Pitboss Copper head 5

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I can purchase a pitboss vertical that has never been used for a great price.. I'm currently using a mes 40 would I gain anything? How's the flavor?..I use the smoke tubes, plus a separate mod that I can use chips, chunks and a hot plate and really like the flavor I get what would I expect from the pellet smoker

 

[drunkenmeatfist]

One obvious plus is capacity. The thing is pretty big and could handle a ton of meat. Smoke flavor is what I expected from a pellet muncher. I never used any tube in mine. I don't use mine for much anymore just because I have an offset and a drum that I like playing with more. I paid $110 on clearance at Walmart and I still hang on to it just to smoke large amounts of jerky.

 

[keithd]

I went from a MES40 to a Pit Boss Series 5 vertical smoker.

Upsides - space as it has larger racks and I think more of them, better smoke, smoke tubes are easier to light and stay lit easier as there is a HUGE amount of airflow compared to the MES40. You can actually get smoke rings with the Series 5, I never really got one with my old MES40.

Downsides - costlier to operate as it uses by my really rough calculation about $0.50-$1/hr vs a few cents of electricity, more complicated as pellets can be variable in the heat output - electric is truly set-it-and-forget-it, but pellet controllers help mitigate that a lot.

I'm installing a Savannah Smoker controller as the stock Pit Boss controller is utter junk, but some folks have had luck with the stock controller. I'm also installing a Smokin-it Bella smoke generator but I still have smoke tubes. I'm looking at having spent $400-$450 over the cost of the Series 5 so that I can have it exactly like I want it.

• $199 for controller including shipping
• $135 for Smokin-it smoke generator+shipping
• $80 for various parts including external box for the controller to mount it on the side, better latches, electrical outlet w/on-off switch
• Using up a good amount of pellets to get it all tested and dialed-in

If I didn't have the Series 5 already I wouldn't have spent that much on it - $700-800 would go a long way towards something like a Smoke Daddy vertical.

If you have a MES40 and you're looking at a Series 3, I would personally pass. The racks are much smaller and you wouldn't gain a whole lot. If I could find another Series 5 for $110 I'd get it just to have a spare.

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I went from a MES40 to a Pit Boss Series 5 vertical smoker.

Upsides - space as it has larger racks and I think more of them, better smoke, smoke tubes are easier to light and stay lit easier as there is a HUGE amount of airflow compared to the MES40. You can actually get smoke rings with the Series 5, I never really got one with my old MES40.

Downsides - costlier to operate as it uses by my really rough calculation about $0.50-$1/hr vs a few cents of electricity, more complicated as pellets can be variable in the heat output - electric is truly set-it-and-forget-it, but pellet controllers help mitigate that a lot.

I'm installing a Savannah Smoker controller as the stock Pit Boss controller is utter junk, but some folks have had luck with the stock controller. I'm also installing a Smokin-it Bella smoke generator but I still have smoke tubes. I'm looking at having spent $400-$450 over the cost of the Series 5 so that I can have it exactly like I want it.

• $199 for controller including shipping
• $135 for Smokin-it smoke generator+shipping
• $80 for various parts including external box for the controller to mount it on the side, better latches, electrical outlet w/on-off switch
• Using up a good amount of pellets to get it all tested and dialed-in

If I didn't have the Series 5 already I wouldn't have spent that much on it - $700-800 would go a long way towards something like a Smoke Daddy vertical.

If you have a MES40 and you're looking at a Series 3, I would personally pass. The racks are much smaller and you wouldn't gain a whole lot. If I could find another Series 5 for $110 I'd get it just to have a spare.

It's a series 5.. how is the flavor compared to your mes 40

 

[keithd]

I personally think the flavor is better. I can't quantify it - it's just how I feel about the results.
I also got frustrated a lot trying to use an AMNPS or AMNTS in the MES40, but in the Series 5 and the GMG Davy Crockett the smoke tubes are really easy to use.

But the MES40 is stone-axe simple to use, and switching to a Series 5 might not be worth it if you're really happy with the MES40 results. Some days I regret giving away my MES40, but I gave it to a younger guy who uses the heck out of it so I'm happy it went to a good home.

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

Kevin, what's a great price. You can get a new one from Wallyworld at the end of the season for $300. My son has one and for the most part loves it. The only issue he has had is with the controller and twice it shut off on him while in the middle of a smoke. You will get a much better flavor on the Pit Boss IMO than with the MES

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Kevin, what's a great price. You can get a new one from Wallyworld at the end of the season for $300. My son has one and for the most part loves it. The only issue he has had is with the controller and twice it shut off on him while in the middle of a smoke. You will get a much better flavor on the Pit Boss IMO than with the MES

150.00 it's in the box yet

 

[Inscrutable]

I think 150 is pretty close to a no-brainer

 

[chef jimmyj]

If all the Christmas Presents are bought and paid for, seem a $150 new smoker under the tree is Santa's Bonus for being a Good Boy this year ...JJ

 

[Inscrutable]

Heck, at 150 I figure you only had to have a few good days ... being good all damn year this year deserves a MAK

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

For $150 scoop it up! NB

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

B

I think 150 is pretty close to a no-brainer

But I'm also not a hoarder and if someone else will use it if I don't

For $150 scoop it up! NB

I picked it up yesterday and actually giving it to my brother he doesn't have a smoker and I owe him for some tree removal... I'm happy with my modified mes 40 for now and it will definitely get used by him

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

Very nice of you to do that!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Nothing wrong with that...JJ