Time for a bigger smoker...build or buy

[h2oTom]

As I posted in a previous thread, I built a UDS years ago and have worked it like crazy. I'm getting to the point now where I need more room to cook.

I love that my UDS will run about 16 hrs on one load of charcoal. I love that I can "set it and forget it".

I think I'd like a cabinet style smoker. I'm leaning towards a gravity feed setup. I like being able to reload if needed. But I'm not 100% sold yet. I just don't get how you can reload a smoker with the charcoal basket in the bottom (not a gravity feed setup) if you are in the middle of a long cook. Maybe I'm just missing something? :noidea:

I'm also trying to decide if I should build or buy. I don't have the fabrication skills or tools, though I've got a few welding/fab shops in the area. Will I save a considerable amount by building? Is it worth spending more (I'm assuming it will be more expensive) to buy a proven smoker built by the big guys (Stumps, Superior, Backwoods)?

Ideally I'd like room for 12-16 butts at a time. I'd also like something that I could use to compete with.

I'm hoping y'all can point me in the right direction.

Thanks!
Tom

 

[SmittyJonz]

Humphreys Pint.

 

[Untraceable]

Buy. Most manufactures have ran across a million little issues and adressed them already that you would not have thought of

 

[Untraceable]

a load like 12-16 butts your looking at

Stump Stretch
Big MJH
Backwoods Piglet
Deep South GC 36
Humphreys Pint Plus
Assasin 28

 

[SmokinBuddha]

Humphrey's Qube'd Pint Plus.

 

[SmittyJonz]

I just saw you are in FL - you should get Ruby/Ebony........


http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203083

 

[h2oTom]

Humphreys Pint.

What's with the tight rack spacing? They look too close together, not just on this unit but many of the units I've seen. It doesn't look like I'd be able to get butts on each shelf.

 

[SmittyJonz]

What's with the tight rack spacing? They look too close together, not just on this unit but many of the units I've seen. It doesn't look like I'd be able to get butts on each shelf.

Versatility - all racks are removable, put them where you want.

 

[PekingPorker]

I think I'd like a cabinet style smoker. I'm leaning towards a gravity feed setup. But I'm not 100% sold yet. I just don't get how you can reload a charcoal basket in the middle of a long cook. Maybe I'm just missing something? :noidea:

Reloading my old Humphreys was a messy affair, but maybe there was a better way I wasn't aware of.

12-16 butts would fit in a Deep South GC 28, you wouldn't need to go all the way up to a 36. I have the medium (which is slightly bigger than the 28, but smaller than the 36) and I have had 6 butts in pans on each rack.

 

[SmittyJonz]

Gravity feeds load from top so you can reload anytime you want.

 

[h2oTom]

Gravity feeds load from top so you can reload anytime you want.

Yeah I knew that, lol! I poorly worded that. :doh:

What I don't get is how you'd reload a vertical smoker with the basket in the bottom.

 

[Untraceable]

you just open the firebox door, pull out the tray, push all the lit to one end and dump in more unlit. Hardly more complicated than dumping in more coal on a GF.

 

[Smokin J's PIts]

I would suggest looking at PEEPS offset smoker, very efficient, and not too bad on the wallet. I would also suggest building not because its cheaper, but when you build you can get it exactly how you want it.

 

[SmittyJonz]

I'd go see DWFisk and see Ruby/Ebony. :heh:

 

[cjtiger300]

Deep South GC28 sounds perfect for you.

 

[SmokinBuddha]

Deep South GC28 sounds perfect for you.

For $4K he's better off getting a Humphrey smoker.

 

[jermoQ]

You could...

but a large cabinet if you have the money and have your dreamy smoker.

You could also build a couple more drums built to run two grates and get about the same amount of meat cooked for a fraction of the price. IMnotalwaysHO, if you are getting 16 hours out of a basket, then you should be done cooking. With three; or four, you could cook at different temps and do different meats for competition.

 

[pjtexas1]

I would think on a quality insulated cabinet that you would not have to reload charcoal.

 

[BBQ_MAFIA]

Call Jay Curry at Spicewine Ironworks and talk to him about his cookers. They are built like tanks and will last more than a few life times. Attached are a couple of pics of my Large Spicewine Cooker.

I know one of Jay distributors is in FLA which should save you some shipping dollars if you decided to go with a Spicewine.

 

[Nuco59]

Not knocking local metal fabricators- I guarantee that most have done smokers "once or twice" and you might save a buck. But there is something to be said for going for the "sure thing" with a company who does that for a living...

but to answer your question - build or buy? "yes" - and enjoy it!