Best cookers to run without controllers

SmokePigTails · Oct 14, 2017

Simple enough question what are the best cookers/pits to run without a controller?

I would expect 270, maybe Humphreys. But I am curious to see what people with more experience have to say.

pharp · Oct 14, 2017

SmokePigTails said:
Simple enough question what are the best cookers/pits to run without a controller?

I would expect 270, maybe Humphreys. But I am curious to see what people with more experience have to say.

I couldn't believe how efficient my Humphreys worked w/o controller. I am testing a controller with it now but I ran it for over 23 hours at 300 on one load with very minor adjustments. It is pretty incredible.

KevinJ · Oct 14, 2017

My Hunsaker Drum will sit at whatever temp I want to cook at once the vents are set. A Guru, Stoker or any other ATC would be a waste of money. I was looking at 270's and from talking to owners they are very happy with temperature control.

pharp · Oct 14, 2017

KevinJ said:
My Hunsaker Drum will sit at whatever temp I want to cook at once the vents are set. A Guru, Stoker or any other ATC would be a waste of money. I was looking at 270's and from talking to owners they are very happy with temperature control.

Plus those hunsakers look sweet

Nuco59 · Oct 14, 2017

A temp controller on UDS is sort of a waste. (that does not stop some people from using them tho)

4ever3 · Oct 14, 2017

Any good charcoal cooker, from a UDS to a Weber Summit to a big insulated cabinet. If it runs on charcoal and has a good draw a controller just isn’t needed.

Jason TQ · Oct 14, 2017

Ya my hunsaker drums run awesome. Never had a cooker that can turn temp on a dime like this. Backwoods was great too without an atc. Wsm did solid and my egg doesn't need one.

Czarbecue · Oct 14, 2017

SmokePigTails said:
Simple enough question what are the best cookers/pits to run without a controller?

I would expect 270, maybe Humphreys. But I am curious to see what people with more experience have to say.

All the charcoal cookers mentioned here already would be sufficient. The biggest thing will be your price point. Below $150? UDS. Below $400? Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM). Below $1000 and get a good Hunsaker/Gateway. Get into the thousands and you can do Chubby, Weekender, etc.

Blazon · Oct 14, 2017

Rock solid Temp on Humphreys with no fan

No problem locking in temp and doing whole packers at 250° with one load of charcoal and no pit fan on my Humphreys Battle Box. With that said, I have to confess that I enjoy using my CyberQ as it helps the fire rebound more quickly if I’m opening the smoker during the cook.

moej · Oct 14, 2017

I competed in the royal with 2 Hunphrey's weekenders, no electronics. Once you learn the cooker it's rock solid.

DubfromGA · Oct 14, 2017

My Kamado Joe's never cease to amaze me at how stable they run.

jread23 · Oct 14, 2017

Czarbecue said:
All the charcoal cookers mentioned here already would be sufficient. The biggest thing will be your price point. Below $150? UDS. Below $400? Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM). Below $1000 and get a good Hunsaker/Gateway. Get into the thousands and you can do Chubby, Weekender, etc.

Weekenders are less than 1k.

tonyjohnson619 · Oct 14, 2017

Also can't leave out the pbc

Jraiona · Oct 14, 2017

Hey Humphrey owners. I’m going to be ordering a Pint in a couple of weeks. I’ve always used an Guru on my cooker but want to learn this one well. Can you offer some tips/advice on getting it up to temp and maintaining temp?

pharp · Oct 14, 2017

Jraiona said:
Hey Humphrey owners. I’m going to be ordering a Pint in a couple of weeks. I’ve always used an Guru on my cooker but want to learn this one well. Can you offer some tips/advice on getting it up to temp and maintaining temp?

I light my pint a little different than the tutorial. I fill the charcoal basket about 3/4 full and then pour a full lit chimney on top. I leave the bottom wide open and the top half open. I leave the charcoal door cracked until it gets within about 20 degrees of my ideal temp. Then i close the charcoal door and the ball intake to about a quarter. That method has worked for me and several people who i convinced to try it

fuggsandfoach · Oct 14, 2017

I have a 2 battle boxes and a weekender from Humprheys. I can do a KCBS cook with no fan system and run it perfectly about 250.
I know where my dampers go and set it up and cook all night

I can also get some higher heat If I want. Hands down I would say Humprheys

SmittyJonz · Oct 14, 2017

Old Country Smokehouse.

Jraiona · Oct 14, 2017

pharp said:
I light my pint a little different than the tutorial. I fill the charcoal basket about 3/4 full and then pour a full lit chimney on top. I leave the bottom wide open and the top half open. I leave the charcoal door cracked until it gets within about 20 degrees of my ideal temp. Then i close the charcoal door and the ball intake to about a quarter. That method has worked for me and several people who i convinced to try it

Thanks Pharp. Where would I find that tutorial/

Twisted T's Q · Oct 14, 2017

270 smoker

pharp · Oct 14, 2017

Jraiona said:
Thanks Pharp. Where would I find that tutorial/

I may have just heard so many people say it as I was researching it I just imagined my own tutorial. A lot of people suggest lighting the back right corner (closest to air intake). When I got mine I said "I am going to try lighting this just like I do my drum" and it worked so well I never tried the normal method. If I find an actual video tutorial I will post it.

Best cookers to run without controllers

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somebody shut me the fark up.

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somebody shut me the fark up.

somebody shut me the fark up.

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somebody shut me the fark up.

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