The Lure Of The Offset Smoker

16Adams · 10-16-2018, 05:55 AM

Walked into Walmart garden center to buy some mesquite chunks. There sat a NIB unopened Oklahoma Joe Highland discounted to $125. Stared at it, thought about it- left. Sitting in my easy chair reading Holy Smoke random pages I Youtubed the OJ-H. Anyway decided I could easily have $125+tax of fun. I’ve said before outside of a pit nothing screams bbq like an offset smoker burping TBS.

Went back, was gone.

Good.

smoke ninja · 10-16-2018, 06:02 AM

not a fan of the highland, too small. the hotspot is almost half the cook chamber. the longhorn is better but retails for $550.

besides you have a stick burner, they are just really really tiny splits made of saw dust

pjtexas1 · 10-16-2018, 06:42 AM

You snooze, you win...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

16Adams · 10-16-2018, 06:42 AM

According to brickseek they’re discounted quite a few locations. I’m good that it was gone. The YouTube vid showed how to seal it up and work more efficiently- tuning plates using existing grates and HD aluminum foil. It wasn’t going to be for long cooks- more like functional statuary that produces food. A chicken-a casserole-SPAM-garlic; the usual short term suspects. Here’s SKU info if anyone is interested

Oklahoma Joe Highland 879 sq in Smoker
MSRP: $288
SKU: 33605961

frayedend · 10-16-2018, 07:07 AM

I've got the Highland. I do want something bigger but this thing works just fine. I used a few ceramic tiles as tuning plates. I get even temps across the entire chamber. I use charcoal and wood chunks mostly. I'd have loved to get that deal. I paid $300 and I'm happy with that.

Big George's BBQ · 10-16-2018, 07:20 AM

I liked my offset when I had it- a Meadowcreek 120 Cant stay up at night like I use too I am happy with my Egg

fwdiii · 10-16-2018, 08:32 AM

I picked up my OK Joe Highland the same way....deep discounted to $140. Added a few mods and it produces some pretty good food which the family loves. Very happy with mine.

SmittyJonz · 10-16-2018, 11:23 AM

Go Vertical.........

Nuco59 · 10-16-2018, 06:09 PM

A COS in a back yard can be one of two things:

A well-taken care of tool whose owner knows and has mastered its limitations to turn out envy inducing bbq- the toast of the neighborhood

Or a monument to a once aspiring pit master who has given the hell up and now dumps charcoal into the bottom of the cook chamber for overcooked burgers, hot dogs and his signature burnt ass cheap sirloin that the dog won't even eat.

I'd love to have one to see what mine shows me to be... one day maybe.

keezy · 10-16-2018, 06:23 PM

"Or a monument to a once aspiring pit master who has given the hell up and now dumps charcoal into the bottom of the cook chamber for overcooked burgers, hot dogs and his signature burnt ass cheap sirloin that the dog won't even eat."

That's kind of what became of my cheapo offset but I did some awesome grilling in the main chamber until I burnt it out. I had a few good pork butt and chuck roast low and slow cooks but it was way, way too hard.

Nuco59 · 10-16-2018, 06:45 PM

I wish the COS had a bit less "cheap" - AND in the instruction manual, it had a few websites (this one for example) that could help you make the best of your purchase. I would have zero reservations about buying even a Highland using what I learned off this fine site. The Highland IS smaller than I'd like- but I could run it and be happy with the food that came off it.

SmittyJonz · 10-16-2018, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuco59

I wish the COS had a bit less "cheap" - AND in the instruction manual, it had a few websites (this one for example) that could help you make the best of your purchase. I would have zero reservations about buying even a Highland using what I learned off this fine site. The Highland IS smaller than I'd like- but I could run it and be happy with the food that came off it.

You already gots a stick burner your buddy at work made.........

gtsum · 10-16-2018, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuco59

A COS in a back yard can be one of two things:

A well-taken care of tool whose owner knows and has mastered its limitations to turn out envy inducing bbq- the toast of the neighborhood

Or a monument to a once aspiring pit master who has given the hell up and now dumps charcoal into the bottom of the cook chamber for overcooked burgers, hot dogs and his signature burnt ass cheap sirloin that the dog won't even eat.

I'd love to have one to see what mine shows me to be... one day maybe.

Lol...too funny!

Memphis Elite

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Nuco59 · 10-16-2018, 07:57 PM

"You already gots a stick burner your buddy at work made........."

yep... but it's not an offset - Adam16 says there's a difference

(disclaimer, I enjoy my upright- now that I'm using the right fuel. I'd lurve to try something different- even if it's not "better" in any demonstrable way)

Happy Hapgood · 10-16-2018, 10:41 PM

Nawww no way you can "Master" it Adams what with all the wind, rain, snow, sleet, high temps, sand storms, sleet and such.

Best leave it to the Pro's.

