Need recommendation for a new smoker.

[davidski]

So the east coast blizzard took out my patio awning, crushing both my Brinkmann 6 burner grill and Brinkmann trailblazer limited. Insurance is covering the cost, but with Brinkmann out of business, i cant find either of these models in stock in my area. I told the agent and he says it has to be comp to the size and quality, meaning i cant get a horizon smoker... or one of another shape.. (like a propane box version).

My question is are there any other smokers this size and price point? I refuse to go chargriller and im not a fan of char broil,  but i hear they make Oklahoma Joe smokers... which have good reviews, but the biggest complaint is all the mods you have to do with them. Are there any mom and pop shops who make smokers this size within the 300-400 range?

12417628_10208607837383726_1303115650519213309_n.j

• davidski
• Jan 29, 2016

 

[vegasrc1]

I have had the Longhorn smoker for about a year. I like it. After looking around touching and reading/viewing reviews I decided it was the best option. It is not heavy gauge steel like the older Oklahoma Joe's but it WAS the heaviest gauge currently being sold at local retailers in this price range.

I figured I would do a lot of expen$ive mods to my Longhorn but decided to wait. It leaks less now that it's well seasoned. People complain there are gaps in the firebox door but I found that my offset burns with better bluer smoke when it can breath. Air is good, smothering the fire equals bad smoke. Mods are not necessary in my opinion, maybe a fire basket is all. Even $750+ smokers need or could use mods. I'm still trying to dial in my smoking technique but it's coming along.

I suggest assembling the smoker yourself if possible. You don't want it all loose like display models I have seen. Also, pay the extra 30 for a cover(made for longhorn). If you get the Longhorn let me know, I have a few tips for the build and smoking.

 

[tropics]

DavidSki You may want to update your profile,as to your location someone may be able to give you a place to look

Richie

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

"So the east coast blizzard took out my patio awning"  

Where do you live, the Home Depot's in CT sell the Brinkman Trailmaster

 

[davidski]

Baltimore MD. for the last 2-3 weeks, all HD in my area have pulled their Brinkamnn stock up to the front next to the customer service register with huge "sale" 33% off signs. I've had HD search their network for the trailmaster limited with no luck. I even went into BJ'S because Brinkmann made a BJ's limited, limited edition w/ a large swivel meat prep shelf. 

SO i am taking this opportunity to see if i can upgrade. 

 

[davidski]

I have had the Longhorn smoker for about a year. I like it. ...

Vegas, a few questions, do you have the 800 sq in or 1100 sq in model? how bads the rust? ive heard that no matter the cover, it gets rusty within the first year. Only way to avoid is using a shed.  How are the ceramic grates holding up? ive heard they chip easily. 

I was very impressed with the floor model at Lowes yesterday. most of the unit is welded, the firebox is 2 pieces and the legs bolt on to welded stumps. i really like the oil/meat juice drip drop... its like 1/3".  the 800" one just looks a little too small for my needs. 

 

[joe black]

Try to look at the Old Country Wrangler at Academy Sports. It's all welded and pretty thick. From what I've read, it will heat well and hold heat well. It just needs a convection plate or tuning plates. It could also use a charcoal basket, if you use charcoal to start your fire.

Good luck, Joe

 

[vegasrc1]

Vegas, a few questions, do you have the 800 sq in or 1100 sq in model? how bads the rust? ive heard that no matter the cover, it gets rusty within the first year. Only way to avoid is using a shed.  How are the ceramic grates holding up? ive heard they chip easily. 


I was very impressed with the floor model at Lowes yesterday. most of the unit is welded, the firebox is 2 pieces and the legs bolt on to welded stumps. i really like the oil/meat juice drip drop... its like 1/3".  the 800" one just looks a little too small for my needs. 

