I am looking to jump in the shallow end of the stickburner pool. I see the beautiful upper end models but what would you recommend for entry level? I would prefer a unit with a double shelf. Thanks for your input.
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Entry level stick burner
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I've been very pleased, indeed, with my Oklahoma Joe's Highland...
With an aftermarket tunin' / baffle plate, an some gaskets/RTV, it holds temps ~5° throughout th' cook chamber
However,
I see that they have recently re-vamped their lineup, an' I cannot attest to th' quality of current production...
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Mr. Bones Is your Joe a standard or reverse flow unit? Are you guys using chips, chunks or small splits?
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Club Member
- Jul 2016
- 3394
- Elizabethtown, KY
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Current line-up of cookers: Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro, Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050, Blackstone ProSeries 4 Burner 36" griddle, Weber Performer Deluxe and Weber Smokey Joe.
Fenixrising103, what's your budget for this? I would go beyond the really flimsy, bolted together stuff, if possible. I have an Old Country Over/Under that I picked up from Academy Sports last year and I love it for the $500 I gave for it, and it has two expanded steel slide out racks. Old Country also has some offset models that might fit the bill, as well.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-...dCatid=1277366
There's a Youtube channel, Mad Scientist BBQ, that puts out some really solid how-to videos using this line of cookers.Last edited by Steve R.; August 1, 2017, 09:42 AM.
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Club Member
- Jan 2017
- 130
- Lubbock, TX
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Deep in the MCS zone.
Currently have
Gas: Weber Genesis 330
Charcoal: Weber 22 Premium
Smoker: PBC
Toys: DigiQ, Thermapen thermometer, Lodge Griddle/Grill
Looking to acquire: SNS, and one of everything else
Entry level could mean a lot of things. What price range are you looking for? From my time feeding my MCS I have seen many, but for the most part you want to avoid anything under $400 for a stick burner. Around $400 is the cheapest I've seen that still have enough metal to not rust away in a couple of years. You might could find a good deal on Craigslist if that is too high.
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My budget is between 500 and 750. I am also leery of the cheap units that will rust out by next season. I will look at the one at Acadmy.
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Club Member
- Apr 2017
- 70
- Weatherford Texas Area
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MEAT COOKERS
-Custom reverse flow offset stickburner. 24" x 3' cook chamber
-Webber Performer 22" kettle
-Blackstone 28" griddle
-Weber Spirit II 320
-Backwoods Party (being restored)
FUEL
Kingsford Blue & White for weber
Red/White Oak, Pecan splits for the offset
ACCESSORIES
-Thermoworks Pop & Dot
-Thermaworks Instant Thermometer
-Offbrand single probe temp timer
-Weber chimney starter
FAVORITE DRINKS
-Bourbon: Wild Turkey 101, Wild Turkey American Honey
-Scotch: Jameson Gold, Macallum 12
-Rum: Captain Morgan's Silver
-Vodka: Rain
-Tequila: Tres Generaciones Silver
NEXT PURCHASE
Custom charcoal box for offset (probably this year)
Pellet pooper or a kamado or a Santa Maria
Just my opinion here, take it or leave it. Your budget of $500-750 is kind of in a painful mid-range here. What I mean is, that is a good range of money to get something at the high end of a cheap off-set grade of smoker, but not quite enough to get into something that will last really well for years and let you grow.
My strong recommendation to you is to stop looking at new units in this price range. Craigslist is your friend and you are very likely to find a good quality Oklahoma Joe or similar level smoker used but in good condition for less than your price range. Buy a used one and learn to cook on it. Then, once you know what things work for you and what don't - then you can start shopping for a quality one with the features you KNOW you want.
I started with a smoke box in a gasser, then moved on to a COS and UDS which I used for several years - learning the ropes and what I liked. After the COS died, and I had a better idea what I was looking for, I moved up into the heavy duty/last a lifetime range.
If you are bound and determined to spend $500-750, I guarantee you can find a MUCH higher quality used stick burner on the second hand market than what you can buy in a big box store for the same price.
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Aaron Franklin had some YouTube videos where he used one of the Old Country entry level offset cookers to make everything from brisket to ribs and pulled pork. I've seen these at Academy and they look solid - some seem to seal better than others but you can always buy some gaskets and mitigate hot spots with a pan of water. I thought about going this route when I moved to Louisiana but opted to just save my money for two years and buy a Shirley. The Meadow Creek SQ36 goes for just over a $1K, and that's another option if you have a dealer nearby. Craigslist is a smart rec from others, esp. if you are patient. Haven't seen the Oklahoma Joes but I'm sure they are similar to the Old Country lineup. Ditto for the Texas Original Pits.
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