Advice on building a LSG Pellet Smoker

[Woodarmj]

I am really close to pulling the trigger for a 36 LSG pellet smoker and I am excited about adding options. However, I want to make smart accessory purchases. Other posts in this forum have given me an idea how I would like to build my smoker but would like to start a thread to see if there are any LSG pellet owners that have advice on “must haves” or “can do with outs”.
My LSG Pellet smoker will reside on a stamped patio outside my walkout basement, and I am debating if I should invest in the offroad package mainly for the initial move from the driveway to the patio or will the 8” casters be enough to roll the 400lb smoker through grass on a hill? If I do get the offroad package, would I need the pull handle also? I notice it is on the same side as the removeable handle. I was going forgo the SS front shelf and make do with the black shelf to save a few bucks. The brass ball valve seems to be in the “must have category” and I was going to protect my investment with the sunbrella cover. Any thoughts?

Has anyone used their Pellet smoker as a charcoal grill with the main chamber charcoal grate?

Has anyone sprung for the Grill grates? Can you smoke with them in, or will they affect the air flow?
Any advice would be appreciated.

[Spinaker]

I would get the wheels. Casters will not roll in the grass and all, especially with that kinda weight.

Of course, you could lay down sheets of plywood or planks for the casters to roll on in the yard. I would get the handle if you are planning on moving it more than just the one time you mentioned. Otherwise, skip it. To me, the off road package would be worth it. You will move it more than you think.

I wood skip the ball valve.....buy one at Grainger or at Home Depot for a much lower price.


I am a sucker for anything stainless, so I would probably go for that. It always cleans up so nice. And this is a life long cooker. (I assume)

The Sunbrella......IDK. I would rather have my rig under a grilling center with a roof anyway. But if you do not want to build or buy one, then the sunbrella might be a good way to go. My only question is. To protect your investment, I would assume it would have to be open all the time......how long will that last? I would get a cover for it either way.

You can smoke with Grill Grates. I would not think they would effect the airflow at all. I use them quite often in my cookers.

[RonB]

I agree with Spinaker on the wheels. While you won't need wheels while it is on the pad, you will regret not having them if ya ever have to move it off the pad.

[Woodarmj]

Its decided. wheels it is! I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the off road and the casters for a while now. I will defiantly have more versatility with the offroad package. Great idea on the valve. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I’m in it this far so I should spring for the SS shelf, I am a sucker for SS too and it will match my outdoor kitchen. The smoker will be under cover on the east side of the house about 75% of the time but I will have to shove it outa the way to make more room on occasion. Plus, that Midwest yellow pollen in the spring and early summer. LOL

[Redwng]

One thing to watch is the width of the cooker with the offroad tires in case you need to get through less than 36" and it is around 400#. I have the 8" wheels on my LSG 20X36 pellet smoker which we moved through the house to get to the backyard. Brass valve is a must as is the stainless shelf. BBQ sauce will have the painted one looking not to great pretty quick. I would also spring for the laser cut grates (didn't offer them when I got mine), the expanded metal ones are not made from flattened metal so there are sharp edges. Most of the time that isn't a big deal but I had a wrapped brisket and wrapped pork butt get a small slice from the grates. I have since ordered the upper laser cut grate (doesn't appear to affect air flow) that I can use on the bottom too.

I haven't used it with the charcoal insert which they sent as I had my offset and pellet grill delivered on the same day.

Let me know if you have any other questions as this thing is a smoking machine.

[Woodarmj]

Good point on the width. I measured my gates and they will fit. So you can just get the upper great in the cut stainless? I was thinking about the grill grates for the bottom. I have had good luck with them on my two gassers.

[Redwng]

When I asked Chris if they would sell just the top grate he replied "Absolutely". It was around $230 including shipping but I have used it on the bottom also. If I cooked on both top and bottom frequently I would definitely get both as laser cut. I got a welded one from Great Grates for the bottom, really nice and very heavy duty.

