OK, (1) uy it from KBQ or Amazon? (2) what do I really need in advance to make sure I am happy and successful on the KBQ adventure? and (3) are there some pro tips I need to know? I have about six smokers but this is too tempting.
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Answer selected by Huskee at July 9, 2025, 02:57 PM.
If it's on Amazon, it's a scam. Hold onto your wallet!
The only way to buy a KBQ is at kbq.us-
You might want to put something like "Our official website is the only authorized retailer of KBQ and KBQ Brand products. Beware of counterfeit products and scams from other websites" right on the main page of the site. Just a suggestion! I had to do that for my employer as well, when counterfeits began popping up.
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I think from what I have read (I've been interested in one of these for a long time), you really need to process your wood well. The proper size and shape makes the difference.
I think a lot of folks use something like this Black & Decker handheld mini chainsaw or lopper device?
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Well there ya go. I was only going by the recommendation, Spinaker has actually used it. Good information. And he knows about working with wood, his cutting board shows up regularly in my pics I post here! lol -
ComfortablyNumb good to know! about the "hatchet".
Last time I cut wood down I used my Dewalt reciprocating saw with a 14" pruning blade. It was much less trouble and mess (wood chips) than my chain saw, for cutting up a few pieces of wood for the offset.
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1) I bought mine from Amazon. but I was in contact with Bill. I believe he told me to order it though Amazon. (That was 10 years ago though)
2) a. Get something to cut the wood down to size. I think a circular saw works the best. That black and decker thingy that Bill recommends is cheap and clumsy. I got rid of that damn thing after the first cook or so. (Again that was 10 years ago) A hatchet or kindling cracker to split pieces into smaller sizes before cutting.
b. Get a Large hotel, stainless pan for the bottom of the KBQ for a water pan and drippings tray.
c. heat gloves to open the door and move the grates around if needed.
d. I like to use a Lodge griddle to lean against the firebox in windy conditions. This keeps the coals in, blocks the wind and makes it safer to operate.
E. Get an HD, long extension cord. That is what I did, and it has lasted me 10+ years.
3) Pro tips.......well that is the thing about the KBQ. You do not need to be a pro. Just enjoy the process of cooking and you will love it. It takes more work, so be prepared for that. If you have 6 other cookers, than you already know what it takes to manage a fire and what not.Comment
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Regarding your first question of Manufacturer or Amazon, I usually prefer to spend a little bit more, and wait a few extra days on shipping to order directly from the Manufacturer so they have me on record that I purchased this product from them as well as the date of purchase for any warranty issues.Comment
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If it's on Amazon, it's a scam. Hold onto your wallet!
The only way to buy a KBQ is at kbq.usComment
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You might want to put something like "Our official website is the only authorized retailer of KBQ and KBQ Brand products. Beware of counterfeit products and scams from other websites" right on the main page of the site. Just a suggestion! I had to do that for my employer as well, when counterfeits began popping up.
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I don't have much to add, I have the alligator lopper pictured above and I like it but I usually end up using a large Kindling Cracker and a miter/cutoff saw.Comment
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Things that make my KBQ life easier::- Good extension cord.
- On/off switch installed at the control box - see the KBQ accessories.
- Smoker Cover - see the KBQ accessories.
- Stainless hotel pans - 4" for the bottom (water and grease) and a couple of 1/2" - 1" for general use.
- Good gloves.
- A timer - Generally set for 30 minutes to remind you to tend the fire.
- Good wood (hickory or post oak) - generally try to buy firewood cut for fireplace use (16"-18"), cut it in half with a chainsaw, then split.
- Modify the door to be removable for cleaning.
- Nice chair to sit in.
- Ice chest with plenty of cold ones.
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Modify the door to be removable for cleaning. ?? And how is this done? -
Near the bottom of the door there is a rod (1/8") that creates the hinge pin. Cut the rod near the middle, this allows you to remove each half and the door. Find a sleeve that is slightly larger than the rod (I used some stainless tubing I had) and slip each end of the rod into the sleeve. To take the door off, slide the sleeve past where you cut the rod and then remove the pin from one side. Slide the sleeve off the other rod and remove it.
