Offset Smoker

[Prairie Doggin']

Anybody use an offset smoker? Just wood and fire? Have a couple pellet smokers, which I love for the ease of use, but sometimes feel like the smoke is missing. Seems like my old propane smoker and wood chips outshined pellets, even with a smoke tube.



Anyway, kicking around adding an offset to the mix...

 

[Fester]

Anybody use an offset smoker? Just wood and fire? Have a couple pellet smokers, which I love for the ease of use, but sometimes feel like the smoke is missing. Seems like my old propane smoker and wood chips outshined pellets, even with a smoke tube.



Anyway, kicking around adding an offset to the mix...

Yup, cheapy one. Was hard to control the temp. Constantly watching it and adjusting it. No longer have one. Use a pellet grill which does not offer nearly the same smoke buy temp control is WAY easier!

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I got a cheap one and after some tweaks had it pretty dialed in, don't have time to play with it anymore. If you get one spend a little extra, use good wood like oak (apple alone is tough to get the heat but works to supplement), and learn what size of splits work best, fire management, etc. Even on some of the better setups plan on playing with the fire about every 30min or so

 

[Airwolf1972]

Best flavor you'll ever get. I use the lump charcoal and wood chips, spent a little more on the smoker thicker steel and a learning curve.

 

[wslayer]

@Prairie Doggin' , try adding a smoke tube in your pellet. Need to make sure the pellets are completely dry. I microwave a handful for 1 min at a time ( twice) . Keep an eye on them, they can ignite if get too hot.

 

[wslayer]

This 6” will burn for about 2 hrs for additional smoke

 

[Prairie Doggin']

@Prairie Doggin' , try adding a smoke tube in your pellet. Need to make sure the pellets are completely dry. I microwave a handful for 1 min at a time ( twice) . Keep an eye on them, they can ignite if get too hot.

I do use a smoke tube, but am still sometimes disappointed by the level of smoke. Sometimes I even run with just smoke (150°) for an hour or so before I start smoking.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I do use a smoke tube, but am still sometimes disappointed by the level of smoke. Sometimes I even run with just smoke (150°) for an hour or so before I start smoking.

At the end of the day you will never completely replicate the flavor of a real unmanufactured wood cook. Look up Mad Scientist BBQ on YouTube, his older videos from a 2-3yrs (maybe more) ago might be what you are looking for bit he has many experiments over the years

 

[Prairie Doggin']

At the end of the day you will never completely replicate the flavor of a real unmanufactured wood cook. Look up Mad Scientist BBQ on YouTube, his older videos from a 2-3yrs (maybe more) ago might be what you are looking for bit he has many experiments over the years

Thanks! I'll take a look.

 

[KDM]

I've found that there is a direct relationship between flavor and the amount of attention you pay to the smoker. More effort to keep things "just right" by checking on the smoker every 20-40 minutes instead of once every 4 hours translates better to "It has to be a felony to taste this good." Offset smokers have produced some of my best results, but they are a time consuming and finicky endeavor with lots of swear words thrown in for seasoning. Good Luck!!

 

[shorthairman]

I bought a cheaper Oklahoma Joes offset smoker a few years ago because I wanted to try it...you will definitely get a better smoke off of a smoker burning true hardwood as opposed to pellets. I also use the lump charcoal, but I also buy hardwood chunks and add that. I think you can get them at menards or other places that sell charcoal, lump charcoal, pellets, etc. As mentioned above you will have to babysit your fire to stay on top of and regulate temp. I really enjoy cooking on it, but you have to dedicate time to it, cant just set it and forget it.

 

[shorthairman]

KDM beat me to posting, he hit the nail on the head.

 

[Whisky]

I've no experience with a stick burner but I've used many others. I've occasionally got the itch to try one as well, and everytime I start down that path, and do more research, I end up concluding that babysitting a smoker every 20-30minutes is not gonna fit into my lifestyle right now.

That said, if you're after a stronger smoke flavor that can easily be achieved by using a charcoal smoker with wood chunks added in. Tons of options in this category and most don't need the attention that a stick burner does.

 

[Kurtr]

No replacement for real wood in a real offset smoker the damn pellet grill is just so easy.

 

[KDM]

I bought a cheaper Oklahoma Joes offset smoker a few years ago because I wanted to try it...you will definitely get a better smoke off of a smoker burning true hardwood as opposed to pellets. I also use the lump charcoal, but I also buy hardwood chunks and add that. I think you can get them at menards or other places that sell charcoal, lump charcoal, pellets, etc. As mentioned above you will have to babysit your fire to stay on top of and regulate temp. I really enjoy cooking on it, but you have to dedicate time to it, cant just set it and forget it.

Offset smokers were invented by the whiskey producers and beer brewers. I think it's against the law to fire one up without the other. I could be wrong though.

 

[johnr]

I have a new Treager model, timberline I believe, anyway it has a super smoke option when smoking under 225*, puts a nice layer of smoke on the brisket. Or whatever you put on. Just low temp it for a while and get the smoke rolling over the meat, then finish it off.
No complaints, I am sure it could be done smokier, but as said above, who has the time for babysitting it all day long.

 

[shorthairman]

Offset smokers were invented by the whiskey producers and beer brewers. I think it's against the law to fire one up without the other. I could be wrong though.

Yes, I think you are correct, if you are caught without a drink in your hand while tending a wood smoker you are subject to a hefty fine. If you do not have a drink in your hand you must have unopened drinks cold and within 20 feet for easy accessibility, or a pile of empties within 20 feet for proof of previous consumption while the said smoker was in operation...I prefer to keep my drinks right next to my lawn chair in case of not sure what 20 feet is...

 

[Prairie Doggin']

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on one in the next week or so. Just feeling people out one the effort/reward. I'll still have a couple pellet smokers to fall back on if I don't want to mess with it.

Pellet grills do allow you an opportunity to catch some shuteye, a clear violation of the alcohol policy.

 

[Fester]

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on one in the next week or so. Just feeling people out one the effort/reward. I'll still have a couple pellet smokers to fall back on if I don't want to mess with it.

Pellet grills do allow you an opportunity to catch some shuteye, a clear violation of the alcohol policy.

Keep us posted on if you like it or not..any tips or tricks. Inmay have not given mine enough time to really learn how to use it.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on one in the next week or so. Just feeling people out one the effort/reward. I'll still have a couple pellet smokers to fall back on if I don't want to mess with it.

Pellet grills do allow you an opportunity to catch some shuteye, a clear violation of the alcohol policy.

I forgot to mention you can check out SmokingMeatForums. Tons of info and great people to help almost any question. Don't think I have ever seen anyone get their $h!t jumped for asking for help, unless it's a good suspension of spam.
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/

I got a couple tricks that I have devised and proven on my rigs on a few buddies