Choosing my first offset smoker

keodark · 12-13-2015, 12:47 AM

Hi all,

I've been doing some heavy research before buying my first real backyard cooker. I know I don't have the skills or tools to weld one, and I know I want an offset stick burner. I've read conflicting things about RF versus tuning plates (versus direct flow). Hoping for some opinions on the issue, as it pertains to a SMALL backyard cooker (36" - 40") such as the baseline Lang or Horizon. My budget is between $1200 and $1500.

First, I wonder if tuning plates (which must be close together near the firebox to prevent hot spots there) might cause food on the firebox end to receive less smoke? Also, along the grate there is relatively little open surface area until you get near the colder (stack) end... it seems to me like most of the smoke would exit the cooker without touching meat?

Second, I was inspired by Aaron Franklin and in his book he recommends direct-flow smokers, but he's not really talking about small backyard cookers. Still, he says Reverse Flow restricts airflow and makes it difficult to maintain proper (strong) convection. For that matter, he's against tuning plates for the same reasons.

Third, the website for Lone Star Grillz (FAQ) says (paraphrased): We prefer tuning plates to RF because RF requires a much larger fire and it's harder to maintain a good draw which can result in inferior smoke. Personally, I've seen that sentiment echoed on forums, with concerns about keeping the firebox in an RF at the right temperature without overheating it.

As a related question, I'm wondering what the recommended "first step" is for a newbie to learn offset stick burning. I've read plenty of stories about frustrated newcomers giving up after using a cheap (thin walled) offset smoker, so I'd like to avoid that. Is there another way to find out if I have the patience required (and to practice) before investing in a Lang? Perhaps something no-weld that I can try to build first? I don't think I'm interested in a UDS because it's direct heat.

Thanks for any opinions!

Richard_ · 12-13-2015, 01:08 AM

Kat smokers is in your hood

TuscaloosaQ · 12-13-2015, 03:42 AM

Ken is right in your area with Kats... And people who knock reverse flows are misinformed... I build them everyday... They are excellent smokers and i will put them up beside a smoker with tuning plates all day long...Kats had a website.. Ken is a great guy... Honest as the day is long... Check him out..

Mattb82 · 12-13-2015, 06:30 AM

Hi Keodark. I started the exact process you just have after his book as well. I had been using a big green egg for two years and wanted to take the next step. A lot of what he says in his book is based on what works best form him. after about a month of research I ordered a Shirley which gets here next month. I read countless reviews and watched many videos. Just watch a video where you can see smoke pulling super hard out of the stack and you will see there is plenty of draw on a rf. Plus there are tons of experienced smokers in here that use Rf smokers. just take your time and get what's going to work best for you. Good luck and enjoy the process

mnbadger · 12-13-2015, 06:48 AM

Shipping a cooker is a royal pain in the butt. I would go with a KAT smoker since they are close to you. You'll save a ton of money on shipping that way. TuscaloosaQ definitely knows what he is talking about. I was going back and forth with his son Tyler about building a small backyard pit and they were really accommodating. Just all around great people to work with.

In the end I located an 80 gallon tank and I'm going to build my own (in progress). If I was ever going to have someone else build me an offset I would get a shirley, I would also love to have an assassin grill, 270 smokers standard... The list goes on... Even though I'm building my own Tyler told me to give him a call if I have any questions while I'm building my cooker.

Doog · 12-13-2015, 07:34 AM

Just make sure you get a smoker that is at least 1/4" thick. Reverse flows smokers work good,I have owned both types of smokers and my current is a RF.
Also Craig's List sometimes has some finds.

KevinJ · 12-13-2015, 10:21 AM

If I lived in Ca, Kat would be my 1st call.

SmittyJonz · 12-13-2015, 10:37 AM

I prefer Verticals. Living in CA. 3/16" would be fine. Save weight and $ and still have a BadAzz long lasting pit. I'd have Kat build me a vertical.

SmittyJonz · 12-13-2015, 10:41 AM

http://www.katbbqsmokers.com

Like the vertical section on this one.

http://katbbqsmokers.com/60x24_reverse_flow_vertical/

SmittyJonz · 12-13-2015, 10:47 AM

What are you used to Smoking/Cooking on? A fair number of fellars read a BBQ book run out and buy an $ offset smoker and then Hate it.

keodark · 12-13-2015, 11:39 AM

Thanks for the advice, all!

