Horizontal Smoker

herkysprings

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Original poster

Jun 2, 2009

578

11

Eugene, OR

• Nov 1, 2009

• #1

So I was in Walmart getting charcoal, and I saw an SnP for 160.

I really want a Horizontal smoker to add to my collection.. My question is can anybody give me a quick rundown on Horizonal offset makes?

Price / quality being a concern, but also since I dont have tools, doing mods may be difficult. I can probably get metal sheets cut for baffels / tuning, but welding would be probably out of my realm of things I can do.

I'd like to have something I can cook several racks of ribs on, or multiple chickens etc. I LOVE my WSM but I'm finding for certain things the assembly / disassembly is a pain.

Bradley for cold smoke
WSM for brisket / butts
??? for ribs chicken turkey etc.

Thanks for the info!

 

ddave

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Mar 3, 2008

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Far Northern California

• Nov 1, 2009

• #2

I have a SnP that is probably similar to the one you're looking at. It isn't the highest quality in the world but is workable with a few mods. The mods in this thread do not require welding.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...d.php?p=290506

There are lots better ones out there but the price goes up pretty fast. Horizon makes some good ones. There are some Horizon owners here on the forum. If I could afford one, I would love to have a Lang 48 Patio.

Really depends on how much you want to spend. You generally get what you pay for.

Dave

 

rickw

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Sep 1, 2008

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The Peoples Republic of IL.

• Nov 1, 2009

• #3

Bingo. It really does depend on what you want to spend. You know how the inexpensive one looks and feel. If you have a BassPro shop around go there and look at the Horizons. There is a world of differences in build quality, price too.

 

herkysprings

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Jun 2, 2009

578

11

Eugene, OR

• Nov 1, 2009

• #4

I guess I'm looking in the 150-200ish range, pre mods. Hopefully mods would be decetly cheap (aside from new thermometers).

I just tried to fit 3 racks of baby backs in my WSM, and they barely fit after trimming, using a rack, and curling them. I'd like to be able to do them on a horizontal. :D

Is there a big different between the SNP and Silver, out of the box / with mods?

 

coyote-1

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Sep 14, 2008

554

15

• Nov 1, 2009

• #5

You do get what you pay for.

That said, if you're someone who cares about what you do you'll turn out excellent smoked food on just about any offset! And I can't imagine anyone bothering to log on to a smoking fourm if they don't care about their efforts.... merely spending $1200 on a grill does not guarantee great product any more than owning a $3000 guitar guarantees you can play the thing.

 

herkysprings

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Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 2, 2009

578

11

Eugene, OR

• Nov 1, 2009

• #6

I guess I'm looking for some specifics like:

Decent quality build for heat retention / leaks/

Grill space. SnP looks like the winner so far, unless there is one in the 300 range that might be a bit better build. I know I've seen some great Q from SnP owners.

 

herkysprings

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Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 2, 2009

578

11

Eugene, OR

• Nov 1, 2009

• #7

Ok any thoughts on the:

Char broil Silver
http://www.charbroil.com/Consumer/pr...16&Name=Series

vs the
Brinkmann SnP pro

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10583514

Or SnP
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10854137

just looking for any final thoughts.

 

ddave

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Far Northern California

• Nov 2, 2009

• #8

That middle one is not a Brinkmann. It is a Char-Griller Smokin Pro. And they are all pretty thin-walled I think. They will need some mods and will probably benefit from a wind break as well.

Having said that, like coyote-1 said, it aint the cooker, it's the cook. I know a user on another forum, HawgHeaven who turns out some pretty fine looking grub on the Char-Griller Smokin Pro. In fact many of the mods listed in the earlier thread were variations of the mods he did to his smoker.

If those are the three you are choosing from I'd go with the one that is heaviest in construction. That will help with heat retention.

Good luck.

Dave

 

mballi3011

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

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Mar 12, 2009

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• Nov 2, 2009

• #9

I like the responce you get what you pay for. These days with all of the stuff coming from china with cheap metal and toxic paint I don't know if I would buy anything but local or at least from the smae country that we live in.
You Know USA.

 

olewarthog

Meat Mopper

May 22, 2009

234

12

south GA

• Nov 2, 2009

• #10

I had a SNP for over 10 years & cooked a lot of good stuff on it. When it came time to replace it, I went for a Char-Griller with SFB. The quality of construction was similar. Since I use my horizontals for both grilliing & smoking there were a few features that made we go with the CG. I really like the cast iron grates in the CG. The CG also has a clean out drawer on the SFB to remove ash during long smokes. This really makes a difference in keeping good air flow. The main chamber charcoal tray can be raised or lowered when grilling. The tray can also be flipped over and be used as a heat baffle with using the SFB. Both the SNP & CG need a few basic mods & you will spend about the same amount on either.

 

jirodriguez

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Jun 5, 2009

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Portland, OR

• Nov 2, 2009

• #11

I have the Chargriller 800 with the side fire box. I do like it, and have done some great smokes with it (especialy large loads). But there are a few drawbacks to be aware of.

• You will use a lot more fuel to maintain your temps - this may be affected by how well you seal up any airgaps. That is the one thing I have not done on mine.
• Your temps can really be affected by the surrounding air temp an wind. You are heating a large cavity and without the thicker metal it does loose heat faster than something more heavy duty.

But... you can load a ton of stuff on it, which is nice for a party, and like I said it does actually work with minimal mods. Here is a link that covers most of the Chargriller mods - farily easy to do, not a lot of tools needed.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ht=chargriller
I did the smokestack mod, bought a BBQ Wok that I use as a charcoal basket, and I just flip the charcoal tray upside down in the main chamber for my baffle. For $170 at Lowes it ain't to bad of a deal if you really want to try one.