BBQ Smoker Poll

For the last 3 weeks or so I've been conducting a reader's poll here on the BBQ Blog to find out what types of smokers my readers are currently using.  Here is a quick summary of the results so far:

Weber Smokey Mountain 13 (27%)
Backwoods Smoker 1 (2%)
Cookshack Pellet Smoker 0 (0%)
Stumps Smoker 4 (8%)
Lang Offset 3 (6%)
Klose Offset 0 (0%)
Big Green Egg 9 (18%)
Other Offset Smoker 16 (33%)
Other Vertical Smoker 6 (12%)

It looks like the Lang and Other Offset Smokers are in the lead with 39% of the votes. The Weber Smokey Mountain is in second at 27% with the Big Green Egg third with 18%.

There are two days left to vote in the current poll. Have you cast your vote yet?

Care to share your suggestions for a topic for the next poll?

Kingfisher Kookers - BBQ Smokers

I have been looking for a towable smoker to replace my 7 x 16 enclosed trailer. Kingfisher Kookers makes a nice rotisserie smoker that's rapidly moving up my list of favorites. My choice is between two Kingfisher models: The BT Komination rotisserie and the Commercial Smoker rotisserie. Here are some features of both from the Kingfisher website.

The BT model weighs 500 lbs.

• The smoking chamber is 30 x 34 x 40 and contains four trays.
• The trays are 10 x 37 for a total tray surface of 1,480 square inches.
• Each tray will hold approximately four briskets.
• The smoker has a wood storage box, an integrated work table, and a warming rack.
• Additional cooking racks can be purchased that essentially double meat capacity.

The Commercial model weighs 1,075 lbs.

• The smoking/cooking chamber is 42" x 48" x 48" and contains six trays.
• Seven to nine sides of ribs (3 1/2 downs) can be placed on each tray by using rib racks.
• A tray will hold five to six trimmed briskets.
• Whole hogs, dressed (up to 70 pounds) and trussed can be placed on each tray.
• Trays 10" x 44" create a total tray surface of 2,772 square inches.
• The firebox area is 24" x 16" x 16". The firebox will hold split wood up to 24 inches in length.
• The oven is 9" x 18" x 42", and has a safety latch on the door.
• The top of the oven serves as a warming area for sauces and marinades.
• The available warming surface is 24" x 42".
• There is a work table, 30" x 42", twelve inches above the warming surface, that includes a handle for moving the unit when it is off the towing tongue and on the caster wheel.
• Built on a trailer axle, with springs and tires, towing tongue and caster wheel, is road ready.

Kingfisher has a nice network of dealers too.

Ceramic Insulation for Your Offset Smoker

Are you looking for a method to increase the efficiency of your offset smoker? Want to use less fuel and hold more consistent cooking temperatures? Ceramic insulation may provide an answer.
In my upright smoker, I have 1 inch of insulation around the entire box -- including the cooking chamber. It really works wonders.

Why not insulate the firebox for your offset smoker? I'm not a welder or fabricator, but I'd bet it's possible to modify the existing firebox with some insulation to improve heat retention.

Peoria Custom Cookers

If you like offset cookers, then you need to take a serious look at Peoria Custom Cookers. I've noticed their advertisements in various bbq magazines for a couple of years and tonight I decided to visit their website. One word just about sums it all up....Wow!

They build offsets suitable for catering, back yard smoking, and competition cooking from big to small and just about everything in between.

And if the website doesn't convince you, I'll add this....none other than Bar-b-Quau of the KCBS competition circuit now cooks on a PCC cooker.

Build an Offset Barbecue Smoker

If you're mechanically oriented and are a good welder, or know someone who is, you can build you own offset bbq smoker. It's common to see offset smokers made from propane tanks.

Here are some links to websites that can help get you started in the right direction:

Where to put the axle
Offset Smoker Build
BBQ Smoker Plans
Forum Discussion

Here's a picture of the end result as built by Rob Bagby aka "Rub" of Swamp Boys BBQ.