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abingdonrowes
Newbie
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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 Posted: Dec 16 2006 Post subject: Question for BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef Offset Smoker Owners |
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If you own a BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef offset smoker, please give me some feedback on the temperature control of this unit.
Is the temperature even from side to side and front to back?
Does it hold heat well?
On average, how often do you have to add fuel?
Do you use charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal, or hardwood?
Have you made any modifications?
Have you ever used a Char-Griller Smokin' Pro? If so, how does the temperature control compare?
Thanks in advance for any input! |
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mding38926
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2244
Location: Lake Ridge, VA
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| Posted: Dec 16 2006 Post subject: Re: Question for BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef Offset Smoker Owners |
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| abingdonrowes wrote: | If you own a BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef offset smoker, please give me some feedback on the temperature control of this unit.
Is the temperature even from side to side and front to back?
Does it hold heat well?
On average, how often do you have to add fuel?
Do you use charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal, or hardwood?
Have you made any modifications?
Have you ever used a Char-Griller Smokin' Pro? If so, how does the temperature control compare?
Thanks in advance for any input! |
1. yes...not bad at all
2. It does hold heat well. I smoke year round here in VA and there are all nighters where the 3-4am temperatures might hit the teens.
3. Using lump charcoal I am usually able to get 4-6 hours (sometimes more) on the first burn. I can then usually get 1.5 hours or so per full chimney.
4. I have made only 1 modification....I turned the charcoal rack 90 degrees to get the charcoal further off of the ground for better air flow.
5. I have not.
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abingdonrowes
Newbie
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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| Posted: Dec 16 2006 Post subject: Re: Question for BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef Offset Smoker Owners |
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| mding38926 wrote: | | abingdonrowes wrote: | If you own a BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef offset smoker, please give me some feedback on the temperature control of this unit.
Is the temperature even from side to side and front to back?
Does it hold heat well?
On average, how often do you have to add fuel?
Do you use charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal, or hardwood?
Have you made any modifications?
Have you ever used a Char-Griller Smokin' Pro? If so, how does the temperature control compare?
Thanks in advance for any input! |
1. yes...not bad at all
2. It does hold heat well. I smoke year round here in VA and there are all nighters where the 3-4am temperatures might hit the teens.
3. Using lump charcoal I am usually able to get 4-6 hours (sometimes more) on the first burn. I can then usually get 1.5 hours or so per full chimney.
4. I have made only 1 modification....I turned the charcoal rack 90 degrees to get the charcoal further off of the ground for better air flow.
5. I have not. |
Thanks. Where is Lake Ridge? I haven't heard of it. I live in Southwestern, VA (Abingdon), but have also lived in the Northeastern part of the state (Staunton), and the Southeastern part of the state (Suffolk). |
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mding38926
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2244
Location: Lake Ridge, VA
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 Post subject: Re: Question for BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef Offset Smoker Owners |
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| abingdonrowes wrote: | | mding38926 wrote: | | abingdonrowes wrote: | If you own a BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef offset smoker, please give me some feedback on the temperature control of this unit.
Is the temperature even from side to side and front to back?
Does it hold heat well?
On average, how often do you have to add fuel?
Do you use charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal, or hardwood?
Have you made any modifications?
Have you ever used a Char-Griller Smokin' Pro? If so, how does the temperature control compare?
Thanks in advance for any input! |
1. yes...not bad at all
2. It does hold heat well. I smoke year round here in VA and there are all nighters where the 3-4am temperatures might hit the teens.
3. Using lump charcoal I am usually able to get 4-6 hours (sometimes more) on the first burn. I can then usually get 1.5 hours or so per full chimney.
4. I have made only 1 modification....I turned the charcoal rack 90 degrees to get the charcoal further off of the ground for better air flow.
5. I have not. |
Thanks. Where is Lake Ridge? I haven't heard of it. I live in Southwestern, VA (Abingdon), but have also lived in the Northeastern part of the state (Staunton), and the Southeastern part of the state (Suffolk). |
It is in Prince William County........lake Ridge is actually a subdivision of Woodbridge.
Mike
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redray
BBQ Fan
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Ellicott City, MD
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 Post subject: |
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| I have a Bar-B-Chef and really like it. It holds heat well except in windy conditions (mine is sitting in the open without any real protection from the wind). The temp is fairly consistant across the cooking surface, maybe 5 or so degrees difference around the primary cooking area. I use a mix of lump and hardwood (cherry, oak and hickory- depending on what I am cooking). After the initial load of lump and wood which lasts 2-4 hours for me, I add fuel every 1.5-2.5 hrs. No mods yet but I may make a baffle if I get motivated. |
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mding38926
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2244
Location: Lake Ridge, VA
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 Post subject: |
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| redray wrote: | | I have a Bar-B-Chef and really like it. It holds heat well except in windy conditions (mine is sitting in the open without any real protection from the wind). The temp is fairly consistant across the cooking surface, maybe 5 or so degrees difference around the primary cooking area. I use a mix of lump and hardwood (cherry, oak and hickory- depending on what I am cooking). After the initial load of lump and wood which lasts 2-4 hours for me, I add fuel every 1.5-2.5 hrs. No mods yet but I may make a baffle if I get motivated. |
Thankfully I have the wind worked out as I am in a townhouse and my smoker sits under my deck (deck is at like 16 feet) and in my fenced yard. Very little wind ever gets back there.
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abingdonrowes
Newbie
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 Post subject: |
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Sound pretty good for the money! I thought the Bar-B-Chef came with a heat baffle, or is that just on the very latest model? I know that there has been a relatively recent redesign that extended the smokestack, lowered the thermometer, and added a baffle.
| mding38926 wrote: | | redray wrote: | | I have a Bar-B-Chef and really like it. It holds heat well except in windy conditions (mine is sitting in the open without any real protection from the wind). The temp is fairly consistant across the cooking surface, maybe 5 or so degrees difference around the primary cooking area. I use a mix of lump and hardwood (cherry, oak and hickory- depending on what I am cooking). After the initial load of lump and wood which lasts 2-4 hours for me, I add fuel every 1.5-2.5 hrs. No mods yet but I may make a baffle if I get motivated. |
Thankfully I have the wind worked out as I am in a townhouse and my smoker sits under my deck (deck is at like 16 feet) and in my fenced yard. Very little wind ever gets back there. |
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redray
BBQ Fan
Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Ellicott City, MD
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 Post subject: |
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I believe you are right about the latest model having the baffle. Mine is a couple of years old. For the money you cannot beat the quality and construction especially when you look at what is available at Home Depot and Lowes. I think the Bar- B- Chef is a hidden gem  |
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mding38926
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2244
Location: Lake Ridge, VA
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| Posted: Dec 19 2006 Post subject: |
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I have the new design.....extended smokestack and lower thermometers (still way off though), but no baffle. Personally I think at the $250ish I spent on it that it was a really nice buy.....and frankly it was pretty easy to dial in for a nice, consistent temperature..........
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carlt828
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Live Oak, TX
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| Posted: Dec 21 2006 Post subject: |
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There is also a 20% coupon available. I just bought one and with the discount, it was right at $200. That's better than the sale price going on which is $229.
I seasoned it yesterday and will try and slap on a rack of ribs tomorrow. |
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abingdonrowes
Newbie
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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| Posted: Dec 21 2006 Post subject: |
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Wow - that's a steal!
| carlt828 wrote: | There is also a 20% coupon available. I just bought one and with the discount, it was right at $200. That's better than the sale price going on which is $229.
I seasoned it yesterday and will try and slap on a rack of ribs tomorrow. |
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