Pro BBQ Excel 20 - First impressions now w/ pics

Doc1680 · Last edited by Doc1680 on Jul 19 2008; edited 2 times in total

I received my Excel 20 yesterday. By the time I got home it was dark and I had had a few so I decided to wait until morining to open it so I could see in the light (and without the beer goggles).

When openeing the package I noticed that things were packed better than my Frontier. Good start Very Happy

. The next thing I was pleased with was that other than the legs, there was nothing to put together. Very Happy

The unit comes as: the base, 3 legs, water pan, charcoal pan, 2 stackers, 2 cooking grates, dome lid (w/ temp gauge), and the hardware required to put the legs on.

I took each part out and set it up for inspection.

The handles and latches are solid and attached well. I like the fact that these handles fold down to the body. I've never had a problem with the frontier (fingers crossed), but I see the day when someone not as careful as I am is going to get something caught on one of the handles and pull it over. Shocked

Not good. When I got the unit together I clamped it shut (all of the latches lined up perfectly) and picked it up by both the top handle and the side handles. All of them held the entire weight of the cooker (I didn't have anything in the pan though). So I was pleased with that as well.

The seams are done well and the finish looks good for the most part. Except for one of my stackers. You can tell is was dropped before packaging. Mad

The finish is chipped on the top rim (about a 1" chip). The finish on the charcoal basket was o.k. There was rust in a couple of areas. I'm not really concerned by that but it's just a bad first impression.

The base has 3 intakes. All of them open and close very smoothly.

The doors on the stackers are well done and close nicely. I also like the eyelets for the temp probes.

This thing is big! You wouldn't think a couple of inches would make a difference but this thing is massive for a bullet type cooker. It is heavy too. The whole unit stands 47" at the top handle. The cooking grates come in at 19" (plenty of space for a whole packer and my biggest rib rack) and there is 10" between grates when the unit is put together.

Here's some pics. Check out the size.

First look

This is a 6# pork butt. You can get 3 (maybe 4) of them on here.

Like I said. A couple of inches is a big difference. It dwarfs my frontier.

There were a couple of cosmetic things that could've been better. I think Ian should look into this as most folks will rip them up for these minor (IMHO) things. Plus you're trying to move into a new market that is hesitant to accept you. You want to have a good name. That said I am pleased overall with this cooker and very happy.

I will be cooking on it this weekend. So I will report back. With pics!

Now I think I need a minute alone.

_________________
Love the voodoo that Q do.

Doc

EricH · Posted: Jul 19 2008 Post subject:

Thanks for the first impressions. Looking forward to your first smoke feedback
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Modded OK Joe Longhorn
Weber Kettle (Gold)
Primo XL Oval
WSM 22

jferger · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 43 Location: Kansas City

Great feedback Doc. What's the price difference between the Frontier and Excell? I to am looking forward to your first smoke feedback!

Have a good weekend!

JF
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"It is what it is"

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 19 2008 Post subject:

roxy · Posted: Jul 19 2008 Post subject:

Looking forward to hearing about your first smoke session on that big boy Doc..

Your in the big leagues now dude. Wink

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Chargriller Akorn
WSM
LIAR #100
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Do not rely on a rabbits foot for luck, it did not work out too well for the rabbit...

BBQMAN · Posted: Jul 19 2008 Post subject:

Nice review Doc and congrats!

Looking forward to the pics of the unit and some food!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 19 2008 Post subject:

roxy · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

Doc:

If scores are what your interested in you better get yourself some of that Fab B or that other stuff thats out there to jack your meat up.. Personally, I wont use it and of that means middle of the pack then so be it. I just cant see getting the best meat I possibly can attain and then wackin it full of junk just to get an edge. Now I know that there are a lot of folks that do and thats fine with me. To each either own.
_________________
Chargriller Akorn
WSM
LIAR #100
_________________
Do not rely on a rabbits foot for luck, it did not work out too well for the rabbit...

necron 99 · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

Cool review Doc, thanks for the pics to go with the text! I imagine you'll get lots of comments on your statement about how much difference a couple of inches makes Laughing

I'd seen on the ProBBQ web site some posts about folks using the Frontier experiencing some bowing / buckling of the can section at times. I can now see why - by making the handles stick far out to minimize potential burned knuckles, it's probably right at the limit for the lever arm the sheet steel of the can section can take, especially once loaded with food, sand / water / flower pot base, etc. and up to operating temperature.

The handle design on the Excel 20 looks like it's reduced the lever arm distance in addition to having a folding design, and the sheet metal's thicker on the Excel 20 from what I saw on the web site.

Looking forward to some threads with pics of your new toy in action!
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Let's hope SoEzzy can ditch his heavy hand on photos in 2016!

