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Anyone cook on Pitmaker's Vault?

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Chappy

Is lookin for wood to cook with.
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I'm looking into getting a bigger smoker but don't want a true stick burner. I came across Pitmaker.com and like the Vault. Anyone have experience with it? Tell me what you think. How often do you need to add lump? On their video, they say about six hours, which is pretty good sleepwise for a little shut eye at competitions.

Their offset smoker looks pretty nice also but I don't really want to have to add wood all night.

Thanks.
 
I've had Vault for a little while. They're great smokers!

As for adding fuel (charcoal, wood, etc.), I haven't had to add anything during a normal smoke. Please keep in mind that I cook "dry", meaning I don't use the built-in water pan. I have no problem getting 14+ hours out of a single loading of fuel. If you use a weed burner to pre-heat the Vault/Safe, it will increase your cooking time(s) greatly.

I hope this helps......
 
Thanks for the input. Here's another question for you. Is yours on a trailer? I don't have a trailer and am wondering if it feasible to get it on the back of my truck to transport with a ramp and winch.
 
No sir, mine is not on a trailer. As you may already know, Vault's are pushing a 1000 pounds. I can see getting one on/off of a utility trailer, but a pick-up truck, that might be a tall order.
 
SHERIFF said:
I've had Vault for a little while. They're great smokers!

As for adding fuel (charcoal, wood, etc.), I haven't had to add anything during a normal smoke. Please keep in mind that I cook "dry", meaning I don't use the built-in water pan. I have no problem getting 14+ hours out of a single loading of fuel. If you use a weed burner to pre-heat the Vault/Safe, it will increase your cooking time(s) greatly.

I hope this helps......
Click to expand...

+1! I will also add,
Make sure if you get one, get the ball valve design and not the slide dampers. Once heated and running dry they are super efficient and you gotta have good draft control. If cooking dry and manual slides, the air leaks will make your pit run away on temps. Once it gets up there, it's really difficult to get back down in temp. I cooked 75 chicken halves + 20 sausage links the other day on 10 lbs of lump in 4 hrs.
SHERIFF said:
No sir, mine is not on a trailer. As you may already know, Vault's are pushing a 1000 pounds. I can see getting one on/off of a utility trailer, but a pick-up truck, that might be a tall order.
Click to expand...
The only way you will get a vault off the back of a truck is with a forklift or tractor and that's it. Any other way is gonna be too dangerous. Pitmaker has had some people drop them off the back trying to unload them and advises against truck loading. It's funny Becaise George was all careful tryin to strap it down. I told him i bought it to bbq not look at. I will have it all scratched up in a couple months anyways so don't worry about it. He looked at me like I was crazy lol
B38D9B39-A066-40FC-B06F-D75E0565E3DD-3695-0000047E0A8CFD79.jpg

C0646884-FF28-4342-A2E4-1D313BFCCB92-3695-0000047E0F049BD2.jpg
 
Wow. Thanks for that pic. It is way too tall to put on the back of my truck.

You guys that own them, would the smaller version work for competitions? Or would you need one more smoker
 
I drool over there website often. I would love one of there trailers. But I do not have that much cash..
 
You know the old saying goes, find a pit that you think is the size you want and need for your type and style of cooking, then buy the next size bigger.
I like the dry cooking technique of the vault . Different shelves have different cooking results. The top rack IMO is best suited for chicken. It browns the skin alot better from the malliard reaction. Bottom rack can be foiled to catch drippings to make a really dry environment if you want good bark formation. Keeps the juices from hitting the bottom drip pan. So many ways to cook with the vault. I still think a UDS cooks a better chicken from the direct coals. Never was a big smoked chicken fan, I like it BBQ'd and apparently the judges concur.
 
jmoney7269;2368905 The only way you will get a vault off the back of a truck is with a forklift or tractor and that's it. Any other way is gonna be too dangerous. Pitmaker has had some people drop them off the back trying to unload them and advises against truck loading. It's funny Becaise George was all careful tryin to strap it down. I told him i bought it to bbq not look at. I will have it all scratched up in a couple months anyways so don't worry about it. He looked at me like I was crazy lol [IMG said:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac174/justinmargist/B38D9B39-A066-40FC-B06F-D75E0565E3DD-3695-0000047E0A8CFD79.jpg[/IMG]
C0646884-FF28-4342-A2E4-1D313BFCCB92-3695-0000047E0F049BD2.jpg
Click to expand...




Think a Pitmaker Safe (450lbs) on a cart would be feasible for a truck with a winch mounted on the bed and atv ramps?
Edit- I meant for taking to cookoffs or comps on a regular basis- not just for the initial purchase


Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
 
Think a Pitmaker Safe (450lbs) on a cart would be feasible for a truck with a winch mounted on the bed and atv ramps?

I own a Safe with the cart and although it could probably be done it would be way too much trouble in my opinon. A single axle utility trailer with a drop ramp would easily handle Vault or Safe. Could either buy one or rent from U-haul for about $16 a day.
 
I'm waiting anxiously for the call to pick up my Long Rifle Sniper. Looked at the vaults, but all I've ever known is offsets, so sticking with that....easier to get in and out of the trailer as well...
 
smokeisgood said:
I'm waiting anxiously for the call to pick up my Long Rifle Sniper. Looked at the vaults, but all I've ever known is offsets, so sticking with that....easier to get in and out of the trailer as well...
Click to expand...

That looks like a good one also. I just don't want to have to add fuel that often. But I originally liked that one first, then saw the vault.
 
I've got the vault on an LT1 trailer. I can't imagine it being portable any other way.
 
Hook'n Bull said:
Think a Pitmaker Safe (450lbs) on a cart would be feasible for a truck with a winch mounted on the bed and atv ramps?

I own a Safe with the cart and although it could probably be done it would be way too much trouble in my opinon. A single axle utility trailer with a drop ramp would easily handle Vault or Safe. Could either buy one or rent from U-haul for about $16 a day.
Click to expand...

your right. I own an 18ft car hauler with ramps. Probably easier to load it up on there with ramps and a winch I have on it. Just thought why use the trailer when I can use the truck...but for the most part, so much easier to load anything onto my trailer.
 
I received my Vault just before Christmas, and I love it. I did have problems keeping the temp down at first, until I sealed the slider door with my Guru adapter in. The longest run at 225 I have been able to get was 10 hours without having to reload.
 
SmokingGuns said:
I received my Vault just before Christmas, and I love it. I did have problems keeping the temp down at first, until I sealed the slider door with my Guru adapter in. The longest run at 225 I have been able to get was 10 hours without having to reload.
Click to expand...

I have to ask, why are you trying to choke the temps down so much? Most vaults love to run at 270ish. Why not roll with it?
 
El Ropo said:
I have to ask, why are you trying to choke the temps down so much? Most vaults love to run at 270ish. Why not roll with it?
Click to expand...

Some things - like briskets - like to be cooked lower IMO. I prefer cooking my briskets and shoulders at 225 for at least the first 65% of the cook. I have no trouble holding 225 (or even 200) on my Safe when the water pan is full. I've also had no issues with the sliding damper - works well for me and haven't noticed any significant leaks.

They are made like tanks and I don't think you'll find a better vertical/upright cooker for the money. Period.
 
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