Stumps Smoker Questions

jld1445 · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

Hello,

I understand Stumps is transitioning to a new line of gravity fed smokers - the Elite models (6, 8, and soon to be 4). Can someone "in the know" explain the differences (upgrades) between the new Elite models and the old models? I have tried to find this information on multiple sources and only had very limited results. Thank you very much in advance.

Also, if anyone has a picture of an Elite, that would be great too!

Hoochie-Que · Posted: Jun 28 2007 Post subject:

Thanks for jumping in with your question... I, too, have been watching/looking for info, and there is still not much out there that I have been able to find as yet, other than a few comments here and there which I don't know if I should take as credible or not... I hear bits here and there about the new "Elite" models, but have no idea what the "changes" and/or "improvements" are compared to the "old" models (wider/taller maybe???)... I saw a comment made somewhere not long ago that made it sound like maybe the gravity feed feature would no longer be there (which I would find hard to believe)... I also hear things here and there that suggest the price may have jumped quite a bit (again, that may totally a "perspective" thing - the people who said this may have thought the prices for the "old" models were quite high as well)... But anyway, some idea as to what these new models will have/offer, and maybe a picture and/or a MSRP would be nice for those of us contemplating a Stumps... Haven't seen very much over on the Stumps website, either... I think they are to "roll out" things before long, so maybe all of this will be answered much sooner than later...
_________________
Dr. Mike
Hoochie-Que BBQ Team / KCBS CBJ

"Jesus Loved Barbeque, Too" - Kinky Friedman

DawgPhan · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3444

I believe that one of the main features will be the built in BBQ Guru...making it more like the set it and forget it type cookers....kinda like a GF FEC-100 that runs on charcoal...but if you are going to do that type of thing why not go with pellets...could probably still do the GF with pellets...

swinebuck · Posted: Jun 28 2007 Post subject:

The only photos available were from one of the prototypes showing the main improvements: Refrigerator Style Hand Latch, Larger Shelves, Internal Convection Fan, Guru Standard, New Grease Drainage Systerm, and Front Detachable Wheels.
http://www.stumpssmokers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1759
The pricing has been quoted as Elite 6 - $2695 and Elite 8 $3395.
http://www.stumpssmokers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1885
This will be a great time to pick up discounted used Stumps Smokers from the individuals trading up.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
Mike
Swinebuck
_________________
Too Sauced To Pork
Stumps GF-223 with Digi Q II & SW-223 Offset and six more
http://www.toosaucedtopork.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Too-Sauced-To-Pork/337985995846?ref=mf#

mds2 · Posted: Jun 28 2007 Post subject:

I'm curious how well that grease drain is going to work. We have a large grill with a grease pan like that and it sucks. I wonder why they didnt go with a positive drain in the bottom?
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The Saucy Lads BBQ Team

DawgPhan · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3444

looking at the pictures on there I am not really that impressed with their "integration" of the guru. I was really expecting something closer to the FEC and what it looks like is the stumps with a guru attached.

bruskee · BBQ Fan Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 363 Location: Owasso,Ok

Hopefully in the next couple of days mine will arrive. I was told it was being crated yesterday. I'll post pix and answer what I can when it get here..

Scot

Bedlam BBQ · Posted: Jun 28 2007 Post subject:

Big Tom · Posted: Jun 28 2007 Post subject:

I will offer my $.02 on the new Stump's Elite smokers.

All in all the original GF2.. line has been reinvented. The GF's had a few quirks that folks that used them just adjusted for or improvised around. Example: the door latches were troublesome; the side of the cook chamber where the charcoal chute/firebox is was hotter than the opposite side-the wall between the two was not insulated; The bottom racks, nearest the incomming smoke & heat were hotter than the upper racks-a function of the air flow and draft through the cooker. The GF models on two wheels could be awkward to manuver. The 4 wheel versions could get top heavy.

All these problems were addressed when the new Elite line was being devleoped.

The features on the Elite models include: 4,6,or 8 cooking racks; more cooking space new rack dimensions 23d x 24-3/4w (used to be 20x20); the entire cook chamber is fully insulated, the door latches are similar to a commercial cooler/freezer door hardware; the snout feeding from the firebox has been modified for more even distribution; the exhaust has been relocated to change the draft and improve the top-bottom temp differential; the smoker/firebox is designed to utilize a draft fan and temperature controller, not just an add-on; the stability has been improved with a wider rear axle & removable front wheel dolly for wagon like mobility and ease of movement; tie downs are included at all corners; the new grease pan and drain is improved over the original as it keeps the flow of grease away from the heat of the firebox and is designed to drain into an integrated drip pan even if on unlevel surface; the air/heat flow improvements also prevent the grease catch tray/diverter from being as hot and scorching the grease.

Presently the models are still in the prototype stage so some of the early photos may not represent what the final production models will be, as well as the actual retail prices for each model.

