Gateway Drum Smoker Question

JackBBQ · Jul 21, 2019

After a lot of deliberation, I've decided to buy a Gateway Drum Smoker. I just can't decide between 30 gallon or 55 gallon.

If the 55 gallon is pretty fuel-efficient, it's the obvious choice. Is it fuel-efficient?

Many of my cooks are on the small side, but I have some large cooks as well, and I like to lay 14-lb briskets flat on the grate.

Maybe the correct answer is "both".

Springram · Jul 21, 2019

I have a PBC along with all of my other cookers. It meets all of my barrel cooking needs but.. would LOVE to have a 55 gallon Gateway. Do it.

drunkenmeatfist · Jul 21, 2019

The majority of the time I am not cooking for a crowd and I still use my 55 gallon Hunsaker over the 30 gallon BHC I have. I'd definitely vote for 55 gallon.

WilliamKY · Jul 21, 2019

You can always do small cooks on a big drum. With the 30 gallon there may come a time you wish you bought the bigger Gateway. 55 gallon all day long.

thunderalley3 · Jul 21, 2019

I have 4 Gateway 55's that I use when I compete and also for home cooks. They are very efficient, I can run 8 hours on a basket of charcoal, roughly 8-10 pounds.

I have a friend who has a 35 as well as a 55 and it seems that the 35 is more of a novelty item. Don't get me wrong it cooks fine from what I have seen and appears to hold temp well but I just can't figure out what I would use it for and with just two of us in the house I often cook single pork butt's and I never feel bad about firing up the 55 or feel like I am wasting resources.

The only reason I have four is I use each one for a comp category and each one has always had the same meats smoked in it. OK, I admit I am a little ocd!!

thirdeye · Jul 21, 2019

I also vote for the 55 gallon drum as a first purchase, later a 30 gallon might be fun to have, or you could get a 18" WSM or make a Mini-WSM with the tamale pot mod.

If you are worried about charcoal consumption, you can always burn lump, because you can refresh the amount and re-light it for your next cook, or you could make a mini-basket for your drum.

patrickd26 · Jul 21, 2019

Go 55 for sure. Fuel consumption isn't going to be that much different. I honestly can even tell a difference in fuel consumption between summer and winter. I'm sure it's there, but it's not a big difference..

pharp · Jul 21, 2019

No brainer. 55.

JackBBQ · Jul 21, 2019

Well, it's a unanimous vote for the 55 gallon, and honestly that's what I was hoping for.

55 it is. Ordering now...

jermoQ · Jul 21, 2019

I would probably only buy the 30 gallon, because it fits on my cargo rack without hanging off so I can travel easier. I have a homemade 55, and I love it because of the space. The bigger one would be the way to go, and I would say you wouldn't have a real noticeable difference in fuel use.

Robert · Jul 22, 2019

Probably too late, but they used to offer the 85. Me and one of my cooking buddies on our competition team have built several 55 and a couple of 85 drums. Honestly don't think there is a noticeable difference in fuel consumption for the added capacity. Gateway used to offer the 85 drums. I would also check out the Hunsaker ,they offer 85 gallon drums as well.

Robert

sniperfx · Jul 22, 2019

55 gallon.. you might like these smokers. It is what I use. Ironman barrels.. You can configure them in several different ways, plus colors etc...You can add side doors for adding fuel if needed..Same price ish as Gateways.

Gateway Drum Smoker Question

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Springram

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WilliamKY

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pharp

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