- Aug 24, 2020
- 55
- 91
Hello everyone. I have been lurking for a while but just signed up. I am new here and new to smoking. Just got started in March.
I have a Chargriller grill i received as a wedding gift and in March i finally bought a side fire box to turn this into an offset "smoker". When it comes to smokers i am pretty sure this is close to the bottom of the barrel "pun intended" as far as quality.
As far as quality of food i couldn't be happier. I have churned out delicious brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.
The problem i an having is the Chargriller has pretty poor heat retention. I use a lot of charcoal and wood to keep this thing fed. Maybe it's my inexperience, but this weekend i used about 4 chimney's full in about 6 hours to cook 2 8lb pork butts. Maybe this is normal?
I am hooked and i would like to purchase an upgrade, but I don't know where to start. Should I be looking at something like a Yoder or outlaw? These things cost thousands but you get what you pay for i guess. I live in Wisconsin so in the winter the insulated firebox I am assuming would really help with heat retention. I have also been looking at the loaded witchita from Yoder.
Or are these way overkill for a backyard BBQ enthusiast. I have had people tell me even an oaklahoma Joe's is an upgrade from my current rig, but I have been hesitant to try it in fear that I would spend $300 for little improvement.
I am not super interested in making mods to my current rig because it's 5 years old aready, although the firebox is 5 months old, and after building fires I have been scorching paint off in areas and they have started to rust. I'm ready to start fresh.
So do I spend a moderate amount of money and get something like an oaklahoma Joe's highland? Or do I continue to use my current setup until I save enough for a Yoder or outlaw? Or is a really expensive smoker complete overkill for a weekend warrior smoking a couple butts and racks of ribs? Is there a quality smoker between an oaklahoma Joe's and a Yoder?
I'm sorry if this topic has been beaten to death, but I have no family or friends that smoke and I don't know where to turn for advice. I have been doing a lot of reading on the internet and it makes me even more indecisive. Hoping some folks with experience can point me in the right direction. Thank you!
I have a Chargriller grill i received as a wedding gift and in March i finally bought a side fire box to turn this into an offset "smoker". When it comes to smokers i am pretty sure this is close to the bottom of the barrel "pun intended" as far as quality.
As far as quality of food i couldn't be happier. I have churned out delicious brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.
The problem i an having is the Chargriller has pretty poor heat retention. I use a lot of charcoal and wood to keep this thing fed. Maybe it's my inexperience, but this weekend i used about 4 chimney's full in about 6 hours to cook 2 8lb pork butts. Maybe this is normal?
I am hooked and i would like to purchase an upgrade, but I don't know where to start. Should I be looking at something like a Yoder or outlaw? These things cost thousands but you get what you pay for i guess. I live in Wisconsin so in the winter the insulated firebox I am assuming would really help with heat retention. I have also been looking at the loaded witchita from Yoder.
Or are these way overkill for a backyard BBQ enthusiast. I have had people tell me even an oaklahoma Joe's is an upgrade from my current rig, but I have been hesitant to try it in fear that I would spend $300 for little improvement.
I am not super interested in making mods to my current rig because it's 5 years old aready, although the firebox is 5 months old, and after building fires I have been scorching paint off in areas and they have started to rust. I'm ready to start fresh.
So do I spend a moderate amount of money and get something like an oaklahoma Joe's highland? Or do I continue to use my current setup until I save enough for a Yoder or outlaw? Or is a really expensive smoker complete overkill for a weekend warrior smoking a couple butts and racks of ribs? Is there a quality smoker between an oaklahoma Joe's and a Yoder?
I'm sorry if this topic has been beaten to death, but I have no family or friends that smoke and I don't know where to turn for advice. I have been doing a lot of reading on the internet and it makes me even more indecisive. Hoping some folks with experience can point me in the right direction. Thank you!