Insulated cabinet vs. Offsets

A

atmosphere0284

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 30, 2016
Location
Chicago
So, I'm looking to upgrade from my Pit Barrel Cooker...love it and will keep it is as long as it will last but lately I have been getting requests from friends asking me to smoke meats for them and the PBC capacity just is not there. I've only ever done BBQ on UDS style cookers so I'm a bit nervous making the switch to a different type of smoker.... again I need the capacity. By no means am I catering for a bunch of people but I'd like to be able to say throw a full packer or two on, 2-4 pork butts and maybe some ribs.

I've been looking at different manufacturers LonestarGrillz, Fat Daddy Smokers LLC, Ironside Smokers, Backwoods, Shirley, Yoder...

I ran my PBC with a CyberQ to get low and slow cooks and I liked the fact that I could get some sleep on overnight cooks because it just ran on its own. I know it boils down to fuel efficiency and it seems that an insulated cabinet smoker would be the right choice for that but I'm also liking vertical offsets (Fat Daddy smokers "Titan" or LonestarGrillz vertical offsets. Could these be ran with a Guru unit overnight or do I really only have one option in an insulated cabinet? I like to use hardwood lump charcoal with wood chunk flavor of choice so that would be my fuel source.

Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance... Joe.
 
The LSG verticals have an optional coal basket. I don't have one but that option might let you get some sleep through the night and give you an offset at the same time. Maybe somebody that actually has one will chime in.
 
atmosphere0284 said:
I like to use hardwood lump charcoal with wood chunk flavor of choice so that would be my fuel source.
Click to expand...
Sounds like an insulated cabinet would be your best option. I made the switch from a stick burner to my insulated cabinet and never looked back. Best of all with my cabinet I didn't have to compromise flavor for convenience. I get the same or better results with my cabinet as I did with stick burner and better yet I don't have to search for large quantities of wood and the space to store it.
 
luv2smoke said:
Sounds like an insulated cabinet would be your best option. I made the switch from a stick burner to my insulated cabinet and never looked back. Best of all with my cabinet I didn't have to compromise flavor for convenience. I get the same or better results with my cabinet as I did with stick burner and better yet I don't have to search for large quantities of wood and the space to store it.
Click to expand...

do the insulated cabinets allow you to form a good quality bark?
 
My only comment is this: the flavor profile of smoked meat from my BGE's and my Weber with the SlowN Sear is different compared to that from my LSG vertical offset. The flavor profile of ribs, etc is different when I use my Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC).

It is all about personal preference. I prefer my stick burner and the favor of burning wood for large meats such as briskets and pork butts. Ribs are fantastic on the stick burner but I prefer the fat dripping on the coals in the PBC for ribs. The ease of cooking smaller meats on my Weber makes more of an everyday cooker. Getting to the point I rarely use my BGE.
 
I have a Humphrey's Weekender, and I love it. Easy to use, capacity is right for me, but I wouldn't have minded a slightly larger one. The bark on the meat it turns out is great. No complaints whatsoever with the Humphrey's.
 
atmosphere0284 said:
So, I'm looking to upgrade from my Pit Barrel Cooker...love it and will keep it is as long as it will last but lately I have been getting requests from friends asking me to smoke meats for them and the PBC capacity just is not there. I've only ever done BBQ on UDS style cookers so I'm a bit nervous making the switch to a different type of smoker.... again I need the capacity. By no means am I catering for a bunch of people but I'd like to be able to say throw a full packer or two on, 2-4 pork butts and maybe some ribs.

I've been looking at different manufacturers LonestarGrillz, Fat Daddy Smokers LLC, Ironside Smokers, Backwoods, Shirley, Yoder...

I ran my PBC with a CyberQ to get low and slow cooks and I liked the fact that I could get some sleep on overnight cooks because it just ran on its own. I know it boils down to fuel efficiency and it seems that an insulated cabinet smoker would be the right choice for that but I'm also liking vertical offsets (Fat Daddy smokers "Titan" or LonestarGrillz vertical offsets. Could these be ran with a Guru unit overnight or do I really only have one option in an insulated cabinet? I like to use hardwood lump charcoal with wood chunk flavor of choice so that would be my fuel source.

Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance... Joe.
Click to expand...

I went from PBC to Humprheys IVC (still have the PBC and quickly picked up a second Humphrey's because they were awesome).

I actually light my Humphrey's just like I light the PBC, lit coals on top let them wick down.

Had a very short learning curve and could not be happier having both. Feel free to let me know if you have any specific questions. As far as the fuel, what you listed would work great. Good luck.

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I'd say my insulated cabinet can get really close to my stick burner. I'd go cabinet first since it's not such a drastic change like an offset would be.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
I have been drooling over the Meadowcreek BX50 cabinet h2o smoker for a while now, I personally like the water smoke and this one will also smoke dry. Several competitors use it and are winners. I have seen it in action, good bark, controlled cook almost a set it and forget it (almost). Will hold quite a bit of meat and different types at a time. Made in America . Check it out I think you will be impressed.
 
TC Smoke & Que said:
I have been drooling over the Meadowcreek BX50 cabinet h2o smoker for a while now, I personally like the water smoke and this one will also smoke dry. Several competitors use it and are winners. I have seen it in action, good bark, controlled cook almost a set it and forget it (almost). Will hold quite a bit of meat and different types at a time. Made in America . Check it out I think you will be impressed.
Click to expand...

I'll take a look... thanks!
 
Check out Humphreys if you're interested in an insulated cabinet. I have a pint which I love.

I find the results similar to my Big Green Egg, but with much more space.
 
Any thoughts from owners on how these compare to kamados? I'm debating between a insulated cab snd offset. Wonder if the cabinet is a good choice for someone who already has a KJ.
 
carl_694 said:
Any thoughts from owners on how these compare to kamados? I'm debating between a insulated cab snd offset. Wonder if the cabinet is a good choice for someone who already has a KJ.
Click to expand...

the biggest difference will be cooking capacity. There is alot more room in a cabinet so you also dont get as much radiant heat from the cooker itseld as you do with a KJ/ egg style cooker.
 
lsuillini said:
Check out Humphreys if you're interested in an insulated cabinet. I have a pint which I love.

I find the results similar to my Big Green Egg, but with much more space.
Click to expand...

I have looked at Humphreys. Nice cookers but Ironside has caught my eye for an IVC. They are also close enough to me where i can make a short drive and pick the cooker up.
 
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