Competition Level Smokers with Detailed Info

cmohr74 · 01-04-2013, 11:38 AM

Last year I was going through deciding on a smoker to purchase. There is so many things to consider when making such a large purchase. Me being the great sleeper I am, I woke up and couldn't sleep so I got bored. I decided to add more options to the list that I created last year. These were a few of the questions I continued to ask myself when deciding to make this large purchase

How many contests will I really be competing and at what level?
How will I transport this cooker?
How much do I want to tend to the fire?...aka sleep time
How much smoke flavor do I want?
How much will I REALLY cook quantity wise? (Too little/Too Big)
What temperature range do I want to cook with overall? (versatility)
What spacing do I want between my racks? Brisket/Ribs/Birds/Pork
What is my cost per square inch of cooking surface?

Detailed Smoker Comparison (Breakdown).pdf

I know there are many other cookers out there trailer wise, but with all the options available, it was hard to break them down for the list (Jambos, Trailer Yoders...etc). I also could not find all the information for all cookers out there. I'm no expert on BBQ or equipment, but I do like helping other BBQ Brethren out when I can. Hopefully my boredom helps someone.

Meat Man · 01-05-2013, 07:54 AM

That was a lot of work to put that together. I've been looking at a gravity fed smoker, nice to have a comparison list right there. Thanks.

cmohr74 · 01-05-2013, 08:33 AM

Well I appreciate it Meat Man. It's a tool that helped me so I figured why not share it to help someone else make a decision. I am re-attaching the pdf so it's not so small; I didn't realize it came through that size. Good luck in your research for a new gravity feed.

Detailed Smoker Comparison (Breakdown).pdf

MattG · 01-05-2013, 08:59 AM

What a wonderful break down.

I agree with Meat Man, that's a lot of work to this together. That's close to the same questions I asked myself before I purchased my Stumps Stretch. Thanks for sharing.

WineMaster · 01-05-2013, 09:00 AM

Wow You killed it. Should be a usefull tool for anyone that has a new cooker in thier future. Great job!

bbq.tom · 01-05-2013, 10:09 AM

I went with the Lang 36" Hybrid (with a 30" charcoal grill on the front end) and it is great for home use; HOWEVER, it is a wee bit small for competition - kinda need their 48". Best value for the $$ in my opinion.

GREAT comparison chart!

JD McGee · 01-05-2013, 10:46 AM

Very cool!

The one thing that jumped out at me was the cost and weight of the WSM's as compared to all the other smokers...lightweight, portable, affordable, and produce killer bbq...talk about the most bang for your buck!

LTG · 01-05-2013, 04:11 PM

Thanks for posting that.

tnjimbob · 01-05-2013, 06:03 PM

Thanks Dan for posting this. It will come in handy when our team decides to upgrade in the near future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD McGee

Very cool!

The one thing that jumped out at me was the cost and weight of the WSM's as compared to all the other smokers...lightweight, portable, affordable, and produce killer bbq...talk about the most bang for your buck!

Well said, JD! For those of us on an extremely tight competition budget, the WSM is one of the best ways to go.

Squeeze · 01-05-2013, 06:52 PM

Nice Job!

cmohr74 · 01-05-2013, 07:45 PM

I'm glad this could help out a few people. Like I said, there are many more companies out there and I apologize if I missed them. Please let me know if you want me to add any.

NRA4Life · 01-06-2013, 07:37 AM

That's a great list Dan. One thing you might add to the list is: What type of smoker can I cook on and consistently produce my highest quality BBQ.

drbbq · 01-06-2013, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmohr74

Last year I was going through deciding on a smoker to purchase. There is so many things to consider when making such a large purchase. Me being the great sleeper I am, I woke up and couldn't sleep so I got bored. I decided to add more options to the list that I created last year. These were a few of the questions I continued to ask myself when deciding to make this large purchase

How many contests will I really be competing and at what level?
How will I transport this cooker?
How much do I want to tend to the fire?...aka sleep time
How much smoke flavor do I want?
How much will I REALLY cook quantity wise? (Too little/Too Big)
What temperature range do I want to cook with overall? (versatility)
What spacing do I want between my racks? Brisket/Ribs/Birds/Pork
What is my cost per square inch of cooking surface?

Attachment 74158

I know there are many other cookers out there trailer wise, but with all the options available, it was hard to break them down for the list (Jambos, Trailer Yoders...etc). I also could not find all the information for all cookers out there. I'm no expert on BBQ or equipment, but I do like helping other BBQ Brethren out when I can. Hopefully my boredom helps someone.

Thanks for putting that together. What did you end up buying after all of that?

Cloudsmoker · 01-06-2013, 08:14 AM

Very nice job. I can see why you never made it back to sleep with a project like that.
Thanks for sharing.

Ron_L · 01-06-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRA4Life

That's a great list Dan. One thing you might add to the list is: What type of smoker can I cook on and consistently produce my highest quality BBQ.