I have the larger one. The paint is holding up fine except for the bottom if the fire box. The first few burns I had the fire grate positioned like recommended in the instructions. The fire was so low it cooked a little paint(no rust in about a year). I turned the fire grate so that it was suspended higher in the fire box and added a second grate from inside the cook chamber. Had I done this in the beginning I don't think it would have cooked off the paint as much. The ceramic has not chipped yet. Only saw some chips on the outer edges of the grill. It may be from making contact with the other one. I use mine as a smoker only and have not started a fire in the main chamber. That might be the reason the ceramic has not chipped and mine has NO rust. Get the cover and don't build huge fires in the cook chamber or it might cook the paint leading to rust. The two piece fire box does not leak now. Tighten the bolts and you will feel the metal seal up nice. Smoking seals up the rest. I went with the bigger Longhorn because I knew I wouldn't use the right side of my smoker. Close to the fire box on the grill is where I use a water pan. If you get the smaller one heat will be an issue and may limit your actual cooking capacity. I'm still learning but I'm glad I went bigger. "Just do it...."

 

[davidski]

Try to look at the Old Country Wrangler at Academy Sports. It's all welded and pretty thick. From what I've read, it will heat well and hold heat well. It just needs a convection plate or tuning plates. It could also use a charcoal basket, if you use charcoal to start your fire.

Good luck, Joe

Joe i will defiantly look into them, thanks!

I have the larger one. The paint is holding up fine except for the bottom if the fire box. The first few burns I had the fire grate positioned like recommended in the instructions. The fire was so low it cooked a little paint(no rust in about a year). I turned the fire grate so that it was suspended higher in the fire box and added a second grate from inside the cook chamber. Had I done this in the beginning I don't think it would have cooked off the paint as much. The ceramic has not chipped yet. Only saw some chips on the outer edges of the grill. It may be from making contact with the other one. I use mine as a smoker only and have not started a fire in the main chamber. That might be the reason the ceramic has not chipped and mine has NO rust. Get the cover and don't build huge fires in the cook chamber or it might cook the paint leading to rust. The two piece fire box does not leak now. Tighten the bolts and you will feel the metal seal up nice. Smoking seals up the rest. I went with the bigger Longhorn because I knew I wouldn't use the right side of my smoker. Close to the fire box on the grill is where I use a water pan. If you get the smaller one heat will be an issue and may limit your actual cooking capacity. I'm still learning but I'm glad I went bigger. "Just do it...."

awesome. my next feet is to get insurance to sign off on a more expensive smoker. 

 

[davidski]

other than OK Joe... any other smoker ideas?

 

[davidski]

no other ideas?

 

[vegasrc1]

no other ideas?

I don't have any in that price range. Let us know what you go with, best of luck.

 

[davidski]

what if i threw some money at it? the guy said if i upgraded i wouldnt get all of the 2nd half of the check, i cant seem to find anything between 400-900 everythign is either 350-450  or 850+

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RiverGri...ll-and-Off-Set-Smoker-GR1008-013841/202535017

Check this guy out.

 

[davidski]

yea ive seen HD "other " higher end smokers that they only sell online with limited or no reviews. I feel that if i get past 500$ i should be paying for some welding, maybe im off my rocker. 

 

[davidski]

oOOO i made out like a bandit. i went to basspro and looked at their stock, and the cheapest offset was 950+ (horizon)... on my way home, defeated, i stopped at lowes (this one is in a rich, booshy part of Baltimore suburbs) i knew they were booshy because when i walked in they had $2700 Webers sitting out on the floor and didnt have bike chains on them. After looking at their floor models i was about to leave when an employee said they had more in lumber up on the shelves. There is where i saw the OK joe longhorn. i went nuts. for the main reason that online, there isnt a long horn anywhere in a 50 mile radius. Everyone has the smaller Highland... no one had the longhorns. 

So they pull them down, and the boxes are torn to crap. like.. war zone. styro hangin out... super large tears... the works. I went with the better of the 2 boxes and took it up front. i went to Customer service to see if i could get 10% off because of condition, i asked them if i could open it to check. Upon inspection, there was a hit to the box that missed the foam and dimpled the steel. this was right on top next to the hinge, so the door does not lay flush. not a bad gap, maybe fix with some gasket. 

