Originally posted by willxfmr
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts from your experiences with the different types of cookers. I am also considering a PBC. Someone else also mentioned the Bronco so thats on the list. Good to have a few can't go wrong choices for an affordable charcoal smoker. I am leaning towards charcoal right now. My nephew is getting married in early July and my brother and I are going to get him a Chimp so that will give me a chance to see how the smoke level is on a pellet pooper. -
big_mack I would advise you to START by buying the fan you want to use with your Fireboard 2 (most suggest the Pit Viper) and get a fan adapter for your Weber Performer, and START there. I too have a Weber Performer with a SNS, and found that a fan controller gave me cooking times of up to 12 hours on a single load of charcoal in the SNS, and pretty much the convenience of a pellet smoker. The BBQ Guru fan adapter requires drilling a single hole in the bowl of the kettle, but you close it with an included plug when not using the fan.
I've also got an offset, and a SNS Deluxe Kamado, and find that I do most of my smoking on the Performer and the SNS Kamado, and I rarely use the offset anymore. The charcoal grills are just much less work, compared to feeding the fire every 30 minutes with an offset. What can I say? I'm much lazier in my 50's than I was in my 30's when I started smoking on the offset! Sitting up all night with beer and playing with fire is a younger mans game...
Anyway, I've done up to 5 racks of ribs (using a rib rack), 2 Boston butts, 4 chickens (split into halves) or an 18 pound brisket in the indirect zone of the Performer with the SNS, and especially with the fan controller, I feel heat is pretty darned even across the indirect zone. I certainly don't get burned areas on my briskets that I would get if there were hot spots. Note that I do use a Drip 'N Griddle to help direct all of the incoming air into the bottom of the SNS to feed the fire.
STEbbq tagged me here to discuss the SNS Deluxe Kamado. It's a great cooker, but my advice would be to try adding the fan to the cooker you already have first. And if you still are not happy, then look for a dedicated smoker. Unless you need more than 5 racks of ribs, more than one brisket, more than 2 butts, more than 3-4 chickens, I think you can get it done on the Weber Performer, and the fan control would A) Extend your cooking time per load of charcoal - it really does let you get every last bit of energy out of the coals, and B) Lead to better convection heat patterns in the grill.
The SNS Kamado lets you cook on up to 3 levels, and use both traditional kamado cooking modes, as well as use a SNS like you already use on your kettle.
I will also say that the Oklahoma Joe Bronco others are mentioning is a good value for a dedicated smoker if you can deal with using hooks to hang things. Since it only has an 18" diameter cooking grate, using the grate is even more limiting than on the Weber kettles.Comment
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big_mack does your Performer have the propane ignition? If so, that factors into the decision on where you CAN in fact put the fan hole.
It is best to have the hole opposite the SNS, but it doesn't have to be a full 180 degrees. Mine is a little to the right of center, looking at the Performer from the front, and I have no issues with it feeding the air to the SNS placed in the back. I keep the DNG in there to help direct the airflow too, when using the fan. -
jfmorris @ big_mack The OKJ Pro Bronco is the same size as the large WSM (22 in). The OKJ Bronco is the same size as the smaller WSM (18in).
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jfmorris looks like we ran out of comment space. did not realize there was a limit. I do have the propane assist. I'll have a look at it more closely. I'm trying to figure out what adapters to get. I know the weber for the performer. But I have not made a decision on the charcoal smoker (WSM, PBC, Bronco) yet and I want to place only 1 order since I'll be paying through the nose for shipping to Canada.Comment
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big_mack yes there is sadly a comment size limit of 500 characters I think!
Yeah, I would combine things for sure. Even in the states, the BBQ Guru folk charge a lot for shipping.
The WSM would use the same adapter as a kettle, with the advantage of no hole to be drilled. The PBC and Bronco - I am of mixed feelings on even needing a fan on those. The Bronco is kinda unique in that the air intake is at the top of a pipe, and is a flat piece of metal. You really can't mount an adapter in that flat plate and still use it without the fan. The Guru folk don't even sell an adapter for it.