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

hoosiermaker · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Indy

Hey Doc, nice pics of the new smoker. I have been tearing up the ole 18.5 kettle since we last talked, with varying results Rolling Eyes

I would love to see your smokers in person, as I have not pulled the trigger on an official smoker yet.
Even better, I could slide by with your favorite brew, a side and a pie or two and we could shoot the shizzle and grub on some of your Q! Very Happy

What was that? you say come over around 2 this afternoon? hehe,,, Call me or PM when you can swing it!

BBQMAN · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject:

ClayBBQ · Posted: Jul 20 2008 Post subject: Quick question

I thought I read somewhere that I could buy a "stacker?" from Pro for the weber smokey Joe, did I dream that?

hoosiermaker · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Indy

Clay, i'm thinking the stacker was for the WSM. I've been lurking pretty heavy hear lately, and all I have read is about the WSM having one available.
Maybe Fredsbbqandmusic.com could verify for you.

hoosiermaker · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Indy

My bad,, it is Fredsmusicandbbq.com lol

rjmontana · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 99

Hey Doc, a couple of ?'s for you. (1)Did they send heavier gauge cook grates with the Excel than packed with the Frontier or just larger dia.? (2)Did they change the size of the H2O pan with the increased body size of the Excel? No need for a bigger H2O pan in my opinion, I'd rather see more room around it for smoke and heat to flow. If it was increased in size, was it just the dia. or the depth of the pan also? (3) Regarding the fold down handles of the Excel, will there be a problem with them getting hot due to contact with the cook chamber side walls or is there enough air flow around them to keep them "touchable" without gloves (4) Your killing me man, how did it cook!! and were the temp probe eylets functional and positioned well? (5) Was the charcoal pan size increased from the Frontier as well and does it sit in the bottom section like it does in the Frontier? If so, does it sit above the intake vents or still at same height of vents?
Thanks for all the feedback for us ProQ users to digest. I want to look into an Excel or a horizontal to take care of my "usable space issues" I have with the Frontier. It (Frontier) will see its share of use, just isn't the perfect tool for all types of cooking.
P.S.... I tried doing a minion-like start this weekend on my Frontier and postitioned my chimney coals opposite the vents and forced my fire to burn towards the vents rather than away from as you mentioned doing a while back. This did work well/better in my opinion. Took maybe a little longer to recover and hit its stride when I loaded with meat after pre-heat but at 6-6 1/2 hrs in when I pulled my foil pan country ribs out (foil panned with some juice at 5 hrs) it was still running strong at 250*-260* and I have no doubt I could have gotten at least a couple more hours of good cook temp..I didn't really heap the charcoal basket either like I would with a butt since I knew I only wanted 5-7 hrs of cook time. If I loaded it up butt full, I'm certain this could have been a 9-10 hr burn in the 230*-250* range. Thanks for the tip....RJ in Montana

Doc1680 · Posted: Jul 23 2008 Post subject:

Hey RJ. It's good to hear the proQ is working for ya. Very Happy

I was just getting ready to post my first cook results. You asked some questions that I hadn't thought to answer.

(1)Did they send heavier gauge cook grates with the Excel than packed with the Frontier or just larger dia.?

The cooking grate is alot heavier than on the frontier.

(2)Did they change the size of the H2O pan with the increased body size of the Excel? No need for a bigger H2O pan in my opinion, I'd rather see more room around it for smoke and heat to flow. If it was increased in size, was it just the dia. or the depth of the pan also?

Yes. They increased the size of the water pan. It is 16" x 4.5" deep. Not sure what that is in volume (I had a room full of girls for my geometry class. I barely got through it). Twisted Evil

But believe me. There is plenty of heat..

(3) Regarding the fold down handles of the Excel, will there be a problem with them getting hot due to contact with the cook chamber side walls or is there enough air flow around them to keep them "touchable" without gloves.

The handles do get hot. Not red hot but uncomfortably hot. I was able to grasp the handles in with my bbq gloves on, though it took some time to learn how to manuvere my fingers under the handles to get it. Once I got used to it wasn't as hard. But I will mention to Ian that they use some sort of silicon coating on the handles. Maybe that stuff they use for cooking pan handles????

(4a) Your killing me man, how did it cook!!

You'll have to peep my first cook thread

(4b) and were the temp probe eylets functional and positioned well?

I like the eyelets. I use a regular digital probe so the eyelets let me do this.

I took a couple of aluminium bullnose clips (I'm pretty sure they're not coated with anything) and clipped them to the underside of my grate. I ran the probe through the eyelet and through both clips. Now my smoker temp probes are out of the way.

(5a) Was the charcoal pan size increased from the Frontier as well
Yes the charcoal pan is bigger. It measures 16" x 3.25" deep.

(5b) and does it sit in the bottom section like it does in the Frontier? If so, does it sit above the intake vents or still at same height of vents?

Yep it sits right in the bottom section. Right at intake level. Which is something I didn't take into account seeing as there are 3 intakes now.

I'm going start a first cook thread. Cya there!
_________________
Love the voodoo that Q do.

Doc