Hi, my name is Darrell. I'm an OTR truck driver for over 25 years. During my off time I love doing backyard cooks. I have a 48" Lang Deluxe smoker, Rec-Tec pellet smoker,1 Weber Genesis 330, 1 Weber Performer (blue), 2 Weber kettles (1 black and 1 Copper), 1 26" Weber kettle, a WSM, 8 Maverick Redi Chek thermometers, a PartyQ, 2 SnS, Grill Grates, Cast Iron grates, 1 ThermoPop (orange) and 2 ThermoPens (pink and orange) and planning on adding more cooking accessories. Now I have an Anova sous vide, the Dragon blower and 2 Chef alarms from Thermoworks.
NAHUNTA | Twenty-eight years ago, Ben Lang converted an old propane tank into the first of his smokers.
Things have changed and now Lang rolls his own steel to custom-build five or six models of si…
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
******************************************** Grills/Smokers/Fryers Big Green Egg (Large) X3
Blackstone 36" Outdoor Griddle 4-Burner
Burch Barrel V-1 Karubeque C-60 Kamado Joe Jr. (Black) Lodge L410 Hibachi Pit Barrel Cooker Pit Barrel Cooker 2.0
Pit Barrel PBX
R&V Works FF2-R-ST 4-Gallon Fryer *******************************************. Thermometers
FireBoard (Base Package)
Thermoworks ThermaPen (Red)
Thermoworks MK4 (Orange)
********************************* Accessories Big Green Egg Plate Setter
Benzomatic TS800 High Temp Torch X 2 Bayou Classic 44 qt Stainless Stock Pot
Bayou Classic 35K BTU Burner Eggspander Kit X2 Finex Cat Iron Line FireBoard Drive Lots and Lots of Griswold Cast Iron Grill Grates Joule Water Circulator
KBQ Fire Grate Kick Ash Basket (KAB) X4 Lots of Lodge Cast Iron Husky 6 Drawer BBQ Equipment Cabinet Large Vortex Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum Marquette Castings No. 13 (First Run) Smithey No. 12 Smokeware Chimney Cap X 3 Stargazer No.10, 12 ******************************** Fuel FOGO Priemium Lump Charcoal Kingsford Blue and White B&B Charcoal Apple, Cherry & Oak Log splits for the C-60 ************************************************* Cutlery Buck 119 Special
Cuda 7' Fillet Knife Dexter 12" Brisket Sword Global Shun Wusthof ********** Next Major Purchase Lone Star Grillz 24 X 48 Offset
Good article. I couldn't be happier with my current stick burners from California Custom Smokers. However, before I bought the first I looked all over: Lang, Yoder, Pitmaker, Arizona BBQ Outfitters, Klose, just to name a few. My old COS' cooked fine but all had burned out fireboxes time and time again. I figured I didn't want to spend another few hundred dollars on something that would take 6 months to learn for a two-three year lifespan. Shipping costs from the noted custom BBQ's looked to be prohibitive. The article implies that if you do your homework you can figure a way to get a Lang or other regional brand as part of a "bulk" shipment to you. That's something I never thought of and never asked when I was doing my search. Good find, DWCowles.
I live near Visalia, California, and came across CCS' website. I'd love to hear more about your experience with them. I'm ready to upgrade, but would like to get something local and pick it up, rather than pay $100+ for shipping. I'm also looking at KAT BBQ Smokers in Modesto.
rhequiem - I've seen the KAT smokers online - they look legit. I have 2 smokers from California Custom Smokers. I love them. Mike Bulen is the owner. Call him at the number on the website and tell him that Ted Weber recommended him. Whatever it is you are looking for he can make. Since you live near Visalia, he will deliver to you. My first unit was the ICU It is a three shelf upright unit. I can fit seven rack of ribs (tightly fit) on each rack. The firebox is underneath and he makes water pans that you can fit on it. There is also a separate grate where the water pan goes for grilling. My second unit we designed together. It is an upright that has the water pan that goes directly above the firebox, sealing it off. The smoke comes in via a heat transfer/diverter box in the back with a built in gasket. The heat and smoke come up from the back and hit a transfer plate. The transfer plate is removable and sits on the bottom rack in case I want to use it as a three rack dry upright. My wife bought me the Fireboard thermometer for Christmas. With it I found what I already suspected - there is only a 2 degree difference in temperature between the racks in the upright when I get to temp. He builds very large units for folks as well as smaller ones. He builds uprights as well as traditional offsets. Go to his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CCSmokers/ for nice photos of his builds. His Instagram page also has good photos: https://www.instagram.com/mikebulen/ My unit is the Mini ICU - top of the Instagram page, as well as the ICU which he has on his main website. The nice thing about him is that if you have something you want specifically he will tell you what he thinks of the idea and if it's feasible, he will make it. Hit me up with any questions you have - I am a very happy customer.
Good article. I couldn't be happier with my current stick burners from California Custom Smokers. However, before I bought the first I looked all over: Lang, Yoder, Pitmaker, Arizona BBQ Outfitters, Klose, just to name a few. My old COS' cooked fine but all had burned out fireboxes time and time again. I figured I didn't want to spend another few hundred dollars on something that would take 6 months to learn for a two-three year lifespan. Shipping costs from the noted custom BBQ's looked to be prohibitive. The article implies that if you do your homework you can figure a way to get a Lang or other regional brand as part of a "bulk" shipment to you. That's something I never thought of and never asked when I was doing my search. Good find, DWCowles.
I looked at a Kat, the guy on the phone said it was an 8 month wait. I wanna cook now, hell I could be dead in 8 months ... lol. Gonna be a Lang for me.
Cookers:
SnS Kettle with SnS Deluxe, SS & Cast iron pans, elevated grate.
Grilla OG with upper shelf and pizza stone.
Weber Genesis SA-E-330 LP INDIGO with SS Grates, Weber Crafted frame kit, baking stone, griddle (2/3), all from Ace Hardware.
Everything Else:
SnS #3 I was their first customer.
Sous Vide equipment.
Instant read and leave-in thermometers.
Grill Grates.
Kingsford Blue Bag, Weber lighter cubes, Weber charcoal chimneys.
BBQr's Delight Hickory & Apple flavor pellets, propane torch, 12" smoke tube.
Grilla apple & hickory pellets, Royal Oak charcoal pellets.
Rubs with salt: Meat Church, Meathead's.
Rubs without salt: SnS Grills Rocky's Rub and Not Just for Beef.
Rubs home-mixed: None at this time.
Spices: Lots of 'em.
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