View Full Version : UDS (vertical) v/s RF Offset (horizontal)
WombleNC
07-23-2014, 10:08 AM
I have a 85 gallon UDS which I love but I am thinking out building a Patio size RF offset. Now the big UDS has done a great job but I have a few reasons for kicking this idea around.
1.) Easier access to the food I am cooking
2.) Easier access to the coals / fire
3.) I can get or already have the materials to build
4.) I need another project and who doesn't need another cooking machine.
What I need is Pros and Cons for both.
Which one is easier to use?
Which one needs less baby sitting?
Can you use Charcoal on an offset for long cooks?
Can you use a BBQ Guru type devise on an offset?
If I build a offset and find I don't want it could I sell it and recoupe my time and material?
Any info is much appreciated!!
Thanks in advance
J
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 10:12 AM
This is going to be good. We just thru with the UDS vs WSM and now we have the UDS vs Offset. Who wants to challenge the UDS next???:boxing:
UDS has a unique flavor from drippings on the fire and is pretty much set it and forget it
Offset is supposed to be the best flavor but will need to be fed ever 45-60 mintes
UDS is easier to use
UDS needs less babysitting
You can use charcoal on an offset but some will tell you that you shouldn't
You can use a BBQ Guru but I think it is not too common with offsets because the fuel doesn't last as long and sort of defeats the purpose of the Guru. Unless you are using charcoal in a snake/maze.
Recoupe...that is hard to gauge. Depends on how well you build it, size, appearance and how much you have invested in it.
Ron_L
07-23-2014, 10:13 AM
My answers inline below...
What I need is Pros and Cons for both.
Which one is easier to use? UDS
Which one needs less baby sitting? UDS
Can you use Charcoal on an offset for long cooks? Sure, but it won't last as long as in a UDS.
Can you use a BBQ Guru type devise on an offset? It's been done, but the offset would have to be pretty air tight.
If I build a offset and find I don't want it could I sell it and recoupe my time and material? Probably not, but it depends on how much you value your time.
Fwismoker
07-23-2014, 10:15 AM
Wood is the only practical thing for offsets and offsets need babysitting but that's the beauty of them....tending your fire is what makes BBQ special imo.
Build the offset and keep the drum...There'll ALWAYS be room for both and they both have their purpose. I'd definitely not look at it as pros and cons but all pros!
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 10:29 AM
I'd build one of these:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthreadd.php?t=162551
LennyG
07-23-2014, 10:46 AM
I'd build one of these:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthreadd.php?t=162551
Busted link....
peeps
07-23-2014, 10:49 AM
Busted link....
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162551
Ron_L
07-23-2014, 10:49 AM
I'd build one of these:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthreadd.php?t=162551
Is this what you wanted?
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162551
It looks like your link has an extra 'd' in showthread
peeps
07-23-2014, 10:50 AM
Is this what you wanted?
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162551
It looks like your link has an extra 'd' in showthreadOf course Smitty linked dwfisks vertical build...it is Smitty's Viagra! :wink:
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 10:55 AM
I like it ! And going from UDS to this makes sense....... :mrgreen:
bstomper
07-23-2014, 11:02 AM
Well I have forund this post helpfull. I love the simplicity and the way the uds cooks but I too want a better/easier way to get to the food instead of layering racks. Didn't know all this stuff about offsets. Doesn't sound like it's something I want. I also want something that works like a uds but is easier to get to the coals and food.
pjtexas1
thats an interesting unit in your avitar. looks like a uds with acsess to the food and coals. Do you have any pictures and info on that. Looks like something I am looking for.
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 11:09 AM
Well I have forund this post helpfull. I love the simplicity and the way the uds cooks but I too want a better/easier way to get to the food instead of layering racks. Didn't know all this stuff about offsets. Doesn't sound like it's something I want. I also want something that works like a uds but is easier to get to the coals and food.
pjtexas1
thats an interesting unit in your avitar. looks like a uds with acsess to the food and coals. Do you have any pictures and info on that. Looks like something I am looking for.
Forget the one in pjtexas1 avatar - from what I hear it's the only one that ever came finished 100%
You want a Humphreys.
They are insulated cabinet smokers and they run like a UDS - they are several companies that make them - Study this for a few months:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186946
http://www.humphreysbbq.com/smokers/testing
bstomper
07-23-2014, 11:16 AM
I'm wanting to build one not buy one. anyone here build one like that
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 11:21 AM
Ya a few guys
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181965
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130616
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187010
peeps
07-23-2014, 11:27 AM
I'm wanting to build one not buy one. anyone here build one like thatIt is essentially a rectangular, double-walled UDS. Pack the void space between the walls with insulation, make a front panel with a firebox door and a cook chamber door and VOILA! Ease of operation of a UDS and non-UDS style ease of access!
