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BBQ pit shopping
Posted on 5/19/10 at 9:22 am
Posted on 5/19/10 at 9:22 am
I am going to buy a new pit in the next few days and wanted to know what your opinions were. I dont really want to spend more than 160 bc well Im a broke college student. I was thinking a barrel pit with side fire box for smoking. Thoughts?
2
Posted on 5/19/10 at 9:26 am to RelientAA
I have an offset now, and if doing it today, i would not get one. Lots of wasted heat, and you really have to babysit it to keep proper temps. I would just get a large enough pit to do indirect heat without the offset. Sams has a really nice one with adjustable coal trays.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 9:48 am to AlxTgr
Weber Kettle. $84.00 dollars assembled at Lowe's.
You can put the charcoal to one side for off heat cooking. Best pit available for charcoal in that range. Mine is 20 years old and looks new. I keep a black trash bag over it and dump the charcoal after it cools each time.
I have two others at the farm that are just as old.
You can put the charcoal to one side for off heat cooking. Best pit available for charcoal in that range. Mine is 20 years old and looks new. I keep a black trash bag over it and dump the charcoal after it cools each time.
I have two others at the farm that are just as old.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 10:01 am to Martini
You dont like the idea of a side fire box?
Posted on 5/19/10 at 10:32 am to RelientAA
Well I have a green egg so that takes care of that. I had one or two and never could seem to get them to draft right. Always too much smoke. But I can be a dumbass and just might not have gotten it right.
I just like the Weber.
I just like the Weber.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 11:31 am to RelientAA
for the money get a weber. i use mine all the time. i also bought trays you place in the bottom for the charcoal. you can move those to the sides of pit and cook with indirect heat.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 11:43 am to MsandLa
charcoal=weber kettle
Propane=Brinkman at Home Depot for $199
Propane=Brinkman at Home Depot for $199
Posted on 5/19/10 at 11:53 am to charlied
Get a Weber Kettle. You can get the 22 1/2 inch Silver for like $90 or I would recommend getting the Gold for $139.
Put the charcoal on one side and food on the other.
Put the charcoal on one side and food on the other.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 12:07 pm to RedHawk
I kinda want something with a large amount of cooking surface. Nobody like the barrel smokers with side fire box?
Posted on 5/19/10 at 12:34 pm to RelientAA
I've had a weber kettle for ever. Got a fancy one at the camp but I prefer the weber. Has made some mighty fine meat.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 12:45 pm to RelientAA
quote:
I kinda want something with a large amount of cooking surface. Nobody like the barrel smokers with side fire box?
It is really larger than you think. Plus I stack stuff.
But man if you want a barrel by all means get one. They cook good as well so get what YOU want.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 12:57 pm to RelientAA
I've got the large barrel type with the side firebox and it is great for long cooking, ribs, chicken, pork loins etc....but I also have a small webber that is much better for the short cooking, steaks, burgers, kabobs, fish etc.
I know this does not help but try and figure what type of grilling you will be doing and opt for that type.
I know this does not help but try and figure what type of grilling you will be doing and opt for that type.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:03 pm to tavolatim
I think I am just stuck on the barrel with fire box because it is a smoker and a grill. I have shopped around and they all seem to be fairly cheap and have a large cooking surface. I absolutely love to do ribs but I enjoy grilling other stuff. Maybe it is the one I am looking for. I just have to make a few modifications.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:13 pm to RelientAA
quote:Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into the offset smoker. I've got one (Brinkman Pitmaster) and I love it. It can also double as a larger charcoal grill. But as Martini pointed out they're a bit cantankerous, and learning to control the air flow, factoring how much charcoal / wood to use and when to refuel is tricky and takes time to learn. I had mine two years before I was comfortable and felt like I really knew what I was doing without fretting over the cooking temp every 15 minutes. And the upside is indeed that you have a lot of indirect heat surface area.
I kinda want something with a large amount of cooking surface. Nobody like the barrel smokers with side fire box?
But as you mention you're a college student and you're broke. An offset smoker worth its salt is a heavy, cumbersome summbitch. You'll eventually have to move. And it could walk (or roll) away in the middle of the night. And firing that baby up and cleaning it afterwards is significantly more involved than with a conventiaonal charcoal grill.
You've asked the FD Board's advice and the concensus coming back at you - which takes into consideration all of your planning factors - is that a big Weber is right up your alley. With the two side coal bins I can indirect 4 slabs of ribs (a rack helps) or 3 chickens or butts. The Weber's the way to go. It's cheaper, lighter and easier to use.
. . . unless you have your heart set on the offset rig and you simply want someone to confirm your choice.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:24 pm to GarmischTiger
Let me offer my .02 on the offset smoker. I've got an old New Braunfels - basically the same as the Brinkman. The problem with the offsets in the 150 range is simply that the steel is too thin to retain the heat. Thus you have large tempature fluctuations and the fuel constantly needing to be replaced. I've also used the Webers (which are great) and the Old Smokey. They both can do indirect by how you build your coals. If you are hell bent on a barrel, go to Albertsons or someplace similar that sells the old 55 gal drum pits. We bought one and cut the legs off, welded a trailer hitch to it and used it for tailgating when in college. They are about $80 and work fine too. If you really want a nice offset, I'd suggest finding a bigger propane tank (100-200 gal) and finding a welder to build one for you.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:33 pm to RelientAA
quote:
I think I am just stuck on the barrel with fire box because it is a smoker and a grill
Get it...if you can find one with an adjustable charcoal rack...then go that route(you will be able to raise the coals closer to the meat for fast cooking....If not do as I did ....buy a small webber(about 30 bucks) to cook your fast stuff on...You will save time and money on charcoal....make sure you get the thermometer for it...
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:40 pm to GarmischTiger
I guess I am trying to talk myself into it. I wouldnt mind making a few improvements to it. Plus you only get good at grillin by practice so I dont care how long it takes me to get comfortable. I live in a house with garage/cover so it doesnt have to be portable. I am rather stubborn so asking for advice may not have been the best option
I read a ton of reviews on the barrel with side fire box and I understand that with a few mods to the new bruns or char-grill it can be very good. But I will go look at the brinkman too.
I read a ton of reviews on the barrel with side fire box and I understand that with a few mods to the new bruns or char-grill it can be very good. But I will go look at the brinkman too.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:49 pm to RelientAA
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:50 pm to RelientAA
Then get an offset in your price range and do what Tim said and get a small Weber for quick indirect stuff.
In a few years when you have the time and money build yourself your dream rig.
In a few years when you have the time and money build yourself your dream rig.
Posted on 5/19/10 at 1:51 pm to GarmischTiger
quote:
In a few years when you have the time and money build yourself your dream rig.
As soon as I get the money
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