Moberg or Workhorse

[pharp]

I have been wanting an offset for a while. Capacity is not a primary concern, so I am wanting something I can cook on at home and turn out great food. I think I have narrowed it down to two. The Moberg Backyard and the Workhorse 1975T.

Here are the specs that Mr. Moberg sent me for the Backyard and a picture.
Specs for our Moberg Smokers Backyard model:


50” x 24” backyard smoker
Insulated firebox
High temperature paint
Stainless shelf
1 door
1 Tel-Tru temperature gauge
Upper slide out
Full middle cooking grate
Under-storage
Large smokestack
Fully welded doors
5” casters
Drain

The Workhorse 1975T
Cooking Surface: 2316 Sq Inches with Top Pull-out Rack and Cowboy Grill

47"x23.25" Grate in Main Chamber

40.5"x15" Optional Top Rack

https://www.workhorsepits.com/product-page/1975t

 

[Shiz-Nit]

Good looking smoker

 

[Lynn Dollar]

What's the Moberg price ?

 

[pharp]

what's the moberg price ?

$3950

 

[Shiz-Nit]

$3950

That price Id get a Jambo backyard cheaper than that. You may really want to consider this.

Backyard - $2,650.00

BACKYARD price is $2,650.00 The Backyard model has been redesigned with a new 5" stack, upgraded grates, and an insulated firebox with 3/8" rear door. There are no upgrades for this model at this time.

Or Aaron Franklin has a new pit coming out that is $3000

 

[pharp]

That price Id get a Jambo backyard cheaper than that. You may really want to consider this.

Backyard - $2,650.00

BACKYARD price is $2,650.00 The Backyard model has been redesigned with a new 5" stack, upgraded grates, and an insulated firebox with 3/8" rear door. There are no upgrades for this model at this time.

Or Aaron Franklin has a new pit coming out that is $3000

The Jambo was the other one in my top 3. I have cooked on them a couple of times and they are great smokers.

 

[robertm]

Have you considered Shirley and Lone Star Grillz? You can get a LOT of smoker for that kind of money from both.

 

[Shiz-Nit]

Have you considered Shirley and Lone Star Grillz? You can get a LOT of smoker for that kind of money from both.

Good point both of these are TOP notch rigs also

 

[Raider18]

Both are nice. Might I suggest Bison Smokers out of Forney? 3/8 Steel has the Moberg style stack, but the Workhouse style round firebox. $2,500.

 

[ColoradoSmoke]

Subscribed...


The Workhorse 1975 is at the top of my list. I've never seen one in person nor have I cooked on one, but a friend said they draft incredibly well and have very even temps across the grates. Interested to see if anyone has experience using one.

 

[mcyork28]

I like the 1975.

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[NYC 'Que]

I have a 1975 and have nothing but praise for it. You cannot find a better smoker at that price point. I’m sure the Moberg is awesome as well but I just can’t believe how impressed I am with the 1975. By the way, the 1975T is trailer mounted. Not sure if you realized that or not.


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[Dweverett]

I’ve heard good things about Moberg but that’s a big difference in price given how nice the 1975 looks. No experience but I’d be leaning to the 1975

 

[gtsum]

1975 is a lot of cooker for the money imo. I almost ordered one the other day but the 5 month lead time gave me pause. I thought they were under 90’days??? They just be selling quite a few of them. Good looking cooker imo


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[pharp]

I have a 1975 and have nothing but praise for it. You cannot find a better smoker at that price point. I’m sure the Moberg is awesome as well but I just can’t believe how impressed I am with the 1975. By the way, the 1975T is trailer mounted. Not sure if you realized that or not.


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For sure. I definitely would like having it on a trailer. I could get the 1975T and the Moberg (not on a trailer) for about the same price. I am leaning toward the 1975T just because I would like having it on a trailer.

 

[Sid Post]

With what I paid for my Shirley and another ~$1100 for the trailer, that's the way I would go since it has so much more cook capacity. The reason being, as a trailer, I'll cook bigger offsite than I will in my own yard.

Family gatherings and similar for a holiday or family milestone will have a lot more people to feed then a small backyard family group smoke. That's part of where I'm at with my Evie Mae being a classic central Texas 'pipe' smoker which is plenty big enough for just myself. The Shirley will work for just myself too but, has a ton more capacity being a cabinet model.

The other thing to consider when you get in the ~$4K range of a Moberg patio model are the 250 Gallon versions on skids from Primitive Pits, Austin Smokeworks, Millscale, Moberg, and others. About a year ago I got quotes on skids from ~$5K to ~$7.5K depending on who and options with various lead times from reasonable to way too far away. Today without too much investigation, I'd likely option for a Primitive Pits 250-Gallon model on a trailer which should be in the $6~$6.5 for a basic trailer.

Of course, we have wandered into a lot more expense than a Workhorse 1975 non-trailer model which would be an awesome backyard pit for most people. The Shirley 24x36 Patios are another stellar option to further complicate the decision process. I am a bit biased for reverse flow for smaller pits though so I'm not the most unbiased person when it comes to direct flow options.

 

[Eads Ranch]

My buddy Doug just got his Franklin pit. He says it cooks awesome based on his first cook. But I am thrilled to have my Shirley 24x36 patio model. Of course I wouldn't mind having a Franklin pit too. :thumb:

 

[pharp]

Lots of good info. I actually want a smaller pit and I want direct flow. Leaning toward the 1975T.