I almost think with both the Bronco AND the PBC, you might almost be best served drilling a hole down low near where the air intake is, mounting an adapter like the Weber one into the side of the drum, and then just CLOSING the stock vent when you want to use the fan. I would want to see what other folk on here are doing with those 2 smokers though, before making a mod like that.
The other thought on the Bronco would be to see if you can get a replacement for the top vent plate that controls air intake, and drill a hole for a fan adapter in that, and swap it out when you want to use the fan.
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jfmorris, yes you can get a replacement for the top vent plates. -
I forgot to mention, the OKJ has a clean out on the bottom that be removed so that a fan, like the guru, could be attached without having to drill a hole... not that it would ever stop me from drilling away... -
tstalafuse I think people are putting a pit viper on the air intake pipe right at the top of the smoker using a bbqguru weber adapter. I'm still scoping that out but Im pretty sure thats what I read in some other discussions here.
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Lots of good advice and info above. To avoid analysis paralysis, I'd recommend setting a budget and really thinking about how and what you cook (and how much) and how much space you can/want to use for this.
A kettle with a fan and some accessories to fit your needs is likely the most compact solution as well as perhaps the cheapest, perhaps tied with a pellet grill. Thinks like a PBC or Bronco strike me as great smokers but what if you want to do a couple of steaks or something?Comment
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Rick, the Bronco easily converts to grilling also. You just turn the diffuser plate upside down and set the charcoal basket on top. This raises the charcoal basket up and then your cooking grate is about the same distance from the coals as it is on a kettle. You can also do 2 zone grilling just by putting the charcoal to one side. I just grilled a pork loin and sausage on the Bronco last night.
CORRECTION: I actually did a high heat smoke on this, it wasn’t set up for grilling.
This is how it looks set up for grilling…
Last edited by Panhead John; May 31, 2022, 03:05 PM.Comment
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I have almost all the different types of smoker/grills available. Fortunately, my wife doesn't complain what I spend my mad money on, and I don't complain about what she wastes her money on. I have a pellet smoker, Chargriller Akorn, OKJ Broncos, a Chargriller electric smoker, WSM - XL (26 3/4 kettle with SmokEZ insert using Auber fan controller), a gasser, and I just sold my Horizon offset. I will probably be giving away the electric smoker and replacing with a propane that has a thermostat controller. I even claimed I had a solar smoker because in Dallas it would get so hot the grill would register 180 degrees before lighting a fire in it during the summer. Each gives a different flavor and level of smoke, so depending on how much time I want to spend tending to a particular cook, flavor, and smoke level determines which one I use. If you are concerned about smoke level in a pellet grill/smoker, cook at a lower temp or add a smoke tube to achieve a heavier smoke flavor.
Yes, you can accomplish the set and forget using various fan controllers on charcoal grills/smokers that are beginning to rival a pellet smoker/grill. Masterbuilt sells a charcoal smoker with a built in fan controller. Yes, you have to be present to start a charcoal smoker unlike a wifi enabled pellet smoker. Double check the one you are interested in as many don't allow for remote start over safety concerns. Regardless, I bet you have to be present to start your pellet smoker as well unless your plan is to leave the food sitting in it waiting to be cooked at some point later in the day.
One item I would point out, since you mentioned it in one of your replies, pellet grill/smokers are not low maintenance in my opinion. My pellet smoker is far and away greasier/messier than my charcoal smokers. I have to take all the things out of it to clean/vacuum the fire pot, clean it with a spray degreaser and use a roll of paper towels to prevent a grease fire (can't just put degreaser on it and spray with a hose like I can on my other cookers). I mention the grease fire because, unlike a grease fire in a gasser/charcoal cooker, a grease fire in a pellet grill/smoker is very bad since it can/will destroy all those electronics that make it work. Finally, they can and do develop any number of mechanical/electrical issues, which won't matter if it is under warranty or not when you want to cook something and it won't start. They are the easiest to use and do produce good food, but I dread the clean up.
