I Need To Get Out More Often

[oldnndway]

I stopped by an Academy store today and was astounded at the rubs and seasonings and such that they had.
All kinds of BBQ stuff.
Gotta take Santa by there and tell her what to load me up with.

Question for y'all.
As I've told you before I have a Char-Grill gas grill now.
Have access to large trailer mounted grills when needed but would like to have a small smoker type cooker for use at home (small batches)

Academy has some offset firebox type smokers in my range.
They are lighter weight than what I'm used to but have thermometers and seem to have everything I'm looking for in a small (economical) package.

The brands that I looked at are New Braunsfels and Oklahoma Joes.

Y'all know anything about these type cookers ?
Will they work pretty good ?
Last a few years ?
etc ?

[Texana]

Dont know much about them there brands, but I will tell you if your looking just to do a couple of briskets or some ribs or even some chickens and dont want a pit taking up a bunch of room, then look at the Weber Smokey Mountain.

I know I can believe I said that, but heck from what I hear the durn things work great. And it sounds like that might be up your alley. Besides the price is right and I hear even a deaf and dumb mute can operate one.

Ahem ... my apologies to all deaf and dumb mutes .... and BBQDoug ....

Anyway lets see what some of the rest of the misfits has to say about this.

Sound off everyone. We got a forum buddy who needs some advice ....

[1044]

Ditto to Texana. I have two WSM's. If you want to cook smaller amounts, well, very well, go for the WSM. It's less than $200 and is as good as it gets in the price range...most price ranges as well.

[Woodman]

If your price range is @ $ 200.00 I concur with these guys. If, however, you like to play with fire,( and spend countless hours modifying your pit,) go the other route. If you at all can add some extra cash? Get a .25" steel offset log burning pit from a reputable manufacturer. :D Woodman

[Fred]

THE ~WEBER~SMOKEY~MOUNTAIN~ = $179.00
PLUS --
(1) FREE Bag of Maple Leaf Briquettes and
(2) FREE Bags of our signature Apple Chips with order!
$17.49 value!

http://www.smokinchips.com/s_cart/Publish/vIndex.htm

[Flap Daddy]

My first smoker was one of those New Braunsfels from Academy. I wouldn't recomend it. It doesn't cook even and you have to constantly look after the fire. Not to mention that it bolts together. I did eventually weld mine. That helped the stability.....I think the Oklahoma Joes are made of thicker material but I'm not sure if they cook more evenly or not.

If you want to stay in the $200 range I'd go for the WSM or similar. If you want an offset smoker I'd spend the extra money and buy a good one.

[C-Town Smoker]

I suggest the WSM also...as my avatr suggests!! The big problem with those "nicely" priced offset smokers is they are cheaply made, heat retention is poor and you are constantly tending the fire to keep them in range!

If you wanna conserve some cash go the WSM route...you will have no problems and produce great Q...if you can pony up the cash, go straight to the Klose or GatorPit models...there is really no in-between! :D

[redneck cooker]

I have heard great thing about the OK Joes and the WSM"s, that they cook good and are easy to hold temp in. I have seen a few of the New Bruanfels and the owners say (like Flap Daddy) that they are shaky and the heat distribution is terrible....If I were in that price range I would go with the WSM, Parts are available and they have there own tech/help line for new users. :D :D :D

[Dirty Ron]

The smaller Brinkmanns are not bad for under $200

[TAR RIVER RAT]

I have a Char-Broil Bandera, vertical with offset firebox/grill. For $178 on sale it is very good. It weighs 225 lbs and once it gets up to temp,very fast, it holds it pretty good. I have modified it to use gas. So now can use gas,charcoal and wood.
Tar(mobile wanabe)

[Smokin T]

i have a char-broil i bought for $170 with offset at lowes. works good in the summer, but have a lot of trouble with keeping a hot fire now in winter. :( have to continually have chimneys ready to load!

gonna go for the WSM soon, i think. maybe santa will.....nah! :lol: Smokin, Jokin T

[Woodman]

Awwww......Go for it Santa!!!!!! Yer worth it! The Wsm is perfect for folks who like to get some shut eye while they're cookin; which I believe you've been known to do T! :wink:

[Smokin T]

:lol: :lol: :lol: that might be one of the primary reasons i want one, woodwise! :)

[Texana]

:lol: :lol: :lol: that might be one of the primary reasons i want one, woodwise! :)

Now its woodwise ... gimme a break .... the guy already has a swelled head as big as texas ..... now this :)

[Smokin T]

i know, texana. it is a shame. but...when ya got it, ya got it :lol: :wink:

BTW, received your jelly and had the pineapple on ribs. :D superb! if you remember, i was a little shy about sweet and sour. no more! unfortunately, the ribs were smoked (?) by a friend of mine and was bragging about how he could smoke stuff much faster in a so called smoker that he picked up for five bucks at a garage sale! still, your jelly was the only saviour in that situmakation. thanks again for the "trust". 8)

[herper]

have a New Braunsfels, and even heating is near impossible, and its bolted together. the doors need more wieght to hold them shut(you can move the cable of a remote probe with no real drag on it from the closed door. unfortunately around here its the best you can get. no one knows about or will order a WSM, and I got this thing before finding this forum. saving for a small Gatorpit to do it right next pit purchase
Herper

[oldnndway]

Well, I appreciate y'alls opinions.

What I got puts pretty tasty meals on the table but I want one I can smoke with plus these are small enough for my yard.

A trailer type is just too big right now the way things are set up (fences and such) but thats what I'd really like to have.

I don't need mobility with this one.

Hell, I work for a machine shop that has built dozens...I need to get off my butt and go build me a heavy (yet small) one like the ones I saw.
Only problem is I'm the outside salesman and don't ever work in the shop or even at the town the shops in.

I bet I can get the material for no more than the cost of one of the light weight ones.

I figured the fact that it was thin steel would affect how it held the heat.

I'll let y'all know what I come up with.