Off set stick burner vs H2O smoke flavor

I had a Spicewine Ironworks cabinet smoker with a massive water pan...well over 5 gallons. It produced a great smoke flavor which was close to what I get on my stickburner, but still a bit lighter. If I had to quantify it I'd say a water smoker will give you about 80-90% of the flavor I would get from my stickburner.

This really depends on airflow and how you're running your charcoal as well. I'd start my charcoal about 3-4 hours before I put the food on. This would give a chance to get a good source of heat which would burn the wood chunks pretty efficiently. I would also make sure that I was getting thin, blue smoke coming out the exhaust stacks before I put the food on.

Overall I loved my cabinet smoker, but I've since moved back to an offset and I really do enjoy both the flavor and the process.

I have a Meadow Creek BX 50 H2O smoker and the steam, mixed with the smoke from the lower fire box always gives a great smoke flavor.
I have found it to be comparitable to a stick burner for flavor but it also keeps the meat from drying out and needing a spritzing or mopping for moisture.
You might look at their BX25, a smaller version but the same quality of smoker.