Cool new toy from Hasty Bake

[Meathead]

They have a powder-coated smoker with a lot of excellence designe features:

https://www.hastybake.com/collections/roughneck-smoker-and-accessories/products/black-powder-coated-roughneck-barrel-smoker-two-options-available

[Uncle Bob]

Get one to test drive. I'd like to see if your outcome experience is the same or different from mine.

[Jerod Broussard]

What's the difference between coals and grate?

[Uncle Bob]

@Jerod Broussard, presumably you're asking about the distance from the fire to the grate level? Assuming that, for the answer to be most useful to multiple people, it's a bit complex. If you get the optional second level grate, which is lower in the body than the original supplied with the basic unit, there will be two dimensions. Further, that dimension will vary based on fuel type and arrangement, so I've measured for you from the bottom of the fuel basket. If someone uses a single layer of briquets that dimension will be about 1.5 inches less, with lump and it's odd shapes maybe 3", and of course if the fuel is stacked for longer cooks that will lessen the distance even more, at least early on. From the bottom of the fuel basket to the main (top) grate it is 26.5", and to the lower add on grate it's 20". Wood splits would be even less, again, for awhile.

If you're contemplating doing direct fire cooking the lower grate option would probably be best. That would require reaching down into the cooker for turning or other maneuvering, fussier but not onerous.

Looking at their pics it appears they've changed the design of the removable diffuser, not sure how meaningful that is. Someday someone might get an answer from them on that.

[Jerod Broussard]

Thanks!!! I like direct but with 2ft-ish of distance. Not searing, but still grilling. Works better with bacon wrapped and marinated.

[Max Good]

Barrels are Rib Machines and Roughneck sure hangs a lot of them. Uncle Bob, I made an inquiry to HB about the diffuser. Happy Fourth.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

This is just a powder coated version of the Kent Rollins one right? They're the same price so can't obviously tell if there's any differences?

[Uncle Bob]

Two things look different in the series of pictures I've seen; the fuel access door is double paneled and the heat deflector is a different configuration. The powder coated one is likely formed from mild steel (less the stainless tidbits) while the KR is formed from Corten steel.

[Max Good]

Uncle Bob and ItsAllGoneToTheDogs HB says, " We modeled this heat deflector off of our Pro-series to help maintain the integrity of the powder coating. The new design also helps promote better air flow. We also added the liners around the four sides of the base to also protect the powder coating."