After riding the Traeger bus for a year (aka the "Crock pot of Smokers") I decided to step up to play with the big boys in the stick burning arena. I wanted something in the entry to mid tier price point and had a few to choose from. I decided to go with the Old Country Pecos for a couple of reasons.
Reason #1, this joker is sturdy. I hated going to see the Oklahoma Joe's and opening the lid to find it felt like thin sheet metal. My wife have a fun time opening the lid of the Pecos the first time, that was fun to watch.
Reason #2, I got a fantastic deal on this- brand new Pecos for $275.
Reason #3, I really wanted to step into the Lang world with the reverse flow feature but I couldn't justify spending the money right now. These smokers come with a couple grates that can be flipped around to function as tuning plates. I know this doesn't give me the same effect as the reverse flow, but it really solves the hot spot issues I was dealing with.
Reason #4, I heard these smokers hold temps and burn pretty efficiently. It wasn't until I started to season the smoker that I found this to be true. I was able to keep 275 degree temps for right at an hour before having to stir the coals.
I do not knock pellet smokers at all. I love my Traeger and I recommend them to any and everyone....under one condition - Pellet smokers just don't give the heat and smoke that stick burners do. You can make some awesome BBQ on each, and I will continue to do so, but my go to will now be the Pecos. No mods to think of yet other than move around the grates to make tuning plates. The smoker seals really well after I seasoned her in and I assume it will only get better. I smoked some chicken breast as tester and made some pork shoulder burnt ends last night that were amazing. This weekend I will hopefully have the time to make a brisket so I will post pics of that when I do it.
**Quick Ask**
I have been seasoning both the inside and outside of the smoker in hopes to treat the outside like a cast iron skillet and avoid massive rusting. Does anyone else do this? Suggestions? I have been using Walmart brand Canola spray, spraying while its hot, then wiping off the access. So far its NICE AND SHINNY!
Really enjoying this thing!
Reason #1, this joker is sturdy. I hated going to see the Oklahoma Joe's and opening the lid to find it felt like thin sheet metal. My wife have a fun time opening the lid of the Pecos the first time, that was fun to watch.
Reason #2, I got a fantastic deal on this- brand new Pecos for $275.
Reason #3, I really wanted to step into the Lang world with the reverse flow feature but I couldn't justify spending the money right now. These smokers come with a couple grates that can be flipped around to function as tuning plates. I know this doesn't give me the same effect as the reverse flow, but it really solves the hot spot issues I was dealing with.
Reason #4, I heard these smokers hold temps and burn pretty efficiently. It wasn't until I started to season the smoker that I found this to be true. I was able to keep 275 degree temps for right at an hour before having to stir the coals.
I do not knock pellet smokers at all. I love my Traeger and I recommend them to any and everyone....under one condition - Pellet smokers just don't give the heat and smoke that stick burners do. You can make some awesome BBQ on each, and I will continue to do so, but my go to will now be the Pecos. No mods to think of yet other than move around the grates to make tuning plates. The smoker seals really well after I seasoned her in and I assume it will only get better. I smoked some chicken breast as tester and made some pork shoulder burnt ends last night that were amazing. This weekend I will hopefully have the time to make a brisket so I will post pics of that when I do it.
**Quick Ask**
I have been seasoning both the inside and outside of the smoker in hopes to treat the outside like a cast iron skillet and avoid massive rusting. Does anyone else do this? Suggestions? I have been using Walmart brand Canola spray, spraying while its hot, then wiping off the access. So far its NICE AND SHINNY!
Really enjoying this thing!
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