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Roguejim
03-11-2016, 06:27 PM
Just window shopping...Considering the build quality, and cooking surface area, is there another comparable offset for the $999 price?
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-country-bbq-pits-all-american-brazos-smoker?repChildCatid=650566&cm_vc=PDPZ2&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-AcademyDesktopProductDisplayPageLayout+-+Slot+13_0-_-Widget_DAProductRecommendationWidget_3074457345618 304911-_-Old+Country+BBQ+Pits+All-American+Brazos+Smoker-productImageLink

I recall Smitty, I think, posting a link to a Texas builder, small operation, good looking smokers at very reasonable prices...who was that builder?

cheez59
03-11-2016, 07:10 PM
Muscrat is the builder Smitty talks about.

Roguejim
03-11-2016, 07:39 PM
Muscrat? Doesn't sound familiar...It was only about a month ago that the link was posted to the builder.

SmittyJonz
03-11-2016, 07:41 PM
Yup Muscrat builds a BadAzz insulated firebox backyard smoker - $1800 vs $2400 n up for Jambos, R/Os etc. He's part time builder certain times a year as he travels for his job.

Old Country Brazos is a Good Deal at $1000 but I'd want to add a counter weight to the cook chamber lid.

JackW
03-11-2016, 08:14 PM
I doubt you would be disappointed with the Brazos, I have a Wrangler, a smaller version of the Brazos, very good pit.

Jack

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 12:12 AM
Yup Muscrat builds a BadAzz insulated firebox backyard smoker - $1800 vs $2400 n up for Jambos, R/Os etc. He's part time builder certain times a year as he travels for his job.

Old Country Brazos is a Good Deal at $1000 but I'd want to add a counter weight to the cook chamber lid.

The link, I thought, was for a guy/fabricator that no one had ever heard of. The photos of his cookers looked top notch, but were quite a bit less expensive than the "big name" guys. It was a very short thread since no one had ever heard of the guy. That's what I remember.

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 12:15 AM
I doubt you would be disappointed with the Brazos, I have a Wrangler, a smaller version of the Brazos, very good pit.

Jack

I can't seem to find any info on the Wrangler from the Academy site.

mnbadger
03-12-2016, 06:31 AM
This is the thread you were looking for I think. The builder is called Matt's pitts

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223643

JackW
03-12-2016, 08:17 AM
I can't seem to find any info on the Wrangler from the Academy site.

The main grate on the wrangler is 18x25, so ten inches shorter than the brazos. The wrangler was $499 when I bought it a year ago.

Jack

JackW
03-12-2016, 08:19 AM
I cooked four spatchcock chickens on the wrangler at one time so you could probably cook six on the brazos.

Jack

Joe Black
03-12-2016, 10:06 AM
At that price point, you really need to contact Craig Bell at Bell Fab. He is a great guy to work with and builds a one off smoker to your specifications and your personal wants. His material is top quality and the fabrication is great. You can probably get a smoker for your $1K that is larger, well made and with your personal tweaks. Give Craig a try, you won't be dtsappointed.

Contact Craig at: [email protected]

FireChief
03-12-2016, 10:38 AM
Yup Muscrat builds a BadAzz insulated firebox backyard smoker - $1800 vs $2400 n up for Jambos, R/Os etc. He's part time builder certain times a year as he travels for his job.

Old Country Brazos is a Good Deal at $1000 but I'd want to add a counter weight to the cook chamber lid.

Pretty well agree with what Smitty says. If you've never laid hands on the Brazos, it's a heavy duty, solid pit and I think a great deal at $1K. Probably the heaviest pit you will find in any big box store.

For me it's on the border of needing a counterweight or not. I could open the lid okay without it but had to give a it a really good heave. Very heavy. A counter weight would just make life easier.

mnbadger
03-12-2016, 10:48 AM
I literally had a Brazos in the checkout box ready to order when I found an 80 gallon tank on craigslist in my area. If I hadn't found the tank I would have a brazos in my backyard right now.

I say go for it. With all the research I did they were the best for the money by far. The only thing close was a yoder cheyenne. The yoder is a 17" pipe instead of 18" and the grate is 6 inches shorter in the yoder. The yoder wichita is closer to the brazos in size but clocks in at $1600 :shock:

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 12:13 PM
The main grate on the wrangler is 18x25, so ten inches shorter than the brazos. The wrangler was $499 when I bought it a year ago.

Jack

Is the Wrangler 1/4" steel construction?

Bludawg
03-12-2016, 12:27 PM
No it 12 ga .128 or a hair over 1/8 th

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 12:37 PM
There is AJs Pits in DFW that Peeps and SlidingBilly used. Makes nice stuff - he's part time - advertises on Craigslist.

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 12:40 PM
The Wrangler comes and goes on Academy's website depending if they have any in stock. They sell more Pecos so that is what Academy and Old Country try to keep up with more.