If I were starting over with a limited budget, I would go with something like the OKJ Bronco drum smoker, WSM, or kamado style (Akorn/BGE) with a fan controller. I give a slight edge to the Bronco over a WSM because the charcoal box on the Bronco and be raised up easily so that it can double as a charcoal grill for those all important burgers and dogs, so the Bronco is a slightly more versatile than a WSM from that aspect to me. I would go with the Bronco/WSM over the kamado style as the kamado style have volume limitations unless you are going to spend a lot more coin in comparison to the others, but they are amazing cookers. I would pick those over a pellet grill/smoker, despite the superior set and forget aspect, since the pellet poopers are higher maintenance to me and have more that can go wrong with them. If you do choose a pellet grill/smoker, save up and get the best quality one you are able to afford as the warranties on the higher end models, if for no other reason, make them way better than an entry level pooper.Last edited by tstalafuse; May 31, 2022, 03:02 PM.Comment
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Thanks for mentioning that. I just assumed a pellet is easier to clean up, and glad you caught that. I appreciate how you broke down what you would select and why, when there is a budget constraint, which there is. Bronco/WSM over a kamado, kamado over a pellet. I think my mind is made up and I just need to decide between the Bronco and PBC.Originally posted by tstalafuse View PostComment
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Great points tstalafuse I’d also like to add a few more important features of the Bronco over the PBC. 1. The hinged lid with a pre installed Kevlar gasket. You can easily run your probe cables under it without worrying about crimping. 2. The Bronco can easily do 225 and up, more temperature control. 3. The side shelf is very handy, you can also add another shelf to the other side if needed. PBC has none. This hasn’t been mentioned..con’tLast edited by Panhead John; June 4, 2022, 03:30 PM. -
yet, I don’t think, but you can also add another cooking grate to the Bronco for 2 grate levels of cooking.Last edited by Panhead John; June 4, 2022, 03:30 PM. -
tstalafuse I'm in Canada and the Bronco is not on sale up here. In fact we are being gouged and it pisses me right off. The Bronco is almost $700 Canadian.
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I'm really hungry right now. Its wing night at the local pub and the Oilers/Avs are playing so I've been fasting and dehyrdrating most of today in anticipation of eating lots of wings and drinking some ales. the sausage looks juicy and is making me drool. I could eat some of that beef right now too. Also been thinking about gettting the bronco even though its not on sale up here. Feeling quite enabled right now ;-)Originally posted by Panhead John View PostComment
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Finally made decisions today. A couple of us chipped to get my nephew a Silverbac for a wedding gift after much back and forth between it and the OG. Decided the OG look was too personal to get someone for a gift so I chickened out and went with the traditional Silverbac. And I was going to get the OKJ Bronco for myself later this week. But when I was debating between the two Grilla's a customer came by we chatted a bit and he said that all his buddies with charcoal smokers hardly use them because of the effort and they all wished they had an OG like he has. That and the $100 off sale price sold me on getting the Chimp for myself instead of the Bronco. I am a true believer that people use things more if they are easy to use.
Thanks all for sharing your insights earlier. It was awesome to get the help.
Chimp! Chimp! Chimp!
Now I need to go hunt down some unboxing and assembly videos.Comment
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Even though I’m crushed and absolutely devastated you didn’t get the Bronco… Congratulations! I’ve heard a lot of good things here about the Chimp. I’m sure you’ll love it.
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Panhead John the Bronco is still on my list. I will be looking to score a used one locally. It was really priced to high in Canada up here as you know, so i am better off picking up a used one!
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I have no pellet grills…
I do have many Weber kettles and two WSM’s… I’ve cooked some mighty good food on them…
They will last my lifetime…
That’s just useless trivia… as my main point here is, I’ve enjoyed reading this thread…
I think I’ll revisit it from time to time and read again…
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Glad you enjoyed. I enjoy all the threads I stumble across in the Pit. Great people write some entertaining comments. I have a performer kettle with the SNS. And I will now join the club of people that have multiple kettles, finally. the nephew who will be getting the Silverbac pooper was loaned my first kettle, a basic black, which I gave him when I got the performer. I'll want that baby back when he gets the pooper. I need to make sure I have the advantage on the cooker count!Originally posted by Washblue View PostComment
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