New member... Old smoker

[johnnyoh]

I have worked on several teams and attended the Lawrenceburg, TN, Wild Turkey (Bourbon) cook off pretty much every year since it started to the year it ended.  A shame as we had over 100 teams in that beautiful town when there was a bit of kickback from those who objected to the sponsor. 

At the home place I use a Braunfels Bandera that I purchased 10  years ago and it has seen MUCH use and is showing it.  My grill is a six burner Kenmore stainless.  I have a Brinkman can smoker and a small Weber kettle grill that I have moved to as the home has gotten smaller.  Four have moved out and it is now just the two of us.  I use the Braunfels and Kenmore for big shindigs or making smoked dinners for the homeless or our church.

Otherwise  I rely on the smaller cookers now.  I even have a small Stainless Kenmore gas tailgate grill that I use when in a hurry to get two meals on the table.

As I said... my baby is the Bandera.  Get whole chickens on sale around 39 - 59 cents a pound. Buy 8 eat one and freeze 7.  Find Boston butts for 99 cents a pound or whole boneless loins for 1.99 a pound smoke 6 serve one & freeze three.  Find Salmon or other whole fish cheap... You get the idea.  I hate to spend money.  Plus the product produced makes wonderful gifts in a pinch.

Well the Bandera is on the last season.  Need to replace it.  I even have considered taking it to my local machine shop and getting another manufactured. 

Pros:

• Tons of space
• Large fire box
• Highly controllable temps
• sausage hangers, rib hangers, 6 racks in the smoker box and two on the grill
• Heavy construction
• Easy price point.

It has come to the point.  Do I replace this smoker and the Large gas grill with a combo?

I get apple, alder, cherry, maple and oak delivered in ricks of split and whole logs that fit the Bandera box perfectly.  They are too big for the Brinkman can smoker but I cut them in half as needed.

Just looking for suggestions.  Not sure if I want to go back to a $600 Bandera that I cannot find anyway.  Maybe a nice combo unit?  I saw one at Sam's Club but was not impressed with the guage of steel.

Glad to be here.  I will pass along recipes as I can.

Happy Easter!

Now to get that leg of lamb in the marinade.... :-)

 

[disturbed1]

to the forum

 

[seenred]

Welcome aboard, Johnny! Glad you joined us. You've found a great place to learn and share ideas. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks here who really enjoy helping one another. Just ask when you need help and you'll get plenty.  Good luck on your quest to replace that old Bandera.  Those were good rigs, but most comparable new/retail smokers in that price range aren't likely to measure up to the same quality and gauge.

 

[johnnyoh]

Sorry... Bad move.  I do a LOT of government and commercial web design and messed up on the email.  It is corrected now. 

Thanks for all the replies.  BTW anyone have a hoisin semi boneless leg of lamb recipe?  If not I plan to make my own tonight and cook it tomorrow for Easter.

Go get them eggs and TURN FREE THOSE CHOCOLATE BUNNIES!
 

 

[s2k9k]

Hi Johnny! :welcome1: to SMF!!! We're happy you found us! You've come to the right place, we have over 45,000 members who just love to share their experience and over 900,000 posts describing it!

The search bar at the top can be your best friend when you are trying to find answers to your questions but you can still ask too if you want!

Would you do us a favor and add your location to your profile, it helps others to know where you are when they offer advice, Thanks!

 

[kathrynn]

 to SMF!  We are so glad you joined us!

Happy Easter to you!

If you need any help roaming around the forums....just holler!  Happy to help out!

Kat