Start on the cheaper end or buy the expensive smoker I really want?
- Thread starter Killa J
- Start date
Killa J
Full Fledged Farker
Maybe I should ask him to switch my build to a smoker if he hasn’t started. A Santa Maria seems fun, but I’ll use a smoker way more often.
gtsum
Babbling Farker
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2003
- Location
- Richmond...
Four on the bottom and maybe a couple on top (if thinner without a huge point). Maybe 5 on bottom shelf, depending on size. I’m guessing as I have not done that many yet. if running a lazy fire and the main grate is 250, the top will be 275…if running a hotter fire and 275 is main, the upper grate is 25-50 hotter. It’s very, very even side to side
Edit - not my pic…someone else’s 1975 with four
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Definitely a great idea!
My very first stick burner was 24x65 from Shirley Fabrication. I never ran an offset smoker prior. One came up for sale here in MN and figured it was my one and only shot of picking up a Shirley Fabrication smoker. So I jumped on it. I have zero regrets. What an awesome learning experience! Go for it!
I wouldn’t be dropping big coin on anything right now. Raw material prices are through the roof and we have an extremely uncertain economy right now. Personally I’d be playing it safe for a bit.
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Killa J
Full Fledged Farker
Damn, they even call it a Phranklin. At least Workhorse had theirs out before Franklin did, even if they look alike.
Their prices on really big smokers are the best I’ve seen.
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Killa J
Full Fledged Farker
Probably the most sensible answer. Maybe I’ll just work on my fire management in the Good One and see if I can get that working better for me. We do plan on moving to a bigger place in a few years, maybe I’ll hold off until I have a place to fit a 250 gallon smoker. Gotta think big
I hope you didn’t come here for a sensible answer…
cooking at home can be quite sensible and save on your eating out. Plus cooking with wood fire has gotta be good for your soul!
I think now that you know you really do like this method of cooking, then it would make sense to spend money on what you think you will really want.
I would also highly suggest trying to find a way to get your hands on what you are looking at buying. I spent (to me) a lot of money on a smoker sight unseen, and found there were several factors I could have caught in person, and ruled it out.
I would also highly suggest trying to find a way to get your hands on what you are looking at buying. I spent (to me) a lot of money on a smoker sight unseen, and found there were several factors I could have caught in person, and ruled it out.
To the OP, hope things are well down Red Stick way. I think your unsure as to what you really want in a stick burner. From reading this thread it seems that way. I've got a Buddy who bought a middle of the line Oklahoma Joe and put some seals around the doors. It works great!
No matter which one you choose, you have to learn it.
GO Tigars!
No matter which one you choose, you have to learn it.
GO Tigars!
smokeisgood
is one Smokin' Farker
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2012
- Location
- Louisvil...
I don't know much about the Workhorse, but I just sold my Long Rifle Sniper to get a Limo Jr., and while I am loving the Jr. I really miss the Sniper. Spend the extra money. I've looked at a lot of brands, and nobody I have seen so far can even touch the guys at Pitmaker when it comes to welding or painting. These guys are true artists. The short Sniper, with the octagonal barrel which has three shelves, will give you more capacity than you'll ever need. I bought the Long Rifle because I cook in pans and was crowded on the pipe pit I had prior to that, but even cooking for 70-100 people I never ran out of room or even used all of it on the LR. Mine loved to run at 250 degrees all day long with only putting a log on every hour and a half or so....
I hope you didn’t come here for a sensible answer…
cooking at home can be quite sensible and save on your eating out. Plus cooking with wood fire has gotta be good for your soul!
His logic beats my sense
toys4dlr
is one Smokin' Farker
When you are looking at stick burners, get the best you can afford. I bought a cheap craigslist Bandera, to see if I like feeding logs. With the mods it was ok. Got my shirley Fab and wow what a difference. And now I wait for my number to be called for my 250 gallon Moberg. I have regretted not getting the right size cooker the first time, so I recommend you focus on that a lot.
Killa J
Full Fledged Farker
I’m thinking waiting for the bigger one is the way to go. Came here for advice about what to buy, ended up deciding (and being convinced) to wait.
thedude9999
Knows what a fatty is.
I was in a similar boat a couple years ago. Lots of experience smoking, wanted a stick burner. I started with a cheaper one (Oklahoma Joe Highland) to see if I liked the process and would actually use it. It was yes to both and so I upgraded to a better quality smoker (Horizon). It really is a night and day difference with a good smoker.
If you know you are going to have the time to use a stick burner, are willing to do the overnight and/or early mornings it takes to cook stuff like brisket - spend the money on quality. If you are on the fence - maybe dabble with something cheaper then move up.
On Boathouse smokers - Mad Scientist BBQ did a video recently a Boathouse smokers. There was a good amount of info about the smokers in it - worth a watch.
If you know you are going to have the time to use a stick burner, are willing to do the overnight and/or early mornings it takes to cook stuff like brisket - spend the money on quality. If you are on the fence - maybe dabble with something cheaper then move up.
On Boathouse smokers - Mad Scientist BBQ did a video recently a Boathouse smokers. There was a good amount of info about the smokers in it - worth a watch.
glitchy
Full Fledged Farker
I think there's some great advice here. Inflation seems insane right now and these increases can't sustain at this rate. However, I think related to a smoker leaves lots of room to maneuver the waters. First, if you know you'll love a stick burner and will use it, overpaying a bit because steel is up probably won't hurt anything unless you're wiping out your life savings or putting a lien on the house to get it.
Now, if you are uncertain about liking it and drop $4000 grand on a smoker and steel prices plummet, manufacturers drop all their prices in correlation (yeah right) and you then decide to sell your smoker you could lose a good chunk of your investment in addition to depreciation. So, is it a tool or an investment? If you really know what you want, buy once cry once and enjoy the pit after you wipe the tears of the thing so it doesn't rust.
Rustypigbbq
Well-known member
I would get what you want. I just pulled the trigger and got a Shirley and it was the best decision I’ve made in a while. I would of had buyers remorse if I went cheap again.
