Goodbye old friend

[homebrews]

After 8 years of service I am finally saying goodbye to my Bandera. I have been patching and repairing the girl for at least 5 years. The final brisket slow smoked 10 hours last weekend and it sealed her fate.

At the 10th hour of two 14# briskets the bottom fell out of the firebox. Luckily no one was near, as it released a fiery lake of ceramic briquettes and oak ash hellfire.

At the same moment the lid on the firebox broke off from its hinges and split at the seams. I sh#t you not, the third item to break at the same time is the water pan brackets. The pan fell, water and steam poured out all over the inside of the locker and I knew she was done.

I rolled her onto the street and she was gone within 30 mins. Another man's project, but for me it is time to move on to something new.

I've been searching for a vertical locker similar to the Bandara, but maybe I should go for something horizontal? I would say a $1,000-$1,200 stickburner is what I am looking for. Willing to do mods.

I mostly smoke brisket, pork butts, ribs and turkey.

I've looked at the $500 list on the forum and some seem like they would work, but if the budget is a little higher can I get something better?http://www.bbq-brethren.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

[KevinJ]

Here is a thread you might be interested in http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223278

 

[SmittyJonz]

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-country-bbq-pits-all-american-angus-smokerhttp://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-country-bbq-pits-all-american-angus-smoker

 

[Doug Crann]

Time to hop on Craigslist. Amazed at how you old one had so many failures at once. As frustrating as it must have been you had to have at least chuckled a bit...

 

[SmittyJonz]

http://www.bighatbbq.com/store/the-marfa

 

[Ron_L]

Sorry about your Bandera!

In you price range, I would look seriously at the Sweet Swine-o-Mine Red Box Smoker...

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220467

http://ssomd.com/red-box-smoker

 

[SmittyJonz]

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171324

 

[homebrews]

Wow. Amazing response guys... Thanks for giving me lots to think about

 

[SmittyJonz]

I'd have Aj build me an Earl Clone. :heh:

 

[cheez59]

Sounds like you got the good out of the Bandera. A trip to Academy should get you back in business real quick like.

 

[SmittyJonz]

He needs to deal a lil bit but:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/for/5352288448.html

 

[cowgirl]

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like you got all of the good out of the cooker. Good luck with your search!

 

[LongIslandEd]

Ugghhhh....

 

[SmittyJonz]

He needs to deal a lil bit but:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/for/5352288448.html

http://www.bighatbbq.com/store/the-marfa

Same. Used n New.

 

[SmittyJonz]

http://austin.craigslist.org/for/5383650435.html

 

[KC Smoke]

Drive up to KC and pickup BBQ Freak's Klose. Please. Put me out of my misery. I have to talk myself out of it daily.

 

[Happy Hapgood]

I feel for you loosing a friend like that but in the immortal words of Neil Young, "It's Better To Burn Out Than To Fade Away".

Hmmm 8 Brisket years. How long is that in dog years?

Good luck with your search.

 

[campdude]

RIP to your Bandera. What a shame. Mines going on 16 years old. I keep it covered. Good luck with your hunt for a new rig. Lots of good advice.

 

[homebrews]

Thought I would have more time with her. I kept it covered and bought new covers every couple of years, because the edges ripped the fabric out all the time.

Went to Academy and browsed. Not sold on anything yet. I didn't see the new vertical smokehouse from Old Country at my location in Austin. That seems like a pretty interesting design. Liking all the options.

 

[Woody Butthrie]

Sorry for the loss of your Bandera. You did all you could to take care of her. Be happy with the time you did have with one another. Good luck on your search a new cooker.