My thoughts? You're a brave man.
Yeah, I've got four other charcoal burners, though I'm a lump guy who doesn't care for briquettes. I've got a Barrel House Cooker which is a fun little unit, very much like the Pit Barrel Cooker (which seems to have a cult like following) only I think better because it's easier to reload for longer cooks, has better cool touch handles, has slightly better temp management and can function as a grill in addition to the smoker function right out of the box without the mods needed for the PBC. BTW, the owner of PBC recently bought BHC so there's likely a revised PBC in the not too distant future. While I like the BHC it's for sale now too, the reason why is told later.
I've got a big, fancy all 304 stainless cooker for large cook occasions (recently did a wild boar piglet). I call it the Big Silver Box. It's a Cajun Grills Preaux. Lots of surface area, nice adjustment of fire height to grate level, and manages temps very well. Dual zone capability and smokes well. Very good performer overall that isn't suited for small cooks for the bride and myself.
I just got a medium size grill from Oklahoma Joe's called the Judge. I haven't done a first cook on it yet, just the burn in mambo. I've already started with a few mods based on my preferences, I like a combo grill and smoker capability and this thing is more aimed at grillers. As such it had a lot of places for air to leak and mess up the temp control from my point of view/beliefs. I've sealed the seams/openings, modified the side air intake, and put sealing strips around the lid and firebox front door. I got it primarily because of the height adjustable fire pan (because that feature is one of my favorites from the Preaux), and for the ease of refueling for longer cooks. Also, it's sized so that wood splits are an option that might be fun to play with. Kind of a flyer deal, but with promise.
This last guy turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. This is, for now, my go to cooker for bbq/smoker; an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco. It's a vertical smoker that converts easily to a charcoal grill. Lots of variables possible for set ups to manipulate smoke and/or fire. You can smoke from hangers or flat on the grate. You can zone cook or sear. The lid has an excellent seal, and the temp controls with the inlet and exhaust are very responsive and effective. The only mod I did was the seal the two piece barrel with rtv when I assembled it. That's it, it's a tight box. Does everything the PBC/BHC folks love to brag about, only better......and with a wide range of very controllable temps. With two grates it can take a lot more food than most 18" cookers can, and it works great. At $300 it's the most bang for the buck in charcoal cookers as far as I'm concerned. And while OJ like to pretend they have a MAP program, Wally World will have an "inventory clearance" sale on them once or twice a year at $184...……...a double steal of a deal. Yeah, I'm really pumped on this guy. Tidy size, charcoal/wood flavoring, easy to set up, outstanding temp control (number one feature on my list), and affordable. Good companion for the RT for those times when you want to be more involved in shaping the flavor of the product.
I do have a stick burner of sorts as well, an EcoQue Gen 3 wood fired oven/smoker. This would be a whole different conversation, let's just say I like it cause I've got eclectic tastes (nice euphemism eh?).
Arncha glad ya asked?
UB,
Sorta glad....
I had to go look up each of those. Watched some vids too. I had actually considered a Cajun Grills Preaux. Just was out of my budget for the next grill. Also gave the Ranch Kettle some thought. Really too much for 90% of what I do. A regular size kettle is pretty versatile. Especially with a Sear & Smoke.
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