Adding to my equipment

[racertrader]

I've been considering adding another type of smoker to my backyard (can't have too many tools!). I was thinking about an offset smoker and worried about the learning curve with managing the fire. Then I thought of getting a pellet smoker for the convenience and ease of use, but read about various build quality issues with my choices. Now I'm considering a BGE (or some variant). Rather than have an expensive regret, I thought I would ask some experts about their thoughts. Fire away (pun intended) . I know the smart answer is stick to the PBC, but no one has ever accused me.... Maybe the money is burning a hole in my cooker.

[fzxdoc]

What smokers do you have? I'm guessing a PBC and that's it?

For the money, the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill is the perfect addition for someone who has a barrel cooker only. Since the Weber Summit Charcoal cooks so well both in kettle and kamado modes, is lighter weight than ceramic kamados, is well-insulated, has a port for an Automatic Temp Control device like a Fireboard/Pit Viper combo, for instance, cooks at rock-solid temps, has an SnS sized just for it available, there's no reason not to go the kettle plus kamado in one cooker route, IMO.

Look at the Babyback Maniac video comparing the various kamado cookers and give it a think.

Kathryn

[racertrader]

Hi Kathyrn...check on the PBC, and I have a Weber kettle. I feel I'm getting seduced by those YouTube videos of stick burners (so effortless) :-)

[Old Glory]

+100 love my WSCG!

[smokenoob]

an old leaky 911 would be a nice smoker! Use the heater and you will have that Ode’to Kendall 😁

[racertrader]

lol...well, my 911 isn't too leaky, but the A/C is suspect :-)

[RiverJeff]

Learning curve will as you know be with any new unit, any of the units that have man made electronics on board can have issues some time or the other, finishes at sometime will be issues, like for the best listed customer services providers and how the issues are handle not just the negative sides. Best of luck, and get that new unit bought!

[Old Glory]

Posted above about the WSCG. I also have a Shirley Cooker offset. Love that thing. Very easy to use.

[Bob K]

Not to confuse things but you have 2 cookers that can grill or smoke already. How about a griddle? Hard to regret those.

[racertrader]

good point Bob...fortunately I don't NEED to get something new ;-), but boy would it be fun. You should see my tool box :-)

[BFlynn]

I love my PBC. I added an SnS kettle. I use it more often bc I mostly do smaller cooks. But I still love the PBC the most.

I also have a Broil King gasser.

[wingnut128]

FWIW, I have a Grilla Kong, a PBC and a Weber SmokeFire EX6. The Kong is nice but if I had to do it all over again I think I’d do the WSCG (the kettle/kamado mix would be nice). The pellet smoker is finicky with pellets (I’ve figured out which ones to use now), and a terrible mess to clean (get your long gloves out and prepare to get dirty), and still doesn’t provide that great charcoal flavor (IMHO). But, I’ve cooked a lot on the EX6 (I’m lazy - and then dread the cleaning lol) and the PBC is a favorite for ribs and whole chickens and prime rib when I do that. I do not cook so much on the Kamado (I blame my lack of skill for not using the kamado as often). I cooked a lot on a Weber kettle for years and I kind of miss it. Maybe it’s time to sell the pellet smoker and the kamado 🤔 I would listen to the other folks here who are far more knowledgeable than I though 🙂

Oh, and yeah, darn heavy to move the kamado. But, will run a very long cook if you adjust it right (and get the right fuel), and will melt your face off when you throw the vents open …

[STEbbq]

Sounds like you have made the decision already.
Sell the kamado and Kong for a new WSCG!

[Uncle Bob]

Not sure I understand what your problem is. Just get one (at least) of each and enjoy the ride...................

[HawkerXP]

+1

[racertrader]

lol...an excellent idea :-)

[Duanessmokedmeats]

How about an Oklahoma Joe off-set or the Char-Griller offset. They both use charcoal to smoke. So you would have the same fuel.