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 02:13 PM
pjtexas1
thats an interesting unit in your avitar. looks like a uds with access to the food and coals. Do you have any pictures and info on that. Looks like something I am looking for.
There are several guys that have built them. They make it look easy. Someone will post a link.
Mine is an Abe's Smokers 48" Entertainer. It is a great smoker. It looks great, cooks great and will probably outlast me. But like Smitty said the builder is not reliable. He has barely been in business for more than a year or so. He doesn't always deliver what he promises. He sells a ton of smokers and there are a lot of happy customers but there are also customers that have had to wait on missing pieces. I got in right before his business took off and I would do it again for the price I negotiated. He has made a couple of design changes that me and a few others here suggested. I could have almost bought 2 of them for what it costs for the same size Backwoods Smoker and about $900 less than the Humphrey's Pint (once you add the extras and shipping). I'm a cheap sob and my money is more valuable than my time or patience. Ask my wife....she won't go anywhere near a car dealership with me.:wacko:
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 02:17 PM
It is essentially a rectangular, double-walled UDS. Pack the void space between the walls with insulation, make a front panel with a firebox door and a cook chamber door and VOILA! Ease of operation of a UDS and non-UDS style ease of access!
If I would have know it was that easy I would have built one myself. Wait...does it require any welding skills and/or a welder:confused:
peeps
07-23-2014, 02:19 PM
If I would have know it was that easy I would have built one myself. Wait...does it require any welding skills and/or a welder:confused:Just a tub o' JB Weld... :thumb:
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 03:31 PM
It might be easier to build something like this. I don't use it much any more but it works just like a UDS but it is 1/4" thick 20" x 52" pipe and has all the features you listed. The only changes I would make is to center the exhaust stack, use a ball valve for the intake and add more racks. The top 2 racks are 12" apart. There is a bar to hang sausage and a rack right above the charcoal basket that allows you to grill. This should satisfy Fwismoker's requirements for an all in 1 cooker.:laugh:
Fwismoker
07-23-2014, 03:37 PM
It might be easier to build something like this. I don't use it much any more but it works just like a UDS but it is 1/4" thick 20" x 52" pipe and has all the features you listed. The only changes I would make is to center the exhaust stack, use a ball valve for the intake and add more racks. The top 2 racks are 12" apart. There is a bar to hang sausage and a rack right above the charcoal basket that allows you to grill. This should satisfy Fwismoker's requirements for an all in 1 cooker.:laugh:
If you can grill with it too then i approve. :thumb:
bstomper
07-23-2014, 03:46 PM
Ya a few guys
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181965
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130616
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187010
Cool thanks
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 03:52 PM
If you can grill with it too then i approve. :thumb:
When can I expect my approval certificate to attach to my smoker? I'm sure there is a hefty handling fee.:mrgreen:
bstomper
07-23-2014, 04:35 PM
It might be easier to build something like this. I don't use it much any more but it works just like a UDS but it is 1/4" thick 20" x 52" pipe and has all the features you listed. The only changes I would make is to center the exhaust stack, use a ball valve for the intake and add more racks. The top 2 racks are 12" apart. There is a bar to hang sausage and a rack right above the charcoal basket that allows you to grill. This should satisfy Fwismoker's requirements for an all in 1 cooker.:laugh:
Thats definatly doable. I even have the 20" air tank that would work.
A question though, about some of the other smokers in the other posts. Why are they all insulated? Is it just to help keep the heat in better. There is no issue with my uds keeping temps. I was just thinking of a square box (uds sizeish) with a couple doors in the front. One big compartment like the uds and one door for acsess to the meat and one acsess to the coals.
peeps
07-23-2014, 04:39 PM
Insulation makes them more fuel efficient as there is less heat loss and shorter temperature recovery time after opening the door...
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 04:51 PM
Thats definatly doable. I even have the 20" air tank that would work.
A question though, about some of the other smokers in the other posts. Why are they all insulated? Is it just to help keep the heat in better. There is no issue with my uds keeping temps. I was just thinking of a square box (uds sizeish) with a couple doors in the front. One big compartment like the uds and one door for acsess to the meat and one acsess to the coals.
There's one company making a big sqaure box - single walled but it has a flip top lid so loads from top like UDS with burn basket in bottom. People say they work well. .....
