WSM, Backwoods Patio, BDS, Chargriller Pro

Cornfed · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Greetings. I'm new here and just signed up for an account. This looks like an ideal place for this question as it looks like this topic is focused on the merits of various cookers.

I'm a few months away from picking up a new smoker. I'm currently cooking on a couple of small BGEs, a Portable Kitchen, and occasionally on a WSM. I was thinking of just grabbing another WSM since I find them extremely easy to use and think they produce great product, but now that their price has increased to $250, I'm thinking it's worth considering some other smokers which are near that price range.

The Chargriller looks nice and like it would double as a very nice regular grill with the cast iron grates. Not sure about how well insulated they are and how long you can go on cooks with them (I've gone overnight with the Minion method on the WSM many times). Looks like they're $180 + $70 or $80 for the fire box attachment.

Been hearing a lot about the BDS lately. These sound good and sound kind of like "a better WSM than the WSM" in that they look bigger and better insulated. Looks like these start at $300 then I'd want the extra grate.

Other one I'm thinking of is the Backwoods Patio which looks like it's $325. This just seems like the most professional cooker since they also make much higher end versions. Also, looks well insulated and very convenient to operate in that it looks very easy to access the meat without stacking or moving grates or whatever. I bet I'd have to pay tax and hefty shipping, though, so it wound probably wind u more like $400-450 as opposed to the WSM's $250 shipped to your doorstep.

Does anyone have any thoughts on these or other cookers in this range? I guess $200-$400?

05Aero · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

I just bought the Backwoods Patio Smoker and love it. I'm a beginner, but have already had two successful sessions with it. I have never had the WSM, but I liked the fact the Patio was insulated, seperate door for heat and food chamber, easy to load, and a very large water pan.

I didn't have to pay sales tax - but did pay shipping.

I can't say it's superior to a WSM as I have no comparison - but I will say I am very glad this was the smoker I decided on.

Cornfed · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to ship? I'm in NJ. The base price is still $325, I assume?

Old Dave · Posted: Feb 04 2006 Post subject:

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the Smoke Ring forum. Might be better if we as a group did know what you are planning to do with your new cooker. Maybe the amount of space you need, the type of meat you want to cook, and of course, the amount of beer you want to consume per hour. Those side-winders will cut down on your beer as they sure need more attention than the cookers you own but they will put out a great product. About all the upright cookers will operate just like your cookers and are very easy to learn. If you decide on a second WSM, watch Ebay as I have a friend that just got one for around 90 dollars including shipping and it was new in the orginal box.

Hang around here and teach us some new stuff.
_________________
Old Dave
Ribs & Bibs BBQ Team
http://olddavespo-farm.blogspot.com/

JimH · Posted: Feb 04 2006 Post subject:

What is a BDS?

bigabyte · Posted: Feb 04 2006 Post subject:

BDS is a Big Drum Smoker.
http://groups.msn.com/BigDrumSmoker-BDS
Rocky makes these I think. He's still posting here.
_________________
--Chris Baker
--Mad BBQ Scientist
--When my lab fills with smoke, that means it's working!

Cornfed · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Hey, Dave! I'm finding some old friends here.

Well, a lot of this is just the desire for a new toy since I haven't bought one in a while. There's also the small threat I'll actually get off my bun and compete this year, but we'll see. I really could use a partner in crime in this endeavor to share costs. But I digress...

I'm really interested in a big smoker. I think I have the grilling covered with the Eggs and the Portable Kitchen. I do really like the WSM, and the only reason I was really looking around for something different is since, at $250, I'm wondering if I can justify spending a few more bucks for something like a Backwoods. This would be a brand new toy which I have no experience with, plus I'm under the impression that it's an even more formidable beast (better insulation, easier access to the food, etc).

I mainly just want more space for smoking meats, ideally with an easy to use cooker. Portability would be nice. Again, talking to myself, I think another WSM would fit this bill. Just thinking maybe that BDS for a few extra bucks might be nice if it has significant advantages over the WSM. Same thing with the Backwoods. Or maybe there's something else out there I haven't considered since I haven't looked around in a couple years.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

Old Dave · Posted: Feb 05 2006 Post subject:

Dave,

I sure know what you mean in getting something new to cook on as I also have a new cooker coming in about a month and am looking forward to it. Be more than happy to discuss the cookers you have in mind but would like to do it thru private e-mail. Send me a note at stam@ccrtc.com
_________________
Old Dave
Ribs & Bibs BBQ Team
http://olddavespo-farm.blogspot.com/

BBQMAN · Posted: Feb 05 2006 Post subject:

Since you already own some smaller pits, I would suggest going with a larger offset mounted on a trailer. I would talk with Travis at Diamond Plate, Gator, Lang, Klose etc. and find out all they have to offer. The only disadvantage is your new "toy' will be more of an investment money wise. The advantage is having a cooker with enough space to cook whole hog or anything else that comes to mind instead of being limited in space! Very Happy

Keep an eye on e-bay. You may find a great deal on quality used equipment, and save a pile of money too!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Rocky · Posted: Feb 05 2006 Post subject:

I can build you a jumbo model BDS that will easily cook 100+ pounds of pork butts per load. Very Happy

_________________
Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

BBQMAN · Posted: Feb 05 2006 Post subject:

Nice option there Rocky! Very Happy

Do you build anything large enough for a pig roast?
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Rocky · Posted: Feb 05 2006 Post subject:

I don't think there would be enough cooking space for a whole hog, even in the jumbo models. They have two 26" diameter cooking racks. For a whole hog, you would need a horizontal cooking chamber. I like to keep at least 24 inches clearance between the cooking racks and the coals, so cutting a drum in half horizontally would not be good. That would only leave you about 8 to 12 inches clearance which in my opinion, would be more like grilling than slow-smoking.