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I don't have a KBQ, but I see a couple of suggestions to use an electric mitre/chop saw for cutting firewood. I have done this before, but don't recommend it. There is a whole thread about this from a few years ago.Last edited by Steve R.; July 8, 2025, 10:52 AM.Comment
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I make the splits as small as 1-2 inches, then use the miter. If the pieces are small, and you cut slow, it is okay. I am not saying it is the safest thing in the world either. However, it is certainly safer than using a chainsaw to cut a tiny piece of wood. Nowadays, I usually use my circular saw because it is easier to get out of the shop. -
Thanks for the thread. I see now in reading it that it was milled lumber that broke off and shattered my blade guard on the miter saw. That leads me to caution even more strongly against cutting logs with a miter saw.Last edited by jfmorris; December 2, 2025, 11:44 PM. -
If I were not retired from my surgical practice, and needed more emergency patients, I would say use your chop saw. If I were financially stable, and didn't need the work, I'd say use an alligator lopper. 😬
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Just do it. You will be making some of the best BBQ in the world!
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I addition to all of the above you should start stock piling lots and lots of wood. The KBQ uses a lot of wood. Maybe twice as much as a traditional stick burner.
I'm not sure what you are use to as far as smoke flavor in you food is. You should be aware that the smoke profile of a KBQ is similar to a pellet cooker. By use of the upper poppet you can pull "dirty" smoke in to the cook chamber to offset the clean smoke flavor profile.
A long cook, such as a pork butt, will test your endurance. But most likely no more that a traditional stick burning smoker would.Comment
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I understand you are offering your opinion. Thus, I am offering mine. Not an argument, just an opinion.
1) I have a traditional offset (Jambo) and a KBQ. A KBQ does not use twice as much wood. Or even close to it.
2) Though you can use kiln dried wood in a KBQ, generally speaking, a KBQ uses seasoned wood. A pellet smoker only uses pellets that are kiln dried, not seasoned. Right there you get a better smoke profile in a KBQ, regardless of which poppet you pop.
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As mentioned above, the KBQ is a fantastic offset and extremely easy to use. Just make sure you keep a good coal bed and you are good to go.
1) I have a miter saw and bought the kindling cracker. I get oak splits from a neighbor. I split the wood then cut in half with the miter. Easy peasy.
2) Good, HD extension cord.
3) Get the kill switch in the KBQ accessories. Otherwise, you will get a face full of smoke when you open the door to check, spritze the meat. Not only is a face full of smoke unpleasant, but it also impacts your taste buds.
4) Get the large stainless steel hotel pan for the bottom.
5) Cover is good if stored outside in the elements. If kept in the garage or under an enclosure, not needed.
6) Buy some extra shelves if you think you might cook for a large group (4 shelves that it comes with will hold 8 racks).
7) Buy an extra controller. For me, I know the day will come when the controller will quit right in the middle of a big cook. I like to be prepared. Like having an extra propane tank on hand for your gasser.Comment
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Spinaker $295. Bought it back in January 2024. I have not had a problem with my original controller either, but like I said, just want to be prepared. Who knows, maybe he quits, goes out of business, etc. I wish I had bought extra accessories for my PK360 that you can't get anymore.
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I’m about to cut up my first cord of wood for the KBQ and struggling on the saw selection. I don’t trust the miter approach given what others have reviewed and my general notoriously high risk tolerance with power tools.
bummed that we still don’t seem to have a clear consensus option on what works best. Maybe the alligator saw is the best play here.
id say this is the worst part about owning a KBQ though, which all things considered, is pretty high praise lolComment
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A cord of wood for the KBQ is a lot of cooked meat. I typically use about 3 - 5 gallon buckets of sized splits to run 10-12 hours. As for processing the wood, I buy standard cut wood (16-18"). I initially tried splitting the full length logs and then cut the splits in half with a miter saw - the saw violently grabbed the split and scared the hell out of me. Took a chain saw and cut the logs in half (8-9" long) and then split the them - more controlled and much safer. -
Yep. I advise against the miter saw. I did that and it shattered the blade guard on the Ryobi miter saw when a chunk of a log broke off and flew into it. Better that than my face of course!
If you own a reciprocating saw, that is another option. I used my Dewalt corded reciprocating saw with a 14" pruning blade to cut wood before - much less mess than the chainsaw.
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Not much I can add except that I second or third the advice of a Kindling Cracker. Get the XL you will use its size and wish you had if you don't. And get a short handled 4-lb sledge to use with it.Comment
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