Advice for an Offset Smoker

[FoxmanNC]

I've been using a Masterbuilt Gravity smoker for the past 4 years. I have enjoyed some great food, but it's day seems to have come. I nearly burned it to the ground. The control board went out, the replacement doesn't read the temp to control the fan, and I really can't see investing $350-$400 for a Fireboard controller for a smoker that I bought used for $200 4 years ago. In my mind, I can double or triple that and get a decent offset. In the meantime, I'll get by with the Webber Kettle.

So, I am not 100% sold on the Old Country Brazos DXL, but it seems like a great deal for the money. Academy Sports is at $1500. The Solution offset would be great, but it's $2500 and probably not an option. So, any ideas on a better offset in that $1000 - $1500 range? I like the idea of the 1/4 steel and slide-out grates. I don't like what I've read about the hot spots on the Brazos. Open to ideas and willing to buy one used if anyone has a lead on one. I'm in North Carolina.

 

[smokerjim]

I'm no help to your question but maybe someone with more knowledge can help

 

[LazyK68]

Have you looked at Lang?
I love my 48, but the price can inhibiting.

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Be patient and can find used at good deals. I bought my lang 48 for 600. Took about 6 months of looking and drive 6 hrs there but was worth it.

 

[FoxmanNC]

Have you looked at Lang?
I love my 48, but the price can inhibiting.

I had never heard of Lang prior to your post. I'll look into them. At a glance, their 36" is about $2500, which pushes it into a higher level than I think I want to pay. Interesting looking design, thanks for pointing that brand out.

 

[Dustin Dorsey]

It's a little more than you want to pay but you might look at the Old Country G2 at $1899. The Old Country Brazos is a good pit though. The only drawback is that it comes with a baffle and tuning plates and that make the cooker a bottom up cooker vs. top down. That's no big deal unless you want to cook Texas style briskets and really render that fat cap. But if you want to cook a lot of butts, the baffle and tuning plates are nice because they'll make the top rack more usable. They may have gotten smart and made the baffle removable. Then you can go back and forth based on your needs. The G2 has a removable baffle and tuning plate.

 

[FoxmanNC]

It's a little more than you want to pay but you might look at the Old Country G2 at $1899. The Old Country Brazos is a good pit though. The only drawback is that it comes with a baffle and tuning plates and that make the cooker a bottom up cooker vs. top down. That's no big deal unless you want to cook Texas style briskets and really render that fat cap. But if you want to cook a lot of butts, the baffle and tuning plates are nice because they'll make the top rack more usable. They may have gotten smart and made the baffle removable. Then you can go back and forth based on your needs. The G2 has a removable baffle and tuning plate.

Ive recently discovered that G2. I watched a few videos on the value of removing that baffle with an angle grinder and extending the exhaust. The G2 does seem like a very nice offset and is in striking distance of the Brazos DLX, which, I think, does have an adjustable baffle as well. Thing about these is, there is not a site with the specs like that that I can find, and my local Academy Sports are currently sold out, so Im not able to verify some things. But patience is a virtue, I suppose.

 

[BigW.]

This list is a bit old, but there are a lot of pit builders out there. Good luck in your search!

Pit Builders Nationwide – The Complete List – Kevins BBQ Joints

 

[Displaced Texan]

Have been very happy with my Bell Fab. Craig Bell in Owasso, OK.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I have a custom offset that was expensive, but it's big and I can cook for my zoo which will be 25-30. A TMG Pits Copperhead.

My everyday smoker that I use for a small crowd is an Oklahoma Joe Highland...

Offset Smoker | Highland

Real smoke flavor and a classic smoking experience are what you get from the Oklahoma Joe's® Highland Offset Smoker.

www.oklahomajoes.com

For about $300 it does a lot of stuff well, but as with all smokers, there's a learning curve. Get it and a couple of mods and for less than $500, you're set. These are the mods I have...

Oklahoma Joe HIGHLAND Horizontal Baffle Plate (Heat Deflector Tuning) by LavaLock®

Our Custom Tuning Plates for Oklahoma Joe simply rock! Completely prevents burnt food near the fire box, balances temps left to right and allows for much easier control of your Oklahoma Joe's Highland (and Amarillo Model from Academy) Pair with our stainless water pan if desired. Select from...

bbqsmokermods.com

LavaLock® Vertical Flat Mount Push, Smoker door latch toggle clamp - 2 Pk

Our Toggle Clamps fit a variety of smokers and grills. TWO PER PACK

bbqsmokermods.com

FireBlack®12 Black Gasket Material, self stick cook chamber seal

FireBlack125 (tm) Black smoker gasket, 1/2" x 1/8" x 15' (one roll)

bbqsmokermods.com

I have also modded it to smoke my sausage, bacon, bologna, etc...

 

[DougE]

As Charles said, Oklahoma Joe Highland is a decent pit for the money. Mine is an older one and has thicker steel than the current production, but for the money, I think they are still decent.

Lots of mods available for these cookers as well.

