Oklahoma Joe Longhorn or Highlander

[lostclusters]

Any users of this out there? I am looking for thoughts from users. I am thinking of getting one. Probably a reverse flow. I know they need to be seal moded and probably need a stack mod as well.

Thoughts?

[Panhead John]

Bad Hat BBQ had one and I believe did some mods to his, maybe he can chime in…..

[glitchy]

Probably a better choice than OKJ, but not reverse flow:

https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews/smokers/char-griller-grand-champ-offset/

[STEbbq]

Beat me to it

[Panhead John]

Nice choice, forgot all about that one.

[JLR]

I was given a used OKJ Longhorn Combination, but it is not a reverse. Since mine is a combination, it is probably different than what you are looking at. However, I will say the build quality is quite good. It was built in 2017 and is still in pretty good shape. I spend last Sunday giving it a thorough cleaning and will be replacing a few minor parts that are aging. but I expect it to last indefinitely with regular cleaning and maintenance. Since the offset smoker is small, it has take some getting used to, but once I learned how to control the temperature, I can smoke some outstanding meat. The smoker does not leak at all.

However, if I was spending my own money, I wouldn’t buy a new one. A free used one is a great deal, but if you want a new one, I think there are better options available, as mentioned above. But if you find a used one at a good price, it would probably be worth it as the build quality is good and you could probably sell it again if it didn’t suit your fancy. Even though I wouldn’t buy one new, I have no interest in selling mine. It is plenty good for me.

A couple other thoughts: after using an offset, I’m not that big of a fan because they require continual temperature monitoring. I thought I would love them, and sometimes it’s relaxing to sit around and monitor the fire, but they do tie you down more than most other ways of smoking food. My offset is not my “go to” smoker for this reason.

Secondly, bigger offsets also require a lot more wood, so make sure you take that into consideration. I can get all the pecan wood I want for free, so wood has never been an issue on my end, but if you have to buy wood, that is a consideration.

One more thought, you might check Craigslist. From time to time, I’ve see some good deals on very nice offsets.

[surfdog]

Number two reason I don’t have an offset? I like smoking but not sure I want to tend a fire all day/night.

Number one reason? Wood to feed that beast. I always joke, “That stuff just doesn’t grow on trees ya know!” ;-) Where I live, that means BUYING wood. There’s a GREAT place in Orange County…but it still means buying wood and then picking it up. Or shipping it. Yikes So for now at least, an offset probably won’t be coming home anytime soon.

[jhapka]

I have a highlander and I absolutely love it. It’s a traditional forward flow not a reverse flow. Sealant in all the gaps, gaskets on both lids, latches on cooking compartment lid, baffle, and a chimney extension. There’s more room on it than I will personally ever use. I wouldn’t want it any heavier when I drag it out of my shed either.

[Alan Brice]

Proof is in the puddin! Yummm

[lostclusters]

Well, thanks for the replies thus far. I'll have to take a look at that Char-Griller.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Might be late to the party....Strong advocate for the Okie Joe Longhorn
I believe the traditional flow is very versatile, smoke, in-direct and direct grilling. I had mine for over 10 years

The only immediate upgrade would be the charcoal grates in the main chamber...get them from Horizon all accessories work well (including the tuning plate if that interests you)

Gasket and the clamps might be the most popular mods...no issues with the stack (unlike the Brazos)
I had a rack Green Mountain Grills Peak/JB Smoke Shelf - Upper Rack (smokerguru.com) to increase capacity


For me it boils down to budget and capacity....for me the highlander is too small and if you have the $$ you can always get a Yoder or LSG....but under 1k off set choices narrow down pretty quickly.

As my Okie Joe was showing signs of age I was in the fortunate position that I could pull the trigger on a custom Rig.
USED Rigs on FB Marketplace is worth scanning.....

[bmillin]

I have an OK Joe similar to Bad Hat BBQs rig. It is well made and seems to be on the the higher end of the big box store offsets. That said, I recommend you look at a Bronco. I LOVE my Bronco and may never fire up the offset again. If I need a bunch if meat cooked I can fire up the EX6 pellet pooper, but the set and forget convenience of the Bronco along with the ability to use briquets, lump or wood - hang meat or grill - it’s the best.

[Panhead John]

I love my Bronco too! Did you mean burning wood chunks added to the charcoal? The Bronco doesn’t have the ability to burn 100% wood like a stick burner does…for low and slow smoking. I mean you could, but you’d have to remove your food every time you wanted to add more wood.

[lostclusters]

Well the Char-Griller comes with 200 sq in more space, seal mods already done both cook chamber and fire box, a bigger diameter smoke stack, pull out sleeves, and it is cheaper.

Good catch glitchy! Looks like i get to benefit from your experience. I owe you one.

[glitchy]

Nothing owed, I love to help others spend money. I was thinking hard about the Grand Champ, but never found one locally to see before finding my KBQ. I think it’s built better than a OKJ is why I was interested in it.

[lostclusters]

glitchy how are you and your kbq getting along?

[58limited]

I bought a used regular flow Longhorn from a friend and I'm happy with it. It is an older model (but not the older 1/4" thick one). It has a slide out drawer under the firebox to catch the ashes and make cleaning easier, newer ones do not have this. It also has a stainless front shelf instead of an expanded metal shelf.

I have not made any mods other than using a dryer vent pipe to lower the smoke exit to grate level and a little homemade heat deflector plate from a rusty piece of thin scrap metal. Here is a thread of my second cook on it. You can see the dryer vent and the Mickey Mouse heat deflector that I made but it works. A little smoke escapes around the lid of the cooking chamber but not enough to affect temperatures or warrant sealing it better:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/log-burners/oklahoma-joe/1255415-second-cook-on-the-longhorn

Cookin' in the rain, did a good job despite fluctuating temps and the meat turned out great:

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/the-pit-mastery-program/misc-or-general-food-discusison/1286281-pellet-poopers-vs-stick-burners-smackdown-begins-judges-now-accepting-bribes?p=1287050#post1287050

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/the-pit-mastery-program/misc-or-general-food-discusison/1286281-pellet-poopers-vs-stick-burners-smackdown-begins-judges-now-accepting-bribes?p=1287917#post1287917

I bought a cover for mine since it sits outside: https://www.oklahomajoes.com/longhor...t-smoker-cover

I've been thinking of getting this rack expansion system: https://bbqsmokermods.com/oem-smoker...trolr-bbq.html