vertical direct smoker

[lastmajordude]

I hate to keep posting questions but would like to hear reviews on these direct heat smokers.... the smoking box directly over the firebox style. Many fabricators make them....in my mind they seem difficult to keep the fire low.....but many big name’s make them.......any remarks??

 

[InfiniteJester]

So I have 2 hasty bakes, a small and a large. I use them to grill and smoke. Hasty Bakes come with a heat deflector. For smoking you can use the snake method plus small wood splits with the heat deflector or use a half chimney of charcoal and splits with the heat deflector and keep it around 225. If heat starts creeping up you can set a water pan on the deflector and bring the temp down. I do briskets, ribs, and butts this way and they always have a nice smoke flavor. Regardless of temp, direct heat cookers are always going to cook faster compared to an offset in my experience. They are great for people like me who have work, family, life getting in the way and you don't have time to babysit a fire.

 

[TheHojo]

I have a Royale BBQ Fab direct heat cooker - I really enjoy it - mine did come with deflector plates - I have used them once - but really enjoy cooking over direct heat - believe the top grill is about 28 inches from the heat source

Did meat loaf over direct heat yesterday - doing some beef short ribs right now - the flavor you get from the fat drippings hitting the coals is top notch







Picture above is a 14 pound shoulder clod I did over direct heat

 

[cowgirl]

I've had the Hasty Bake Gourmet for 13 years. I like it. It pretty much grills over direct heat or you can lower the hot coal rack to the bottom for a slow grill/lower heat grill.
One thing I do not like about it is the cabinet is fairly thin. I've thought about reinforcing the lower box with heavier metal but haven't gotten around to it.
I like it as a grill. It's not as efficient as my other cookers for long cooks. I use my other smokers for that.

Hasty Bake
https://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/2011/02/hasty-bake-charcoal-smoker-and-grill.html

https://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-first-cook-on-hasty-bake-gourmet.html


Guam Style Brisket
https://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-guam-style-brisket.html

I like to remove the cooking grate and lower the hot coal rack to it's lowest level. Then hang meat from the top rack. I can keep the temp fairly low for a slow roast/smoke.

Makes good fatties too...

https://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/2011/06/fried-potato-and-smoked-ham-fattie-on.html

Good luck with whatever you decide on, Keith!

 

[4ever3]

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