Please, opinions needed on a cabinet smoker I'm thinking of buying

StickyD · 01-24-2014, 10:14 AM

Hey, guys! I'm close to pulling the trigger and buying this fully insulated reverse flow cabinet smoker, but I wanted the chance to present it to you all for your consideration, seeing I have no experience with this style of smoker nor have I ever seen one! We're in Europe where these types of smokers barely exist and are pricey (A Backwoods Competitor is $6000 without shipping). The gentleman who built this smoker is asking $2300.

This smoker was built in Germany last October and has been fired once, I was told the temp stability and burn length were excellent. It's 48”x24”x20”, six racks, which can fit hotel pans. It has a removable stainless steel water pan, stainless top vent, and there is an extra stainless-lined utility drawer under the unit for tools etc. I was told it weighs around 700-800#'s. I've attached a few pics, and here is the link for his build on a German BBQ forum: http://forum.mybbq.net/viewtopic.php...ilit=backwoods

Opinions, suggestions about his design?

(this is an pic taken before he installed the door gasket).

First Cook:

Additional details in pics:
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/door-gasket.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/utility-drawer.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/waterpan.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/ball-valve.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/hardware.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/charcoal-basket.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/chimney.jpg
Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/double-brackets.jpg

Thanks for any advice and opinions!

cpw · 01-24-2014, 10:24 AM

At first glance, it looks like it works the way the backwoods work. My main issue would be the unpainted steel on the outside. That's gonna rust in a big way.

pvcollie · 01-24-2014, 10:25 AM

Given the situation you described, I think I would jump all over that.

Smokesignalsfromtx · 01-24-2014, 10:29 AM

In this order.....get it, sand blast it, powder coat it, COOK ON IT!!!

StickyD · 01-24-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpw

At first glance, it looks like it works the way the backwoods work. My main issue would be the unpainted steel on the outside. That's gonna rust in a big way.

I forgot to mention he's going to paint it if I decide to buy it!

SmittyJonz · 01-24-2014, 10:44 AM

I'd get it if I was you - and try for powder coat paint (on outside only of course) -even if you gotta get it done yourself.

sliding_billy · 01-24-2014, 10:52 AM

Do you have the opportunity to fire the unit? Without testing, trusting a home build would be a hard purchase for me. Agree on the powder coat (get him to discount the price of the smoker a bit and get it done yourself).

StickyD · 01-24-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sliding_billy

Do you have the opportunity to fire the unit? Without testing, trusting a home build would be a hard purchase for me. Agree on the powder coat (get him to discount the price of the smoker a bit and get it done yourself).

Unfortunately I won't have a chance, all I have seen are some shots of a couple of Maverick's "holding steady" and some pics of pulled pork and ribs from his first cook! But I think there's plenty of trust to go around at this point and maybe it'd be up to me to learn the quirks of the smoker, if there are any!

pjayt · 01-24-2014, 01:00 PM

looks like a good build

BigBellyBBQ · 01-24-2014, 01:08 PM

looks good...if needed you can always install baffels..buy a GURU to run it..put 3 or 4 remote temp gauge on the racks to find temp differences at the same time..A guru fan will help even out the temps over just convection...there is about 1,000 bucks worth material plus the brake / shear time and when running leave exhaust open

shagnasty · 01-24-2014, 01:22 PM

get some gaskets for those doors

ATucker · 01-24-2014, 02:13 PM

There is a Backwoods Dealer in Germany and I know he has units in stock.

His name is Achim Wolfsdoerfer and is a great guy.

Exclusive Distributor
BACKWOODS-SMOKER For Europe

Eschenstr. 1
88069 Tettnang
Phone +49 (0)7542 – 98 99 98
Fax + 49 (0)7542 – 98 99 99
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.smokelowandslow.de

StickyD · 01-25-2014, 08:59 AM

Thanks everyone for throwing in their advice and thoughts! Based on your help we've made the deal and it looks like I'll be getting my first smoker that didn't come from Home Depot or from digging a hole! He's going to install one more shelf and necessary openings for a Pit Viper/probes, and give it a coat of paint. Then if we can manage to get it from Germany to Prague in the dead of winter hopefully I can be posting pics of some prOn by President's Day! Rock and roll!

Will work for bbq · 01-25-2014, 10:13 AM

Looks like a good build at an even better price.

sliding_billy · 01-25-2014, 10:15 AM

Sweet. Congrats on the new cooker.

01-24-2014, 10:14 AM	#1
StickyD Got Wood. Join Date: 01-14-14 Location: Prague, Czech Republic	Please, opinions needed on a cabinet smoker I'm thinking of buying Hey, guys! I'm close to pulling the trigger and buying this fully insulated reverse flow cabinet smoker, but I wanted the chance to present it to you all for your consideration, seeing I have no experience with this style of smoker nor have I ever seen one! We're in Europe where these types of smokers barely exist and are pricey (A Backwoods Competitor is $6000 without shipping). The gentleman who built this smoker is asking $2300. This smoker was built in Germany last October and has been fired once, I was told the temp stability and burn length were excellent. It's 48”x24”x20”, six racks, which can fit hotel pans. It has a removable stainless steel water pan, stainless top vent, and there is an extra stainless-lined utility drawer under the unit for tools etc. I was told it weighs around 700-800#'s. I've attached a few pics, and here is the link for his build on a German BBQ forum: http://forum.mybbq.net/viewtopic.php...ilit=backwoods Opinions, suggestions about his design? (this is an pic taken before he installed the door gasket). First Cook: Additional details in pics: Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/door-gasket.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/utility-drawer.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/waterpan.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/ball-valve.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/hardware.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/charcoal-basket.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/chimney.jpg Http://eng.thetavern.cz/i/BB/14/double-brackets.jpg Thanks for any advice and opinions! __________________ Two WSM 18", CyberQ, DigiQ, Thermopen, custom reverse flow cabinet.

