It shows that there is a B.P. in Hanover MD Horizon smokers are the real deal. I highly recommend adding the "sliding convection/tuning plate option". So you don't have to keep opening the smoker to tune it with different cuts of meat or different meat loads on it. I've cooked hundreds of Ball Tip and Tri Tip on the 30'' Marshal for a local watering hole on the weekends I'd cook up to 30 a day each weekend during the summer.
Are you sure you want an off set? Do you have a good supply of hardwood at hand and more patience than God? I love the food they produce but don't have the will to set over them feeding them splits for 15 hours smokes anymore. Have you thought about a decent gravity fed smoker? If I had the funds that's the direction I'd be leaning these days add a stoker and your set.
If you want less hands on during the cook any nice charcoal cabinet smoker including gravity fed would be good. Budget allowing you want one with a nice 1” insulation to hold rock steady temps even in the winter. Ok adding a stick burner sooner or later just because I want to learn to cook on one. That said I’ll never give up my cabinet. What is your budget?I was pretty sure that I wanted an offset because of the flavor. I have two young kids and if there’s a close alternative that would allow me to use wood and get a great smoke but not have to babysit, that would be awesome. Recommendations on gravity fed smokers?
If you want less hands on during the cook any nice charcoal cabinet smoker including gravity fed would be good. Budget allowing you want one with a nice 1” insulation to hold rock steady temps even in the winter. Ok adding a stick burner sooner or later just because I want to learn to cook on one. That said I’ll never give up my cabinet. What is your budget?
1K to 1500. I definitely see an offset in my future, but it will be once the kids grow up. Which is a long ways away. Unless they make an offset that I can go to every few hours instead of every hour.
Yah. amazing ribs did a review of the MB and discovered serious serious issues.Some guys love the new Master Built Gravity series smokers but from what I have seen they are made like crap and require some mods to keep them going. I'm the type of person that wants to buy quality once not junk a few times. The M.B's aren't made to last and from what I have seen their customer service sucks.
I don't have any idea what is out there these days you're going to have to hit up google.
I was pretty sure that I wanted an offset because of the flavor.
Thanks, Chris. Better than a BGE for the price?Have you looked at the WSM(Weber Smokey Mtn.) Granted it's a charcoal smoker, but you use wood chunks to provide smokey flavor. Plus it's really close to set-it-n-forget-it. Since it's porcelain coated it will last a very long time. It may not be what your looking for, but you should at least give it once over and see.
Chris
Thanks, Chris. Better than a BGE for the price?
Thanks! I hear you re fragile and kids. This is such a tough decision to make.I feel like I should chime in. I have an 18 WSM with a temp controller and it is "set it and forget it". An 18 WSM in my neighborhood can be had used for ~$100- $125. I got one over and BGE or Kamado joe based on price. I've followed some facebook groups for the K Joe and found that the ceramics tend to be fragile. With 4 kids I cant afford fragile. Consider a WSM either an 18 or 22 used. It will get you cooking some seriously good BBQ. I too am looking for a stick burner but cant decide on the brand/price I'm willing to pay. Whatever I get will probably be used. Good luck with your search.