Which Stick-Burner 2 buy to learn to Smoke with Wood? (And cook 4 briskets at a time)

[DWCowles]

Not even in my drink

[Dewesq55]

Dew, I don't know about the real man part but my opinion is a hardcore bbqer would be interested in a stick burner

Same difference, no, DW?

[Huskee]

Except in your drink, right?

[DWCowles]

If it has anything to do with ice I don't want no part of it

[Huskee]

The Good One is a great option for quality. Plus, say 5 years down the road you get a wild hair and decide to try your hand at log burning, you have that option here.

You don't have to burn logs to do good BBQ. The idea is to do what's enjoyable to you while still getting your desired end product. I don't care much for ice fishing the older I get, I'd much rather ride in a boat in nice spring through fall weather. I don't think it means I'm less of a fisherman, I just prefer the style of it that suits me best.

[DWCowles]

Dew, I don't know about the real man part but my opinion is a hardcore bbqer would be interested in a stick burner

[Dewesq55]

I have a lot of interest in eventually graduating to a good charcoal burner, such as The Good One Open Range, but burning logs doesn't interest me particularly.

[Dewesq55]

Good call, Huskee. That was, in fact, a leading question. But, if I was the judge I would say "No, I'll allow it. You may answer the question."

[Huskee]

So, am I not a real man if I have no interest in stock burners? :-[

Objection! Leading the witness!

[Dewesq55]

So, am I not a real man if I have no interest in stick burners? :-[

[Huskee]

Yoder loaded Wichita and and Horizon RD Marshal are nearly identical twins, some slight differnces in features and price (Yoder is ~$70 more). The Horizon lacks a shelf in front of the firebox from the pictures.

Lang makes a great 48" patio model in a similar price range and also a cheaper (~$1100) 36" patio model. Lang's patio models are more of a scoot around by hand smoker like the Yoders and Horizons, whereas the larger Langs are trailer-mounted. For your competitions these patio models might be much less handy unless it's solely for learning and for backyard/private party use due to lack of mobility. Langs are reverse flow.

Klose backyard 48" pit is also very similarly priced and sized.

The Klose and Lang pits have a square, stove-like fire box. The Yoder and Horizon have a flip-top firebox lid (which I find to be very user-friendly for loading). All of them I believe have the option for cooking grates for the firebox to grill directly over the wood or charcoal in the firebox.

[Spinaker]

I don't own one yet. But the Yoder Loaded Wichita is the one I've picked to go with. Heavy construction, Made in America, lots of options, priced right and I've heard great reviews.

[Max Good]

All great choices in your price range.

[PaulstheRibList]

OK, I've made it to 2 of the top 5 BBQ joints in Texas Monthly's List, and about 10 others in their top 50, and I'm having a blast cooking on my pair of 22.5 WSM charcoal/bullet cookers, and my Dryer-Turned-Smoker, set up as a vertical charcoal smoker.

Last week I went to Louis Mueller BBQ in Taylor, TX. The Brisket was great! Huge brick pit in the middle of the building.

It's on my BBQ resolution to buy a stick-burner, and then build a brick pit sometime. And NOW is that time. I see that Yoder and Lang are favorites of a few of the PitFaithful. Those and Horizon, Klouse are the offset smokers on AmazingRibs that have Gold Medals and are under $2,000.

If you have any suggestions on which Stick-Burner I would learn best with, I'm all ears!

I can't wait to have a big Woodpile!

paul