I asked to see the other one with the horrible box. somehow, the entire exterior is cherry, not a scratch. Upon opening it, the contents had shifted and there were some pretty wide scrapes where the paint was taken off. I was at the front defiantly getting my 10% when the manager that helped me almost 2 hours before walked by... "STILL HERE?!" 

Yep. you have 3 of these in stock, one is missing parts, one is crushed, and this one is scraped to hell. He asked how much it was marked i told him 450. 

He went around the counter and did some typing. 2 minutes later he looked up and said, $321 good for you?  

... um I'm sorry?!?  

Yeah, thats OUR cost, is that a fair price...?

...Im deer in headlights.. my wife screamed SOLD!!

I look at her, "wait thats how much WE are paying?!?"
Writing this, im still thrown back. 

sorry for the long story.. just thought id share. 

Vegas, i am definitely gonna hit you up if i have questions. Thanks everyone for your help. 

 

[joe black]

Man, that sounds like a really good deal. I don't know anything about that smoker, but a lot of folks speak good about them. Nothing can be all bad at almost 30% off. good luck with it.

 

[hudson views]

I recommend the Cheyenne by Yoder Smokers. It is a little more expensive, however in the long run will be cheaper since you will not have to buy another one.

 

[vegasrc1]

oOOO i made out like a bandit. i went to basspro and looked at their stock, and the cheapest offset was 950+ (horizon)... on my way home, defeated, i stopped at lowes (this one is in a rich, booshy part of Baltimore suburbs) i knew they were booshy because when i walked in they had $2700 Webers sitting out on the floor and didnt have bike chains on them. After looking at their floor models i was about to leave when an employee said they had more in lumber up on the shelves. There is where i saw the OK joe longhorn. i went nuts. for the main reason that online, there isnt a long horn anywhere in a 50 mile radius. Everyone has the smaller Highland... no one had the longhorns. 


So they pull them down, and the boxes are torn to crap. like.. war zone. styro hangin out... super large tears... the works. I went with the better of the 2 boxes and took it up front. i went to Customer service to see if i could get 10% off because of condition, i asked them if i could open it to check. Upon inspection, there was a hit to the box that missed the foam and dimpled the steel. this was right on top next to the hinge, so the door does not lay flush. not a bad gap, maybe fix with some gasket. 


I asked to see the other one with the horrible box. somehow, the entire exterior is cherry, not a scratch. Upon opening it, the contents had shifted and there were some pretty wide scrapes where the paint was taken off. I was at the front defiantly getting my 10% when the manager that helped me almost 2 hours before walked by... "STILL HERE?!" 


Yep. you have 3 of these in stock, one is missing parts, one is crushed, and this one is scraped to hell. He asked how much it was marked i told him 450. 


He went around the counter and did some typing. 2 minutes later he looked up and said, $321 good for you?  


... um I'm sorry?!?  


Yeah, thats OUR cost, is that a fair price...?


...Im deer in headlights.. my wife screamed SOLD!!


I look at her, "wait thats how much WE are paying?!?"

Writing this, im still thrown back. 


sorry for the long story.. just thought id share. 


Vegas, i am definitely gonna hit you up if i have questions. Thanks everyone for your help. 

Good Deal, glad I could help. Get a few burns on it to season. The paint on the firebox will smell the first few times as it cooks a little. Turn your fire grate longways front to back and add a second grate from the cook chamber. You'll get better air circulation and It may not burn off so much paint on the firebox.

Let me know how it goes.

 

[davidski]

 
I recommend the Cheyenne by Yoder Smokers. It is a little more expensive, however in the long run will be cheaper since you will not have to buy another one.

o wow, those look amazing! but i would need to get back to 1k sq inches, so the Wichita... 1600.. yikes