New Braunfels Smoker Model?

Foothills_Smoker · 08-20-2010, 11:23 AM

I am new to this forum. I have enjoyed reading the posts and have learned a lot, but now I have a question. I helped my Dad pick up a smoker yesterday from a guy on Craigslist. I was wondering if anyone could tell me, by the photos, what model it is. This unit has a 35" X 16.5" smoke chamber, 17.5" X 16" firebox, and an electric rotisserie, that was added later. I believe it is either a New Braunfels Silver or a Black Diamond, but I could be wrong.

I have attached the photos, I hope this works. Let me know if there is a better way to do this.

Thank you!

Cast Iron Chef · 08-20-2010, 11:30 AM

Couldn't tell you the model but it's exactly the one I've had (less the rotisserie, shinny paint and clean wood LOL)for over 15 years. I really love it for the grate size. Takes some tending to smoke but you can find lot's of information here about mods that can help. Enjoy!

Westexbbq · 08-20-2010, 11:32 AM

Looks to the the Silver Smoker, nicely refurbished.
The Black Diamond had a flat plate on top of the firebox I believe.

el_matt · 08-20-2010, 11:34 AM

I'm thinking it's the Silver. The BD has a propane assist for lighting in the fire box, and a pot warmer on the fire box lid. Great pits, but like Paul said, they do take some tending to.

Matt

Aaren Cobb · 08-22-2010, 02:15 PM

I agree, I think it's the Silver. I have a Black Diamond that has the pot warmer on top. My BD does not have the propane attachment, the propane attachment comes on the "Oklahoma Joe" version of the Black Diamond and also has a steel shelf instead of the wood planks.

Either way, looks like you got a very nice smoker. How much did you pay for it? (if you don't mind?) :)

Dave Russell · 08-22-2010, 02:22 PM

Yep, the NB Silver smoker, my first one. I was anal about temps and got rid of it after I made my uds. I even got a wsm last year, and while I love to "set it and forget it", I've came full circle and now am having a blast burning sticks in a Char-griller.

hcarter · 08-22-2010, 04:23 PM

Dave are you using split logs in your CG. I am about to get the SFB for my 2nd CG, but I can't seem to wrap my head around using logs in that. The SFB just seems too small.

Dave Russell · 08-22-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcarter

Dave are you using split logs in your CG. I am about to get the SFB for my 2nd CG, but I can't seem to wrap my head around using logs in that. The SFB just seems too small.

I hear ya, and I don't recommend just using hickory, unless you want to go hi heat all the way, and it better be small splits or chunks, and IMHO, with the bark removed.

Here in middle TN we have a lot of bradley pear (ornamental) that gets blown down all the time. I've already got a bunch, and also, if you have an orchard nearby, the owner might let you take a lot of the prunings or broken limbs off his hands after the fruit gets picked. I got a whole bunch of peach limbs just last week, and along with all the pear I have, I only will use hickory or pecan at first to get a bed of coals, especially if doing ribs or chicken. With the fruitwood, I can keep it down around 275 as long as I keep the wind from hitting the vent, and that's in this heatwave of a summer without shade.

My only problem is when the rather small fire I have going just fizzles out with little warning. (Watch the smoke!) I'm gonna take heed to the tip I found here about keeping some lump handy to throw on in such a case. I should add that it's not that often, especially if you're keeping an eye on the smoke, and I plan on having my torch handy next smoke, as well as the lump. I've always used a torch for lighting the uds, and sometimes the wsm, but I was at a fam reunion recently and saw how handy it can be when using a stickburner.

n2dabluebbq · 08-22-2010, 10:24 PM

my nb black diamond came with propane assist. i never installed but did keep it for the day when i think i might want it on there. also i used to use strictly wood for cooking on it, but have recently went with a charcoal basket. i use lump mixed with the wood of the day.
the one you have is a silver model but be glad that it was still made by nb. the new ones are much thinner and a bit more difficult to enjoy. oh and congratulations on the score.

Arlin_MacRae · 08-23-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Russell

Yep, the NB Silver smoker, my first one. I was anal about temps and got rid of it after I made my uds. I even got a wsm last year, and while I love to "set it and forget it", I've came full circle and now am having a blast burning sticks in a Char-griller.

Yep, same here. I'd recognize one in a second. I bought my Bandera (and found this garden spot in the universe) and traded my Silver for brewing equipment. That's been over six years ago and I still think about ol' Silver. You got a good one.

Arlin

dmprantz · 08-23-2010, 02:24 PM

+1 on the NBSS. Good little cooker. I've got a NIB Propane assist kit for it if you're interested. Lemme know.

dmp

Big Ace · 08-23-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westexbbq

Looks to the the Silver Smoker, nicely refurbished.
The Black Diamond had a flat plate on top of the firebox I believe.

