- Apr 5, 2015
- 4
- 11
I been looking at a lot of smokers the last few weeks. I was running a masterbuilt electric smoker for the last few years. This smoker was hit and miss. some things would come out real good but most time it would come out like trash. At first I thought it was just me, but after reading up on them, and then talking to my brother in law, they all seem to be like that.
Well about 2 months a go I sold my combo grill (Gas/Charcoal Grill) and the smoker I had no luck on and got to the point I want to go to wood. The one I had was about 20 years that was way to big for just me. and when I moved I let it go.
When I got to the point to go with wood my first pick was OK Joe's. At $600.00 point for a rev. flow I thought I was going to go that rout. As I read up on the newer Joe's, I just did not like the idea of all the mods. I wanted it to be more right out of the gate. I know I would spend time with cutting and welding on it. That just was not a big selling point for me. As I said, the price was right but that was it. As I did talk to my wife, I want one that will be the last one I will ever need to buy. So this is where the hunt begins.
Before I get into them just yet, here is what I am going to do with it. I got a family of four. Will be doing cook outs for extended family, friends and so one. I am going to smoke briskets, ribs ( LOTS of ribs) Fish crabs, cheese, and things like that. So with all that in mind, I want a Horizontal chamber, and a vertical chamber.
So with me being out of the wood smokers for years, I thought the only way to get what I want is to look for a older Joe's. As I start to do a lot of reading, I found the Horizon Ranger 20. At first, that was the one I want, and I am going to get it. Then I found the Bell Fab, and the Yoder. The plus about all 3 brands is that I can drive and pick them up as I am here in OKLA. So their will be no shipping charges. (Big plus for me)
I like the Bell Fab as he is 20 min. down the road and after talking with him, he is one of the nices guys I have meet in a very long time. The bad, he did not want to make a round Vertical chamber. He wanted to make a box. I guess that is OK, but not what I want. So If I go with the Bell Fab I got to talk him into it.
The Horizon is the first pick. as I do have a horizon 16" patriot grill is it is very nice for a grill. (Needless to say I just pick it up this week, and used it for the first time last night. But I only paid $40.00 for it, and so far I do like it a lot. Now I did also go to bass pro and looked at the Ranger 16. The only thing I did not like about it is the 2nd chamber door did not want to stay closed but that may be because it was a display model.
Then the last... The Yoder Durango 20. The only thing I know about them is what I read. I am not sure if I will make a 3 hour drive just to look at one. I did read the guys that have them do love them, but other then that I do not know a thing about them.
As said, this I hope to be my last Smoker! So yes I am buying one bigger then I need. and I do want one that is min of 0.250. I know with what I picked out I will be about $2000.00 for the smoker. I have been reading a lot on here over the years, but this is my first post. Thank you all for your time and input...
Well about 2 months a go I sold my combo grill (Gas/Charcoal Grill) and the smoker I had no luck on and got to the point I want to go to wood. The one I had was about 20 years that was way to big for just me. and when I moved I let it go.
When I got to the point to go with wood my first pick was OK Joe's. At $600.00 point for a rev. flow I thought I was going to go that rout. As I read up on the newer Joe's, I just did not like the idea of all the mods. I wanted it to be more right out of the gate. I know I would spend time with cutting and welding on it. That just was not a big selling point for me. As I said, the price was right but that was it. As I did talk to my wife, I want one that will be the last one I will ever need to buy. So this is where the hunt begins.
Before I get into them just yet, here is what I am going to do with it. I got a family of four. Will be doing cook outs for extended family, friends and so one. I am going to smoke briskets, ribs ( LOTS of ribs) Fish crabs, cheese, and things like that. So with all that in mind, I want a Horizontal chamber, and a vertical chamber.
So with me being out of the wood smokers for years, I thought the only way to get what I want is to look for a older Joe's. As I start to do a lot of reading, I found the Horizon Ranger 20. At first, that was the one I want, and I am going to get it. Then I found the Bell Fab, and the Yoder. The plus about all 3 brands is that I can drive and pick them up as I am here in OKLA. So their will be no shipping charges. (Big plus for me)
I like the Bell Fab as he is 20 min. down the road and after talking with him, he is one of the nices guys I have meet in a very long time. The bad, he did not want to make a round Vertical chamber. He wanted to make a box. I guess that is OK, but not what I want. So If I go with the Bell Fab I got to talk him into it.
The Horizon is the first pick. as I do have a horizon 16" patriot grill is it is very nice for a grill. (Needless to say I just pick it up this week, and used it for the first time last night. But I only paid $40.00 for it, and so far I do like it a lot. Now I did also go to bass pro and looked at the Ranger 16. The only thing I did not like about it is the 2nd chamber door did not want to stay closed but that may be because it was a display model.
Then the last... The Yoder Durango 20. The only thing I know about them is what I read. I am not sure if I will make a 3 hour drive just to look at one. I did read the guys that have them do love them, but other then that I do not know a thing about them.
As said, this I hope to be my last Smoker! So yes I am buying one bigger then I need. and I do want one that is min of 0.250. I know with what I picked out I will be about $2000.00 for the smoker. I have been reading a lot on here over the years, but this is my first post. Thank you all for your time and input...