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 04:53 PM
DWFisk's build I linked to will run on a charcoal/wood chunk basket like a UDS - they just prefer to stick burn in it.
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 05:14 PM
http://bighatbbq.com/smokers/
Did anyone here ever see the Meat Locker in person?
bstomper
07-23-2014, 05:34 PM
http://bighatbbq.com/smokers/
Did anyone here ever see the Meat Locker in person?
Thats what I am thinking about, something like that.
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 07:42 PM
http://bighatbbq.com/smokers/
Did anyone here ever see the Meat Locker in person?
Too Scared to. ........... I'd probally buy it.
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 07:45 PM
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/5651EF51-0533-405D-B7B3-E64DBCC21CA7_zpsio1nouhw.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/5651EF51-0533-405D-B7B3-E64DBCC21CA7_zpsio1nouhw.jpg.html)
I'll probally get one of these:
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/22E9D536-1867-4842-8503-6E4347C2BFC8_zpskupfxr02.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/22E9D536-1867-4842-8503-6E4347C2BFC8_zpskupfxr02.jpg.html)
SmittyJonz
07-23-2014, 07:47 PM
This one runs on Charcoal n Chunks :
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/1C4AC466-2738-4281-BEE4-91A13B8E6DB8_zpsjf1ipxti.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/1C4AC466-2738-4281-BEE4-91A13B8E6DB8_zpsjf1ipxti.jpg.html)
And this one:
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/null_zps96478811.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/null_zps96478811.jpg.html)
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/null_zps69ca8a40.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/null_zps69ca8a40.jpg.html)
This one did too but had to be reloaded every 3 hrs. .......
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/null_zpscbf56eb1.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/null_zpscbf56eb1.jpg.html)
bstomper
07-23-2014, 10:42 PM
Haha that filing cabinet is classic. Now that's thinking outside the box
jbounds286
07-23-2014, 10:46 PM
that filing cabinet is genius! but they ruined it with that disgusting orange and longhorn symbol.......
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 10:50 PM
that filing cabinet is genius! but they ruined it with that disgusting orange and longhorn symbol.......
Are we really going there again:boxing:
jbounds286
07-23-2014, 10:52 PM
anytime i see something hideous i will point it out! :wink:
pjtexas1
07-23-2014, 10:54 PM
anytime i see something hideous i will point it out! :wink:
Almost forgot. Congrats on the Shirley cooker.
jbounds286
07-23-2014, 11:00 PM
lol yea itll be congrats when i get it....i ordered it about a month or 2 ago...they said they wont start on it til end of august if im lucky lol
pjtexas1
07-26-2014, 12:27 PM
There are several guys that have built them. They make it look easy. Someone will post a link.
Mine is an Abe's Smokers 48" Entertainer. It is a great smoker. It looks great, cooks great and will probably outlast me. But like Smitty said the builder is not reliable. He has barely been in business for more than a year or so. He doesn't always deliver what he promises. He sells a ton of smokers and there are a lot of happy customers but there are also customers that have had to wait on missing pieces. I got in right before his business took off and I would do it again for the price I negotiated. He has made a couple of design changes that me and a few others here suggested. I could have almost bought 2 of them for what it costs for the same size Backwoods Smoker and about $900 less than the Humphrey's Pint (once you add the extras and shipping). I'm a cheap sob and my money is more valuable than my time or patience. Ask my wife....she won't go anywhere near a car dealership with me.:wacko:
As much as it pains me to admit this...Smitty was right. Abe's has gone down hill. I just got a pm from someone that just got their Abe's and it has more issues than just missing parts. It's almost unusable. Stay far away from these. The quality is not there like it was in the beginning. Missing pieces is one thing but a cooker that doesn't function properly is a whole other thing!
WombleNC
07-29-2014, 07:22 PM
Ok fellas I have been soaking it all in. Sorry I haven't replied until now cause I lost the thread..lol. Anyway Smitty linked dwfisks vertical build which I really like. Plus I can get steel casing pipe in basically for free cause I sale steel casing pipe. I am thinking 26" and getting .250" wall or maybe something thicker if possible. here are a few more questions.
1.) Does thicker wall cookers help or hurt getting to and maintaining temps?
2.) 26" is not real common but can be found. 24" to me is a bit small but would 30" be too large?
pjtexas1
07-29-2014, 07:30 PM
1/4" is good for the cook chamber any thicker and you get to the point where it takes more fuel to get to and maintain temps. If you can get thicker for the firebox then that would be nice.
Pipe size depends on what you cook and how big your biggest cooks will be. 30" would allow plenty of room for 2 racks and tons of meat.
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