJ up to customer service fully assembled, you can get 10% off instantly by just smiling and asking for a floor model discount.
If you are lucky enough to go into a lowes where they only have the smoker in the box, and the box is damaged, you can negotiate even more. Last night i found my OJ1060 box BEAT TO HELL, they allowed me to open it, and it didnt have an exterior mark at all but only a few scratches inside where all the parts slid around. I got mine at THEIR COST. 321$ plus tax.
Lowes is old school and will work with you on getting their old stock out their door.
As far as mods, companies who make mods for grills almost always have an OJ section. BBqsmokermods was my store i went to when i had my brinkmann.
For your OJ Youre going to need a gasket kit w/ latches, 2 thermometers to install at grate level and a tuning plate, just as youll need for any horizontal smoker.
the biggest complaint about the OJ that ive heard is the fire box. It looses paint quickly and rusts if you dont cure. it doesnt have a pull out box anymore. it has a gap where the ash door is.
But, if youre complaining about the ash tray AND the door gap, your contradicting yourself. My biggest issue with my brinkmann is that the ask tray way just a 10x12" hole where the fire can still breathe.
SO yeah. I am pretty sure the OJ is the best offset horizontal smoker sold by big box stores at the moment.
