I find it interesting that you're asking people to justify how and why they have top-shelf cookers, but being the helpful soul that I am, I'll chime in. First off is the "how". Like Jeff (
jcam222
) I've worked all my life. Basically had job since I was 6 years old. Wife has been working since she was 12 so she too has worked all her life. We both come from humble roots and live well within our means. We could be driving a Mercedes or BMW but we don't. Tracy has a Toyota Highlander and my daily driver is a Dodge Journey. We have been very frugal over the years to put ourselves in a position now that we can do whatever we want financially. We owe nobody nothing and everything we own is paid for. That came from making sound financial decisions over the years. Now we get to enjoy what we've worked our entire lives for. Give it a shot and see what happens
If we decide that we want to spend $4000 on a smoker, we just do it.
Here's an example of one that we got about 5 years ago after a 10 minute discussion. A custom made 54" T-Pit. This was just a tad over $3K.
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After researching insulated vertical cabinet smokers a few months ago I decided to build one instead of having it built. This is one of the sacrifices you make along the way to be where we are now: do for yourself instead of paying somebody else to do it. Here is the one I built
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Here is a pic of the stable of cookers I currently have. First one on the left is a 42" Lynx Professional. Between the grill, masonry work, granite tops, bottom cabinet doors, electrical, and gas lines I have about $12K invested. This went in when we built the house. Next is the cabinet smoker shown above that I built. After that is an interesting cart that I fabricated with a homemade hybrid Santa Maria grill and a 22" Blackstone griddle on it. The one in the rear left is my
Rec Tec RT 700 and the one on the far right is a Weber 22" Performer Deluxe.
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Now to the "why". Because I've worked for it all my life and can do it and because I want to. From my perspective, no other justification is necessary.
Peace