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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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11-22-2019, 08:35 PM | #1 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 05-31-13
Location: East Texas, USA
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Hunsaker, Gateway, PBC, BHC or ...
I was thinking about drum smokers, not UDS but, drum smokers people can buy without the time, skills, or access to make their own.
Hunsaker and Gateway are certainly nice but, at ~$900 shipped are pretty darn expensive (for 55-gallon models). Then you have Pit Barrel Company and Barrel House Company which are ~$300 shipped for an 18"/30-gallon option. Hunsaker has the Vortex basket and wheels with a lid hinge. Gateway seems to be the one with the better intake airflow option with two nice 'grab handles' for air intakes that are easy to work with. PBC and BHC cookers seem to be almost "two peas in the same pod" with very similar specifications, costs, and general functionality.
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Shirley 24x42, Evie Mae patio, a 'herd' of WSM's, 26" Weber Kettle, ... |
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Thanks from:---> |
11-22-2019, 08:46 PM | #2 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 05-27-12
Location: Glenburn, ND
Name/Nickname : Marty Owens
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I don't believe Barrel House Cookers are available and haven't been since sometime last summer.
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11-22-2019, 09:04 PM | #3 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 08-09-16
Location: Random Point In Time and Space
Name/Nickname : Parental Assigned Label
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Hunsaker and Gateway have precise control over temp with various dampers and ball valves.
The PBC has preset fixed holes and other than an adjustment for altitude it’s set and forget. Also, the Hunsaker has a proprietary vortex type lid over the charcoal basket to stop direct dripping on coals and to theoretically create a better drafting. Other than that it’s capacity. |
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11-22-2019, 09:12 PM | #4 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-03-18
Location: Texas
Name/Nickname : Sammy
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I have a Hunsaker and I love it. Easy to adjust temps and plenty of room for my needs. I like the big wheels and the parts are stainless steel so it should last for a good while. I don't regret spending the money at all.
However, you might want to look into the Oklahoma Joe Bronco. It is a similar size to the PBC, but it is more adjustable. You might be able to find it on clearance at Walmart for $184 |
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11-22-2019, 10:41 PM | #5 | |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 05-31-13
Location: East Texas, USA
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Quote:
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Shirley 24x42, Evie Mae patio, a 'herd' of WSM's, 26" Weber Kettle, ... |
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11-23-2019, 06:25 AM | #6 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 07-27-13
Location: Hannibal, MO
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There is a guy here in Missouri, North of St Louis, that builds drum smokers. I believe they are less expensive than some you are looking at. You might have to find him on facebook, The Ugly Drum Guy.
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11-23-2019, 07:57 AM | #7 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 12-12-16
Location: Vicksburg, MS.
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11-23-2019, 08:21 AM | #8 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 11-15-13
Location: West Linn, OR
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I got an email from gateway yesterday announcing an upcoming sale. They didn't say what it was going to be though. If you are interested, you should sign up for their email list.
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
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LSG 20x42 BPS Drum Blackstone 24 Weber Kettle Weber Genesis Weber Smokey Joe Passed on to a new home Tejas 2040 Deluxe Humphrey's Long Weekender |
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11-23-2019, 08:38 AM | #9 | |
Moderator
Join Date: 12-09-04
Location: Wandering, but not lost
Name/Nickname : Captain Ron
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Quote:
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"Ron Rico, Boss. You can call me Captain Ron..." Naked Fatties Rock! PKGo X 2/PK360/Weber Q1000/Blackstone Camping Griddle/Pit Boss Pro Series 850 |
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11-23-2019, 08:43 AM | #10 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 11-11-13
Location: Raynham MA
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I have cooked on both hunsaker and gateway drum. I honest rather gateway then hunsaker. The vortex on the hunsaker didn’t work well with my favor profiles because the the fat hitting the vortex and not the charcoal. I like the gateway on construction and they just work
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11-23-2019, 08:46 AM | #11 | |
Moderator
Join Date: 12-09-04
Location: Wandering, but not lost
Name/Nickname : Captain Ron
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Quote:
BTW, quite a few folks who own other drums are buying the vortex basket to use in their drums. Sid. I went through the same decision three years ago and chose Hunsake and have 4 of them for competition use. Any of the drums listed are good cookers, and you can produce good food an only of them, but I like the bottom air intake, vortex basket, multiple position grate system and wheels on the Hunsaker. Yes, the bottom intake will drip a little grease, but if you keep the bottom of the drum clean (I clean mine after each cook) the drip page is minimal. With my 4 drums I run one for brisket, on for butts, one for ribs and one for chicken and the only one that has any grease in the bottom at the end of the cook is the pork drum, and it’s it does drip it is usually less than a table spoon. If I am cooking on a surface that I care about I put the drums on oil change pans to make clean up easier and protect the surface.
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"Ron Rico, Boss. You can call me Captain Ron..." Naked Fatties Rock! PKGo X 2/PK360/Weber Q1000/Blackstone Camping Griddle/Pit Boss Pro Series 850 |
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11-23-2019, 09:15 AM | #12 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 09-14-12
Location: Spring, Texas
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Ron mentioned above "the bottom air intake, vortex basket, multiple position grate system and wheels on the Hunsaker". Those reasons alone make the Hunsaker a great choice. Plus...the floating-hinge lid is fantastic.
I love my Hunsaker.
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Certified Carcinogenic Meat Eater (CCME) LSG 24"X24"X36" vertical offset smoker LG and MiniMax BGE Weber 22.5 Master Touch Hunsaker drum Weber Smokey Joe Blackstone griddle PK Grill (original) |
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11-23-2019, 09:55 AM | #13 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 06-28-17
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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I’m a PBC guy and love it. I make great stuff on it. Sako has made otherworldly stuff on it. Great cooker for reasonable price. But I’m hoping to upgrade to Hunsaker this year for the reasons enumerated above.
I don’t think it’s complicated: If you have the budget, go Hunsaker or Gateway (depending on which drum’s advantages appeal to you), and if you’re on a bit of a budget go PBC and you’ll love it. You can easily Craigslist it when you’re ready to upgrade.
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Weber Performer Deluxe x 2 / PBC /RecTeq RT-590/ 18” Smokey Joe / Weber Spirit gasser |
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11-23-2019, 10:13 AM | #14 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 02-18-18
Location: Louisville,KY
Name/Nickname : William
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It's already pre-drilled so you simply bolt on the components. Easier than assembling some toys on Christmas morning. They have a SS version too which is definitely the route to take if you are considering paying Gateway prices.
https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/bps-...rum-smoker-kit
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11-23-2019, 10:20 AM | #15 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 08-05-17
Location: Blair, NE
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I have a Hunsaker and love it. I am still learning with it every time but you will find quite a few guys that leave the Vortex plate out during the first part of the cook, to get the "fat dripping on coals" bonus, and then put the plate in during the wrap phase to make it act more like an oven. To combat the grease dripping issue just put a small amount of Opti-Sorb oil absorbent in the bottom before cooking (tip picked up from Tim Scheers cleaning video). I like the lid design and I can hold steady temps for a long time. I am actually planning on building 2 more this winter.
All of that being said the Gateways have certainly made a name for themselves on the competition circuit and are very good, well built drums. I don't think you can go wrong either way, it all comes down to personal preference and which options are most important to you.
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Traeger Texas Elite w/ Smoke Daddy controller and UDS w/ Smoke Daddy pellet hopper |
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Tags |
BHC, drum, Gateway, Hunsaker, PBC, uds |
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