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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601 |
That would be a tough pill to swallow when you look compare it to the BGE and the like.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601 |
I finally ended up placing my order. Decided on one of the brand new SS versions of the MAK 2 Star General. They don't start shipping the first units until tomorrow.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,963
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,963 |
Been considering the Jim Bowie from Green Mountain Grills, there's a place down the road from the last job I ran that stocks them...they are built stout as hell far as I can tell.
Mauser Rescue Society Founder, President, and Chairman
I don't always shoot Mausers, but when I do...I prefer VZ-24s.
jdi do píči
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,347
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,347 |
I have a Green Mtn Daniel Boone. It works great. In very cold weather, it eats pellets like crazy so I I finally bought an insulated blanket for it. It reduced pellet usage in cold weather dramatically. It also helps some in hot weather. There's no need to remove it in the summer. I've had it several years. Last fall I did have to get a new drive unit for the auger as a gear wore out. It's an easy fix once you get the part.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601 |
I just got the smoker today and I cant even believe how well built this thing is. I honestly don't know if I've ever owned anything built this well. They didn't skimp on anything on this. Even places where they didn't need to use as heavy of steel they still did. All in I think it's over to 250 lbs of stainless steel. It was very expensive, and still exceeded my expectations by a mile. Now I just need to wait for some help so I can lift the smoker onto the cart and finish assembly.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,663
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,663 |
Just in time for the weekend.
Broncos are officially the worst team in the nation this year.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601 |
Just in time for the weekend. Yeah. I'm hoping to properly break it in the next few days.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,661
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,661 |
I’ve used a Weber Smokey Mountain for so long that it’s allowed me to change my fantasy smoker 3 times.
The value of a BGE is the insulation. That damn thing is so efficient, you virtually never have to add charcoal. That’s one thing about my WSM that makes me want to move on. Depending on the outside temp, I may have to refill twice when I’m smoking a butt. That’s 3 fills. I even made a mini-smoke house for it in the winter. I have a Digi-Q that keeps it rock steady at any temp I want, but it’s still no BGE.
After seeing a friend’s puck smoker, I considered that, but those pellets and pucks seem proprietary to me. I’ve never used anything but lump, but if lump isn’t available, I could use briquettes.
The one that currently has my eye is the offset. No bowl to clean and you don’t have to worry about fat dripping on the coals and making the meat bitter.
“When debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” - Socrates
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24,372
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24,372 |
Does anyone know where a Tip Top Temp Control be purchased?
Website says Unavailable.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,418
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,418 |
I had rather have one of those Hanco cookers. They are really made in USA and heavy duty.....
If it ain't broke don't fix it!!!!!!!!!!!
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 387
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 387 |
I’ve used a Weber Smokey Mountain for so long that it’s allowed me to change my fantasy smoker 3 times.
The value of a BGE is the insulation. That damn thing is so efficient, you virtually never have to add charcoal. That’s one thing about my WSM that makes me want to move on. Depending on the outside temp, I may have to refill twice when I’m smoking a butt. That’s 3 fills. I even made a mini-smoke house for it in the winter. I have a Digi-Q that keeps it rock steady at any temp I want, but it’s still no BGE.
After seeing a friend’s puck smoker, I considered that, but those pellets and pucks seem proprietary to me. I’ve never used anything but lump, but if lump isn’t available, I could use briquettes.
The one that currently has my eye is the offset. No bowl to clean and you don’t have to worry about fat dripping on the coals and making the meat bitter. Wow, my 18” WSM will rock on for 8-10 hours no problem at 250-275 without me ever touching it. I usually put one chimney of unlit Kingsford charcoal in it, make kind of a hole in the middle and put 25-30 lit briquettes in the hole, throw a few chunks of wood on top in different spots, assembly it and let her rip. It’s ready for meat 10-15 minutes. I also never use water in the pan but always wrap it in foil and leave it in. Thought about a BGE many times but really just don’t see the need. My only complaint with the WSM is its too small sometimes and 3 racks of baby backs is all I can fit on the top rack. Don’t the lower rack much.
”Those who would give up liberty for security, deserve neither.” Ben Franklin
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319 |
I’ve used a Weber Smokey Mountain for so long that it’s allowed me to change my fantasy smoker 3 times.