[jfmorris]

racertrader you've already got some great advice, and if you are coming off a PBC, Kathryn fzxdoc is the one to listen for sure! But, I'll toss my hat (and advice) into the ring as well...

I was window shopping pellet smokers for several years after I joined the Pit, until I won the monthly giveaway in January 2021, and had to actually make a decision. There were several nice pellet smokers in the Giveaway at that time, including one I had been eyeing - the Grilla Silverbak. However, ultimately, I decided that any pellet smoker, with its electric circuit boards, blowers, switches, etc, WILL fail eventually, so I took those out of the running. Then I was looking at a few charcoal and/or stick burgers that were in the giveaway at that time, and ultimately, chose the SNSGrills Deluxe Kamado, and haven't regretted it for a moment.

I've got a very old offset smoker, something my father had his welders build up and giveaway as customer appreciation gifts back in the early to mid 80's - mine is made from 304 stainless, and keeps going and going. I've got a Weber Performer (kettle with a cart basically), a Weber Genesis, and a Camp Chef flat top, along with the SNS kamado. Always thought of adding a PBC as well, but just can't justify it when I have 3 things I can smoke on already - offset, kamado and kettle.

I find that between the kettle and kamado, I *rarely* smoke on the offset anymore, unless I just need the room, like on a recent smoke of 8 racks of baby back ribs. It was down to both kettle and kamado, or fire up the offset, so offset it was. And I like sleep too much to do overnight smokes on the offset anymore - I can remember many years where I could sit up with the dog and some beer, and have an alarm reminding me to feed the fire every 30 minutes or so for a big batch of Boston butts or such. But now, with the kettle and kamado able to go HANDS OFF for 8 to 12 hours (kettle) and 18 to 24 hours (kamado), those sleepless nights are behind me...

Of the kettle and kamado, I find myself using the kettle mostly for grilling or using the Vortex these days for chicken, and using the kamado for most of my smoking or high heat indirect things like pizza.

I think that with your PBC and kettle experience, a kamado of some sort would be a nice addition. I recently saw a Kamado Joe "Big Joe" at Lowe's on display for something like $1100 - normally $1999. I love the size - 24" cooking grates (2 levels) I think, and much more space than my 22" SNS Kamado. It was a really good buy I think for what you got.

Another way to go is to watch Facebook Marketplace. My son in law got an 18" kamado for $200 last year, which had been used MAYBE 2-3 times after someone bought it during 2020. I see a lot of used kamados on FB for much lower prices than new. His is a Vision (kinda cheap brand sold at Home Depot), but he got it for about 1/4 of the new price.

[Alan Brice]

racertrader IMHO decide what you really want and just be patient. Especially this time of year. A little over two years ago I had a Broil Mate gasser cannibalizing itself. I got myself a PBC as an end of year present. Then I bought a Weber kettle to commemorate Bonesy's passing. A great deal on a SS gasser w/Roti became avail so I bit. Then a guy contacts AR to sell his SnSK. I wanted it soo badly. Wifey said No! A week later he contacts me n says he is getting nothing not even a nibble. Offers it to me at a crazy low price. I grovel and SWMBO says yes. A couple of months later I am the Third pick for the number two in the "Great Giveaway"! Stick burner on the way, also someone set a brand new 18" kettle in the box out by the curb. It is embarrassing but I have amassed six new smokers and doing better than I deserve. Keep yer eyes n ears open. It is out there. This forum is a great place to start!

[STEbbq]

Can I like stand real close to you and hope some of that luck rubs off on me?

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Seriously consider an offset...there are some really good options at various price points.

I had an Okie Joe for over 10 years and produced some really good BBQ...that would be at the low end of cost

I have a pellet (rarely use it), Santa Maria (Love it- but if you have a kettle you can just go for the insert)
Gasser (rarely use it) ...upgraded myokie joe last year for a full sized off set and super happy with my decision

[rlozinak]

I have a pellet pooper (LSG) and love it. It is my second pellet pooper. Started with a traeger. Basically you set and forget it.