Budget Offset Worth Buying

Gunman9 · Jul 19, 2018

Hi All,

Been sometime since I posted last. I’m looking at getting a budget offset smoker to do beef ribs and brisket on and the occasional pork ribs and butt. I use my Smokin-it 3D for normal use. Is there an offset y’all would recommended that I could pick up locally for a good price or on that doesn’t cost as much as the smoker to ship? TIA

Stlsportster · Jul 19, 2018

There is a good thread by Smitty that lists the best smokers under $500. Most are Old Country or OK Joe models found at Academy Sports,Lowe’s or Home Depot.

https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202034

SmittyJonz · Jul 19, 2018

I like the Old Country Smokehouse the Best.

SmokyDick · Jul 19, 2018

OK Joe are fine, I use a char-broil smokin' pro that I got for $60 and make some good food.

Don't get bogged down or disheartened when all these people show off their $10k pits that would be 10000% overkill for your usage.

JasonS · Jul 19, 2018

I picked up a OK Joe Highland for dirt cheap at Wal-Mart a while back. I have successfully cooked everything you list with great results.

jeffjenkins1 · Jul 19, 2018

Going from an electric smoker to a cheap offset could be an issue. I started with a cheap offset and had to tend the fire every 20-30 minutes. The temps would fluctuate and it ate charcoal/wood.

I have a large offset now with a Stoker and I can put a bag of charcoal in it and it will last 5 or 6 hours.

Not saying the food off the cheap one wasn't good, I did briskets, PP and ribs but if I would have gone from set and forget to that, I would have been discourage and thought the issue was me, not the smoker.

Jeff

Kanco Connection · Jul 19, 2018

I’m starting to to get the itch, too. Paying attention to these threads now...

Drunk Monkey · Jul 19, 2018

I got a Bayou Classic 36" from Costco for $399. Had it a year, great pit so far.

SmittyJonz · Jul 19, 2018

Drunk Monkey said:
I got a Bayou Classic 36" from Costco for $399. Had it a year, great pit so far.

Those are No Longer available.

If you want to run on charcoal I would not buy an offset - some people can make it work but there are much better Charcoal smokers.

If you’re wanting to burn wood most of the pits are going to require a split every 40-45 minutes

jeffjenkins1 · Jul 19, 2018

SmittyJonz said:
Those are No Longer available.

If you want to run on charcoal I would not buy an offset - some people can make it work but there are much better Charcoal smokers.

If you’re wanting to burn wood most of the pits are going to require a split every 40-45 minutes

Right, I start with a bed of charcoal and add wood for smoke at first but go to all wood after a few hours. With the stoker it runs really efficient.

Jeff

Rockinar · Jul 19, 2018

I would lean twords an Old Country. I think the larger exhaust might draft better. I wonder if someone made a small basket if you could run it on a small red hot charcoal bed with a little wood to relax the temp swings you would get cooking with wood only on a thin metal pit like that?

CptKaos · Jul 19, 2018

I made a basket for my offset that holds approximately 10lbs of lump and a couple of splits, it will run 3-4 hours on that so I can start a fire early then go back to bed for a few hours then finish up with oak or mesquite and have a brisket ready for lunch.
You just have to get a cooker and learn its workings.
The thicker the metal is in the firebox and cook chamber the easier it will be to cook with.
Larry

jimbotx · Jul 19, 2018

SmittyJonz said:
I like the Old Country Smokehouse the Best.

Wonder if they are still available. Don't see them on Academy's site.

SmittyJonz · Jul 19, 2018

jimbotx said:
Wonder if they are still available. Don't see them on Academy's site.

They will come and go Depending on Academy’s Online warehouse stock instead of just showing Out of Stock

Gunman9 · Jul 19, 2018

Thanks for all the advice. Trust me this is not my first stick burner. I had a massive one that I did comps with for awhile but with work can no longer do that. Anywhere around Columbus OH to look for one? No Academy Sports here unfortunately

Stlsportster · Jul 20, 2018

Check on Academy for shipping. Usually pretty reasonable.

mrpigs · Jul 20, 2018

Closest Academy that I know of is two stores just this side of Louisville Kentucky. That's where I picked up my over and under.

Probably around a 3 hour drive or so if you're up around Columbus.

AKMIMNAK · Jul 20, 2018

Gunman9 said:
Hi All,

Been sometime since I posted last. I’m looking at getting a budget offset smoker to do beef ribs and brisket on and the occasional pork ribs and butt. I use my Smokin-it 3D for normal use. Is there an offset y’all would recommended that I could pick up locally for a good price or on that doesn’t cost as much as the smoker to ship? TIA

I personally would not. Even an $1,849 offset I once owned was poorly designed and a beast to manage temps. When it comes to offsets, I'll only ever own the best designed I can get my hands on. Currently, that is an LSG 20X42 for me.

jimbotx · Jul 20, 2018

SmittyJonz said:
They will come and go Depending on Academy’s Online warehouse stock instead of just showing Out of Stock

Yeah, local store has a couple of them. Much better built than the OK Joes. OK Joes here are really gapped at the firebox doors (and elsewhere). I keep considering them, until I go look at one

NYC ‘Que · Jul 20, 2018

AKMIMNAK said:
I personally would not. Even an $1,849 offset I once owned was poorly designed and a beast to manage temps. When it comes to offsets, I'll only ever own the best designed I can get my hands on. Currently, that is an LSG 20X42 for me.

What smoker are you referring to?

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Budget Offset Worth Buying

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Babbling Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Full Fledged Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Babbling Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Babbling Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

is one Smokin' Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

somebody shut me the fark up.

Knows what a fatty is.

Babbling Farker

Full Fledged Farker

is one Smokin' Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

is one Smokin' Farker

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