LSG Vertical Cabinet vs. Stumps/Assassin Gravity Feed

[cmcald0]

I need some help deciding on a new smoker. I had my mind set on a Lone Star Grillz insulated cabinet smoker. However, I keep getting tempted by the gravity feed smokers like the Stumps or Assassin. I have used offsets and like the flavor but the constant babysitting is a turn off. I don't have the time or patience. I've used WSM's and like the ease of use. If it helps, I don't like an overpowering smoke flavor. I want something that's fairly easy to use. I also like good bark. I don't really want to use a water pan, and don't intend on using the one in the LSG if that's what I go with. I have heard that the bark is not great on gravity feeds. I have also heard some say that there is not enough smoke flavor some with the gravity feeds. Hopefully someone with experience with the LSG (or other vertical insulated cabinets) and the gravity feeds can help me make my mind up. Thanks.

[saseekutz]

I can only speak for my humphreys as far as personal experience but I've had food cooked off a gravity fed cooker. Both can produce a nice smoke flavor that isn't overpowering. With the gravity fed I think it depends on how big the chunks are for how long it'll burn. The bark that a cabinet or gravity feed produces is just fine. I also like to cook without water and love not having much clean up time after a cook. Here are some spares I did today. In my opinion you can't go wrong either way, those are all beast pits thatll give you a nice product

[NYC ‘Que]

I can’t say enough good things about my Stumps. I’ve got the XL Baby and it cooks like a dream. The workmanship is second to none. I don’t know much about LSG Vertical, but IMO, Stumps makes the best gravity feed hands down. I’ll take a detailed video if you like. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180812/6cf2dd4b258d83b29af284419ce65b6c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180812/cdb7731ffecc7831fb17cb82654d2404.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180812/15a22bfdada8f0e0c1ea3bedc0b8b61e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180812/502c4c70130212aee9025b09aa258222.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180812/8264e88a487a39bd238ca18348a684bc.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pharp]

I can only speak for my humphreys as far as personal experience but I've had food cooked off a gravity fed cooker. Both can produce a nice smoke flavor that isn't overpowering. With the gravity fed I think it depends on how big the chunks are for how long it'll burn. The bark that a cabinet or gravity feed produces is just fine. I also like to cook without water and love not having much clean up time after a cook. Here are some spares I did today. In my opinion you can't go wrong either way, those are all beast pits thatll give you a nice product

Those are great lookin bones!

[ky_dave]

I had a superior ss-1 for years. absolutely loved it. sold it because slowing down on cooking for big groups. I've heard the assassins are the same cooker. my ss-1 was great at holding temps and quick recovery.

I now own a humphrey queb'd box and love it. took me a couple of times to learn to cook with a bottom box. It is great at holding temp. I can run 8 hours on one tray of Kingsford briquettes.

just my two cents.

[kcdano]

I have had a Stumps baby, a Stretch and an Assassin 28. all were good smokers. I have nothing bad to say about any of them. I currently have a Deep South GC 36 gravity smoker. I would say this thing is built like a tank, but I believe tanks wish they were built like this smoker. It's solid and the recovery time after opening the doors on the temps is no more than 5 minutes. Don't over look them. If I had to choose between the Assassin and Stumps, I would choose assassin due to price and the options already came with the smoker that are not additional. As for he smoke, I put some smaller chunks of wood in while loading the charcoal. Then continue to add chunks in the firebox.

[kathicooks]

Love my Stumps. Solid workhorse and you get a very consistent output.
I use a controller for all my cooks and wouldn’t consider trying an overnight cook without it. Makes it a very “set and forget” rig. But still gives you the ability to alter the smoke flavor based on number and size of wood chunks.
Highly recommend a Stumps.

[olewarthog]

I have an Assassin 17. Holds temps rock solid. I have no problem getting good bark. I also prefer a light smoke flavor & my Assassin delivers that with no problem. I generally use 2 pecan & 2 peach fist size chunks to get the light, sweet smoke flavor I prefer. Assassin's customer service is second to none.

[JVM59]

I've had my LSG Mini cabinet for about a year. Love it. Holds temps. rock solid.
I own a controller but have only used it once. Great cooker.

[hurricanedavid]

I love my Stumps Baby XL. It's built like a Rolls Royce and produces very consistent cooks. :thumb:

[Smoking Piney]

Assassin 24 owner here. It's a rock solid cooker and I have no problems getting a good bark.

https://i.imgur.com/RF8JTPnh.jpg

As for smoke taste, it's up to how much wood you load in the firebox tray- if any. You can go from very mild to over the top. I prefer a good shot of smoke, so I load my firebox tray with wood chunks and rattle the grate to get some embers on them after I put on the meat.

With the supplied IQ120 controller, it holds rock steady temp. I don't use a water pan.The cooker is beyond easy to use - load the coal chute, start the fire, and walk away while the IQ120 gets you to temp and holds it.

It's a high quality cooker and VERY well built. I smile every time I fire mine up. :-D

[wdbyrd]

Well I was thinking about buying a Stumps, or Assassin but didnt want to pay the extra 400-600 to have it shipped to me so I had a local Fabrication shop build me one in Arizona called DWF...It looks great so far and so look forward to seeing the finished product in a couple of days. This is the progress they made so far.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnabszphLrruK7e3CK4NTkwbBSMnqkC_zc1eAE0/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1hl2eolhsi1zv