I have considered building a Mega size BDS using a 40 inch diameter by 43 inch tall, 225 gallon drum. It would have two big 36 inch diameter cooking racks. This smoker would weigh at least 200 lbs. I would need to put 2 handles on the lid, one on each side. It would take 2 people to lift out full racks of meat. It would be a challenge to move around. If you had a dedicated area to keep it, then it would probably be very cool.
_________________
Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

Cornfed · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Yo, Rocky. I am greatly intrigued by the BDS. I read the review from Danny Gaulden on the BBQ Forum blog, and that made me even more interested. What are the advantages of this BDS over the WSM, if you don't mind me asking? I know that product comparisons and such aren't welcome on some forums, so feel free to decline to comment if you wish or if this is out of order.

My 2 cents based solely on what I've read is that the BDS looks like it's better insulated and thicker. So I assume it might create a better and more even cooking environment, do a little better in low temps outside, maybe cook a little longer, etc. Also if it has more capacity, that would be a plus. My girlfriend doesn't like the way they look, which is the only downside I can see so far Smile

Rocky · Posted: Feb 06 2006 Post subject:

Hi,

I don't mind comparing the WSM and the BDS. First of all, I want to say that the WSM is a fine smoker. I owned 2 of them for a few years. They are designed as water smokers and work great.

I think the BDS has several advantages:

1. The BDS has a unique design which creates a convection inside the drum. That convection, along with the radiant heat from smoking the meat directly over the coals, cooks the meat up to 35% faster. This is when cooking at the same temp as other smokers (225 to 250). The reduced times are most significant with big cuts of meat like pork butts and briskets. When you smoke butts and briskets in a WSM, you are looking at 12 to 14 hours or longer. Butts and briskets rarely take longer than 8 hours in the BDS, even if they are really big.

2. The BDS does not need any water pan. There is plenty of moisture inside the smoker and you don't need to add any. There is also no need for any heat barrier such as a water pan, to be able to cook on the bottom cooking rack.

3. The 22 inch diameter cooking racks in the standard size BDS model are plenty big to fit 15+ pound packer briskets or 20+ pound whole pork shoulders or 22+ pound chuck rolls. You can also lay whole slabs of ribs flat on the racks without cutting or curling them. Most rib racks will fit easily in the BDS.

The 26 inch diameter cooking racks in the jumbo model BDS can hold even more meat.

4. The 16 gage steel of the new model BDS and the jumbo is super tough and well-insulated. There are no legs under the smoker, so it sets flat on the ground. It is almost impossible to tip over a BDS. The BDS is very sturdy and can take a beating. Scratches can easily be touched up with store-bought high-heat paint and dents can easily be pounded out with a rubber mallet. There is no porcelain or enamel coating that can chip from the surface. Transporting the BDS is easy because the only loose part is the lid. The lid can be secured with the provided drum ring or simply removed while in the back of your truck.

5. You get the true "direct smoking" taste with the BDS. The juices and fat drip onto the coals and the steam and smoke get reabsorbed back into the meat giving it that awesome taste.

You can remove the water pan from the WSM, but then you can't use the bottom rack and it takes some getting used to for controllong the temps sice the WSM is designed as a water smoker.

I would say the 2 advantages the WSM has over the BDS are:

1. Since Weber can afford to do so through Amazon.com and other retailers, it is fairly common to get free shipping when you order one.

2. With the water pan in place, you can do night cooks with the WSM without turning the meat. You can get more sleep, and most of the time the temp will hold steady. You never know though, if the weather changes or the water pan runs dry. I still wouldn't let it go more than 6 hours without checking. With the BDS, you do have to turn the meat every 2 to 3 hours. For poultry, every hour. To me, that is part of the fun.

I like to fire up the BDS around 8 or 9 in the morning, and have brisket or butts ready by 4 or 5 pm for dinner.

Danny Gaulden just bought his jumbo model a couple weeks ago and is having a blast with it. He should be making some posts about it soon.
_________________
Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

JamesB · Posted: Feb 06 2006 Post subject:

Here are my opinions...

I would probably lean towards another WSM or the Backwoods Patio... Your already familiar with the WSM and if your looking for something new to try, I have read good things about the Backwoods...

The WSM, is as you know, a great little cooker and I really like mine for times when I don't get to fire up one of the big offsets. It is very simple to maintain temp and it is porcelain coated so it will not rust away in a few years... However, it is limited to the amount of food that you can cook at one time.

The Backwoods is a nice looking insulated cooker. Still on the small side tho...

The Chargriller? Some folks have them and really like them. They seem to be OK for the price, but would seem to take a lot of fire tending time... and if I have time to tend a fire, I would be cooking on my offsets...

I've heard some great stories about the BDS... If Danny G. likes them then they can't be all that bad.. I understand that ash removal is a bit of a pain in that you have to tump the barrel etc. but heck, I know those barrels work pretty darn good for direct cooking. I've got an old barrel in the backyard that serves the same purpose and cooks great!

James

Cornfed · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks, everyone. This is very useful. And thank you, Rocky, for the candid comparison. I would love to check one of those out. It's hard when you're living in that BBQ mecca of Central NJ to see these things in action!

Rocky · Posted: Feb 06 2006 Post subject:

Hey cornfed, here is a link to some BDS pictures:

http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=Rocky%27s+BBQ
_________________
Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

Cornfed · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Very nice. Thanks for the pics. Looks like you can load a lot of meat on those cookers!