Four stick burners enter. One leaves.

[Coconut Monkey]

If you haven’t checked out LoneStar Grillz you should. They make some amazing trailers and will customize to whatever your requirements are.https://lonestargrillz.com/

I will take another look at Lone Star Grillz. Thanks for the feedback!

[klflowers]

OK, I'll bite. No advice, but don't call me Shirley.

[jfmorris]

I am going to sit on the sideline and watch this debate! Fun topic!

[Henrik]

What Huskee said. In my opinion reverse flow is good for smaller smokers, where they can even out temps a bit. But both RF and normal are uneven in temps, especially when you load them up with meat. My custom built smoker is very even in temps when empty, but when I fill it with briskets I always have to shift them around during a 9 hour cook.

[Ahumadora]

Good advice from Huskee Don't get to set on RF pits. Let us know what you decide before pulling the trigger.

[Huskee]

I wish I could help but I don't know any specifics on the ones you mention. I own a backyard Yoder and I love it. I knwo they too make nice larger trailer rigs. I do know though that reverse flow doesn't mean even temps, nor does standard flow mean uneven temps. You can certainly have either with either.

[Mr. Bones]

Mornin, Sunshine

[Steve B]

If you haven’t checked out LoneStar Grillz you should. They make some amazing trailers and will customize to whatever your requirements are.https://lonestargrillz.com/

[Ground Chuck]

I reached out to Tyler Shirley maybe 6 months ago and the wait was over 3 years. Not sure if is still that long or not. That was the deal-breaker for me.

The charcoal-first style at Peoria was also a deal-breaker for me, even though they look well-built and are affordable. Just my preference, but I wanted to cook with wood.

My vote is for Jambo, but I have no experience on any of them, just the two or so years of research that I did. Based on my research, I ended up deciding to go with a regular flow instead of reverse.

Happy Hunting! Can't wait to see what you choose .

[DavidNorcross]

I have ZERO experience here. I would say however, that Jambo is what Malcolm Reed uses....

[ofelles]

Lone Star Grillz does an insulated fire box on the offsets.

[Coconut Monkey]

I have two trailer rigs, both custom made by www.pittmaker.com in Houston. Have you looked at them?

I have. I'm sure they make quality rigs. At this point I still stand by my top four. But thanks for mentioning them!

[texastweeter]

I have two trailer rigs, both custom made by www.pittmaker.com in Houston. Have you looked at them?

[Coconut Monkey]

Pit-masters,

The last couple months I have done extensive research on stick burners. Specifically, trailer cookers. I have narrowed down my search to four models... But first, I have three goals for the cooker:
1) catering (fund-raising)
2) competition (all categories)
3) parties (I'm hoping I can cook smaller quantities as well and not use a crazy amount of fuel)


The smokers are, in no specific order:

1) Meat Monster (http://www.peoriacookers.com/custom-...nster-mof.html )
- this cooker seems to be the most versatile in terms of managing temperature and cooking space
- offers a convection fan, which I THINK makes the entire cooking chamber one consistent temp and removes hot spots... this is the only trailer cooker I am aware of that does this.
- this is a charcoal-first smoker with wood chunks. Does this make a difference in taste?
- not reverse flow

2) Jambo J3 (https://thecloak9.wixsite.com/jambopits/j3-specs )
- you know the name. highly regarded in competition circles
- not reverse flow

3) Meadow Creek TS250 (https://www.meadowcreekbbq.com/catal...moker-trailer/ )
- I really like the cold smoking/warming box
- local to me
- their chicken cooker extension is legit. I've heard good things about it
- reverse flow

4) Shirley Fabrications custom cooker. Likely a cabinet model (https://www.shirleyfabrication.com/smokers-cookers )
- I have heard nothing but good things about Shirley. Sounds like the most cost effective as well.
- usually reverse flow



I am open to other suggestions. One requirement I have is an insulated firebox (so Lang is out). Also, I am not in a hurry to get the cooker. I will wait up to two years for it if I have to.

I am also torn between reverse flow and non-reverse flow. I hear good things about both. It seems for catering you want reverse flow, but for competition you want various temps throughout the smoker? I would love to hear from people who have done both.

My number one objective is I want the best tasting food, with a strong wood flavor, and that I can cook in large quantities. The Meat Monster uses charcoal with wood chunks... is a pure stick burner a better flavor profile than charcoal with chunks?


If you have any experience with one or more of these cookers I would love to hear from you. I signed up for the pit-master sub just for this question, because I consider this the gold standard in BBQ forum discussions!

John