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 12:46 PM
AJ's Custom Cookers
AJ Ramirez
817-714-4495

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 01:21 PM
You could order a Kat then drive down and pick it up.

http://www.katbbqsmokers.com

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 01:41 PM
The Wrangler comes and goes on Academy's website depending if they have any in stock. They sell more Pecos so that is what Academy and Old Country try to keep up with more.

The Pecos has less cooking area in the main cooking chamber than the Wrangler, right?

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 01:42 PM
I'm really surprised we don't see more guys on here with Brazos, good deal on a long term maybe lifetime ( if you take care of it) pit for $1000. Could use tunning plates unless you like multi temp zones. Has 2 grates. I'd say it'd be worth buying and paying a local welding shop to add a counter weight to the lid. The lid is heavy - not ridiculous heavy- but pretty hard to one hand it while holding meat in other hand. :wink:

Of the several Brazos I've seen in stores, none had any serious QC issues ike you used to see in Pecos and Wranglers.

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 01:43 PM
You could order a Kat then drive down and pick it up.

http://www.katbbqsmokers.com

Not sure I would want RF. Just not familiar with it.

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 01:43 PM
The Pecos has less cooking area in the main cooking chamber than the Wrangler, right?

No. The Wrangler is smaller but heavier gauge - basically 1/8". The Pecos is Larger but 14 gauge. I like the size of the Pecos. But the Wrangler has a small upper grate. The slightly heavier gauge steel on Wrangler doesn't help much ( they run n cook about same - I'd cooked on both several times at friends houses) so I'd take the Pecos for size.

Here's a Wrangler:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173974

Here's a Pecos:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214180&page=2


This is an OK Joe Longhorn but they are very close in size to the Pecos.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/62CA7B43-1FEF-44F8-A72D-A92AE0276580_zpsxifidsjz.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/62CA7B43-1FEF-44F8-A72D-A92AE0276580_zpsxifidsjz.jpg.html)

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 02:42 PM
No. The Wrangler is smaller but heavier gauge - basically 1/8". The Pecos is Larger but 14 gauge. I like the size of the Pecos. But the Wrangler has a small upper grate. The slightly heavier gauge steel on Wrangler doesn't help much ( they run n cook about same - I'd cooked on both several times at friends houses) so I'd take the Pecos for size.

Here's a Wrangler:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173974

Here's a Pecos:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214180&page=2


This is an OK Joe Longhorn but they are very close in size to the Pecos.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/62CA7B43-1FEF-44F8-A72D-A92AE0276580_zpsxifidsjz.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/62CA7B43-1FEF-44F8-A72D-A92AE0276580_zpsxifidsjz.jpg.html)

Thanks. Not finding a Pecos at your link there, buy that Wrangler doesn't look like it would hold much more than a single large brisket, on the lower shelf. So, maybe I'm making too much out of 1/4" steel. Overkill?

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 02:51 PM
Wrangler isnt 1/4" - it's 1/8"' only the Brazos for $999 is 1/4".

Just depends on what you want. For a first time offset the Pecos is Good choice but most who like stick burning will upgrade later then there's guys who say they wanna buy once so they buy a higher end offset $1000-$2000 and find out they Hate tending the fire- kinda funny to me. :razz: but hey that's how guys get good deals on like new offsets on Craigslist.........

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 02:53 PM
Page 1 post #6 is a brisket on a Pecos.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214180

landarc
03-12-2016, 02:59 PM
Reach out to pgyrogear on here, he owns Kat Smokers in Modesto California. From the website, his prices look very competitive just above the price you are talking, and it is built for you.

Joe Black
03-12-2016, 03:15 PM
My Bell has two doors on the CC. Real easy to handle. the CC is 1/4" and the FB is 5/16". Mine is 24"x48" and I added a convection plate, extra FB damper and a grilling rack in the FB. The total price was under $1K. I have had mine a year and it holds heat well and the temps are within 10* overall. Just touch base with Craig and at least get another view. Joe

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 03:32 PM
Wrangler isnt 1/4" - it's 1/8"' only the Brazos for $999 is 1/4".

Just depends on what you want. For a first time offset the Pecos is Good choice but most who like stick burning will upgrade later then there's guys who say they wanna buy once so they buy a higher end offset $1000-$2000 and find out they Hate tending the fire- kinda funny to me. :razz: but hey that's how guys get good deals on like new offsets on Craigslist.........

It looks like the Pecos and Brazos have almost the same sized cooking chambers, size wise. Brazos has the additional upper shelf. Main grate is almost the same size as the Pecos. I doubt it would be too difficult to add an upper shelf to the Pecos to match the total cooking area of the Brazos. Hmm...

