Offset for a beginner

vtbbq · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Vermont

I'm looking to get into the world of bbqing and I'm seacrhing for my first smoker. I've been doing a lot of poking around reading here and other places on the web and here is what I have figured out thus far. I'm looking for not just the taste (hopefully) but also the experience of authentic bbq, so the electric and gas set it and forget it models are out. I've read a lot of great things about the WSM, but the thought of standing over an elongated weber grill just doesn't get me all pumped up. My dreams are filled with big ole Texas style bbq pits. Since I can't afford one of the big boys, I'm looking to get my hands on an affordable backyard size offset. I know these will take a little more work than others and require more frequent attention, but like a I said I'm looking for the experience. Also I have a serious case of tinkeritous, so the fact that some of these rigs might require tweaking doesn't really bother me. My budget is $400 or less (less of course always being better). It appears that locally accesible to me are the following: Brinkmann SnP Pitmaster Deluxe, Chargriller Smokin Pro, and the Charbroil Silver Smoker (which looks like it used to be what some have been calling the NBBD?). These are all about $200. I have also been looking at the bar-b-chef that I would have to have shipped since I live in Vermont. After shipping that one would run me about $400. Basically I'm wondering if one of the three that are more easily accessible is better than the rest and if the bar-b-chef is enough better than all three to warrant the $200 difference. If there is another cooker in my given range that I have missed that deserves a look please let me know that too. One curiosity was if any of these cookers have a larger firebox than the others. I'm assuming the larger the firebox the easier it would be to keep a good fire going (more air circulation, room for ash, etc. etc.) Also I was planning to cook mostly with lump charcoal using wood chunks with the coal to add smoke rather than trying to do full on stick fires if that has any impact on which smoker is better.

wnkt · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

I use the Chargriller and I got it at Lowes, the home improvement place, for under $200. I got the basic model and then got the separate firebox for another $50 or so. There are modifications that can, and probably should, be done to it to make it work better. There are several threads here about the mods. The best one I have done is getting a flexible dryer vent hose and install inside the lid to extend the smokestack down to the grate level. And that was a whole $5-$6 or so.......and really the most expensive one you really need, other than maybe making/buying a charcoal basket.

Hope this helps
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Marky C · BBQ Pro Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 501 Location: Delaware

The Chargriller with a few mods is a great starter. For the money you can't beat it.
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BoilermakerFan · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

I also have a Char-Griller that I've been modifying heavily. I'm just about done with the main mods and will be updating my thread this weekend.

However, if I was going to do it all over again, I would buy a bar-b-chef from the start. Mainly because the steel is so much thicker and the key mods are already done. The Char-Griller is a great, flexible smoker, but the steel is thin. I didn't discover The Smoke Ring or the Bar-B-Chef until after I bought my SNP. My only complaint with the Bar-B-Chef is the angled legs to support it. It will make it more difficult to modify it for nice, large pnuematic tires, but it can still be done.

In the $200 range, I still like the Char-Griller the best because of it's flexibilty and availibilty of "spare" parts from Char-Griller. I'm thinking about a lid seal mod that will need some welding done. If I screw it up too badly, I'll just order a new lid and make sure it's done correctly the second time. Embarassed

If you go the Char-Griller route and want to save a little time on trial and error, I will be making a template of my heat diffuser so you could just trace it on to a piece of sheet steel, cut it out with a jig saw, and form it in a 6" vise with a big hammer (a 16oz hammer wil take a long time, but the 3lb. sledge worked great). All I'll need is a PM, then you can send me a SASE.
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roxy · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

Add my name to the chargriller list. Great cooker for the money.
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gpalasz · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

For a beginner I highly reccomend the New Braunfels hondo deluxe. It is the silver colored one you can get at Academy sports for $199. I looked at the chargriller at lowes and the Hondo at Academy. Hondo is built WAY better and more sturdy. Look at the two and decide for yourself. Im not knocking the Chargriller...buddy has one and does a great job. But if the price is about the same...go for quality. Just my 2 cents.

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

He lives in Vermont. I don't think they have Academy stores, or he wouldn't have to pay for shipping on a Bar-B-Chef which would put $95 back in his pocket...

Edit: I jumped on Academy and checked, there isn't one within 250 miles, so he would have to order on-line and pay shipping, which adds another $95.
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My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

jujuboy77 · BBQ Fan Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: Adams TN

if you have access to an academy sports there is a smoker called the oklahoma joes it twice as heavy and much bigger that the hondos and brinkmans it is good for a beginner as well as an intermediate. its just a little more than you want to spend but it will last 5 times longer than the hondo or brinkmans (not knocking the hondos i started out on one too but the okie joes is heavy welded steel not stamped out like the lighter smokers. for a beginner i think heat control is one of the biggest issues and a thicker/heavier smoker will hold heat way better that the light metal ones.

oops just realized we already addressed the academy issue!
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gpalasz · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

Ah Heck...just splurge and buy a Klose Laughing

or a stumps

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

Now, now, if he's going to splurge for a backyard offset, we need to point him in Peoria Custom Cookers direction! Don't forget to order the grill option!
_________________
My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

gpalasz · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

Hey Boiler maker...yes excellent cookers they have. I was looking at a klose..or peoria. Then I stumbled on to the SW223 from stumps. Its the vertical offset w/ firebox(NOT gravity feed) 5 shelves 20x20. Great price for the product. I actually get it this monday....cant wait

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

When I burn up my Char-Griller, I'm going to have PCC customize a backyard model for me. I want a few of their standard options, but I laso want a few custom mods that I know they can do so I can run my E-Z Que rotisserie in one.

