Gator Pit for Sale - $3,000 (Pick-up Only in Greater Cincinnati)

[Ground Chuck]

Hi Guys!

I hate that I am doing this, but I think it is time for me to sell my Gator Pit. My wife bought it for me as a wedding gift in 2019. I've always loved barbecuing and I knew going in that a stick burner was more time-consuming, but my circumstances have changed. Since I'm still young and work full-time, my only availability to really use it is on the weekends. The Lord has been using my wife and I in many new ways the past couple of years, and that really only leaves me Saturdays to try to cook anything. So with the summer of cicadas (two years ago I think), and no time to bust it out last year, it has just been taking up garage space for the past 15 months or so. I finally wheeled her out yesterday and she still works like a dream.

If I had to guess, I've maybe used it somewhere around 20 times since I got it. A real shame I haven't got to appreciate the craftsmanship. The smoker has been kept in a garage since I've had it, and the only elements it has been exposed to was a little rain in the midst of a cook. I have a lot of correspondence with Ritch Robin that can pass along, along with the original invoice. I have it priced at $3,000 because material costs have increased in our current economy. I know the cost of the standard pit has risen about $500, and I paid extra to get it slightly bigger. Below are some of the upgrades and prices back in 2019. The other reason I chose not to depreciate the value is the labor shortage. In 2019, I was promised 90 days when I ordered in March, but did not receive it until November. I believe to have a new pit built by a reputable maker will take somewhere between 8 and 18 months (caution: I have not verified this belief). I'm offering it as soon as it can be picked up.

I've attached some pictures, from yesterday. The pit is dusty and needs a cleaning but still in excellent condition. I hate to get rid of it, but my wife wants her garage back. Any questions or feedback, please feel free to message me. Thank you guys!

[scottranda]

Looks like a really nice cooker!! They make some quality pits!

[Ground Chuck]

Thanks, man. It is very nice, just wish I had the time to use it. Maybe I can track down another Gator when I retire in about 30 years lol.

[Alan Brice]

I am in your area. Being tax time bones are hard to come by. I will get back. Def be the last cooker I would ever need.
Been trying to do the KBQ.
Love the tongs! WHOODEY!

[Ground Chuck]

I've heard great things about the KBQ! I finally got around to doing my taxes last night, I know how you feel, brother.

[Alan Brice]

Yeah....That would be a resounding NNNOOOOOOO! Had my ticker going bumpety bump! Hope you find a home for it.

[Ground Chuck]

Alright, gents, I would love some feedback. Am I priced too high? Going to ramp up my sales efforts this week hopefully. This was the first place I have listed it, but any tips/suggestions on selling a pit would be appreciated as I explore other avenues!

[Panhead John]

I don’t do Facebook, but from what I hear, Facebook marketplace is a great way to reach lots of people. I’d also put it on Craigslist…..I’ve sold a ton of stuff over the years on Craigslist, never had any problems.

[STEbbq]

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are excellent places to sell stuff. I have had good luck with FB in particular. Also, I have no idea about what these smokers go for new but I’d probably price this as a starting point for about 25% cheaper than new. It may take a few months to sell.

[drobinson]

I'm thinking that an American Legion post, VFW Post, or an AMVETS Post in your area may well be interested. If you were here in central FL I would want such a cooker for our AMVETS Post #1992. Good luck.

[Ground Chuck]

Thank you for the feedback, gents!

[Panhead John]

Ok, as you might know, we’re not shy about giving our opinions here…😂 Here’s my feedback since you asked for some.😁 I honestly think you’ll have a hard time selling it for your asking price of $3,000. According to your receipt, you paid approximately $2,191. for it new. Lone Star Grillz makes some of the best smokers on the market. According to their website a 20” x 42” offset smoker they sell is $2,395. with an advertised 8-14 week shipping time frame. I don’t know how much shipping would be. This is close to the size you have and honestly , I’d buy one of their new smokers before I’d pay 3k for a used one. I’m sure your pit is a great one too, but I feel like your asking price is pretty high, by at least $1,000. I’m only posting this to help you see what else is out there in the market, and it’s just my opinion though, please don’t take it personal.

This LSG 20x42 is $2,395.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

your point is very fair, and there are a lot of folks selling higher end BBQs right now for more than they paid for them. Some are getting the asking price and some aren't. The potential buyer techinically is still saving money IF the unit is less than the current new price AND there aren't significant upgrades on the current models... see some folks trying to get 3K for their 10 year old MAK... not gonna happen, upgrades to current cost 1K+ and a new one comes with a lifetime warranty...

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

this on the other hand, I don't suspect there are significant upgrades on a small batch stick burner year to year. The seller may not be as far off as we think, the market will decide

[Ground Chuck]

Thank you, brother. I don't take it personal at all. I asked for the feedback. I'm actually in for $2,700 with 2019 prices, but was trying to recover my shipping costs. I too was advertised 12 weeks, and it took 8 or 9 months. Basically, I feel like I'm offering a cooker at a slight discount compared to new, with the perk that someone can leave with it right now and not have their money tied up for 8 months. I will crunch the numbers and see what I come up with. Thanks, gents.