01-24-2014, 10:24 AM	#2
cpw Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-28-11 Location: Savannah, Georgia Name/Nickname : Chad	At first glance, it looks like it works the way the backwoods work. My main issue would be the unpainted steel on the outside. That's gonna rust in a big way. __________________ ________________ [COLOR=Orange]Outlaw 2860 Porch Model[/COLOR] Lang 84 Deluxe Yoder YS640 Savannah, GA [URL="http://www.facebook.com/yesdearbbq"]Yes, Dear BBQ on Facebook[/URL] Proudly sponsored by Royal Oak Charcoal and [URL="https://www.atlantabbqstore.com/"]The Atlanta BBQ store[/URL]

01-24-2014, 10:44 AM	#6
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	I'd get it if I was you - and try for powder coat paint (on outside only of course) -even if you gotta get it done yourself. __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

01-24-2014, 10:52 AM	#7
sliding_billy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-27-13 Location: Princeton, TX Name/Nickname : )	Do you have the opportunity to fire the unit? Without testing, trusting a home build would be a hard purchase for me. Agree on the powder coat (get him to discount the price of the smoker a bit and get it done yourself). __________________ Custom Offset/GMG Davy Crockett/Vision Kamado/Blackstone 36"/Weber 22" "redhead"/WSM 14.5" X2/Jumbo Joe/Pit Boss Copperhead/KCBS

01-24-2014, 01:00 PM	#9
pjayt Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-08-14 Location: Dothan, Al.	looks like a good build __________________ Percy's backyard BBQ, Lang 36 Stretch Deluxe 2 burner Tejas cook stand/griddle Titan Santa Maria, RiverGrille cowboy grill Blaze Professional Portable w/ pedestal Thermapen one, Maverick Pro Temp PT100 Weston Pro-2300 vacuum packer

01-24-2014, 10:25 AM	#3
pvcollie On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-12-05 Location: FL	Given the situation you described, I think I would jump all over that.

01-24-2014, 10:29 AM	#4
Smokesignalsfromtx is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-29-13 Location: Fort Worth, Tx	In this order.....get it, sand blast it, powder coat it, COOK ON IT!!!

01-24-2014, 01:08 PM	#10
BigBellyBBQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-15-08 Location: Lake View, New York	looks good...if needed you can always install baffels..buy a GURU to run it..put 3 or 4 remote temp gauge on the racks to find temp differences at the same time..A guru fan will help even out the temps over just convection...there is about 1,000 bucks worth material plus the brake / shear time and when running leave exhaust open __________________ [I][FONT=Comic Sans MS]TwinTech Pro Double, Backwoods Fat Boy, TwinTech Hawg Kooker, FE 400, SP SPK 700, Empty check book and understanding wife...sometimes..[/FONT][/I]

01-24-2014, 01:22 PM	#11
shagnasty Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-08-13 Location: Western, KY	get some gaskets for those doors __________________ Lonestargrillz insulated cabinet smoker. Assassin grill. Pitmaster for Hey Baby's BBQ company.

01-24-2014, 02:13 PM	#12
ATucker On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-19-11 Location: Dacula, Ga	There is a Backwoods Dealer in Germany and I know he has units in stock. His name is Achim Wolfsdoerfer and is a great guy. Exclusive Distributor BACKWOODS-SMOKER For Europe Eschenstr. 1 88069 Tettnang Phone +49 (0)7542 – 98 99 98 Fax + 49 (0)7542 – 98 99 99 Email: [email protected] Web: www.smokelowandslow.de __________________ Chattahoochee Que \| Dacula, GA \| Gateway Drums x 4 \| LBGE

01-25-2014, 08:59 AM	#13
StickyD Got Wood. Join Date: 01-14-14 Location: Prague, Czech Republic	Thanks everyone for throwing in their advice and thoughts! Based on your help we've made the deal and it looks like I'll be getting my first smoker that didn't come from Home Depot or from digging a hole! He's going to install one more shelf and necessary openings for a Pit Viper/probes, and give it a coat of paint. Then if we can manage to get it from Germany to Prague in the dead of winter hopefully I can be posting pics of some prOn by President's Day! Rock and roll! __________________ Two WSM 18", CyberQ, DigiQ, Thermopen, custom reverse flow cabinet.

01-25-2014, 10:13 AM	#14
Will work for bbq Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-23-10 Location: NorCal	Looks like a good build at an even better price. __________________ Chalupa 00 Slowskys Racing Agent 000 (Double O Zero) Certified MOINK Baller When all else fails just ask yourself, WWGALD??? *Super sexy Farkernaut Avatar by N8man*

01-25-2014, 10:15 AM	#15
sliding_billy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-27-13 Location: Princeton, TX Name/Nickname : )	Sweet. Congrats on the new cooker. __________________ Custom Offset/GMG Davy Crockett/Vision Kamado/Blackstone 36"/Weber 22" "redhead"/WSM 14.5" X2/Jumbo Joe/Pit Boss Copperhead/KCBS