Best offset under 5 bills??

PigHusker · BBQ Fan Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 364 Location: Omaha

I already own the WSM and love it, so save those emails. As the subject reads I'm looking for an offset under $500. Some of the New Braunfels look nice, but are only available at Academy (unless someone know differently). I'm in Omaha, NE and want to purchase this within the month for tailgating. I love my WSM, but it is not that practical when doing a large amount of racks, w/o constanly shifting the grates and so forth. Again, I know about rib racks and the Pro BBQ addition. But I'm not too interested in it. Seems like a solid idea, but I paid $199 for my WSM, and that would cost me more than half the cost of the original cooker after shipping. Plus more shifting of grates...
Anyhow any thoughts on a off-set would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
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Reggae Q · Posted: Jul 31 2008 Post subject:

#1- Craigslist

#2- ProBBQ Excel 20
I think doc said he could have gotten 5 racks per level. Get a stacker and you could do 15 racks

PigHusker · BBQ Fan Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 364 Location: Omaha

Thanks but I'm not looking for another bullet style smoker. I want a offset to have some fun and learn with.
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Kosmos Q · Posted: Jul 31 2008 Post subject:

Ha ha the one in my backyard for sale Laughing

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PigHusker · BBQ Fan Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 364 Location: Omaha

You mean the one that says sold after it (Lang 60)??
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necron 99 · Posted: Jul 31 2008 Post subject:

Did you check out the Old Country model offset at Academy? I've 'kicked the tires' on this model on the Academy floor model and I'd much rather pay 5 bills for this than 2 and a half bills for the thin metal grey Hondo. Smokestack intake is already at grate level, and one full size cooking grate with a half width upper cooking grate. felt reasonavbly tight on door seals etc. Thermometer placement was the only thing I didn't like on the Old Country pit.

I bought a Bar-B-Chef last year, it's definitely heavier metal than the Hondo, but nowhere near the Old Country or heavier NB models at Academy. It's my first offset, and it's worked really well for me to get experience on.
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PigHusker · BBQ Fan Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 364 Location: Omaha

Yeah the Old Country looks solid. Thanks for the reply. The Bar-B-Chef was the one I was looking for, but it didn't come to mind. Thanks. How do you like it? Once again, both of the stores are no where near me so I need to call for shipping prices.
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necron 99 · Posted: Jul 31 2008 Post subject:

Shipping costs may be an issue.

I picked up my Bar-B-Chef in Houston while there on a business trip, drove it home in the boxes. It's worked really well for the price, especially relative to what that same amount of money gets you elsewhere. It has a small internal baffle / defelctor between the firebox and cooking chamber, and comes with 6 heavy duty cast iron grates. The only mod I really did was put legs on the charvoal grate.

But, I have a 1/4" wall Brinmann Stillwater coming - it should have arrived yesterday (but didn't) - should be here next week. I know I'll need to do a internal stack mod and the thermo placement's not good on it either, but what the hey? So I'll likely need to find a new home for the Bar-B-Chef before long.
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Kosmos Q · Posted: Jul 31 2008 Post subject:

The Patio Giant. It is for sale now. $450 it 30" pipe with a 4' chamber. All 1/4".
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bluesman250 · BBQ Pro Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 802

I think instead of looking for a specific model, you should look for the items you want, and those that show quality construction. Get at least 1/4 inch steel, stay away from rolled sheet metal. Movable tuning plates are always nice, but just may not be available in your price range. a good baffle next to the firebox is an important part too. How tight the doors seals is another item to look at. Are you set on a new one, or would you be OK with a used cooker? Do you mind putting a little work into one?
If 500 bucks is you solid top limit, i would check the classified ads and such, and see what you can get used. Especially if you do not mind putting a little work in with some new paint or door seals. But this will take longer then buying a new one and may not be found in the month time frame you set for yourself.
If you buy new and ship, you should figure in 100 for shipping, and that brings you down to 400 bucks for the cooker.
Could you maybe use a grill and your WSM for another year, and save a little more cash? Then you could get into a small Klose or Horizon smoker, which would be much higher quality then a NB or a Chargriller or such.
Just a few things to think about!

Eatrbbq · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 69

Jeff_From_VA · BBQ Pro Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 720

Unless you buy used, or are finding things to turn into a build of your own - $500 might as well be $200.

You really need to double your budget to break out of the price point you are in now.

helljack6 · Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 14

Personally Pig, I find the Char-Griller with SFB from Menards more then adequate to fire in and cook with. The cooking space even with modifications is still large enough to accomodate alot of food. Mine with SFB only ran me about two bills.

Come to Lincoln and we'll fire mine up and you can check it out for yourself and see what the mods are and how they actually work.

EricH · Posted: Jul 31 2008 Post subject:

I purchased the OK Joes Longhorn from Academy. With a few mods, it is a great smoker
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orangeblood · BBQ Fan Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Texas

Another 2 cents (that might not be worth 2 cents):

Bluesman and Jeff from VA are right on the money. If you want to step up to a stick burning offset that has a lot of longevity dont settle for what you can get locally new for $500. You might find something on craigslist in your area. $500 in the Dallas, San Antonio or Houston areas will buy a very nice rig - is there any chance you could make a trip to Texas?

A 100% welded, 1/4 steel unit will out live you if you take care of it no matter how many times you use it. Light sheet metal rigs with bolted on pieces (fire box, stack, doors etc) will fail under heavy use or rust out faster than you would like.

Again, just an opinion.

cc141 · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 16

I bought a Brinkmann Cimarron at Bass Pro Shops for $449. It is all 1/4" steel and 100% welded.

Edit: The stack is not welded to the main chamber. It fits in through an round pipe that is welded to the main chamber and secured by a single screw. I like that feature because I can remove the stack for transport or storage.

swampcook · BBQ Fan Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 156 Location: LOUISIANA

I agree about getting one with 1/4 in steel. I have a brinkman pitmaster deluxe (the thinner metal one from hardware stores) and it has lasted 6 years so far(probably got another year or so left on it) but those deluxe 1/4 in ones will last you at least 10-12 good years or longer if they are under cover. of course my wooden smoker takes the cake.
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swampcook · BBQ Fan Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 156 Location: LOUISIANA

Is academy the only chain that sells good offsets anymore..Lowes used to but it seems like everyone missed the boat. Most of them sell the el-cheapo charcoal grills and mostly the stainless gas grills. Which makes my stomach turn. Everytime I see one. But there are a lot of ignorant shoppers out there who buy those gas grills and never get to experience good bbq. In hindsight I guess the chains are making a ton of money for those things but academy is hitting a niche group.....us!
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necron 99 · Posted: Aug 02 2008 Post subject:

Take a look in Bass Pro, Cabela's, Barbecues Galore (all chains). There's some heavy wall cookers on their floors.
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skybob · Posted: Aug 02 2008 Post subject:

Check out your local Ace Hardware store. The one by me carries the Brinkmann line including the 1/4" ones. They are carrying the Traeger line and pellets, also they have the WSMs
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