PSA: Don't buy a cheap offset smoker from a big box store

I grabbed a $200 offset smoker from a local hardware store last month, thinking I'd save cash. The metal was so thin it warped after the first long cook, and the door seal was useless, letting all the heat out. I spent the whole 12 hours fighting to keep the temp steady and my pork shoulder came out dry. Ended up wasting about $50 on that meat and a full day of my time. Has anyone found a decent budget offset that actually holds heat?

3 comments

3 Comments

caleb_price23d ago

Mark_Hayes has the right idea.

mark_hayes23d ago

What about the Old Country Pecos?

seth_harris3623d ago

Honestly the real cost is the fuel and time. My buddy's thin offset eats charcoal like crazy, so his "cheap" smoker actually costs more per cook than my used one. All that extra wood adds up fast, plus you're stuck babysitting it. A thicker pit might cost more up front but it pays for itself when you can actually sleep during a brisket cook.