I just wonder how long it will really take to burn out a Char-Griller. Heck, my Weber kettle is 8 years old and is just now starting to look a little ragged. Worst case, the SFB burns through and it's only $55 for a new one that can be ordered on-line or picked up at a Lowes. It's really tough to beat a Char-Griller smoker for it's low cost and availability.
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My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

vtbbq · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Vermont

Thanks for the advice guys! Yeah unfortunately we don't have a whole lot of store choices here in Vermont. It was a big deal a few years back when we got a Walmart and home depot, but we don't even have a lowes yet. This year we got a Tractor Supply store, that made me very happy.

Boy do I wish I could splurge and buy one of those custom cookers, but the boss (read wife here) has already been kind enough to expand the usual birthday allotment for this purchase, so I can't push it too far. $400 really is my max cap, and I had to show the wife pictures of some of the food on here to get her to that point (thanks for that by the way Very Happy

). Based on your comments I think I'll be taking a closer look at the chargriller. I'm looking forward to reading boilermaker's thread on mods. I may still splurge and go for the bar-b-chef for the thicker metal. I just wonder how much of a difference I'd notice between 14 and 12 gauge. I know the real deal cookers are made with 1/4" and that would really make a difference, but 1/4" equals what 3 gauge? That's a lot bigger jump in thickness. Ah well, here's to dreamin of living somewhere that killer cookers are easily available, and where there is less snow. It was just starting to melt when now the radio just said we are supposed to get a fresh 12 inches tonight. Darn snow better not delay my bbqin'

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Mar 16 2007 Post subject:

Oh, and I thought of something else... For your $400 budget, you can get the Char-Griller SnP for about $170, a 24"x24" expanded metal from TSC for a "charcoal" (don't forget the offsets are stick burners) basket for about $20, and a Rock's BBQ Stoker basic kit for $200 for fire control during thos winter sessions! The $10 remaining should cover the shipping on the Stoker or an exhaust stack extension. Wink

That would really get you started and enjoying the 'Que. You can do the rest of the mods later when the boss isn't watching the budget so closely and she's had a chance to enjoy a couple of good ribs and brisket.
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My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

Portergolf · Posted: Mar 17 2007 Post subject:

add me to the chargriller also.
I made some pretty cool mods that help with heat dispersment.
I really have loved mine.
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vtbbq · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Vermont

ok guys, so on your advice I'm leaning towards the chargriller. Taking a closer look has prompted yet another question though. It looks to me like the smokin pro is the chargriller pro with the side firebox included, but you can also pickup that firebox and attach it to some of the other models. Has anyone tried the firebox with one of the larger models like the super pro or even the outlaw Cool

That 1000" of cooking surface sure looks tempting. I'm worried it would be too hard to heat such a large area though? I'm also curious if having such a large size could allow you to almost have different cooking zones. In other words could ya cold smoke salmon and jerky on the far end and hot smoke briskets and ribs back towards the firebox (not necessarily at the same time)? If anyone has tried any of this please let me know if you had any success. If I'm just being a dolt and I need to realize they sell the firebox already packaged with the smaller model for a reason, tell me that too Wink

zilla · Posted: Mar 17 2007 Post subject:

The bigger the better. In BBQ size does matter. Wink

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BoilermakerFan · Posted: Mar 18 2007 Post subject:

The Outlaw really isn't that much bigger. It is one cast iron grate section wider. The SnP includes (4) sections, the Outlaw has (5) sections. Same gauge sheetmetal, same legs, etc. Unfortunately, it's not any deeper or taller.

The disadvantages of the Outlaw are minor, but could be annoying. The universal cover for the Char-Grillers will only fit an Outlaw with the SFB if the left side shelf is removed. This may or may not be an issue to you, but I want to add the propane side burner to mine, which mounts on the left side so this killed the Outlaw for me. Also, I can't remember if the Char-Griller spit rotisserie works with the Outlaw or not. You could get a longer E-Z Que basket to work nicely though.

The BIG advantage of the Smokin' Pro over the other CHargrillers is the fact that everything is in one box AND the "knock-outs" for the mounting are already removed from the factory. Trust me, it's worth the trouble to find a Smokin' Pro. The metal maybe thin by smoker standards, but it is still steel and doesn't come out easily. You'll need a jigsaw and metal blade to do it right.

I can probably think of a few more issues to the Outlaw, but I have to run...
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My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

vtbbq · Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Vermont

Thanks for the insight boilermaker. Those minor annoyances added up actually sound like a pretty big annoyance for just an extra grate of space. The cover would really bug me. You missed one bonus of the snp though. I can copy all your mods exactly Wink

I'm goin shoppin for a chargriller snp tomorrow, woohoo!

WBOGGS · Posted: Mar 18 2007 Post subject:

IMO dont get an offset; buy a Weber Smoky Mountain. Heat rises, it doesn't go to the left or the right. Get a WSM and dont spend the rest of your time fighting what heat does naturally. Some of the moist experienced smokers still use WSM's because they are good and cost the same as something you will fight forever. I had a Char Broil Silver Smoker, sure has the macho looks of a smoker but even with the modifications has problems cooking.