Hey everyone,
I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself to y'all. My name is Jeff, I currently live in Pensacola, Fl (I'm a transplant from New Orleans - compliments of Katrina). I'm married with 3 sons and 3 dogs and always looking for my next great adventure. Growing up in south Louisiana, I developed a love of food, fishing, and hunting. What better way to combine them then cooking??? I have been grilling for several years, but am a rookie when it comes to smoking foods. I have played with a few smokers - a cheap-o brinkman canister type smoker and a few electric smokers - but they were not what i was looking for. I have been researching and I am about to purchase my first offset smoker. I will be buying an Old Country offset smoker and I had a question that I really hope I can get some help with. There are 2 models that I have been looking at - the Wrangler ($499) and the Pecos ($399). The question that I have is how important is a top shelf in the smoker? The Wrangler is smaller, but it has a top shelf, is made of higher grade steel and is $100 more. Naturally, I have to figure that one is better because it's more expensive. The Pecos has a larger cooking surface, but no top shelf. I apologize if this seems like a ridiculous question, I feel pretty green asking it, but any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm anxious to get started on this new hobby and look forward to learning and sharing as much as I can on this forum. Anyone else happen to be from my area?
I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself to y'all. My name is Jeff, I currently live in Pensacola, Fl (I'm a transplant from New Orleans - compliments of Katrina). I'm married with 3 sons and 3 dogs and always looking for my next great adventure. Growing up in south Louisiana, I developed a love of food, fishing, and hunting. What better way to combine them then cooking??? I have been grilling for several years, but am a rookie when it comes to smoking foods. I have played with a few smokers - a cheap-o brinkman canister type smoker and a few electric smokers - but they were not what i was looking for. I have been researching and I am about to purchase my first offset smoker. I will be buying an Old Country offset smoker and I had a question that I really hope I can get some help with. There are 2 models that I have been looking at - the Wrangler ($499) and the Pecos ($399). The question that I have is how important is a top shelf in the smoker? The Wrangler is smaller, but it has a top shelf, is made of higher grade steel and is $100 more. Naturally, I have to figure that one is better because it's more expensive. The Pecos has a larger cooking surface, but no top shelf. I apologize if this seems like a ridiculous question, I feel pretty green asking it, but any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm anxious to get started on this new hobby and look forward to learning and sharing as much as I can on this forum. Anyone else happen to be from my area?
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