Good Morning, Boys!
I've been using this site for the past four or five years when I got my cheap Akorn and have loved it. I really have the outdoor cooking itch now. I watch a lot of the competition shows on television and have been longing for an offset stickburner for a years. Coming to the site often, I know better than to buy something under $1500 bucks. I've been conducting my due-diligence for well over a year. One of the common things I find: get as big as you can! Some people are getting absolutely huge smokers, and has be doubting the size I'm looking for.
I've been in touch with Peoria, Klose, Shirley, Jambo, LSG, Gator, Johnson, Yoder, Pits by JJ. At this point, it all becomes a blur. What I do know is that Ritch at Gator Pits has provided by far, and not even close, the best customer service to this point. I'm just confused why it doesn't seem like more people own a Gator? Everyone wants a Shirley. Are Shirley's that much nicer? What intrigued me about the Shirley was the cabinet doors, and the price. However, Tyler told me in January the wait is 33 months. St Louis BBQ told me to check back in 6 months, but they won't get more Shirley's until next year due to warehousing issues (seems odd because I'd imagine Shirley's aren't warehoused for long).
Any advice before I take the plunge? Ritch can get me a 24x40" traditional cooker with grill, shipped to my house in KY for $2500. I haven't found a 24" cooker remotely close to that price. I really wanted a Jambo backyard, but I had to provide my own shipping, and the best quote I got was $700! That is almost $1000 more than what the Gator would cost. The Gator isn't insulated (Ritch said it would be overkill on a cooker that size) and doesn't have tuning plates which he said many of his customers do not get. The only other maker remotely close was Johnson, who could get me a 24x48 reverse flow for about $2,400. For some reason I feel like traditional is better but I'm open to any input.
I'm on the Gator list, and will have a pit in 14 weeks if I pull the trigger. I'm hoping to get talked into the Gator, but talk me out if you need to. I mostly cook for 2 people, up to probably 12, but was wanting capacity to cook for up to 20 plus. Also wondered if anyone had experience with a firebox grill? I've read some people use it, others do not. Anyone else have a non-insulated firebox? Am I going to regret not getting something insulated?
Thank you guys for having me!
I've been using this site for the past four or five years when I got my cheap Akorn and have loved it. I really have the outdoor cooking itch now. I watch a lot of the competition shows on television and have been longing for an offset stickburner for a years. Coming to the site often, I know better than to buy something under $1500 bucks. I've been conducting my due-diligence for well over a year. One of the common things I find: get as big as you can! Some people are getting absolutely huge smokers, and has be doubting the size I'm looking for.
I've been in touch with Peoria, Klose, Shirley, Jambo, LSG, Gator, Johnson, Yoder, Pits by JJ. At this point, it all becomes a blur. What I do know is that Ritch at Gator Pits has provided by far, and not even close, the best customer service to this point. I'm just confused why it doesn't seem like more people own a Gator? Everyone wants a Shirley. Are Shirley's that much nicer? What intrigued me about the Shirley was the cabinet doors, and the price. However, Tyler told me in January the wait is 33 months. St Louis BBQ told me to check back in 6 months, but they won't get more Shirley's until next year due to warehousing issues (seems odd because I'd imagine Shirley's aren't warehoused for long).
Any advice before I take the plunge? Ritch can get me a 24x40" traditional cooker with grill, shipped to my house in KY for $2500. I haven't found a 24" cooker remotely close to that price. I really wanted a Jambo backyard, but I had to provide my own shipping, and the best quote I got was $700! That is almost $1000 more than what the Gator would cost. The Gator isn't insulated (Ritch said it would be overkill on a cooker that size) and doesn't have tuning plates which he said many of his customers do not get. The only other maker remotely close was Johnson, who could get me a 24x48 reverse flow for about $2,400. For some reason I feel like traditional is better but I'm open to any input.
I'm on the Gator list, and will have a pit in 14 weeks if I pull the trigger. I'm hoping to get talked into the Gator, but talk me out if you need to. I mostly cook for 2 people, up to probably 12, but was wanting capacity to cook for up to 20 plus. Also wondered if anyone had experience with a firebox grill? I've read some people use it, others do not. Anyone else have a non-insulated firebox? Am I going to regret not getting something insulated?
Thank you guys for having me!
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