Newbie To the offset smokers

[Jimmy Lee]

Hi, I’m new to the forum. I’m looking to take my outdoor cooking to the next level and found this site. I’ve always grilled and have done a little bit of smoking on an electric smoker and a bit on my Weber. I was looking into stepping up to an offset. I want something that can grill and sear on also. I want American made quality. I’m kinda getting sticker shock. I know steel prices and everything else is going up but I’ll invest if it’ll last me a lifetime. I’ve looked at a few in person like Yoder, Outlaw, Anchor, and OKJ. I’ve been doing a lot of searching the web and I can’t believe how many are out there. The ones I’m most intrigued by is LSG, Workhorse, Outlaw patio, Shirley, and 1904 pits. To name a few. I would probably be grilling on about 50% of the time. I smoke a lot of chicken and like to sear it after the smoke so the firebox grill would be nice. I don’t need anything too big. Mainly cooking for 4-6 and sometimes extended family of 11.

I can find a lot of info and YouTube videos on most of these. I’m intrigued by the 1904 pits Forsyth but can find any reviews or opinions anywhere. If anyone has any info on those or experience with any I may have missed I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks
Jim

[barelfly]

Welcome from the Land of Enchantment!

[Rob whatever]

Check out the M1 or the M36 from MGrills. I have the M36 and it allows for direct heat searing and grilling as well as reverse flow smoking. Just my two cents.

rob

[Clawbear57]

Welcome to the pit. From Winston Salem, NC.

[LA Pork Butt]

Welcome to the Pit from Dallas, Texas!

[Panhead John]

Hi Jimmy Lee and welcome to The Pit! Boy, that’s a heckuva first post! You’ll get lots of help and suggestions here, one of our favorites is actually recommendations for offset smokers….The ones you’re intrigued by shows you’ve done your homework. We have several members here who have LSG smokers and some with a Shirley, both are excellent cookers. I’m sure there’ll be many helpful suggestions for you in the next day or so.. Glad to have you with us.

[DavidNorcross]

Welcome from Virginia!

[Smoke n Beers]

Welcome to the Pit from upstate NY. You've certainly come to the right place to get answers to your questions. Get comfortable and enjoy the ride.

[Purc]

Welcome to The Pit from Texas.

[Skip]

Welcome from southern Minnesota. I have a LSG Adjustable...not an offset but plenty of ways to go direct and indirect with the heat.

[RiverJeff]

Welcome from Nebraska! Your voyage through smokers has just begun hold on it's going to be a very smooth ride.

[Jimmy Lee]

Thanks everyone. I’m in Watertown Minnesota waiting for spring to show up. Grill/smoked a couple chickens on a nice day we had a week ago but chance of snow again tonight(why do I live here?). Shipping these things is expensive so if anyone knows of something closer to or in MN would be great.

[Murdy]

Bass Pro Shops carries some Horizon smokers. You might be able to save yourself some shipping if you can get one home from there.

And welcome to the Pit!

[Alan Brice]

Welcome fr Cincy Ohio! One day I will have a stick burner.

[Finster]

Welcome from the First State!
best of luck in the quest for your dream smoker.
if there is any place where the info you seek can be found, this is it..

[JLR]

Welcome from Texas!
I know exactly what you mean by sticker shock. You might check Craigslist for your area. Occasionally excellent smokers show up.