[Panhead John]

STEbbq ….Before making my post, I did check out his upgrades, the major one was an upgrade to the size of the cook chamber, from 20 x 40 to 24 x 40. The LSG is a 20 x 42, so there’s a little bit more cooking space with Ground Chuck’s pit….But, the LSG has 2 cooking grates, an upper and lower. Not sure how many his has. The only other upgrades were to 6” locking wheels and a thermometer. The LSG comes with 5” heavy duty wheels and a Tel-Tru SS thermometer. To me anyway, his upgrades would not make me change my mind. Below is the standard features of the LSG. For $175. you can upgrade the LSG to 8” heavy duty wheels that lock.

https://lonestargrillz.com/collectio...-offset-smoker

• 2 sliding/pull-out food trays framed with angle in the main chamber
• 1 17.5" x 19" sliding/pull-out food tray framed with angle in the fire box (adjustable)
• Fully flanged and gasketed doors to keep your heat inside main chamber
• Revolutionary new heat distribution system cooks top down with our “cross flow” technology. This system doesn’t need any plates or diffusers to get even grate temps
• 1 Tel-Tru stainless steel temperature gauge
• Stainless steel cool-touch handles
• 2 industrial heavy duty 5" wheels and 2 heavy duty 5" swivel wheels for easy mobility (cart models only)
• 19" x 52" lower log rack is framed in 2" x 2" x 1/8" angle can be used for your wood or anything you want
• 1 1/4" drain with steel cap
• Folding and removable 10" x 40" table
• Fire box is ready for propane log starter
• Painted with three coats of high heat paint
• Removable and Adjustable 4" smoke stack
• Total cooking area: 1610.5 sq/in.
• Weight: 515 lbs
• Bottom grate: 20.5" x 35.5"
• Top grate: 15.5" x 35.5"
• Fire box grate: 17.5" x 19"

[STEbbq]

Fair enough. 25% off 3k is $2250 which would also undercut the LSG which would still need shipping added. So, yeah, $2k to 2.25k seems like a realistic range.

[Ground Chuck]

Good to know, brother. My cooker has half grates on top and weighs about 650 lbs. I priced my pit against a new Gator versus other manufacturers. Also, Ritch threw the casters in for free if I ordered the day we were discussing, otherwise they are an extra $200.

[Panhead John]

This looks to be the smoker he has, I could be wrong, don’t know. If it IS the smoker Ground Chuck has, it’s now priced at $2,395. before his upgrades. If someone was to want his upgrades, it would bring it close to his asking price. It now comes with a thermometer without having to pay extra.

Texas 1845 Total Package Price: $2,395.00

1845, a significant date in Texas history. You want Texas BBQ?

You want an authentic Texas BBQ Pit.

Gator is made in Texas USA

The Texas 1845 has become our Most Popular Gator Model for 2020

The TEXAS 1845 is only sold as described below

Designed as an Offset Smoker and has the ability to Grill or cook directly over a coal or wood fire.

Go from Searing Steaks to Low and Slow Smoking Brisket, Pork, Chicken

Smoker is 1/4" thick wall new pipe with a 20" x 40" main cooking chamber and a full-size ¼” thick heat deflector/baffle to minimize hot spots in the main chamber. Main chamber has lower ¾” angle-framed sliding pull-out food tray. Full size removable upper half food tray. Side-access door provides easy access to the 1/4" thick charcoal grate to allow you to easily add charcoal and clean out. 2” grease drain with threaded cap. All doors have 1" flanges on all four sides for a tight seal and stainless steel cool-touch handles on all three doors. Gator’s commercial stainless steel 3"-dial easy-to-read temperature gauge is fitted to the main door and can be recalibrated, if necessary.

1/4" thick x 20" x 20" round firebox has a heavy duty angle framed removable wood grating and an adjustable air-intake vent. Stainless steel cool touch handle. Doesn’t get hot.

Full-length ¾” angle-framed all-steel front shelf. Lower log rack is framed in heavy 2" angle iron for extra strength. Will not sag under log weight. Pit is equipped with two heavy-duty large 5” rigid hard wheels and two heavy-duty 5” swivel hard wheels for mobility.

All food trays are framed in 3/4" angle. Lower easily slides in and out. Top is removable.

As described above with standard features: 72” L x 30” W x 66” H 550 plus pounds apprx.

Meat racks apprx measurements:

Lower 37” x 19.5”

Upper 8” x 39”

1033 sq inches or 7 square feet of cooking space

Cooking capacity apprx.:

4-5 whole briskets on lower rack and other meat on the top half rack

6-8 whole Pork Butts on the lower rack. May require removing the top half rack.

10-12 whole chickens at once and other meat on the top rack

8 racks of St. Luis Style ribs flat on lower rack and 2 on top rack. 10 racks total. More, if Baby Back ribs or if using a rib rack.

You can place beer can chickens along the front of the lower rack and put more meat on the back lower rack and back upper rack. Or, remove the top half meat rack and fill lower with multiple beer can chickens.

[STEbbq]

Well, he definitely did the larger cooking chamber for $500 which puts him at $2895 plus shipping presumably. But you are right that buyers may not value the upgrades and just consider stock price, which would suggest about $1800 be a realistic starting figure.

[Ground Chuck]

Hahahaha, thank you, John. You are thorough. I will take it under advisement and see what I can list it for elsewhere. In the meantime, anyone looking for a local pick-up feel free to shoot me an offer.