Lone Star Grillz Vertical Insulated Cabinet Smoker-For the new Owner

TedW said:

Big Swole has my dream unit on order, I see. I think I'm supposed to hate you now. Not sure on that part.

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Burnt to a T said:

Does anyone know if you have to order the Folding stainless steel side table or can it be added later?

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kkegans said:

Hey Burnt to a T..

The folding stainless steel side tables are welded on to the cabinet, so they aren't something that would be easily added after the unit was built and painted..

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Burnt to a T said:

Thanks for the info, but I'm looking for real world specifics.

Do you have more usable space per rack if you only have 4 racks in the standard vs 7 in the mini. I'm talking complete cooks with appetizers, sides, and meat together. I know the spacing for butts, and brisket will matter ribs not as much.

1 rack in each model will always have 6.75 inches in between for standard size pans. One holds two per the other one per. Once you go past 4 racks you lose that spacing unless you use half sized pans.

I'm just looking for what each one will hold what as far as large cooks if it ever happens. both will work for smaller cooks, and the Mini would be my choice if that was the only scenario.

I was told I might run into trouble with a Mini if I load it with appetizers, beans, mac cheese, and the meat for a larger cook.

Then I have some telling me to just use the oven if space is an issue in the Mini. What If I want them smoked?

I just need group size then I know what large is, and If I will ever cook for that size.

My issue is I don't know if I will or wont need the room of a standard. My Budget, and a few other factors I've asked about are still not being answered by owners of each size. Mostly size of groups, and what I can max out at per cook with what cooked.

Like above the space of equal sq inches does one have a more usable advantage. Example cooking ribs, 2 sides, and appetizers at one time. 7 shelves in the mini vs 4 in the standard. About the same size sq inches, but can I get more on 4 shelves vs 7.

Chris told me I would have a longer heat up time with the standard over the mini.

The size if I never use more than 4 racks in the standard I could have got more options on the Mini. To me the standard is my option if I find I will go over capacity on the Mini.

Then the I should have gotten 5 shelves,and gotten the standard when I run into space issues with the Mini.

I'm looking for real life totals on what one can cook with larger crowds in each smoker. Then I can figure out which size is best for me.

Chris didn't want to give me totals, because people cook in different ways. Also he thinks some builders exaggerate totals, so I would rather get photos of real life cooks, and info on what folks have done. I have seen some here, and some have told me via PMs. I've got some conflicting responses as well that have me confused.

I don't care about having the biggest just to have it. I want it if needed, and I will sit here, and tell everyone I have no clue. I need your help.

Maybe if I ask it this way I will get a better handle on the size I need

If I want to cook appetizers, 2 sides, and meat for

5 -10 people
11 -20 people
21-30 people etc etc how much will each cooker do, and this takes real world cooking to know.

At what size groups will the Mini not be able to accommodate, and where will the advantage kick in for the standard, and how many racks will be needed for that to happen. If 4 that could swing me to the standard if 5 or 6, and I will never fill that then the Mini will be the one.

My main concern is with ribs, but all other meats I need to know as well.

I don't want to over buy or under buy. Not trying to over think just being diligent in my choice so I'm happy, and get the most from my purchase.

I know to some its getting old, but I'm truly looking for all your advice.

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Ribeye Republic said:

I will bed cooking 100#s of butts and hopefully a brisket on Tuesday. The pork will be panned when time to wrap. I'll post some pictures if it would help. I think for the modest increase in price, you can't go wrong with the big one.

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Burnt to a T said:

This is one question I posed to Chris, and hope he does it. To show people what each will hold to do cooks on video to see capacities of each smoker. Fill it up with multiple items, and all the same so people can get a visual of what each will produce. Then idiots like me will know with out worry of ordering the wrong size.

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kkegans said:

B 2 a T,

One issue there is that some folks wrap, some don't, some cook in foil pans others don't. On top of that, all of the meat cuts come in various sizes, so no 2 cooks are going to be the same.

If Chris produced a video that showed 4 packer briskets on a rack and a customer has 5 monster 18 pounders that didn't fit, they might complain.

On top of that, it would take a small fortune in meat to completely fill a large cabinet with the various typical meats, just to make a video.

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Burnt to a T said:

It would be for reference only not a rule. At this point there is nothing at all. Also when you do a video you can state how big something is. People do it here.

When you are selling multi thousand dollar smokers a few hundred bucks here or there would do wonders for sales.

I'm sure you could right it off, and give the product to a food bank or homeless shelter etc.

I don't know, but some builders have a ton of action videos others not so much. To me the more you can show a potential buyer the better off you will be. Some don't care others do.

I'd like to see them because I can't touch or see one in person. Video is one avenue that would help people that are not able to see them in person.

If you dedicate one full shelf for ribs on for brisket one for butts etc it wouldn't take many videos for reference. If the builders cant spend a few hundred to make thousands then I find something wrong with that...JMO.

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Kaptain Kadian said:

I cooked 16 butts in my standard smoker and had room to spare. I had read on each rack and could have probably fit 5 easy and 6 with some maneuvering. Search 16 butts and you should find the thread.

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Burnt to a T said:

How many people did you feed on that much?

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