 

[jcam222]

Be patient and can find used at good deals. I bought my lang 48 for 600. Took about 6 months of looking and drive 6 hrs there but was worth it.

That's an amazing and ultra rare price point for a Lang like that. I'd have bought that even not needing it lol. I love my Lang 84D. Lots of smoke groups on Facebook to monitor for good deals. I bought a used 84D Gen 1 for $2k , refurbished it and flipped it for $4000. Used that to buy my current Lang 84D with char grill. Bought my 270 Smoker used like that too. I like someone else taking that initial cost hit just like with cars.

 

[Redicans]

I am using a Chargriller Grand Camp. Similar to OK Joes. Price point was the deal for me as shipping to Hawaii is ridiculous and I bought through Home Depot with free shipping to the store, I just had to pick it up. That said it's a great smoker and should last many years and turns out some great food! Really comes down to Price and what you're comfortable spending. I would love a more expensive thicker built pit but shipping would just kill me!

 

[Chasdev]

I went for the Grand Champ too and it's the best bang for the buck out there.
It has flaws but as the saying goes, you gets what you pays for.
BUT, I'm going back to gravity feed if the war dept ever gets around to approving the funding.
I got rid of my Gen 1 Masterbuilt after 100 or so briskets and when she ran smooth, it was a joy to be alive.
90% of stickburner flavor profile and 0.10% of the fire babysitting.
Sooo, IMHO, get the latest version of the Masterbuilt or it's equivalent.

 

[Elf@shore]

HI! From NJ S Shore !
FYI: Marketplace/ FB. Off set Smoker: There is a Meadow Creek off set 36 SQ!
They have reduced the price! My thoughts: I
beleive you can get it lower ? Leave me a message if you want ?
Just trying to help out !
They dropped the price down to $1200, If you offer maybe $800 and up it to 1K ?if you think its worth it?
Pictures show some surface rust? Not sure if it really Bad ?
FYI: can contact Meadow creek BBQ on line?
FYI: I have seen worse and I think it would be a good move!
They go for $ 2700 new with no up grades !
Good luck!
I just joined here tonight!, I hope you get it!
Reach out if you need anything else?
ELF@ SHORE

Its in Ralaigh,NC. Marketplace/FB

 

[FoxmanNC]

HI! From NJ S Shore !
FYI: Marketplace/ FB. Off set Smoker: There is a Meadow Creek off set 36 SQ!
They have reduced the price! My thoughts: I
beleive you can get it lower ? Leave me a message if you want ?
Just trying to help out !
They dropped the price down to $1200, If you offer maybe $800 and up it to 1K ?if you think its worth it?
Pictures show some surface rust? Not sure if it really Bad ?
FYI: can contact Meadow creek BBQ on line?
FYI: I have seen worse and I think it would be a good move!
They go for $ 2700 new with no up grades !
Good luck!
I just joined here tonight!, I hope you get it!
Reach out if you need anything else?
ELF@ SHORE

Its in Ralaigh,NC. Marketplace/FB

Welcome to the forum! Thanks, Im heading to Marketplace now to look for it.

 

[Elf@shore]

Re:Meadow Creek 36 Sq
Very similar to a 36 Lang, but I think it’s got a few advantages?
Multiple vents: both in fire box and cooking chamber.
Stainless steel grate, can add a 2 nd grate to double your space
Drip pan can be used for direct cooking
Ball valve for easy cleaning
Not sure if Lang has any of these options?

 

[FoxmanNC]

Re:Meadow Creek 36 Sq
Very similar to a 36 Lang, but I think it’s got a few advantages?
Multiple vents: both in fire box and cooking chamber.
Stainless steel grate, can add a 2 nd grate to double your space
Drip pan can be used for direct cooking
Ball valve for easy cleaning
Not sure if Lang has any of these options?

That Meadow Creek seems like a great smoker for the money. I am working on a deal on a Lyfe Tyme smoker that I found, which is comparable in size to the Meadow Creek, not quite as big as the Brazos, but is in excellent condition for a really good price.

 

[philpom]

Ive recently discovered that G2. I watched a few videos on the value of removing that baffle with an angle grinder and extending the exhaust. The G2 does seem like a very nice offset and is in striking distance of the Brazos DLX, which, I think, does have an adjustable baffle as well. Thing about these is, there is not a site with the specs like that that I can find, and my local Academy Sports are currently sold out, so Im not able to verify some things. But patience is a virtue, I suppose.

I own an Old Country G2, what do you want to know and I can measure, take pics, etc for you. If you have a Buc-ees anywhere close, I picked mine up there for $1599. The Brazos DLX they had was $1299.

 

[FoxmanNC]

I own an Old Country G2, what do you want to know and I can measure, take pics, etc for you. If you have a Buc-ees anywhere close, I picked mine up there for $1599. The Brazos DLX they had was $1299.

I had no idea Buc-ees sold smokers; I thought they were just a gas station/convenience store. There is one coming to my area sometime, I think. I have put a deposit on a used Lyfe Tyme for dirt cheap, but the owner is out of town until the first week of May, so, In the meantime, I am smoking on a 22" Webber kettle.