What are the Pro's and Con's of current Gravity-fed and Insulated cabinet smokers?

pharp said:
This will not have any affect on any of these insulated cabinets.
Click to expand...

Agreed! If a WSM can do it, why wouldn't an IVC/GF! Whether 1" or 2" of insulation, it certainly is a lot better than relatively thin sheet steel. I'm really thinking more "low and slow" with an IVC/GF instead of "hotter and faster" on a WSM which is my main smoker right now. Being able to run overnight or stay inside when it is cold outside is attractive to me.
 
Sid Post said:
Agreed! If a WSM can do it, why wouldn't an IVC/GF! Whether 1" or 2" of insulation, it certainly is a lot better than relatively thin sheet steel. I'm really thinking more "low and slow" with an IVC/GF instead of "hotter and faster" on a WSM which is my main smoker right now. Being able to run overnight or stay inside when it is cold outside is attractive to me.
Click to expand...

It’s one of the best things about them. I typically run mine at 300-325, but sometimes for timing I will run lower overnight. This passed weekend I did an overnight because I just wanted to have everything on cruise control until football started.
 
Sid Post said:
With Evie Maes smokers not being available for purchase in the near future, I'm rethinking my mid-size cabinet smoker options.

Using lump or briquettes, what are the advantages and disadvantages of Gravity-fed or traditional insulated cabinet smokers?

I'm considering brands like Ironside, LSG, Myron Mixon, Assassin, TK, Humphrey's and similar makes. There are other brands out there worth consideration too such as Stumps that sort of get overlooked unless you live around them which is fair I guess, considering shipping expenses which is why I don't currently own a Humphrey's Weekender.
Click to expand...

Wait, what's going on with Evie Mae's?

Edit - Nevermind I should have read through the thread. I noticed they did take the smoker listings off their webpage.
 
Last edited:
Dweverett said:
No direct experience with any of these -- all I have is due to spending way too much time on this site and getting sucked into considering cookers I don't need and doing a ton of reading about them.

With that caveat away, when I looked into it a year ago or so I decided that I didn't really see the benefit of the gravity fed and would go IVC. Of those, Ironside and LSG were the two that stood out. I liked the idea that Ironside was designed to burn logs as an option and also liked the sizes they offered. LSG also seemed to stand out to me for the quality and the way the capacity was laid out. Based on where I live, Humphrey would also have to be on the list based on the ability to avoid shipping if I was willing to do a bit of driving but ignoring that, I would go with with one of the other two if I decided to go down the path of an insulated cabinet.

I'd really look at the dimensions of the options and see what fits with your capacity needs. I found quite a bit of variation and some manufacturers seemed to be a better fit for the capacity I'd want -- or at least better at a certain price point.
Click to expand...

That's funny - I could have written this exact response. Only difference is that my final 3 include Ironside, LSG, and T&K. I thought I was interested in GF for a while, but I'd prefer to set up charcoal/wood ratios at the onset (similar to my WSMs) than add wood throughout the first hours of a cook.
 
I ended up getting a cascade smoker since the builder is only a few hours away. I have had no regrets. I got the quedeville and use it all the time. I generally only use one of the shelves but have used two on occasion. Haven’t had to have the third one in there yet. Lots of great features that make it an easy and efficient smoker with lots of capacity.

If you have a builder within driving distance that makes a good ivc, I’d say go with that. I really liked picking mine up in person and talking to the builder for a while.

If you end up getting one shipped, I wouldn’t cross cascade smokers off your list unless you are against the reverse flow design.

I’d say the only downsides is it isn’t a stick burner if you ever want to do that and they aren’t cheap.
 
Dustin Dorsey said:
Wait, what's going on with Evie Mae's?

Edit - Nevermind I should have read through the thread. I noticed they did take the smoker listings off their webpage.
Click to expand...

I was ("tow fingers pinched together") this close to getting an Evie Mae smoker but, my timing was off by a week or two. :cry:
 
Assassin 24 gravity feed owner here.

Pro's:

-Holds spot-on temperature for as long as you have fuel with the supplied IQ120 controller

-Very well insulated. I can maintain whatever cook temp I need (usually 250-275) in single digit air temp

-Set and forget - get the coals started, plug in the IQ120, set the desired temp, and walk away. No need to tend the cooker

Cons:

-Heavy

-Bottom 2 racks run hotter than the top 2, but you plan for that and it's not really a problem.
 
Smoking Piney said:
Assassin 24 gravity feed owner here.

Pro's:

-Holds spot-on temperature for as long as you have fuel with the supplied IQ120 controller

-Very well insulated. I can maintain whatever cook temp I need (usually 250-275) in single digit air temp

-Set and forget - get the coals started, plug in the IQ120, set the desired temp, and walk away. No need to tend the cooker

Cons:

-Heavy

-Bottom 2 racks run hotter than the top 2, but you plan for that and it's not really a problem.
Click to expand...

Do you have any pictures of the 24 loaded up?
 
Dom,

Not a pic of the full load, but here's a pic from a couple of years ago. You can only see the top rack open, but I had 9 racks on, cooking for a friend's baby shower.

jzniYfDh.jpg


Here's the cook chamber right after I received it and before seasoning:

Fv5cqqGh.jpg
 
wmarkw said:
Didnt I send you some gaskets last year? If you need more let me know. I usually replace mine every year. I use the rtv food rated red rtv adhesive and it adheres just fine. Never had any issues.
Click to expand...

You sent me some gaskets and the 270° Sumo is still purring after 4 going on 5 years. Excellent build quality.
 
It sounds like there a lot of happy 270 smoker owners. I'm surprised I don't see more threads about them. Then again, I guess there are so many good choices it is easy to overlook a good one or two (thinking of Mixon and Stumps as another couple I don't read about often among a long list of good options without much 'press').
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Insulated smokers and clean smoke
2
Replies
24
Views
1K
Rico559
R
B
The choices! Seeking advice from others more seasoned than myself
Replies
19
Views
1K
Drunk Monkey
D
T
What are the pros and cons of a gravity feed ?
Replies
19
Views
3K
SmittyJonz
S
Back
Top