I hope this helps with some of the questions.
_________________
Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

Oswego · Posted: Jun 28 2007 Post subject:

Sounds like Big Tom has the scoop on the new Stumps. I am picking my first Elite 6 up next week and will report on any other features and how it cooks.
Walt
_________________
Walt
PORK AVENUE BBQ
In the South We listen slow also

jld1445 · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

Some great work there - thank you. I will be very anxious to see pictures from one of the two guys getting a "production unit" in the next week or so. See how much it differs from the prototype.

It does seem like a fairly significant increase in price from the previous models to a comparable Elite - am I right on that? I guess the temperature control, etc. add to the cost a good bit.

Look forward to the pics!

Hoochie-Que · Posted: Jun 29 2007 Post subject:

Ditto on the "thanks" to everyone for the insight/info regarding the new Stumps smokers... I guess some of us are just real anxious to see/better understand what the "new" Stumps will offer...

Thanks again... Cool

_________________
Dr. Mike
Hoochie-Que BBQ Team / KCBS CBJ

"Jesus Loved Barbeque, Too" - Kinky Friedman

texanx5 · Posted: Jun 29 2007 Post subject:

Wow! almost makes me wish I'd waited a few more months. ... nah! I've cooked a couple times on mine and love it, but if I where in the market for another I'd get an elite.

Best of luck on your selection!
_________________
DDG

old Smokey
WSM a.k.a. Weber Smokey Mountain
Stumps Smoker (custom mobile unit with a Stretch and sw42x6 offset)

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jun 29 2007 Post subject:

I was kinda worried about getting a pre-elite model, until I cooked on mine. I like my stumps just the way it is.
I do agree it does seem top-heavy on 4-wheels. But I happen to like "top-heavy" Wink

So, what's the deal with the removable charcoal chute that I have heard about on the elites? What benefit could that possibly have?

And a choice between an integrated stoker, or a guru would be nice.
is it easy to have the guru deleted during the build so the owner could choose which unit he wants? I understanbd the guru is more user friendly (a dial instead of using a web-browser or keypad entry)

As long as the GF hog-cooker is not scrapped before I can afford one I will be happy.
_________________
Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!

Oswego · Posted: Jun 29 2007 Post subject:

So, what's the deal with the removable charcoal chute that I have heard about on the elites? What benefit could that possibly have?

Stump has built it so later the heat source could be gas, pellets etc.
The company that owns The Viking Stores ,bought into Stumps and a lot of their customers use gas so the same unit could be in the future be shipped with gas firebox or maybe some other heat source.
The main part of the Smoker would stay the same just with different firebox.
_________________
Walt
PORK AVENUE BBQ
In the South We listen slow also

topshelf · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

To the best of my knowledge, no changes have been made to the "old" GF Hog Cookers. In fact this series will be known as the Platnum (sp) Series and will have some additional models. The Gf Hog Cooker that many of you have seen will continue to be produced as well as some smaller, identical, models. The current model is 6 feet wide but there are plans to add a 5ft and a 4ft model. Sorry, but I dont know pricing on these models.
_________________
Mike
Viking Cooking Team
Stumps Dealer
GF Hog Cooker
GF 222cm

Big Tom · Posted: Jun 29 2007 Post subject:

Oswego, Topshelf, and I are all Stump's dealers and are working with the same information source - Stump. He also posted on the Stump's forum to help with some understanding about the new Elite line of smokers and other future activities for Stump's

http://stumpssmokers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1903

Price wise they are more expensive than the retail of the original GF223 ($2200) but to take that base price and add in the options of 4-wheel running gear, tie down d-rings, Guru temperature controller and stainless steel cooking racks those options would take the GF223 above the $2695 of the new Elite 6; and you still get more cooking area (more and larger racks)

Based on my personal observations this is still more smoker (capacity) than an FEC100 that has a retail of ~$3300

The horizontal GF smokers which includes the flagship GF hog cooker will be sold/marketed as the Platinum series like Topshelf says. They will be available in widths from 6' down to 3' with all other elements being proportional. The retail pricing for this line of cookers has not been released yet.

Presently all the Elite models will be only available with a BBQ Guru controller, not certain of the offerings on the Platinum models.
_________________
Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

swinebuck · Posted: Jun 29 2007 Post subject:

If price is a factor on the new Elite consider this: My GF223 has 13.8 square feet of cooking space. When the new Elite four shelf is introduced it should have 15.33 square feet of cooking space. The price will be lower than the Elite 6 and you can cook more food than the GF223. The only problem is the four shelf model as yet does not have a production date.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
Mike
Swinebuck
_________________
Too Sauced To Pork
Stumps GF-223 with Digi Q II & SW-223 Offset and six more
http://www.toosaucedtopork.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Too-Sauced-To-Pork/337985995846?ref=mf#

topshelf · Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

I learn stuff on this forum everyday! Now I know how to spell "platinum".
Still cant pronounce it.....but I can spell it!

Thanks Tom
_________________
Mike
Viking Cooking Team
Stumps Dealer
GF Hog Cooker
GF 222cm

BillyQ · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Posts: 84

I also read on the Stump's site today that he is planning on making a backyard/tailgating smoker for $1200. That will be very interesting to see.