Cabinet smokers

[dadymat]

Once again im thinking of pulling the trigger on an insulated cabinet smoker, last time i researched (year or two ago) I was looking at the Humphries, but the flash on them have seemed to faded , or has it?....I just wonder why there are never new you tube videos of forum discussions on them, are they still relevant?.....which insulated cabinet cookers are currently the best?...I know the usual Stumps and Assassin...is there a new option I should know about....just looking for guidance....currently have a Shirley Fab 24x70 trailer pit im gonna sell soon and thinking of trying a cab model for convenience in my limping years...lol

 

[Fooball]

Lone Star Grills: https://lonestargrillz.com/products/large-insulated-cabinet

Cascade Smokers: http://www.cascadesmokers.com/

270 Smokers: https://270smokers.com/

Pits By JJ (Made right there in Tx):https://pitsbyjj.com/smokers/mega-contender/

Backwoods: https://shop.backwoods-smoker.com/collections/frontpage

KAT BBQ Smokers: https://katbbqsmokers.com/product/large-vault-insulated-smoker/

Meadow Creek: https://redsilobbq.com/catalog/meadow-creek/cabinet-smokers/

Boathouse Smokers: Google it

Southern Q Smokers: http://www.southernqsmokers.com/water-pan-smokers

Pitmaker: https://pitmaker.com/smokers/

I know you're looking for personal experience recommendations, sorry but I've never owned one.

A lot of people on here like Lone Star cabinets. Humphries is still popular.

Enjoy your "limping years" with a new toy!

 

[willsands]

Cabinet Smokers

I have had a Humphries Battle Box for a while and I am pleased with the smoker. It really shines when the temperature is down around freezing.
The 270 smokers have caught my attention as well. Their build quality and performance are second to none. Also, I have talked with the owners and their customer connection is first rate.
There are lots of good choices, but these are two that I can vouch for.

 

[AussieMatt]

I have a Humphreys Weekender and love it. A lot of love for them out and about too.

 

[Hlzr]

I have a Meadow Creek BX25 that I've been using for about a decade now and making good bbq, I have no complaints. It's nice to get it rolling and then be able to get some sleep on extended cooks. Also being unaffected by outside temp is a positive. Very consistent, almost boring in the process but the consumers don't need to know that lol

 

[Evil-g]

I have a 270 Sumo insulated smoker and it’s still putting out some good Q 6 years later. Hold temperature really well.

 

[JAKs Q & brew]

I have a Humphrey's Pint and an LSG Mini.

Both a really good cookers.

I like the LSG more than the Humphrey's for a few reasons. The biggest is the charcoal and ash pan are vult as 1 piece. Older Humphrey's models are separate but I believe they changed the design to make them attached.

The direct flow on the LSG is better for briskets, pork butts and other big cuts. The reverse flow Humphrey's is better for ribs due to the heat coming top down.

Another option that I didn't see listed above is Ironsides.

 

[snadamo]

I have a Backwoods Chubby G3. It serves me very well. Lots of space rock solid temps (e.g. not very volatile), compact and easy to use. When its time for a new smoker, however, Ill probably be looking in to different brands. Over time I have found some little things that I am not a fan of or wish it was improved. Given my situation, this was a great choice and I am gonna use it till the wheels fall off.

a little background, I am coming from a WSM 18 and camp chef pellet smoker.

 

[11earl]

Happy with my Humprheys.

 

[smokeisgood]

If I were going to buy a IVS, I would hands down get the Pitmaker Vault. Best welds and paint in the industry.

 

[gtsum]

I had a stumps in the past and it worked well. If I was in the market for a cabinet, I’d look hard at pitmaker vault also. Extremely high quality. Pricey too, but that’s where I would go


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[gfh]

A Limo Jr. was my jump up from a gasser. It's hard to beat for the price, and at a "mere" 300 lbs is relatively easy to move around. It holds temps really, really well with a Fireboard 2 controller/fan combo.

The only upgrades on mine are a drip shield on the door and bigger casters. For butts and briskets, the standard three racks are fine. If you want to do a lot of chicken/sausage/smaller stuff, adding a fourth slide and rack might be worth it. I'm still experimenting with charcoal, but the just nothing fancy Expert grill stuff from Wally World with hickory chunks in the ash pan and mixed in the chute gives a good smoky flavor. Lots of ash, but that's what you get with cheap charcoal. Jealous Devil XXL briquettes and some carefully sorted lump are in my plans for the next cook to try to cut down on the ash and get a stronger smoke profile.

Bu overall, the Limo Jr. is a good choice if you're happy with the 19"x24" racks. The bottom rack can get some hot spots, but that's easily dealt with once you learn the smoker a bit. If you're wanting something bigger/better than the Limo Jr., there's at least a $1k price jump to move up to anything comparable but bigger in a new gravity fed smoker.

 

[BBQ Freak]

I love my LSG Mini and they make a big version too and the wait time is shorter then most builders .

 

[dadymat]

thanks guys, lots of info here...ill start digging into them

 

[cowboyupbbq]

I’ve owned a few. Stumps classic made the best food.

 

[dadymat]

any opinions on gravity vs reverse flow vs direct?

 

[WeberWho]

any opinions on gravity vs reverse flow vs direct?

I picked up gravity fed smoker and I've been really impressed with it so far. The biggest advantage with the gravity feed smoker is that you can can place chunks below the fire grate and get them to fully ignite creating a clean smoke profile similar to a traditional stick burner.

 

[JAKs Q & brew]

I like the direct flow LSG a bit more than the reverse flow Humphrey's.

I get more temp consistency across the grates in the direct flow and find the smoke flavor to be a bit better. The reverse flow makes better ribs.

 

[Porcine Perfection]

I run my Battle Box in temperatures below zero on a regular basis. It is a tank that will outlive me. I am sure there are better smokers out there but I know what this cooker is capable of and that it will not let me down.

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[SmoothBoarBBQ]

I had a Spicewine Ironworks (direct flow cabinet smoker) and it was an absolute workhorse. It had 4 racks with each holding 9 pork butts, and even when loaded to the brim it still kept temps within about 10 degrees from top to bottom, front to back, and left to right. The best part about it was the smoke flavor I got out of it was super close to what I would get with my offset smoker. After an hour or so lighting off the charcoal ring I'd start seeing thin, blue smoke come out of the exhaust stacks.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend going with Spicewine, but direct flow cabinet smokers are pretty amazing. If I were to buy another my first choice would be Ironside Smokers, though last I heard they are taking an undetermined amount of time to fulfill previous orders.

My 2nd choice would probably be a KAT BBQ Smokers cabinet. He's a super nice guy with a cool design aesthetic.