New and Need help - What kind of cooker??

[ericoask]

Newbe here in Minnesota. Been trying to narrow down my decision on a new smoker. Its been hell. Spicewine or a Stumps? Looking at ease of use, how well the temps hold and of course construction. Would appreciate any info.
Eric

 

[bbqjoe]

Everbody wants a spicewine.

Welcome Eric!!!

 

[HoDeDo]

Been working on a similar decision myself. A couple questions:
1. Will it be stationary or will be you taking it to contests, etc.?
2. Are you looking at the charcoal basket stumps or the Gravity feed?
3. Do you smoke with a water bath in your chamber usually?
4. Capacity needs?

some not so important questions...
5. Do you own a california duster?
6. Do you own lights to shine on it at night?
JEFF - DID I MISS ANY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS?

 

[BBQ_MAFIA]

Welcome to the group

 

[ericoask]

Would be taking it to a few contests.
The gravity fed Stumps was the model I was thinking about.
Yes I use a water bath.
Capacity Im looking at doing a couple of weddings next summer.
Im leaning on the Spicewine, just want to make sure Im making a good decision.
Thanks again
Eric

 

[BBQchef33]

Plenty of Spicewine info in this place.. including the man himself.. (Just dont let him sell you the big blue standup unit.) Im moving this to the Qtalk forum to get it better exposure. Redo your introduction to you in qtalk when ya get a chance.

 

[spicewine]

Phil !! I wouldn't dare sell your smoker !!:twisted:

 

[djmarko]

Welcome to the group. Enjoy.

 

[butts]

Welcome ericoask, enjoy the site.

I know Spicewine makes a great smoker some I not gonna try to talk you out of one. Stump's makes a great smoker also, I know this because I own one. Mine is a GF222CM which has four 20"X20" racks. The GF (gravity feed) does not need a water pan, the cooking chamber is incredibly humid. I would imagine a big difference in the two would be the burn times on a load of charcoal, the GF will burn for about 15 hours on 7lbs of charcoal and wood only for flavor, I'm not sure about the Spicewine. Make sure you check out www.stumpssmokers.com. Good luck and I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[HoDeDo]

Would be taking it to a few contests.
The gravity fed Stumps was the model I was thinking about.
Yes I use a water bath.
Capacity Im looking at doing a couple of weddings next summer.
Im leaning on the Spicewine, just want to make sure Im making a good decision.
Thanks again
Eric

Which of Spice's are you looking at? If you are going to do a couple weddings, and some contests, are you considering a trailered model or just a standalone unit?

Ok, based on your answers, here is my input:

Spice's units are amazingly frugal with fuel. I got to see my first couple at Hermann, and have seen both Jeff and Skip do great at contests this year with them.... There are not alot of Stumps cookers up here in the mid-west at contests. (so not alot of reference) They also have a nice water bath, that I don't believe the Stumps has.

I have cooked several years now on a Kingfisher and love it - but for contests, I bought a toyhauler 5th wheel, and getting that big dog in and out takes 3 large guys, or a winch. Not feasible for many contests. I've been using a borrowed FEC-100 from Kaw Valley ( they are supposed to be installing my winch) and like the ease of in/out of my toy hauler. I also like the SLEEP I get.... but worry about the auger jamming, etc. (and had fire go out once) Jay's units are AWESOME, and built very stout...but I fear it would be tough for me to load in my toy hauler as well... which is why I have been leaning towards the slightly smaller/lighter stumps. IF you have a trailer with a lower ramp/good ingress, or are going to buy one that is on an axle.... I would say go Spicewine. I have not seen a GF Stumps in person, but I have seen a Stumps CB model - it follows a similar idea to Spicewine cookers... IF you look at them, The Spicewine cookers seem to have more attention to detail. ( Larger butterfly opening for air, that is finished nicer... positive shutdown for exhaust, etc) Ok, that's my .02 - from a guy that doesnt own either one, but has looked objectively at both :wink:

 

[kickassbbq]

Welcome Fellow MN Man!!!!!
You absolutely could NOT go wrong with the Spicewine. Great people, great smoker.
Come on over and Party in White Bear Lake. Gonna smoke and joke this weekend in the rain!!!!!!!!! and cold.
Smoke On!!!!!!
ed

 

[Kevin]

Newbe here in Minnesota. Been trying to narrow down my decision on a new smoker. Its been hell. Spicewine or a Stumps? Looking at ease of use, how well the temps hold and of course construction. Would appreciate any info.
Eric

What? Another Minnesotan other than the expatriate Joe and Wild man KA. Please go to http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11
and introduce yourself. Good group here.

 

[Rockaway BeachBQ]

Could some one explain how a gravity fed smoker operates? The Stump site lacks information.

 

[Bigdog]

No doubt about it. Get a Spicewine like Jeff in KC's. Sweet unit. (see bash pics):shock: :twisted: :mrgreen: Quality construction and lots of cool features.

 

[backyardchef]

Could some one explain how a gravity fed smoker operates? The Stump site lacks information.

I'm sure someone can say more than I can, but I think the gravity feds revolve around the ember below burning down, and the next coal coming down on top of it, burning in a slow chain, so to speak....something like that, I think.

 

[fivelombardis]

Newbe here in Minnesota. Been trying to narrow down my decision on a new smoker. Its been hell. Spicewine or a Stumps? Looking at ease of use, how well the temps hold and of course construction. Would appreciate any info.
Eric

get whatever you like...but i'd never go with anything but a vertical now.

 

[Sawdustguy]

I won't sway you either way but as a new owner of a Spicewine Cooker the quality and Craftsmenship has to be seen to be believed. It's simply top notch.