[barelfly]

I don’t have an LSG but think they are excellent! If I were to get an off-set or custom pellet, I’d go LSG. So this is all I can say - you are paying for an excellent cooker - just get what you want the first time so there is no I wish I would have done…..

otherwise - can’t wait to see this in the yard cookin’ away!

LSG FTW!!!!!!

[Woodarmj]

I agree I’d rather get the extras now. I’m excited about ordering it I just gotta replenish my savings a bit. I have two 16yr old girls lol.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Best advice...go with the off set!

(Seriously- good whelels=good call)

[Woodarmj]

An offset will have to wait until retirement. LOL I am very interested in learning fire management but don’t have time to invest right now. I am happy to upgrade to something square as I’ve been “cheating” with an 18” WSM fitted with a fireboard1. Good BBQ but space is limited and stacking the racks suck!

[Uncle Bob]

Some reasonable commentary on the offroad package.............it's expensive but the versatility is unmatched compared to the casters, either size. I have an 800ish pound LSG offset that I move 60 some paved feet from it's storage area to the cooking area by myself...................the older you get the more you'll appreciate it.

You asked about the welded on handle at the stack end in addition to the offroad pull handle. I bought mine used and the original owner got both............unnecessary expense. You'll do pretty much all your maneuvering with the T handle, and whatever small adjustments you might make can be done by using the stack since you'll likely do that sort of thing when it's still cold.

One comment on the offroad setup that could sound negative, but is intended as simple awareness comment. The way Chris designed it there is limited travel as far as turning radius, the large wheels hit the lower shelf in short order. It's a good safety measure to keep from making the whole rig tippy but you can't do tight turns. You'll become adept at multi point turns if necessary.

[Woodarmj]

Great advice, thanks. I am defiantly sold on the offroad package. I originally thought it was something to make your smoker look like a 4X4 and it was an excess but now I see the utility. I also was wondering about the turning... thanks for that info.

[Sdell]

I have the stainless shelf and think it it a good investment. It cleans up very easily and it is nice not having to worry about chipping the paint.

[Dan Deter]

I have no advice, I'm just watching because I will probably only get to do this in my dreams...

[TripleB]

My only recommendation - set up a "Pellet Pooper Emergency Fund" with your banking institution. Seems like once/month somebody has operational issues with their PP.

[02ebz06]

If you order one, prepare for a long wait.
I was quoted 14 weeks. I'm in week 17 now.
During week 13 I got an email saying build had started. I was excited.
Asked a question and was told it takes 4 to 4-1/2 weeks to build. Needless to say, I was no longer excited.
I'm at 4 weeks and 3 days now.
So I'm looking at a minimum of 19 weeks.

[ofelles]

Damn man! I must have gotten lucky, mine took about 2 weeks less than quoted.

[PainfulPleasure]

I'm on week 5 from my order. I'm in the first trimester and this time, it's me doing all the nesting stuff.

[Woodarmj]

Hahaha! I hear you. I’m not even at conception yet. Real close. One more K in the savings and need to see what happens with the government shutdown as that affects my pay

[danb_vt]

I got the stainless shelf, 8" casters, brass ball valve, pull handle, cover, and charcoal insert for mine. I think the advice you got from other folks is right on. The 8" casters were great on my gravel driveway, but wouldn't have done well through the yard without plywood or something to keep them from sinking in. I haven't used the charcoal insert yet, mainly because I have a gas grill right next to the LSG, and it turns out most things I'd use the charcoal insert for are faster/easier on propane, especially since you're lacking the air flow controls of a normal charcoal grill. I feel the same way about a plancha--no point in rearranging a pellet smoker to heat up a steel plate when gas is faster/easier. I think those could make sense if you only had one cooker, though.

If you haven't joined the LSG Pellet Smoker Owners facebook group yet, that's also worth doing. There's a guy on there who makes extension brackets to move the shelf a little further away from the cooker, which make it a lot more useful, as well as lots of specific advice from pretty active folks.

[Woodarmj]

Thanks, great advice, I feel the same way about the plancha. I like the idea of the charcoal basket but you are right about that too. I will have to get a fb account and check out the group. If anything for the brackets.