Okay, so in this post, I am going to list the manufacturers that I am considering. Please check this post periodically as I will be updating the information here as I learn more and in some cases eliminating smoker manufacturers
Pros:
- Very pretty units with the stainless steel tops.
- Many options are included in the base price.
- A lot of good size options and standard barrel diameter is 24 inches.
Cons:
- Cooking chamber is only 3/16 of an inch thick (as compared to more standard 1/4 inch) and stainless top might be even thinner. This could be a problem in cold weather cooking.
- Shipping cost is close to $800
Pros:
- One of the best names in the business. David builds many of the pits that the winners of BBQ competitions rely on.
- Pit and cooking chamber are standard 1/4 inch thick and have the option for 1/2 inch thick steel in firebox.
- Wide variety of pit choices in varying sizes.
- Initial price is not too bad.
Cons:
- Many of the things that are standard on the Pitts and Spitts are options here and can cost some serious cash. A fully equipped pit runs more from Klose.
- Shipping is likely an issue here as well.
Pros:
- Reasonable Pricing on a 24×48 inch pit.
- Dual Smoke Stacks for heat and smoke control.
- Located in Peoria, IL, so these guys obviously understand cold weather cooking,
- Shipping should be less.
- 1/4 inch steel.
Cons:
- Don’t have the same reputation as some of the other manufacturers.
- Smoker does not look “as cool”
- No mention of warranty (which is not that big an issue as I am not about to ship it back, but is an indication of a builder who stands behind their product).
Pros:
- Design places firebox behind cooker with two pipes that feed the smoke into the smoking chamber to eliminate the hot spot one end of a standard smoker gets.
- All of their products are mounted on trailers and their prices still fall within the range of non-trailer smokers from the other guys.
Cons:
- As they are the only ones using this sort of radical design, it begs the question, is it any good? You can’t really patent this sort of thing, so one wonders why other manufacturers have not duplicated the design if it is indeed better.
- As with P&S, they use 3/16 inch pipe so cold weather can be a problem. I’m also looking for a backyard smoker and even the smallest one of these is too big.
- Shipping again
Pros:
- Computer controlled smoker – set the temperature and forget it – great for all night smoking while sleeping
- Consistent product every time
- Uses Pellets so no need for wood
- No shipping if you get it here
Cons:
- Uses Pellets, so you need a good supply
- Can’t do very large cuts of meat – limited to what fits on a 17 x 23 inch tray
- Runs on Electricity
Spicewine Ironworks Medium Smoker
Pros:
- Vertical Smoker – don’t have the hotspot problem of the horizontal
- Uses wood/charcoal so no need for pellets
- Good looking smoker
- Insulated for cold weather cooking
- Does not require electricity
Cons:
- No automation, so long cooks may not stay at a consistent temperature
- Has similar size limitation for cooking as the FEC100 – 17×25 shelves (3 of them)
Pros:
- Vertical Smoker – don’t have the hotspot problem of the horizontal
- Uses wood/charcoal so no need for pellets
- Insulated for cold weather cooking
- Has an option for the Guru – a powered fan system to control temperature
- Does not require electricity
Cons:
- Automation is limited to controlling airflow through the smoker with a fan. Works as long as the smoker does not run short of fuel
- Limited size for cooking Racks are 19 1/2 inch square