Figure that one out, Kevin, and you'll be a rich man

01-04-2013, 11:38 AM	#1
cmohr74 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-12-11 Location: Streamwood, Illinois Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Competition Level Smokers with Detailed Info Last year I was going through deciding on a smoker to purchase. There is so many things to consider when making such a large purchase. Me being the great sleeper I am, I woke up and couldn't sleep so I got bored. I decided to add more options to the list that I created last year. These were a few of the questions I continued to ask myself when deciding to make this large purchase How many contests will I really be competing and at what level? How will I transport this cooker? How much do I want to tend to the fire?...aka sleep time How much smoke flavor do I want? How much will I REALLY cook quantity wise? (Too little/Too Big) What temperature range do I want to cook with overall? (versatility) What spacing do I want between my racks? Brisket/Ribs/Birds/Pork What is my cost per square inch of cooking surface? Detailed Smoker Comparison (Breakdown).pdf I know there are many other cookers out there trailer wise, but with all the options available, it was hard to break them down for the list (Jambos, Trailer Yoders...etc). I also could not find all the information for all cookers out there. I'm no expert on BBQ or equipment, but I do like helping other BBQ Brethren out when I can. Hopefully my boredom helps someone. __________________ -Dan Mohr Backwoods Extended Party / Backwoods Party / FEC100 / Memphis Advantage / "The Hulk" UDS

01-05-2013, 07:54 AM	#2
Meat Man Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-08-11 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That was a lot of work to put that together. I've been looking at a gravity fed smoker, nice to have a comparison list right there. Thanks. __________________ *It's all about the Meat!*

01-05-2013, 08:33 AM	#3
cmohr74 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-12-11 Location: Streamwood, Illinois Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Well I appreciate it Meat Man. It's a tool that helped me so I figured why not share it to help someone else make a decision. I am re-attaching the pdf so it's not so small; I didn't realize it came through that size. Good luck in your research for a new gravity feed. Detailed Smoker Comparison (Breakdown).pdf __________________ -Dan Mohr Backwoods Extended Party / Backwoods Party / FEC100 / Memphis Advantage / "The Hulk" UDS

01-05-2013, 08:59 AM	#4
MattG is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-29-09 Location: Madison Ga. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What a wonderful break down. I agree with Meat Man, that's a lot of work to this together. That's close to the same questions I asked myself before I purchased my Stumps Stretch. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Stumps Stretch, WSM, Bar-B-Chef Smoker, UDS in progress

01-05-2013, 09:00 AM	#5
WineMaster Babbling Farker Join Date: 01-16-07 Location: Southern MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wow You killed it. Should be a usefull tool for anyone that has a new cooker in thier future. Great job! __________________ Dan MJH From Backyard Bomber BBQ ---- X 2 Junior & Stretch 22.5 Weber Kettle Blue Thermopen Comp Team Wine & Swine This is funner than chuckin rocks at a sign. John Godwin (Duck Dynasty)

01-05-2013, 10:09 AM	#6
bbq.tom is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-23-10 Location: Hillsborough, NC (just north of Heaven - TarHeel country!) Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I went with the Lang 36" Hybrid (with a 30" charcoal grill on the front end) and it is great for home use; HOWEVER, it is a wee bit small for competition - kinda need their 48". Best value for the $$ in my opinion. GREAT comparison chart! __________________ Tom CBJ - KCBS, MBN, NCPC CTC - KCBS Pitmaster and chef - "4 Lil' Pigs" Competition BBQ Team Author of "A 'Q' Review" Lang Hybrid Smoker, UDS, Holland "Epic"

01-05-2013, 10:46 AM	#7
JD McGee somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-28-07 Location: Duvall, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Very cool! The one thing that jumped out at me was the cost and weight of the WSM's as compared to all the other smokers...lightweight, portable, affordable, and produce killer bbq...talk about the most bang for your buck! __________________ Wine Country "Q" Competition BBQ

01-05-2013, 04:11 PM	#8
LTG On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-08-10 Location: Springfield, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for posting that. __________________ Jambo Jr, 22.5" WSM, 22.5" kettle, C-G Akorn

01-05-2013, 06:52 PM	#10
Squeeze Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 05-13-08 Location: Florence, AL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Nice Job!

01-05-2013, 07:45 PM	#11
cmohr74 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-12-11 Location: Streamwood, Illinois Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I'm glad this could help out a few people. Like I said, there are many more companies out there and I apologize if I missed them. Please let me know if you want me to add any. __________________ -Dan Mohr Backwoods Extended Party / Backwoods Party / FEC100 / Memphis Advantage / "The Hulk" UDS

01-06-2013, 07:37 AM	#12
NRA4Life is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-07-09 Location: Newark, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That's a great list Dan. One thing you might add to the list is: What type of smoker can I cook on and consistently produce my highest quality BBQ. __________________ - Kevin Team: Smitty's Real Pit BBQ KCBS CBJ 2 Custom Built Reverse Flow Stickburners 22.5" WSM Weber 26.75" OTG Weber 22.5" OTS Weber Blue 2000 Stainless Performer

01-06-2013, 08:14 AM	#14
Cloudsmoker Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-30-11 Location: Dallas, TX Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Very nice job. I can see why you never made it back to sleep with a project like that. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Primo Kamado \| Pitmaker Vault \| Klose Mobile Michigan Blue Thermopen