Karubecue Jealously?

[KBARD]

About a year ago I was determined to get a quality smoker.
Well I had seen the Karubecue online and here... and was overwhelmed by the price.
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I ended up buying an offset because it was less expensive (a good one 3/8" steel)
This was from All Seasons Feeders (sold by local Grocery Store HEB and other locations)
While I am not completely disappointed in this offset... there are several mods I had to make.
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Now today, I was planning tending the fire and watching The Masters
But old man winter snuck in and brought the temps down to 40deg
Now tending the fire has become even more of a problem to keep the temps in this weather.
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So I get on this site and start reading everyone's posts and now believe I should have paid the extra $$$
Though I do not have the cash.. the Karubecue is definitely going to be something I will put some savings for.
I will sell my All-Seasons and my WSM that I have.. hopefully this will give me some $$ to offset the cost next yr.
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I will still keep my trusty Weber grill and my Char-Grill Kamado.. as I like the tasks I use those for.
However.. I really like the Smokey flavor .. and so does my wife so it is a win-win for us.
We are empty nesters so being able to make good food, especially smoky meats gives me immeasurable pleasure.

[Nate]

Seems to be a lot of folks selling theirs. Maybe you can find a deal. Even been some posts here if folks unloading theirs.

[KBARD]

If there is someone out there that "needs" to part with their KBQ let me know.
I have been checking Craigslist at times to see if I can catch someone needing to part with it.
Otherwise... I will be setting aside a special envelope for it.. for a purchase next year.

[Spinaker]

The KBQ offers a lot of advantages.
It holds a lot of meat for the foot print. (60 lbs.) It is about the size of a filing cabinet and can be stored just about anywhere. Unlike the much larger and heavier offsets. The KBQ is also portable. I take mine all over and I am able to bring great food to many different places, while cooking on site. There is only a small learning curve to get great results. Let's face it, not everyone wants to take the time and energy to learn how to run a traditional stick burner the way you need to in order to get great results.. The KBQ makes this possible. This has been the mission along. You don't have to spend hours and hours training yourself on how to build a great fire.

Alas, some like to give the KBQ a hard time because it uses electricity. Don't listen to them. Get what you think will work for you.Honestly, I can't remember that last time I smoked somewhere, and power was not readily available. The fact is, it makes great food, better than any of my other cookers. Most people that "are selling theirs" are doing so because they are moving to a place that either won't allow stick burners or they don't want to have to tend a fire every 20-30 mins. They are not selling them because the KBQ is of poor quality or because they don't produce results or have faulty electronics. The build quality and service that Bill Karu offers his customers is world-class. The smoker is built like a tank. In the 3 years and over 100 cooks, I have not had any issues with my KBQ, at all, ZERO. Personally, I would save up and get the smoker that works for you, and I hope it is a KBQ. If it is, you will be in for some great times and even better Que! Let us know what you come up with.

[hogdog6]

We love pics so make sure and post your delicious KBQ cooks. Livermoron

[SmokinTexas]

I would only recommend a KBQ if you want to taste the best smoked meat ever. We've had ours over a year and it's unbelievable the smoke flavor this "magic box" produces. It's very well built all around.

[Spinaker]

You have seen the KBQ light! @SmoingTexas

[FireMan]

Dang, Spinaker, everything was going fine with your post, MCS under control, yeah all very interesting, then, you had to use the word Alas! Thunder started rumbling, then an occasional burst of lighting, then the earth moved and the lava, the MCS juices started flowing. Thanks a lot, maybe. 🔥 🚀 🌒

[HouseHomey]

FireMan Apparently there should be a lot of inventory to pick up for cheap. Makes me think I need one of them. I think we paid the light bill this month so it should work. I'm not sure how I would feel about paying the cost for the extra attention/customer service though.

[lostclusters]

I own a KBQ AND live in a relatively close quarters HOA +55 housing area. I have operated it for about a year now. There is a mod I use so my down wind neighbors do not get the full dose of smoke. I have had no complaints so far and I believe that my HOA does not even know about it. Why? I make extra when I fire up and deliver to the folks around my house. I believe my neighbors actually look forward to this when they see me setting up. I read about this tactic somewhere and it has enabled me to continue operation where most would have be forced to sell. I believe this information was as valuable as that which I gleaned from these forums and the book.

[EdF]

A wise man indeed!

[KBARD]

lostclusters I also live in an HOA close proximity, however I have concern the KBQ having that exposed firebox where the sparks could get blown around some.... do you have some kind of "mod" which would keep the sparks from getting blown? I have a large covered patio but it is exposed to wind.

[lostclusters]

KBARD The worse I have had spark wise is sometimes small coals fall out of the fire box on to the cook box. No mod needed IMHO. Your patio should be fine. Mine is about 4 x 17.

[Livermoron]

Just put mine together. I had more help than I really needed...

[EdF]

I bought a recumbent trike once. It was a Catrike brand. You can guess what was in the seat taking a nap while I assembled it!

[Spinaker]

Very Nice! Looks like you have a Pitmaster in training there!

[HouseHomey]

You don't need that plastic part or bag. I'll take that's, thank you!!

[EdF]

Well, it was like this.

[ComfortablyNumb]

With 'Catrike' printed on the seat, you can't blame him/her for thinking it was for him/her!

[EdF]

Of course! "This is my nest"!

[jt0940]

Well, if it's any help, I'll share my story. I looked at a KBQ a long time ago, and was very interested. But my passion is wood grilling. I love smoking meat too, and I always wanted an offset stick burner, to try and cook like the pros do. Then about a year ago, I found something that accomplishes both. Of course, it came with a hefty price tag.

I just forked over a LOT of money for my Engelbrecht Braten. Money that I stressed about for at least six months before finally pulling the trigger one night, on an absolute whim. (I ordered it on my cell phone. I had put the grill and cover in the "checkout basket" so many times on the website, I lost count. On my phone, I was able to check out through Apple Pay in about two seconds, so I didn't have to go the extra step of consciously entering my card number.)

Then I stressed out. For the entire 6 days before it arrived, and then for about 5 more before I got it situated on the back patio.

And I have never once stressed about it since. It has brought me incredible joy. I don't have one ounce of buyer's remorse. It's everything I hoped it would be, and more. Which, I'm certain the KBQ would be for you. It's only money. 10 years down the road when you're smoking 5 competition worthy racks of ribs on a Saturday, you'll laugh at the fact that you even gave it any thought. I'd recommend picking it up the moment it even looks remotely possible.

Good luck!

[Huskee]

Well said.

[Huskee]

There's a tool or piece of equipment out there that suits everyone. Not every cooker checks every box for every person, that's why there's so many. Get what will make you happy. Sometimes you don't know what that is until you try a couple different things.

[HouseHomey]

That's why I eat and drink so much. It's Research. I promise.