@SmittyJonz, I've always wanted to smoke but only just recently have a spot in my tiny California back yard for a cooker. I've smoked a few things in the past with cobbled-together boxes with direct-heat and wood chips, but that hardly counts. I do have a history of choosing the long-and-convoluted way to cook things, so I think I'm up for the challenge of 16-hour cooks. I just have a yearning to eat proper brisket again (there are no good bbq places near me), even if it takes a lot of time and money.

That said, you have a good point. Is there a better "stepping stone" I should take before committing to a $1500 (+shipping) cooker, that will let me learn offset stick-burning without quite as much cash? Welding it myself isn't going to be an option...

Thanks again!

keodark · 12-13-2015, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doog

...
Also Craig's List sometimes has some finds.

There's actually a Lang Patio 36", used, on CL, about 250 miles from me right now, for $900. It looks to be in decent shape, although it looks like an older model that doesn't have the slide-out upper grate. Still, I'm stumped on how to move the thing 250 miles. A box-truck would cost $500 in gas and mileage, hiring residential freight would be even more. I could borrow a pickup, but even with a rental loading ramp I'm not sure two guys could load and unload a 600-pound smoker into a pickup... I don't know anyone with a trailer, either...

pjtexas1 · 12-13-2015, 12:59 PM

Do you have an Academy near you? They have some offsets in the $500 range that you can try and probably get half your money back if you need to sell it. Half of $500 is better than half of $1,500.

SmittyJonz · 12-13-2015, 01:18 PM

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=202034

SmittyJonz · 12-13-2015, 01:20 PM

And ugly drum smoker or UDS is probably the single best starter smoker there is .?you could build one for $150 or you can buy one for $500 . And you can do a right proper brisket on the UDS

12-13-2015, 12:47 AM	#1
keodark Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 12-11-15 Location: San Jose, CA	Choosing my first offset smoker Hi all, I've been doing some heavy research before buying my first real backyard cooker. I know I don't have the skills or tools to weld one, and I know I want an offset stick burner. I've read conflicting things about RF versus tuning plates (versus direct flow). Hoping for some opinions on the issue, as it pertains to a SMALL backyard cooker (36" - 40") such as the baseline Lang or Horizon. My budget is between $1200 and $1500. First, I wonder if tuning plates (which must be close together near the firebox to prevent hot spots there) might cause food on the firebox end to receive less smoke? Also, along the grate there is relatively little open surface area until you get near the colder (stack) end... it seems to me like most of the smoke would exit the cooker without touching meat? Second, I was inspired by Aaron Franklin and in his book he recommends direct-flow smokers, but he's not really talking about small backyard cookers. Still, he says Reverse Flow restricts airflow and makes it difficult to maintain proper (strong) convection. For that matter, he's against tuning plates for the same reasons. Third, the website for Lone Star Grillz (FAQ) says (paraphrased): We prefer tuning plates to RF because RF requires a much larger fire and it's harder to maintain a good draw which can result in inferior smoke. Personally, I've seen that sentiment echoed on forums, with concerns about keeping the firebox in an RF at the right temperature without overheating it. As a related question, I'm wondering what the recommended "first step" is for a newbie to learn offset stick burning. I've read plenty of stories about frustrated newcomers giving up after using a cheap (thin walled) offset smoker, so I'd like to avoid that. Is there another way to find out if I have the patience required (and to practice) before investing in a Lang? Perhaps something no-weld that I can try to build first? I don't think I'm interested in a UDS because it's direct heat. Thanks for any opinions!

12-13-2015, 01:08 AM	#2
Richard_ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-17-08 Location: Dallas Or.	Kat smokers is in your hood __________________ Weber Genisis 1000 Weber Silver Weber 22.5 Weber 18.5 R.I.P. Smokey Joe Treager 070 Traeger 075 UDS Brinkmann Cimarron Pink Thermapen

12-13-2015, 03:42 AM	#3
TuscaloosaQ Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-11-11 Location: Tuscaloosa Alabama	Ken is right in your area with Kats... And people who knock reverse flows are misinformed... I build them everyday... They are excellent smokers and i will put them up beside a smoker with tuning plates all day long...Kats had a website.. Ken is a great guy... Honest as the day is long... Check him out.. __________________ TuscaloosaQ Check out our website at ShirleyFabrication.com Like our Facebook Page Facebook.com/ShirleyFabrication

