- Sep 14, 2008
- 554
- 15
Based only on observation, not on actual use. Saw one in Lowes yesterday. Didn't see the firebox, so this is just about the smoke chamber.
External dimensions, minus the firebox: 40" long x 18" diameter.
Steel: Same gauge as the firebox of the CGSP, except for the small side door which is thin-gauge. Nice sturdy legs.
Cooking grates: porcelain-coated.
The finish looks good. The thermometer looks good and is nicely mounted. And the heavier steel would likely keep things more consistent when smoking.
The fit of the doors doesn't seem as good as it ought be. Both the main door and the side door were somewhat ill-fitting. Could be just due to lax staff at that Lowes (the CGSP standing next to it seemed rickety, my own CGSP ain't like that), but if the main door in particular doesn't fit well you'd have enough leakage to offset the benefits of the heavier steel.
So from what I've seen recently:
- For $159 the CharbroilSilver and Brinkmann SnP offsets have very thin steel for both their smoke chambers and fireboxes.
- The CGSP's price has dropped to be in-line with those ($99 for the smoke chamber at Lowes and $59 for the firebox). Unfortunately, its manufacturing quality has apparently deteriorated slightly - with difficult to remove football knockouts and ill-fitting doors on the firebox. However, the steel on the smoke chamber is slightly thicker than the above two and the firebox steel is significantly heavier.
- At $400 for the complete unit, the RoyalOak has good steel but ain't quite a deal. If it were somewhere below $300 it might be worthwhile. For $400 I'd want a main door that fits better, and doesn't flex when you open it.
My brother-in-law has offered to take the CGSP off my hands for $125. I was seriously considering doing that, and picking up the RoyalOak. Having seen it up-close, however, I'll stick with what I have.
Just my opinions of course - YMMV
External dimensions, minus the firebox: 40" long x 18" diameter.
Steel: Same gauge as the firebox of the CGSP, except for the small side door which is thin-gauge. Nice sturdy legs.
Cooking grates: porcelain-coated.
The finish looks good. The thermometer looks good and is nicely mounted. And the heavier steel would likely keep things more consistent when smoking.
The fit of the doors doesn't seem as good as it ought be. Both the main door and the side door were somewhat ill-fitting. Could be just due to lax staff at that Lowes (the CGSP standing next to it seemed rickety, my own CGSP ain't like that), but if the main door in particular doesn't fit well you'd have enough leakage to offset the benefits of the heavier steel.
So from what I've seen recently:
- For $159 the CharbroilSilver and Brinkmann SnP offsets have very thin steel for both their smoke chambers and fireboxes.
- The CGSP's price has dropped to be in-line with those ($99 for the smoke chamber at Lowes and $59 for the firebox). Unfortunately, its manufacturing quality has apparently deteriorated slightly - with difficult to remove football knockouts and ill-fitting doors on the firebox. However, the steel on the smoke chamber is slightly thicker than the above two and the firebox steel is significantly heavier.
- At $400 for the complete unit, the RoyalOak has good steel but ain't quite a deal. If it were somewhere below $300 it might be worthwhile. For $400 I'd want a main door that fits better, and doesn't flex when you open it.
My brother-in-law has offered to take the CGSP off my hands for $125. I was seriously considering doing that, and picking up the RoyalOak. Having seen it up-close, however, I'll stick with what I have.
Just my opinions of course - YMMV