You are correct, the Black Diamond had a flat top on the firebox.

Foothills_Smoker · 08-25-2010, 02:44 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Aaren, my Dad actually purchased the smoker. I know it wasn't a bargain, but it is in good shape. I do know the guy he bought it from was retired Army and jobless. So this was helping him out financially.

I have a Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe (BSKD). A very generous friend gave it to me for helping him put his new smoker together. I have a list of 6 mods I am going to install in the near future. I am totally hooked on stick burning (the pyro in me).

08-20-2010, 11:30 AM	#2
Cast Iron Chef is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-01-09 Location: Henderson, NV	Couldn't tell you the model but it's exactly the one I've had (less the rotisserie, shinny paint and clean wood LOL)for over 15 years. I really love it for the grate size. Takes some tending to smoke but you can find lot's of information here about mods that can help. Enjoy! __________________ Paul 18.5 & (2) 22.5" WSM New Brumfield Offset Smoker/Grill 22.5" Weber One Touch Platinum [SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Genesis[/COLOR] 3 Gasser Bradley [/COLOR][/SIZE]Bisquette[SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000] Pooper Bullpen BBQ Team [/COLOR][/SIZE]

08-20-2010, 11:32 AM	#3
Westexbbq somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-02-05 Location: Rockin' Lake Ronfarkoma, Hinterlands of BBQ .	Looks to the the Silver Smoker, nicely refurbished. The Black Diamond had a flat plate on top of the firebox I believe. __________________ Illuminated, circa 1967. KCBS CBJ-Texas Transplant. Texas Smokemaster offset, Well-cured NB Silver Smoker, Santa Fe grill (retired). glory bee gasser. Texas International Pop Festival, Labor Day 1969. IMBAS Certified. Just roll me up and smoke me when I die. Always remember, no matter where ya go, there you are. I wanna tell you 'bout Texas radio and the big beat. Someday, I hope to visit Penelope. Hondo Crouch, Famous Late Mayor of Lunkenbach, Texas who advocated a 'dillo diet: "You can eat nothing but armadillos for a month, but you will have to run down and catch all the armadillos you eat and it can really take the weight off!"

08-22-2010, 04:23 PM	#7
hcarter Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-19-06 Location: Columbus,OH	Dave are you using split logs in your CG. I am about to get the SFB for my 2nd CG, but I can't seem to wrap my head around using logs in that. The SFB just seems too small. __________________ - Howard--Char-Griller SuperPro with SFB.

08-23-2010, 02:24 PM	#11
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	+1 on the NBSS. Good little cooker. I've got a NIB Propane assist kit for it if you're interested. Lemme know. dmp __________________

08-20-2010, 11:34 AM	#4
el_matt Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California	I'm thinking it's the Silver. The BD has a propane assist for lighting in the fire box, and a pot warmer on the fire box lid. Great pits, but like Paul said, they do take some tending to. Matt

08-22-2010, 02:15 PM	#5
Aaren Cobb Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-03-10 Location: Fresno, CA	I agree, I think it's the Silver. I have a Black Diamond that has the pot warmer on top. My BD does not have the propane attachment, the propane attachment comes on the "Oklahoma Joe" version of the Black Diamond and also has a steel shelf instead of the wood planks. Either way, looks like you got a very nice smoker. How much did you pay for it? (if you don't mind?) :)

08-22-2010, 02:22 PM	#6
Dave Russell is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-06-10 Location: Lebanon, Tennessee	Yep, the NB Silver smoker, my first one. I was anal about temps and got rid of it after I made my uds. I even got a wsm last year, and while I love to "set it and forget it", I've came full circle and now am having a blast burning sticks in a Char-griller.

08-22-2010, 10:24 PM	#9
n2dabluebbq On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-25-09 Location: San Antonio Texas. Yeah Baby!	my nb black diamond came with propane assist. i never installed but did keep it for the day when i think i might want it on there. also i used to use strictly wood for cooking on it, but have recently went with a charcoal basket. i use lump mixed with the wood of the day. the one you have is a silver model but be glad that it was still made by nb. the new ones are much thinner and a bit more difficult to enjoy. oh and congratulations on the score.

08-25-2010, 02:44 PM	#13
Foothills_Smoker Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 08-17-10 Location: Tucson, AZ	Thanks everyone for the responses. Aaren, my Dad actually purchased the smoker. I know it wasn't a bargain, but it is in good shape. I do know the guy he bought it from was retired Army and jobless. So this was helping him out financially. I have a Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe (BSKD). A very generous friend gave it to me for helping him put his new smoker together. I have a list of 6 mods I am going to install in the near future. I am totally hooked on stick burning (the pyro in me).