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 03:41 PM
If I had a Pecos I would most likely add a upper grate- pretty easy if you or a buddy can weld at all or even kinda sorta weld - like me. :oops:

SmittyJonz
03-12-2016, 09:49 PM
If you are new to stick burning I say get the Pecos just in case it's not your thing - less $ and would be easier to sell. If are into stick burning and can afford it I say get the Brazos. Make a convection plate or tunning plates either way. :mrgreen:


http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u645/bobjones79/F76572A7-1241-46DC-ABC8-E4AEA57EB2EF_zpsdxa4o8oq.png (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bobjones79/media/F76572A7-1241-46DC-ABC8-E4AEA57EB2EF_zpsdxa4o8oq.png.html)

Roguejim
03-12-2016, 11:38 PM
So, qc is supposedly better on these units, I think you mentioned elsewhere? I just need to mention quite a few awful reviews on the website for the Pecos. This reminds me of some Fender guitars, the parts which are made in the USA, but are assembled in Mexico, and sent back here. You have to physically inspect them to find the good one. I did. I would expect it to be no different with this line of smokers.

Bludawg
03-12-2016, 11:48 PM
Buy an Over Under add wood & meat make killer "Q"

SmittyJonz
03-13-2016, 11:43 AM
So, qc is supposedly better on these units, I think you mentioned elsewhere? I just need to mention quite a few awful reviews on the website for the Pecos. This reminds me of some Fender guitars, the parts which are made in the USA, but are assembled in Mexico, and sent back here. You have to physically inspect them to find the good one. I did. I would expect it to be no different with this line of smokers.

They are made in Mexico because it's a Mexican Company - hence "Old Country"
If you read the reviews on Academy most of them are Idiots. Trying to run on charcoal, mad there's no paper manual, mad there's no cover made for it, asking why there is no charcoal grate "in the bigger grill section" etc. QC Has come up like I've mentioned several times. Slight redesign on Pecos, New QC Guy at Factory and better build tables and processes in Factory. The Brazos never had much QC issues as its heavier gauge and I'm sure he had his better guys building the more expensive units.

I've always told people to lay hands on them and pick the Best one you can find but after seeing 500 Pecos in Laredo and them being pretty uniform and consistent (not perfect or they would cost much more) I feel Better about ordering one.

You can step up to a Quality Pit from a known builder for $1200-$1500-$1800 plus $400-$600 shipping. Nuttin wrong with that. :thumb:

SmittyJonz
03-13-2016, 11:58 AM
Hey I understand not wanting to part with $400-$500 without seeing the item. I'm a poor boy fixin to be laid off. Maybe you line up a few Academy(s) and call them check inventory and Road Trip it or order a higher end pit - Like Kat, Yoder, Shirley, etc....

Roguejim
03-13-2016, 12:22 PM
They are made in Mexico because it's a Mexican Company - hence "Old Country"
If you read the reviews on Academy most of them are Idiots. Trying to run on charcoal, mad there's no paper manual, mad there's no cover made for it, asking why there is no charcoal grate "in the bigger grill section" etc. QC Has come up like I've mentioned several times. Slight redesign on Pecos, New QC Guy at Factory and better build tables and processes in Factory. The Brazos never had much QC issues as its heavier gauge and I'm sure he had his better guys building the more expensive units.

I've always told people to lay hands on them and pick the Best one you can find but after seeing 500 Pecos in Laredo and them being pretty uniform and consistent (not perfect or they would cost much more) I feel Better about ordering one.

You can step up to a Quality Pit from a known builder for $1200-$1500-$1800 plus $400-$600 shipping. Nuttin wrong with that. :thumb:

Actually, most complaints were regarding broken welds, rust, bubbling paint, unresponsive customer service, overall damage in shipping, blah..blah. It sounds like QC is better now, though. Thanks for the help.:grin:

SmittyJonz
03-14-2016, 03:20 PM
Roadtrip Time :


http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226782

Sopchoppy
03-14-2016, 05:21 PM
You can call Academy 1-800 # and they can tell you what is in stock at each store. That's how I found my Wrangler. Didn't have any luck calling individual stores. kept getting transferred all over the store.

Roguejim
03-14-2016, 07:53 PM
Roadtrip Time :


http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226782

You devil. That's a stunner. I'm talking to the wife...

Wesman61
03-14-2016, 08:11 PM
Roadtrip Time :


http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226782

Dang! I have Family in Bakersfield too.

SmittyJonz
03-20-2016, 12:27 PM
Well.? :twitch:

Roguejim
03-20-2016, 01:03 PM
The wife wouldn't take the bait. No surprise. I'm taking a different approach, now.

I let her see me sadly looking at other people's high dollar smokers, which I really have no desire to own, but she doesn't need to know that. When the time is right, I will remark about a moderately priced unit ($600-$1,000). She will give in as an act of pity. It's all about timing.

SmittyJonz
03-20-2016, 01:34 PM
The wife wouldn't take the bait. No surprise. I'm taking a different approach, now.

I let her see me sadly looking at other people's high dollar smokers, which I really have no desire to own, but she doesn't need to know that. When the time is right, I will remark about a moderately priced unit ($600-$1,000). She will give in as an act of pity. It's all about timing.

There ya Go. Solid Plan.

Smokin Dude
05-06-2016, 10:29 PM
The Old Country Brazos is no longer available according to Academy. I would love to have one.

SmittyJonz
05-06-2016, 10:35 PM
The Old Country Brazos is no longer available according to Academy. I would love to have one.

Pits come and go on Academy.com depending on their inventory.