The value of a BGE is the insulation. That damn thing is so efficient, you virtually never have to add charcoal. That’s one thing about my WSM that makes me want to move on. Depending on the outside temp, I may have to refill twice when I’m smoking a butt. That’s 3 fills. I even made a mini-smoke house for it in the winter. I have a Digi-Q that keeps it rock steady at any temp I want, but it’s still no BGE.
After seeing a friend’s puck smoker, I considered that, but those pellets and pucks seem proprietary to me. I’ve never used anything but lump, but if lump isn’t available, I could use briquettes.
The one that currently has my eye is the offset. No bowl to clean and you don’t have to worry about fat dripping on the coals and making the meat bitter. Ray, FOGO charcoal is the cat's meow!
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319 |
Does anyone know where a Tip Top Temp Control be purchased?
Website says Unavailable. I bought mine on Amazon
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,208
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,208 |
Side note, BGE makes a wifi/bluetooth enabled "bellows" that fits into the bottom of the BGE: https://biggreenegg.com/product/egg-genius/It gets great reviews - set a temp and it maintains it, reports temp back to your phone or laptop. 16+ hour smokes +/- 2 degrees with ZERO intervention. I only mentioned it for reference. Although I am a BGE fan, I don't own one of these (and likely won't), but there are other similar products on the market for other brands, FWIW.
The DIPCHIT ADD, after a morning of drinking:
You despair, repeatedly, constantly! daily basis? A despair ninny. Sack up, despire ninny.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24,372
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24,372 |
Does anyone know where a Tip Top Temp Control be purchased?
Website says Unavailable. I bought mine on AmazonThank you, one is ordered.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,661
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,661 |
Wow, my 18” WSM will rock on for 8-10 hours no problem....... Do you use a Texas Crutch? I’ve never had a smoke less than 15 hours and it usually goes to 18 or more at 210 degrees. Original fill of lump coal around 10:00pm. Refill at 6:00am and another around 2:00pm.
“When debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” - Socrates
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,470
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,470 |
I ordered a RecTec 700 last Sunday. Supposed to be here in a week.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 387
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 387 |
Wow, my 18” WSM will rock on for 8-10 hours no problem....... Do you use a Texas Crutch? I’ve never had a smoke less than 15 hours and it usually goes to 18 or more at 210 degrees. Original fill of lump coal around 10:00pm. Refill at 6:00am and another around 2:00pm. Not usually on a butt unless I'm in a hurry. But I cook a bit hotter than 210, usually around 250-275, wherever it settles in. I also try to use butts that are around 7-8 pounds. They'll usually run around 9-10 hours until they hit 198, which is when I usually pull them. I use to fight the thing hard, trying to maintain 225 and such, but I can't really tell any difference in meat done at 225 versus 275, so I quit fighting it. I almost always use a texas crutch on ribs though, just because they seem to turn out better that way. Did 4 racks on it yesterday that turned out pretty good. I hardly ever do brisket, so it suits my needs. Still wish I had gotten the bigger one though.
Last edited by KoolBreeze; 05/26/20.
”Those who would give up liberty for security, deserve neither.” Ben Franklin
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 601 |
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,169
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,169 |
Side note, BGE makes a wifi/bluetooth enabled "bellows" that fits into the bottom of the BGE: https://biggreenegg.com/product/egg-genius/It gets great reviews - set a temp and it maintains it, reports temp back to your phone or laptop. 16+ hour smokes +/- 2 degrees with ZERO intervention. I only mentioned it for reference. Although I am a BGE fan, I don't own one of these (and likely won't), but there are other similar products on the market for other brands, FWIW. Side note, BGE makes a wifi/bluetooth enabled "bellows" that fits into the bottom of the BGE: https://biggreenegg.com/product/egg-genius/It gets great reviews - set a temp and it maintains it, reports temp back to your phone or laptop. 16+ hour smokes +/- 2 degrees with ZERO intervention. I only mentioned it for reference. Although I am a BGE fan, I don't own one of these (and likely won't), but there are other similar products on the market for other brands, FWIW. I have had one of these for about a year, the Egg Genius. Works like a champ. Can make a 16 hour brisket smoke super easy. Set the pit at 225 and I will pull the brisket when the meat probe hits 204. I am a massive fan of the BGE, have owned mine for at least a dozen years. But admit if money was no object I’d also own a MAK 2 star.
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