recommendations around $600 range

yukoff · Posted: Feb 26 2006 Post subject: recommendations around $600 range

Everywhere I look, the typical charcoal-type backyard-smoker is around $1200. Anyone have a recommendation for half the cost that doesn't need mods, because I'm not much of a welder. Not interested in vertical/electrical smokers either. Either these don't exist, or I'm completely blind - I see them up to $300 (like the ones at home depot or costco) and then after that, it starts at $1200.

Any recommendations, or do they not exist based on the high amounts of workmanship and labor?

Rocky · Posted: Feb 26 2006 Post subject:

Check out Big Drum Smokers. Both the regular and jumbo size are in your price range.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Very Happy

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Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

Jeff T · Posted: Feb 26 2006 Post subject:

There are not too many good smokers out there for under 600 that dont need mods except for the Big Drum Smokers or Weber Smokey Mountain cookers from what i see. The prices of iron went up in the last year or so. Most cheaper smokers work well with little technical or expensive mods though. For me thats the fun of it i like tinkering with new toys. Laughing

Good luck in your search.....

zilla · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

Call this company and talk to Marsha. They make a nice heavy pit for a fair price and often ship trailer loads all over the states. As her for the closest dealer. You might just luck out. Otherwise I would contact a local welder and show him a photo of what you want and see if he would build one for that price. Those guys always want side jobs.

http://www.lyfetyme.com/
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yukoff · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

Thanks Rocky, i've seen those drum smokers, however I already have a vertical-type smoker and am looking for something more convenient with a firebox.

Thanks for the advice zilla.

Just out of curiousity, is it the price of steel that puts these bad-boys over $1k?

rudyr · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

Yes steel prices are high right now. I built a smoker last month out of mostly used mat. A 4'x8' sheet of 1/8" metal was 80 bucks!

Mikesooner · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

Yukoff...if ya get anything close to heavy gauge, they're gonna nail ya for shipping also Shocked

Probably the best know place close to here is in Iowa, Hawgeyes, but once again the shipping might be a deal breaker! Hopefully someone will chime in if they know of a place Cool

smokeaholic · Newbie Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 50 Location: Gaylord Mi

Hello yukoff

I too had the same question. After much time spent looking. I believe I am going to buy the b bq chef from barbeques galore. It is 12 guage steel and has all the good mods that is talked about here on smokering. I will admit that I have not seen one but again this is what I am told. I will be on a business trip to Grapevine TX. and they have a store there so I will take a look. There are more expensive dollars to spend but for about $300 it looks like a good deal. In the end it's all personal choice.

Good Luck

Mike
Smokeaholic

JamesB · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

Do you have an Academy Sports store near you? If you do, I have seen some well built smaller offsets there that might fit you budget.

James.

Mikesooner · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

No Academys around here James..closest are in Oklahoma and that region Sad

ChipotlePat · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

http://www.spicewineironworks.com/ they have One for $800 and they are a great Smokers.

Mikesooner · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

Pat..I'll bet they are a fine pit..but just like me, he'll have to get it delivered almost to Canada..it sucks to want a good pit out here!! Sad

Thomas P. · BBQ Pro Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 596 Location: Texas

Stay away from Lyfe Tyme. They do have a model that's around $650, but it will require mods creating "ash-drop" space in the fire box and some sort of baffle in the cooking chamber.

Check out New Brauenfels on-line, also. They have some decent off-set models from $550 and down. They're just a thinner gauge metal than the custom welded monsters out there.

I checked out Spicewine Ironworks. They do make a very nice smoker, and I really liked their $800 model. However, it would cost them/me $250 more to ship it to me in Texas.

My advice is to find a place to buy what you want in person. Anytime you ship something that big, add at least $150 to $200.
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Rocky · Posted: Feb 27 2006 Post subject:

That is true. The size also has alot to do with the shipping costs, even more so than the weight up to a certain point.

My regular BDS models cost $65 to $95 to ship and the jumbo models cost $140 to $175 to ship. Depending on where in the U.S. you are located.

The above shipping prices also include the packaging and handling costs.

I encourage people to pick up the smokers locally, but not many people want to drive across the country to pick up a smoker. They would end up spending as much or more for gas.

When I bought my Klose offset pit 4 years ago, the shipping was $600. Dave delivered the pit himself though. Would have cost even more if a freight company had delivered the pit. That pit weighed almost 2000 lbs.
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Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

PDXsmoker · BBQ Fan Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 141

I love my Treager and you can get a Big Tex for $715 @ Boschler's. Cool