300-800 range horizontal offset smoker

[herkysprings]

I still haven't pulled the trigger on my horizontal smoker purchase. Going to wait until after Christmas, but:

I thought maybe I'd save up for something with a bit sturdier build. Hopefully a bit more economical on fuel or at least with better heat retention / fuel management / mods needed.

I'm hoping I might get something like that if I bumped up my price range.

Looking at the Horizon 16", or a Brinkmann Pitmaster etc Wondering if anyone else has any suggestions?

http://www.horizonbbqsmokersstore.co...-Smoker/Detail

EDIT: I'm turing 30 soon, so this is like my gift to myself. I'm considering it the last "toy" that I purchase for quite some time before I move towards home ownership.

 

[herkysprings]

I forgot to add:

I may be moving back home (more North) where the average ambient temp is lower. As well charcoal prices are double what I pay now. So a smoker that can retain heat / use less fuel may actually save me money in the long run, and allow for smoking more often year round.

Thanks all!

 

[rickw]

That's a nice unit you linked to. I have the 20" backyard with a few upgrades and love it. I don't burn much charcoal in mine, just wood. I do how ever start my fire with one chimney full of charcoal.

One upgrade I must encourage you to get if you pick the Horizon and that is the the sliding convection plate. It helps a ton in keeping even temps through out the smoking chamber.

 

[garyt]

Buy one that will last you a lifetime, your grandchildren will use, get a Lang.
I am 50+ and just wished I had bought one earlier. you know you never hear people complaining about the the best thing they have ever purchased. this thing is a tank, dosen't use too much fuel and I haven't heard of anyone regretting buying one. Just try finding a used one, you would be lucky if you could they are hard to find.

 

[rickw]

The cheapest Lang might stretch the budget just a tad. Shipping alone is almost as much as the OP wants to spend, all together.

 

[coyote-1]

Aside from the fact that you're significantly over-budget, keep in mind also the OP is moving back home. Might have a bit to do with the stated budget, and far easier to move 150 pounds of steel than 450....

While I agree with you somewhat, there's also significant room and rationale for getting something good within a budget. To make a music analogy, a good guitarist will be just about as good on a $150 guitar as a $4000 guitar - and the more expensive guitar won't make a crappy player sound any better. I'm "up north" (NYC) too, and I've never had a problem turning out good Q on either my CGSP or my Weber kettle.

At the low end of the stated budget, Lowes carries the RoyalOak brand offset. It sheet steel, but heavy gauge. Less than $400, and I think the combined package was available earlier this year for $300:

 

[herkysprings]

I'm mostly concerned with investing in a product that I know will last a decent amount of time, have good heat retention / fuel consumption. Back in Canada my friend who has a WSM tells me charcoal prices are 2X what I pay. As well in general since I know ambient temps are lower there for longer periods of time, I want to see if there are purchases that will keep me fuel efficient. Also replacements parts / new smokers may be more expensive or harder to get.

Not that I wouldn't be happy with a SnP but I'm trying to plan ahead for many years of use. There is not as much BBQing where I am from, so my friends are already drooling and requesting shipments.

That Royal Oak combo looks good, does anyone around have one of those to comment on?

 

[chefrob]

looked on line and it is not available at my local lowes....kinda would like to see it in person.

 

[eman]

If you habven't bought yet ya might want to look at the oklahoma joes HOS. they have them here at acadamey sports. A good heavy welded plate steel okie joe is around $699 reg price there.

 

[herkysprings]

Will do, thanks for the tips!

I'm actually currently investigating building my own. I ahve a very knowledgable co-worker with welding tools and craftman skills. I just bought a plan for $12 and I'm going to investigate costs afterwards.

But that will be another post, and any hints or tips on that will be appreciated!

 

[gnubee]

One thing you said struck a chord. You'd better buy that smoker now while you can because after you buy the money pit that is a home you will not have the werewithall to even entertain the thought of buying a smoker....

If you are moving back to hardwood and or fruitwood country you can save a bundle by going out and getting your own wood which is way cheaper than using charcoal all the time. Make yourself a burn barrel and its almost free. The hills around my home are full of Birch, alder, wild Apple trees from an old abandoned orchard, etc. Plus I have fruit trees on my property. In Orchard country often you can pick up a pickup load of wood for free or really cheaply by just by asking during pruning season. There is even some mesquite just south of here one can harvest.