Build a Pit...Buy a pit? What's your opinion?

mwert · 04-21-2013, 01:47 PM

My pit is limping along and quite frankly becoming unsafe. I have been thinking about building a bigger pit for awhile. I'm not sure if building or buying makes more sense. I would like something similar to Peoria Custom Cookers MMIF. I like that concept but would change:

1.access to the fire without opening the cooking chamber(unless it works as advertised) Mine now, more or less, has an internal fire box that is similar to a pull out kitchen drawer for access.

2.larger cook area

I can cook for about 75 people right now and would like to be able to cook for 150-175. I'm used to running my fire with a Stoker. I have the tools and experience for the build, but not really the time or shop space but can make it work.

In your experience, does building really save that much $, or is it best to save up and purchase a proven design? And, what design would that be?

Thanks brethren!

Mark Warren · 04-21-2013, 02:26 PM

Everything depends on how much you are willing to spend I guess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=tXrmJDyoBsA#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=NQoe9u0egWY

Many choices in the world today

buttburnersbbq · 04-21-2013, 04:06 PM

I have to say I built my own reverse flow smoker . I could have bought a Lang but building one cost me about 1/3 of what retail for one . I had a blast building it. If you build one you can modify to meet your own needs . It comes down to if you have the time to build one . I also did a lot of research on intake size and smoke stake size . You want to make sure you have the correct amount of draft so the smoker works properly . There is nothing wrong buying one already made . It come down to your needs and time frame . Good luck .

Big Country BBQ · 04-21-2013, 04:39 PM

being a welder and very good with metal works all I have to say is its all about time and money have little money and a lot of time = build a pit a lot of money and not enough time= buy a pit .

also if you mess up building the pit you can blame anyone but if they mess It up they will fix it!

hope this helps

buttburnersbbq · 04-21-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Country BBQ

being a welder and very good with metal works all I have to say is its all about time and money have little money and a lot of time = build a pit a lot of money and not enough time= buy a pit .

also if you mess up building the pit you can blame anyone but if they mess It up they will fix it!

hope this helps

Well Spoken!

morgaj1 · 04-21-2013, 08:47 PM

If you have the tools and time, I say build your own. That's what I did and have no regrets. There is something special about taking raw materials and making it into a working smoker. I am always extremely proud when I cook something on it.

If you decide to make your own, I would strongly suggest researching other people's designs. Also, there are a couple of calculators on the internet that calculate firebox and exhaust size. This is crucial to have a well-working pit. Also, another thing that I splurged on was letting a shop sandblast and paint my pit. It turned out very well.

mwert · 04-21-2013, 08:50 PM

Thanks for the opinions! I appreciate the help. I should probably start saving to buy and start building and see which one happens first.
If I do buy, what's an efficient, well built unit besides the well knowns. i.e. Lang, Jambo, PCC

morgaj1 · 04-21-2013, 08:55 PM

With you being in KS, I would take a look at Yoder Smokers.

04-21-2013, 01:47 PM	#1
mwert Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-24-10 Location: Lawrence, KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Build a Pit...Buy a pit? What's your opinion? My pit is limping along and quite frankly becoming unsafe. I have been thinking about building a bigger pit for awhile. I'm not sure if building or buying makes more sense. I would like something similar to Peoria Custom Cookers MMIF. I like that concept but would change: 1.access to the fire without opening the cooking chamber(unless it works as advertised) Mine now, more or less, has an internal fire box that is similar to a pull out kitchen drawer for access. 2.larger cook area I can cook for about 75 people right now and would like to be able to cook for 150-175. I'm used to running my fire with a Stoker. I have the tools and experience for the build, but not really the time or shop space but can make it work. In your experience, does building really save that much $, or is it best to save up and purchase a proven design? And, what design would that be? Thanks brethren! __________________ Team: PURE. Custom Vertical Smoker, UDS, Old Chargrill with cast iron grates

04-21-2013, 02:26 PM	#2
Mark Warren Take a breath! Join Date: 04-16-13 Location: Camas WA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 1	Everything depends on how much you are willing to spend I guess. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=tXrmJDyoBsA#! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=NQoe9u0egWY Many choices in the world today __________________ Pilot Rock • Model EC-40 $aving up for a Peoria Cookers 24 x 48 Backyard Orange THERMAPEN LAZZARI MESQUITE LUMP CHARCOAL : RESTAURANT GRADE Becks Dark Beer to wash it down with. Food Should Just Taste Good

04-21-2013, 04:06 PM	#3
buttburnersbbq On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-19-12 Location: waxhaw,nc Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have to say I built my own reverse flow smoker . I could have bought a Lang but building one cost me about 1/3 of what retail for one . I had a blast building it. If you build one you can modify to meet your own needs . It comes down to if you have the time to build one . I also did a lot of research on intake size and smoke stake size . You want to make sure you have the correct amount of draft so the smoker works properly . There is nothing wrong buying one already made . It come down to your needs and time frame . Good luck . __________________ 2- 22.5 WSM , 150 Gallon Offset , 250 Gallon Reverse Flow

04-21-2013, 04:39 PM	#4
Big Country BBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-30-12 Location: Huntsville, AL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	being a welder and very good with metal works all I have to say is its all about time and money have little money and a lot of time = build a pit a lot of money and not enough time= buy a pit . also if you mess up building the pit you can blame anyone but if they mess It up they will fix it! hope this helps __________________ CUSTOM VERTICAL SMOKER PRIMO XL STARS AND BARS BBQ TEAM HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

04-21-2013, 08:47 PM	#6
morgaj1 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-06-11 Location: Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you have the tools and time, I say build your own. That's what I did and have no regrets. There is something special about taking raw materials and making it into a working smoker. I am always extremely proud when I cook something on it. If you decide to make your own, I would strongly suggest researching other people's designs. Also, there are a couple of calculators on the internet that calculate firebox and exhaust size. This is crucial to have a well-working pit. Also, another thing that I splurged on was letting a shop sandblast and paint my pit. It turned out very well. __________________ Eric A nation of sheep will soon have a government of wolves - Edward R. Murrow

04-21-2013, 08:50 PM	#7
mwert Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-24-10 Location: Lawrence, KS Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the opinions! I appreciate the help. I should probably start saving to buy and start building and see which one happens first. If I do buy, what's an efficient, well built unit besides the well knowns. i.e. Lang, Jambo, PCC __________________ Team: PURE. Custom Vertical Smoker, UDS, Old Chargrill with cast iron grates

04-21-2013, 08:55 PM	#8
morgaj1 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-06-11 Location: Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	With you being in KS, I would take a look at Yoder Smokers. __________________ Eric A nation of sheep will soon have a government of wolves - Edward R. Murrow