Finally Happened

[fitzoo7]

Well it finally happened, I got my offset.

I’ve been using a WSM for 25+ years, but have long eyed the offset, mostly to try different woods as a fuel source and flavor profile. The WSM is also pretty limited in smoking space, it does have 2 racks but the rack next to the water, never gets as hot and doesn’t have as much smoke hit it.

I went with the Workhorse for a few reasons:
1) being in Wisconsin, the 3/8” steel will hopefully provide good insulation

2) cowboy firebox

3) price seemed pretty good

Offset is a different journey, I just picked up a 1/2 cord of cherry wood yesterday, and wow it’s so much wood, way more than I thought.

I initially wanted several different types of wood on hand (oak, mesquite, etc….). But probably not now.

I have yet to do a full smoke, but have done a few grills over the firebox, and did smoke + sear on some steak, which was amazing.

big fan so far.

Any additional tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.

[CaptainMike]

How about some more pics of your new ride!

[Panhead John]

Yes! We don’t care about the food right now 😉, we wanna see the new smoker! 🤓

[Alan Brice]

Patience, GrassHopper. patience. ;-{)>

[RonB]

Congrats. There are some online wood sellers that would allow you to purchase smaller amounts of wood. They will be a bit pricier than by the 1/2 cord, but won't take up as much space.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=smoking+wood+for+sale&form=QBLH&sp=-1&ghc=1&lq=0&pq=smoking+wood+for+sale&sc=12-21&qs=n&sk=&cvid=C926E60A22FC440683A5E656DB465683

[58limited]

Oak is generally the workhorse of an offset but this depends on the predominant smoking wood in your area. I would advise you to keep a lot of oak on hand and buy smaller amounts of the other woods to add as adjuncts to the oak fire such as alder, hickory, apple/cherry/other fruit woods, and mesquite and pecan if you can source them inexpensively.

I predominantly use red oak and add other woods for flavor but sometimes I use only hickory or only cherry. I tend to use mesquite more for grilling or I throw one piece on the smoker for chicken or pork steaks.

[fitzoo7]

Thanks for the feedback.

This is what I planned on doing, I’m really excited to affect the different flavors of the meat with the wood.

How do you do the ratio of your cherry vs oak, do you notice much of a difference of flavor?

Always using charcoal with a WSM, if I addd other wood, it’d be hard to taste it because the charcoal dominates the flavor.

[Andrrr]

Congrats on the new rig! Can’t wait to see it in action.

[Huskee]

WOOHOO! Awesome! Congrats! I love the Workhorse cookers. They are up there with a couple other upper-echelon brands (as I see it anyway) if I ever replace mine.

You ask for tips, here's is my [very old, now] post about starting and maintaining a fire in a stickburner. Hopefully you can find a nugget or two to help you in the coming weeks/months as you learn your new beauty!

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/log-burners/other-log-burner-smokers-misc/37167-starting-a-fire-in-an-offset-stickburner

And here, in case you didn't see it, or forgot, is advice I typed up from what I learned over the years back in February to help you when you first asked about this: https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...32#post1699832

[randy.56]

Had to look up Workhorse, That's the last one you ever have to buy. They look great. Congrads

[fitzoo7]

Alright here’s some shots, and yes I did already add the magnetic hooks and will probably add more.

the extra greats are for a top rack and the bars are for the firebox. The white stuff is marshmallow… I swear it.

[fillirican]

This thing is a tank! Looks beautiful. Congratulations.

[Alan Brice]

Whoo wee! She is a beauty!

[mrteddyprincess]

Nice!!!

[Sid P]

I checked out a 1975 (I think) down the road from me, but I was 2nd in line and #1 returned with the cash as he’d promised. It was a great looking rig that looked like it would last several lifetimes. Congrats!

[Lynn Dollar]

Big long firebox, I like that.

And cherry wood , that's not kiln dried from Academy, wow, we don't have that here.

You will enjoy that smoker.

[fitzoo7]

We have an area here called Door County, which is known for its cherry trees because cherry trees are known to be a bit difficult with where they’re grown.

We paid a little more, $225/half cord, because I wanted a higher moisture content.

We have a ton of forests here, so most woods are easy to get, with the exception of really region specific woods like peach, pecan, almond etc…

I’m shocked at how expensive wood at the store can be, a 12 hour smoke would cost more than the meat.

[theroc]

Nice! Like the looks of that bad boy.

[WI Bubba]

That is an awesome looking cooker! If you ever need a taste tester, I'm just a short hop away.

[captainlee]

Perfect, enjoy!!!!

[Sweaty Paul]

Congratulations and enjoy! Looking forward to seeing your cooks!

[HawkerXP]

WOW!

Congrats!