12-13-2015, 06:30 AM	#4
Mattb82 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-09-15 Location: North Carolina	Hi Keodark. I started the exact process you just have after his book as well. I had been using a big green egg for two years and wanted to take the next step. A lot of what he says in his book is based on what works best form him. after about a month of research I ordered a Shirley which gets here next month. I read countless reviews and watched many videos. Just watch a video where you can see smoke pulling super hard out of the stack and you will see there is plenty of draw on a rf. Plus there are tons of experienced smokers in here that use Rf smokers. just take your time and get what's going to work best for you. Good luck and enjoy the process Last edited by Mattb82; 12-13-2015 at 06:49 AM..
	1 members found this post helpful.

12-13-2015, 06:48 AM	#5
mnbadger Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-24-15 Location: Rochester Minnesota	Shipping a cooker is a royal pain in the butt. I would go with a KAT smoker since they are close to you. You'll save a ton of money on shipping that way. TuscaloosaQ definitely knows what he is talking about. I was going back and forth with his son Tyler about building a small backyard pit and they were really accommodating. Just all around great people to work with. In the end I located an 80 gallon tank and I'm going to build my own (in progress). If I was ever going to have someone else build me an offset I would get a shirley, I would also love to have an assassin grill, 270 smokers standard... The list goes on... Even though I'm building my own Tyler told me to give him a call if I have any questions while I'm building my cooker. __________________ Large BGE, 80 gallon home built offset, Weber Jumbo Joe.

12-13-2015, 07:34 AM	#6
Doog is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-08-14 Location: Pa.	Just make sure you get a smoker that is at least 1/4" thick. Reverse flows smokers work good,I have owned both types of smokers and my current is a RF. Also Craig's List sometimes has some finds. __________________ Every cook is a learning experience....Big offset, Kamado, Blackstone

12-13-2015, 10:21 AM	#7
KevinJ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-09-15 Location: Pensacola, FL	If I lived in Ca, Kat would be my 1st call. __________________ MAK Grills ★ Gateway 30gal Weber Performer w/SnS & Vortex WGA :plane: [SIZE="2"][I]All American Moinkballer[/I][/SIZE] 🇺🇸

12-13-2015, 10:37 AM	#8
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	I prefer Verticals. Living in CA. 3/16" would be fine. Save weight and $ and still have a BadAzz long lasting pit. I'd have Kat build me a vertical. __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

12-13-2015, 10:41 AM	#9
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	http://www.katbbqsmokers.com Like the vertical section on this one. http://katbbqsmokers.com/60x24_reverse_flow_vertical/ __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

12-13-2015, 10:47 AM	#10
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	What are you used to Smoking/Cooking on? A fair number of fellars read a BBQ book run out and buy an $ offset smoker and then Hate it. __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

12-13-2015, 11:39 AM	#11
keodark Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 12-11-15 Location: San Jose, CA	Thanks for the advice, all! @SmittyJonz, I've always wanted to smoke but only just recently have a spot in my tiny California back yard for a cooker. I've smoked a few things in the past with cobbled-together boxes with direct-heat and wood chips, but that hardly counts. I do have a history of choosing the long-and-convoluted way to cook things, so I think I'm up for the challenge of 16-hour cooks. I just have a yearning to eat proper brisket again (there are no good bbq places near me), even if it takes a lot of time and money. That said, you have a good point. Is there a better "stepping stone" I should take before committing to a $1500 (+shipping) cooker, that will let me learn offset stick-burning without quite as much cash? Welding it myself isn't going to be an option... Thanks again!

12-13-2015, 12:59 PM	#13
pjtexas1 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 12-28-11 Location: Belton, Tx Name/Nickname : Texas Pete	Do you have an Academy near you? They have some offsets in the $500 range that you can try and probably get half your money back if you need to sell it. Half of $500 is better than half of $1,500. __________________ 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])

12-13-2015, 01:18 PM	#14
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=202034 __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

12-13-2015, 01:20 PM	#15
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	And ugly drum smoker or UDS is probably the single best starter smoker there is .?you could build one for $150 or you can buy one for $500 . And you can do a right proper brisket on the UDS __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............