KBQ vs. Lone Star Grillz Offset

[jeffdavidson]

Has anyone also owned a Lone Star Grillz Offset Smoker? I found a Like New 20” x 36” Offset at 50% off MSRP but wondering how it compares to the KBQ C-60? Hoping to find someone who has owned both for a comparison.

[Donw]

I’m tagging kenrobin and Redwng who both own one. My impression is that they are quite satisfied with this smoker.

[kenrobin]

Thanks Donw, I'm very happy with mine. I wouldn't have bought one if not from the great advice from right here!

[Redwng]

I am also very happy with mine, I also have the LSG 20X36 pellet grill and very happy with this one too.

[jeffdavidson]

I’m tagging kenrobin and Redwng who both own one. My impression is that they are quite satisfied with this smoker.

Thanks! I’m hoping I can find someone who has owned BOTH to provide a comparison. 🤞🏻

[58limited]

I don't have a Lone Star but I have a KBQ and an Oklahoma Joe offset. Lone Stars are very well built, at 50% off I'd assume that to be a great deal. The KBQ has more precise temperature control whereas the offset is dependent on the amount of wood and the vent positions - it takes a bit of practice. Both have to be fed wood periodically so you can't leave them for long.

The KBQ will self clean the smoke so you can make good BBQ without much experience or effort. Once the coals/ fire are stable an offset will produce clean smoke too but can billow white smoke if the fire starts to starve for oxygen. My offset does this sometimes if I take too long to check and adjust the meat: leaving the grill open will let more air flow into the firebox and when you finally close the grill the fire chokes down and may produce white smoke until it stabilizes. This is not really a problem for a short time period but can impart bitterness if it goes on too long - especially early in the cook when the meat is cold and wet and taking on the most smoke.

With the fans to circulate heat and smoke the KBQ is like a convection oven: cooks may take less time than on the offset.

I use both smokers quite a bit but I tend to use the offset more for long cooks such as brisket since I don't have to cut my firewood. The KBQ uses smaller pieces of wood - about the size of a Red Bull can - so I have to cut and split my firewood. For a brisket cook I would have to cut a lot of wood for the KBQ so I find that I use it more for ribs, chicken, chuck roasts, and bacon. I smoked a 21 lb. Thanksgiving turkey in the KBQ one year and it turned out great! You can cold smoke on the KBQ in the winter too (although I guess you can on an offset as well). I use a maze type sawdust smoke generator for this.

I like both smokers and I'm glad I have both of them. Hope this helps a little.

[Sid P]

I would grab that LSG while you can. You won’t have any problem selling it you decide it’s not for you.

[CaptainMike]

This is good advice.

[Uncle Bob]

There's a lot to understand in David's ( 58limited ) comments above. I'd add that the KBQ has a smaller footprint as well as lighter weight to manage if those are concerns.

Sid P makes a good point if your market area resembles mine. Here in Central Texas the LSG offsets are revered enough that every lightly used one I've seen available over the past couple years has sold for 80-90% of new pricing...........I suspect the buyers have placed value on getting the unit immediately rather than a few month wait to get it from LSG direct. That said, it looks like the wait time has shrunk recently so that might be less of a motivation currently.

[TripleB]

I agree with 58limited above on his points. I own a Jambo offset, which is not that much different than a LSG, and a KBQ, so here are a few more comparison points between them:

1. Smoke flavor (Jambo > KBQ). I get a better smoke flavor on my meat from the Jambo.
2. Ease of operation (KBQ > Jambo). Dump in a chimney of lump charcoal and throw in a couple of small splits and the KBQ is ready to go. Just dial in the temp range and start smoking. With my Jambo I had to learn how to use it, control the fire and find the smoking sweet spot. The Jambo is around 280 degrees. Don't know what the LSG sweet spot is. No Sweet spot on the KBQ because it has a control box.
3. Tending to the fire (KBQ > Jambo). On the KBQ the firebox is on the outside and you can monitor the fire very easily. The control box on the KBQ is monitoring the temp range. On the Jambo, I need to watch the temp gauge and you can't leave it alone for more than 10 minutes.
4. Retaining your smell and taste (KBQ > Jambo). If you don't know this, you will learn. Nothing kills your sense of smell and taste faster than a face full of smoke. With my Jambo, when I tend to the fire I have to open the firebox door and invariably get smoke in the face. Can't get around it unless your wearing a full face respirator (I've done this). With the KBQ, again the firebox is outside the cooking chamber and I don't have to get my face into the fire. Also, with a control kill switch, when I open the KBQ cooking chamber door the fans are off. Again, no face full of smoke.
5. Safety (Jambo > KBQ). KBQ operates electrically, so obviously you have electrical safety to contend with. The other thing is the KBQ is stainless steel and not all the edges are rounded off. Cleaning my KBQ I sliced my finger pretty good on an edge that was very sharp. No such issues with the Jambo.
6. Cleanup (KBQ > Jambo). The KBQ is smaller and pretty easy to clean.
7. Foot print (KBQ > Jambo). The KBQ has a smaller footprint as mentioned above. The KBQ looks like a trash compactor. The Jambo is 600 lbs and 5 feet long.
8. Capacity (Jambo > KBQ). I can get a lot into my KBQ. 8 rack of ribs would not be an issue. Though I could probably double that in my Jambo. I smoked four 23 lb turkeys for Thanksgiving in my Jambo and they fit easily. Could never have done that in my KBQ.

I'm glad I have both. I use my KBQ more than my Jambo because the amount of food dictates which smoker I use. If I had to give up one of them, it would be the Jambo. The KBQ is as close as it comes to the despicable pellet smoker in ease of use.

[klflowers]

Despicable pellet smoker??? How dare you sir!

[DaveD]

I know, right?! You can't say "despicable" unless you pronounce it in the style of Daffy Duck.

[jeffdavidson]

Such excellent advice…thanks everyone!

[Spinaker]

This would be a great problem to have.

As a KBQ owner, I could not be happier with it. That being said, if I could get a LSG for 50% off, I'd be all over it. Either way, I feel like you could re-sell it for more.

[Uncle Bob]

There's a 24 x 60 double door near me right now at roughly 50% off, bring a trailer..............

[jeffdavidson]

I decided to pass (I am 500 miles away) so if anyone else is interested the smoker is a Like New Lone Star Grillz 20” x 36” Offset Smoker located in Amarillo, Texas. It’s loaded with basically every option so prices out at $3,100. I had negotiated to buy it for $1,800. The price included a custom rolling firewood rack. The seller also has a 20” LSG Fire Management Basket + ash rake + poker available for an additional $150. If anyone is interested and can pick it up in Amarillo, please send me a PM. I’d like to help the seller find a buyer since I won’t be able to compete the transaction.

[barelfly]

Amarillo! Dang it! That is to close to me!

[Uncle Bob]

Interesting he had it made with the firebox to the left rather than the standard right. If it weren't 500 miles away I could be into that. The only thing of no value in my mind is the propane assist.

[kenrobin]

I own a LSG 20x42 and I'm very happy with it. It's my first offset and if I were close to Amarillo, I'd snag that 20x36 at that price! I've noticed that LSG's prices have gone up considerably since I bought mine, likely due to the rise in steel prices.

I can't speak to how it compares to a KBQ but from what I know about KBQ, I'd also grab one for the right price! I think you'd be happy with either one. Sounds like you're passing on the LSG so I won't go into detail about it. I think TripleB excellent comparison to his Jambo would also largely apply to the LSG.