10-16-2018, 05:55 AM	#1
16Adams somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-16-13 Location: USA	The Lure Of The Offset Smoker Walked into Walmart garden center to buy some mesquite chunks. There sat a NIB unopened Oklahoma Joe Highland discounted to $125. Stared at it, thought about it- left. Sitting in my easy chair reading Holy Smoke random pages I Youtubed the OJ-H. Anyway decided I could easily have $125+tax of fun. I’ve said before outside of a pit nothing screams bbq like an offset smoker burping TBS. Went back, was gone. Good.

10-16-2018, 06:02 AM	#2
smoke ninja somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-03-14 Location: Detroit michigan	not a fan of the highland, too small. the hotspot is almost half the cook chamber. the longhorn is better but retails for $550. besides you have a stick burner, they are just really really tiny splits made of saw dust __________________ Let's all just calm down and smoke a fatty

10-16-2018, 06:42 AM	#3
pjtexas1 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 12-28-11 Location: Belton, Tx Name/Nickname : Texas Pete	You snooze, you win... Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk __________________ Paul (aka Texas Pete) SF 24x36 Midnight Edition / Mak 1-Star /Abe's 48" Insulated Cabinet / 22.5 OTG / 28" BS / Jimmy with CB Roti and pizza kit / Red Box on custom cart / Char-Griller Kettle / Barrel House Cooker / Pit Boss Copperhead / Char-Griller Akorn Jr Sign Up for The 2022 Texas BBQ Brethren Fall Bash Here! ([URL="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12NjP4bH3uLyH6-RJnI4gSfDr0nKQ6_4cxdw_GhmrKq0/edit#gid=1935530835"]Link[/URL])

10-16-2018, 07:20 AM	#6
Big George's BBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 02-07-08 Location: Framingham, MA Name/Nickname : George	I liked my offset when I had it- a Meadowcreek 120 Cant stay up at night like I use too I am happy with my Egg __________________ Large BIG Green EGG- Hatched 8/17/09 Backwoods Extented Party- sold Weber Genesis Gasser Mid Atlantic BBQ Association KCBS Back Porch BBQ Competition BBQ Team Proud Member of the Zero Club When all else fails ask yourself WWGALD

10-16-2018, 11:23 AM	#8
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	Go Vertical......... __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............
	1 members found this post helpful.

10-16-2018, 07:07 AM	#5
frayedend Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-02-18 Location: Westminster, MA Name/Nickname : Jim	I've got the Highland. I do want something bigger but this thing works just fine. I used a few ceramic tiles as tuning plates. I get even temps across the entire chamber. I use charcoal and wood chunks mostly. I'd have loved to get that deal. I paid $300 and I'm happy with that.

10-16-2018, 08:32 AM	#7
fwdiii is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-07-15 Location: NJ, exit 9 Name/Nickname : Fred	I picked up my OK Joe Highland the same way....deep discounted to $140. Added a few mods and it produces some pretty good food which the family loves. Very happy with mine.

10-16-2018, 06:09 PM	#9
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	A COS in a back yard can be one of two things: A well-taken care of tool whose owner knows and has mastered its limitations to turn out envy inducing bbq- the toast of the neighborhood Or a monument to a once aspiring pit master who has given the hell up and now dumps charcoal into the bottom of the cook chamber for overcooked burgers, hot dogs and his signature burnt ass cheap sirloin that the dog won't even eat. I'd love to have one to see what mine shows me to be... one day maybe. __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

10-16-2018, 06:23 PM	#10
keezy Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 10-07-18 Location: Richmond VA Name/Nickname : Keezy	"Or a monument to a once aspiring pit master who has given the hell up and now dumps charcoal into the bottom of the cook chamber for overcooked burgers, hot dogs and his signature burnt ass cheap sirloin that the dog won't even eat." That's kind of what became of my cheapo offset but I did some awesome grilling in the main chamber until I burnt it out. I had a few good pork butt and chuck roast low and slow cooks but it was way, way too hard.

10-16-2018, 06:45 PM	#11
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	I wish the COS had a bit less "cheap" - AND in the instruction manual, it had a few websites (this one for example) that could help you make the best of your purchase. I would have zero reservations about buying even a Highland using what I learned off this fine site. The Highland IS smaller than I'd like- but I could run it and be happy with the food that came off it. __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

10-16-2018, 07:57 PM	#14
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	"You already gots a stick burner your buddy at work made........." yep... but it's not an offset - Adam16 says there's a difference (disclaimer, I enjoy my upright- now that I'm using the right fuel. I'd lurve to try something different- even if it's not "better" in any demonstrable way) __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

10-16-2018, 10:41 PM	#15
Happy Hapgood somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 03-17-12 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Name/Nickname : Mike	Nawww no way you can "Master" it Adams what with all the wind, rain, snow, sleet, high temps, sand storms, sleet and such. Best leave it to the Pro's. __________________ Cooking Equipment: Weber WSM, Weber GA, Weber Spirit E-310, Weber 22" OTG Charbroil Oilless Turkey Fryer Wife LuzziAnn 1956 model. Ink Bird IBBQ 4T Wi-Fi Temp Monitor, Superfast LSU Purple Thermapen & ThermaPop, Party Q Ink Bird Sous Vide, HF Flame Thower My Motto these days is "Low Stress, Low Drag". The Artist Formally Known as Toast