Viking gravity smoker

[PMurillo]

Does anyone here own one of the gravity smokers. I owned a stumps for 8 years and loved it. I am just looking to see if the quality is there, I know Viking makes a great product but this is a little different. I was looking at the stumps baby xl but for a little difference in money the Viking is where I am leaning. I just don't want to purchase something I cant physically see, so I would like any input. Thanks any help would be appreciated.

 

[tgstrang]

Had to google the Viking...didn't realize Viking who makes Ranges also now makes a charcoal smoker. I have no doubt the Viking is a good, well made product but for $3200-3500 I might look elsewhere. There are a bunch of other builders out there that make a gravity fed for a lot less money. Similar to a Viking or Wolf range...they are really nice but there are other really nice competitors who perform just as well for a lot less money. Just my 2 cents. Assasin Smokers makes a gravity fed for a lot less change that would do the same thing.


Edit: I guess the Stumps and a Deep South aren't that far off price wise....that being said, I would still go with an Assassin, Deep South or a Stumps over the Viking just because I would rather have something that was built by BBQ folks rather than by a company that just decided to also add smokers to their catalog. Just my 2 cents though.

 

[Smokey Lonesome]

I seem to recall there was some suggestion that the Viking was made by Stumps but I don't know this was ever confirmed.

 

[KevinJ]

There sure isn't a lot of information out there on them. If your looking at saving some coin and still get a quality smoker Assassin is hard to beat.

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[cheez59]

That's a mighty small drip tray for a smoker that is big enough to cook several butts at a time. #Grease fire

 

[Smokey Lonesome]

I see the grease deflector plate deflects grease away from the firebox/heat transfer tube but the grease then runs back toward the fire to a center drain. Stumps grease drain is on the left side furthest from the heat.

 

[KC Smoke]

What are the odds... I was going to post the same thread today based on seeing one of these just yesterday for the first time. For me the construction looked pretty solid. I can't remember the price but I swear it was in the $2500 range at the Nebraska Furniture Mart here in KC. Throw in the o% interest financing until 2017 and that may be the deciding factor.

 

[KC Smoke]

Ok, I called just because I had to know. The 30" is $2900 and the 36" is $3550 with the financing running until May 2017. Huh.

 

[frankH]

I saw a Viking in person 2 years ago. IMO the construction fit and finish was better than any cabinet smoker I've ever seen. It's hard to hide defects when it's 100% and un-painted stainless steel.

It's up to the buyer if it's worth the premium, but I think stainless is worth a few hundred extra. I don't like the idea of painted steel on a smoker where I can't check for rust.

 

[eggzlot]

It's a stumps in stainless steel. If the additional cost for stainless is worth it is a personal decision

 

[tgstrang]

Does anyone know for sure if stumps builds these?

 

[backdraftbbq]

I believe Greenwitch Que uses one.

 

[Roast Beast]

I like mine quite a lot. But if I were paying full price (got mine used from a guy on some sort of Viking corporate cooking team), my money would go toward a Deep South or Southern Q.

 

[Roast Beast]

That's a mighty small drip tray for a smoker that is big enough to cook several butts at a time. #Grease fire

The slide-out grease tray holds a gallon, which is more than I've ever needed. But you could adapt it to fit a full-size SS pan if you wanted by relocating four screws.

 

[thull]

I hadn't paid attention to whether Viking still made the gravity feed charcoal smoker. I'm not sure if Stump made them (I suspect he licensed his design to Viking or some sort of arrangement). They carried Stumps at the Viking store in ATL many years ago- that store has since closed. They guy who managed/owned (not sure) the store cooked competitively on them. I think Stump was partnered with them as a cash infusion for the biz. The Viking version didn't show up until later on. Apparently, the store guy moved on and started Lillie's in Destin and now Chicago with his son.

 

[MikeJ65]

I was told that Stumps made the earlier Viking that you could get pretty cheap on some closeout deals a few years ago, but that this one is made by Viking (under Stump's license, I believe). Viking is no stranger to stainless steel fabrication, so I don't think workmanship would be an issue.

 

[PMurillo]

Thanks for all the response. Pat

 

[Thatgrimguy]

I've seen them. they are very nice and cook very well. But you pay for that Viking name.