Increased cost/inflation?

[Jimmy Lee]

Not sure of the best place to post this. I’ve just recently started looking for a new smoker/grill and I’ve been racking my brain, searching, studying and trying to find the one I want. While doing this I’m finding that I should have bought one a couple years ago. I’m discovering most smokers that I’ve been looking at were about 1/2 the price they are now or close. I know inflation has been crazy but also read that steel prices have been coming back down since May last year. I understand there are lots of variables involved. Do we think smoker prices will ever come back down? My wife thinks I’m crazy to want to buy an offset smoker for $4000 and I’m starting to think she’s right. Especially when I’m still driving my 20 year old truck because I can’t justify paying over $30,000 for one that has over 100,000 miles on it.

sorry if this kinda turned into a rant. Cost of living is just getting frustrating. Something’s got to give.

Jim

[JLR]

Steel prices started going back up about a month ago. They’ve jumped 20 cents per pound in the last 4 weeks.
I have seen some excellent offset smokers on Craigslist that are pretty inexpensive so you might check there. Also, sometimes they show up at estate sales.
There are a lot of ways to smoke that are cheaper, so you might check those out. Also, check out the reviews. It seems there is an entry level offset that is around $600 that has a platinum rating. I don’t know anything about it, but it is rated high be Amazing ribs.

[STEbbq]

That would be the Chargriller.

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

[acorgihouse]

Also consider that people are buying at Memorial Day, Father's Day and July4 sales, so there may be more available in the resale market as they replace.

[STEbbq]

Offset pricing may be a bit more sticky especially when you consider that labor costs have not declined. M1 Grills comes to mind as one manufacturer that spiked prices fairly hard but I think also reduced them recently. Other manufacturers like PK Grills have started to use sales much more frequently to reflect lower costs while still “retaining” the optics of higher prices.

[Jimmy Lee]

I also don’t want to buy Chinese stuff if I can help it. I buy American whenever I can.

[STEbbq]

You are not alone with your desire to buy American. You pay a premium though so that is the trade off.

[Uncle Bob]

There are lots of opinions, and then there are a few facts. Geography plays into the final cost to you as well. As noted, steel prices are "enjoying" some volatility, in part driven by the uncertainty of the investment world. Despite political promises to tame inflation, the prime driver is excessive government spending and with an election year closing in fast vote buying will be in high gear. That alone, pending some very unlikely realizations in the political class, will ensure we're going to see continued inflation pressures most likely. The geography component, for you in particular, is the cost of transportation since there aren't many pit manufacturers in your area, say, compared to down South. Fuel and labor costs are the largest factors in transportation fees so not likely to be any shrinkage there.

The one somewhat bright spot on the horizon for you is that it appears sales by the various manufacturers have been shrinking and will likely continue as fewer people will have excess funds to buy "frivolous" toys like offset smokers, particularly higher end ones. This will get the manufacturers more concerned about maintaining some level of sales momentum/volume. I've been watching the "premium" offset market, both the big names and the fairly significant number of lesser known producers here in Texas (and there are a LOT of those smaller guys). Many of these folks, both well known and less so, have been shrinking their lead times for production/delivery. What had been months is now weeks, and for some there is even inventory on hand. Some folks will tell you that "so and so builder" is still showing months out, but I see hints that they may be bluffing just a bit. On social media platforms you'll see ecstatic purchasers announcing how much sooner they got their toy than promised......woo hoo! This form known sellers who continue to post longer forecasts. Perhaps they're just doing the under promise, over deliver game, but they could also be playing a bit of "poker". This leaves you with a gambling choice of your own. Do you strike now when the knowns are clearest, or do you hold off hoping for a better deal a few months to a year from now. That's dependent on your tolerance for risk.

Personally, there's a good suggestion to dig deep in the resale market. It looks to me like there are quite a few folks who see selling that premium cooker they only use infrequently to free up money to use for more necessary items. At this point, some of them are trying to recoup the full price they paid, say, last year, because they are aware that prices went up a bit. And they remember they had to wait months to get it, so they pitch in their ad that it's worth it to you to pay them their high asking price because you can get the unit now instead of waiting months like they did. Since they haven't been paying close attention, or suffer willful blindness, they aren't aware that you won't have to wait that long to get a fully warrantied unit rather than a used (and maybe slightly abused) one without. I see a few LSG units like that on the market around here. They sit for a few weeks until the hopeful seller finally figures out that all those, what he calls lowball, offers are about all he's really going to get today.

Comes down to how bad you have the "I wants" and how patient you can be in the negotiating process. If you watch over time you'll possibly see trends in your market that demonstrate that opportunities pop up with regularity. Good hunting to you......

[JLR]

LOL. That’s incredible!

[Oak Smoke]

Uncle Bob Thank goodness you’re a man of high moral character. Other wise you’d have made a great attorney.

[Uncle Bob]

@Oak Smoke................LOL

[Jimmy Lee]

Thanks Uncle Bob. Very good points and I think you’re spot on. I will definitely try to be patient and keep my eyes open.

thanks

[Sid P]

I’d be searching Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace a couple times a day. Good deals will pop up, but they won’t last very long, like the LSG that two of us pointed out this morning in different threads that you started…

[Bogy]

This isn't necessarily the best time to look for a good deal. A few months in, or at the end of summer you see the posts "Bought this a month or two or three ago, and I've used it three times."

[Jimmy Lee]

I don’t like the LSG 20”. $2000 is way to much for one used. It also looks cheap. Not a fan of those

[Panhead John]

Hi Jimmy…..maybe you’re not familiar with LSG, but they’re the farthest smoker there is from cheap. They’re extremely well made and are considered one of the best smokers made. Their quality is second to none. Several of our members here have one and they have nothing but the highest praise for them. If you’re in the market for a “quality” smoker, they should be on your list.

[Jimmy Lee]

I like they’re 24” models. I’m sure the 20” models are good I just don’t like the look. I know looks aren’t that important to some. That model is $2395 brand new. $2000 used seems high to me. Not sure when that model came out but if they were out a year or more ago I’d bet they were under $2000.

[Panhead John]

I’m with ya on looks being at least part of the decision making process. Some smokers are better looking than others. I recently bought a Pit Boss griddle and looks was a part of why I went with that one.

[Sid P]

$2,395 is the base price. With options that lots of people add such as upgraded wheels, charcoal basket, and front shelf, along with freight and tax, you’re probably at $3,500.

[Jimmy Lee]

Unfortunately LSG seems to be a bit high compared to most others. I really liked the 24 but after the options I was over $5k.

[Jerod Broussard]

Check out this guy. I'd definitely get the wheel upgrade listed under accessories.

https://johnsonsmokers.com/rolling-patio-smoker/

[randy.56]

That looks good! Price is right.

[tstalafuse]

I kinda always liked this one. As the site says for every smoker they make, all in all a very efficient unit. Plus you can do direct grilling as the fire is below the removal baffle, which I believe was one of the requirements in the other post. Plus it is close to double the capacity for just a mere $500 more! https://johnsonsmokers.com/24-t-pit/

[Jimmy Lee]

That seems like a more reasonable price. Thanks for that. I will take a close look at that.

[Smoked Transistors]

Home Depot selling Master Built Gravity Series (560) charcoal grill/smoker for $399.00, that 100.00 off suggested retail price. Maybe this can hold you over till you find that special off set smoker you've been wanting and American made. My nephew has this 560 Master Built and really likes it.
Just a thought.

[Jimmy Lee]

I’d rather spit into the wind than buy Chinese.

[STEbbq]

One firm that I always felt deserves more attention around here.

http://www.assassin-smokers.com/