Baconyoulikeapig
Found some matches.
Time for a new smoker and would like to bounce some thoughts around.
I have been smoking on a GMG for the last 4 years and a Weber Kettle here and there. I believe it is time for me to move up to a better unit and would like to have more control over managing temps and not rely on electronics to do the work for me.
That being said, I am looking for a new cooker to get more creative and ‘in tune’ with smoking. However, I don’t want to go as far as getting an offset because let’s face it, I like to sleep through the night when doing a brisket and have a young daughter that takes much of my attention. Ideally, I would like to have a gravity fed insulated cabinet smoker, and while there are many beautifully crafted cabinet smokers out there, I cannot justify the price of roughly 2k at a minimum with shipping included on a small unit that’s good at one thing only. I have looked at pretty much every smoker option available and would be surprised if someone recommended one I have not yet looked into (but maybe I overlooked something on one of them)?? I know there are cheaper routes I could go such as the WSM, but I live in Oregon and I smoke all year long and don’t want to deal with temperature fluctuations from the blustery winds we get fairly often. And I don’t want to deal with blanketing the WSM to assist is fighting the temperature swings from said wind.
I have narrowed my options down to two, and while they are very different units, they both seem to indirect smoke and grill well while staying at about $1500 all in, which is what I am comfortable spending.
Kamado Big Joe, $1500 through Costco road show
Pros:
-Very fuel efficient
-Extremely stable temperatures for long a period of time (longer than I would ever need) -Can make Pizza’s with super high heat and has option of using the Rotisserie (although both not a huge draw for me)
Cons:
-Fragile, could crack diffuser plates or firebox panels over time, also would be risky transporting it to events
-Relatively small grate space even with second tier shelf 452 sq in main grate plus 271 second totaling 723 sq in
-Made in China. I am all about buying made in America, especially when our economy needs it the most.
Assassin 36” Charcoal Grill, $1450 with custom changes and delivery - http://www.assassin-smokers.com/charcoal-grills/
Pros:
-Sturdy
- Would have no issues loading onto a trailer and tying down to transport to events
-Lots of grate space – 1165.5 sq in in total with both racks
-Can pull out charcoal tray during cook to add more wood if needed
-Can customize a few things on it when I order to make it very close to where I would want it
-Made in the USA
Cons:
-Not geared towards being an exceptional smoker but looks like it can do a pretty good job at it
-Doesn’t appear to be very fuel efficient but sounds like a person can maintain a fairly stable temp for 10-12 hours without adjustments (from what I understand based off of reading the few reviews out there)
-Paying $500 for shipping
Can anyone offer their experience with the Assassin charcoal grill or point out any obvious pros or cons I may have missed?
I have been smoking on a GMG for the last 4 years and a Weber Kettle here and there. I believe it is time for me to move up to a better unit and would like to have more control over managing temps and not rely on electronics to do the work for me.
That being said, I am looking for a new cooker to get more creative and ‘in tune’ with smoking. However, I don’t want to go as far as getting an offset because let’s face it, I like to sleep through the night when doing a brisket and have a young daughter that takes much of my attention. Ideally, I would like to have a gravity fed insulated cabinet smoker, and while there are many beautifully crafted cabinet smokers out there, I cannot justify the price of roughly 2k at a minimum with shipping included on a small unit that’s good at one thing only. I have looked at pretty much every smoker option available and would be surprised if someone recommended one I have not yet looked into (but maybe I overlooked something on one of them)?? I know there are cheaper routes I could go such as the WSM, but I live in Oregon and I smoke all year long and don’t want to deal with temperature fluctuations from the blustery winds we get fairly often. And I don’t want to deal with blanketing the WSM to assist is fighting the temperature swings from said wind.
I have narrowed my options down to two, and while they are very different units, they both seem to indirect smoke and grill well while staying at about $1500 all in, which is what I am comfortable spending.
Kamado Big Joe, $1500 through Costco road show
Pros:
-Very fuel efficient
-Extremely stable temperatures for long a period of time (longer than I would ever need) -Can make Pizza’s with super high heat and has option of using the Rotisserie (although both not a huge draw for me)
Cons:
-Fragile, could crack diffuser plates or firebox panels over time, also would be risky transporting it to events
-Relatively small grate space even with second tier shelf 452 sq in main grate plus 271 second totaling 723 sq in
-Made in China. I am all about buying made in America, especially when our economy needs it the most.
Assassin 36” Charcoal Grill, $1450 with custom changes and delivery - http://www.assassin-smokers.com/charcoal-grills/
Pros:
-Sturdy
- Would have no issues loading onto a trailer and tying down to transport to events
-Lots of grate space – 1165.5 sq in in total with both racks
-Can pull out charcoal tray during cook to add more wood if needed
-Can customize a few things on it when I order to make it very close to where I would want it
-Made in the USA
Cons:
-Not geared towards being an exceptional smoker but looks like it can do a pretty good job at it
-Doesn’t appear to be very fuel efficient but sounds like a person can maintain a fairly stable temp for 10-12 hours without adjustments (from what I understand based off of reading the few reviews out there)
-Paying $500 for shipping
Can anyone offer their experience with the Assassin charcoal grill or point out any obvious pros or cons I may have missed?
