Orion Cooker......opinions desired

Wampus · 08-10-2009, 12:01 PM

Brethren....

I just came across this: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/hsh/1307891572.html

Doesn't look like much in the way of flavoring, since I'm guessing the food gets no real flavor from the charcoal, plus, I'd think that the charcoal burns away quicker out in the open like that.....

Any of you had any experience with these? Caught my eye 'cuz my youngest son's name is Orion. But that ain't enough of a reason to buy it if it's not gonna turn out good Q.

It reminds me of the "Trash can turkey" method of smoking, but at least then you still have the coals directly below the meat, giving it some flavor.

Opinions much appreciated......

JamesTX · 08-10-2009, 01:28 PM

Reminds me of the Caja China cookers people do pigs in - I think they are usually happy with the results, but do say that there's no smoke flavor.

Wampus · 08-10-2009, 01:39 PM

That's my concern. I mean, as far as "set it and forget it" goes, I can get THAT from my oven in the house. It even has a handy window to check the meat without having to open!!!

The thing looks cool, SS and all, but I'd never spend money on one of those fancy HUGE SS gassers either...look great, but you may as well be cooking your burgers over a bic lighter (flavor-wise). No offense to those of you who like gassers.....just not for me.

Here's what I found when I "googled" it....
http://orionoutdoors.com/products/co...w-it-works.php

There's a video at the bottom of the page.....in which it states "You don't have to worry about getting that charcoal taste!"
Ummmmm......is there something WRONG with the charcoal taste?

I don't know......maybe I'm answering my own question here.....
I guess I was hoping to hear a bunch of positive feedback.

Not so much, huh?

CraigC · 08-10-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesTX

Reminds me of the Caja China cookers people do pigs in - I think they are usually happy with the results, but do say that there's no smoke flavor.

That is true about the no smoke, but the mojo gives the meat an excellent flavor and cuts the fat nicely.

Craig

Jet2 · 08-10-2009, 03:34 PM

I have one - cooked on it twice - ribs and chicken. The ribs were done as advertised, quickly, but were tough. The chicken was good, very juicy, but only minimal smoke. I'm proabably going to cut it up to use for my UDS.

JamesTX · 08-12-2009, 08:35 AM

May be a little late, but MJHuffDaddy has one in this thread - http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=66800 .

Stoke&Smoke · 08-12-2009, 09:23 AM

I have one I'll sell cheap to a Brethren

Here's the things, pro and con

Pros - It cooks quickly because of the convection you get inside. You can get some smoke in there by rolling up small wood chips in a foil "donut" and pushing it around the inside drip pan, right against the metal where the coals are on the other side.

I have had very nice results with chicken

Cons - They recommend matchlight charcoal, which I absolutely will not buy. They consume a LOT of charcoal for the amount of meat you can get in them, and they're kind of messy to clean.

Only reason I picked mine up was that it was on a year end clearance.

Your results may vary, but that's my take on 'em

Big Poppa · 08-12-2009, 11:25 PM

I enyoyed the ribs but really thought it was great for chicken but a pain to clean and I also didnt like the matchlight

vermin99 · 08-13-2009, 11:20 AM

I have one and like it. It does use a lot of charcoal and is a pain to clean. I just use regular charcoal and not Matchlight and it does well. IMO its a great cooker and works as advertised. The tough ribs people are having is because they didn't cook them long enough.

a55bag · 08-30-2009, 09:58 PM

heres a video I found for trash can turkey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxNFlqwTYw has anyone tried this method? When she puts the beer in with the giblets couldnt you put some liquid smoke in there?

08-10-2009, 12:01 PM	#1
Wampus somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-05-09 Location: Mooresville, IN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Orion Cooker......opinions desired Brethren.... I just came across this: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/hsh/1307891572.html Doesn't look like much in the way of flavoring, since I'm guessing the food gets no real flavor from the charcoal, plus, I'd think that the charcoal burns away quicker out in the open like that..... Any of you had any experience with these? Caught my eye 'cuz my youngest son's name is Orion. But that ain't enough of a reason to buy it if it's not gonna turn out good Q. It reminds me of the "Trash can turkey" method of smoking, but at least then you still have the coals directly below the meat, giving it some flavor. Opinions much appreciated...... __________________ Big JT's Smokin' BBQ Competition Team “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. We need not wait to see what others do.” - Mahatma Gandhi

08-10-2009, 01:39 PM	#3
Wampus somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-05-09 Location: Mooresville, IN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That's my concern. I mean, as far as "set it and forget it" goes, I can get THAT from my oven in the house. It even has a handy window to check the meat without having to open!!! The thing looks cool, SS and all, but I'd never spend money on one of those fancy HUGE SS gassers either...look great, but you may as well be cooking your burgers over a bic lighter (flavor-wise). No offense to those of you who like gassers.....just not for me. Here's what I found when I "googled" it.... http://orionoutdoors.com/products/co...w-it-works.php There's a video at the bottom of the page.....in which it states "You don't have to worry about getting that charcoal taste!" Ummmmm......is there something WRONG with the charcoal taste? I don't know......maybe I'm answering my own question here..... I guess I was hoping to hear a bunch of positive feedback. Not so much, huh? __________________ Big JT's Smokin' BBQ Competition Team “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. We need not wait to see what others do.” - Mahatma Gandhi

08-12-2009, 09:23 AM	#7
Stoke&Smoke Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-18-07 Location: Woodridge, IL Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I have one I'll sell cheap to a Brethren Here's the things, pro and con Pros - It cooks quickly because of the convection you get inside. You can get some smoke in there by rolling up small wood chips in a foil "donut" and pushing it around the inside drip pan, right against the metal where the coals are on the other side. I have had very nice results with chicken Cons - They recommend matchlight charcoal, which I absolutely will not buy. They consume a LOT of charcoal for the amount of meat you can get in them, and they're kind of messy to clean. Only reason I picked mine up was that it was on a year end clearance. Your results may vary, but that's my take on 'em __________________ 2 Skinny Cooks Competition Team http://2SkinnyCooks.blogspot.com KCBS CJ/TC #17139 Member ILBBQS Too many cookers to list

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08-10-2009, 01:28 PM	#2
JamesTX is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-21-07 Location: Austin, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Reminds me of the Caja China cookers people do pigs in - I think they are usually happy with the results, but do say that there's no smoke flavor.

08-10-2009, 03:34 PM	#5
Jet2 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Alexandria, LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have one - cooked on it twice - ribs and chicken. The ribs were done as advertised, quickly, but were tough. The chicken was good, very juicy, but only minimal smoke. I'm proabably going to cut it up to use for my UDS.

08-12-2009, 08:35 AM	#6
JamesTX is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-21-07 Location: Austin, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	May be a little late, but MJHuffDaddy has one in this thread - http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=66800 .

08-12-2009, 11:25 PM	#8
Big Poppa is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-11-09 Location: La Quinta, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I enyoyed the ribs but really thought it was great for chicken but a pain to clean and I also didnt like the matchlight

08-13-2009, 11:20 AM	#9
vermin99 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 06-20-09 Location: San Diego, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have one and like it. It does use a lot of charcoal and is a pain to clean. I just use regular charcoal and not Matchlight and it does well. IMO its a great cooker and works as advertised. The tough ribs people are having is because they didn't cook them long enough.

08-30-2009, 09:58 PM	#10
a55bag Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-27-09 Location: Marysville Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	heres a video I found for trash can turkey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxNFlqwTYw has anyone tried this method? When she puts the beer in with the giblets couldnt you put some liquid smoke in there?