I have cooked on one, one time.. more as just a helper.

Anyway, besides all the labor involved in keeping the temps regulated, wouldn't usuing an offset be a WHOLE LOT MORE than using a cookshack?

We don't have much hickory, pecan, mesquite.... up here in Philly. We do have oak and maple, tho.

I'm guessing that the cost to operate an offset with hickory / mesquite in these parts would be incredibly expensive.

I have an offset that's rusting away from non-use. When I did use it I got my wood from Publix supermarket in plastic bags. They normally would only sell wood in the winter so I had to stock up for the year. I think a 20lb bag of split hickory logs was around $3.50. Ribs took a whole bag, brisket and pork butts took 2 bags. When you add the cost of beer (to keep from dehydrating while you're tending the firebox all day long) it can easily cost more than the meat being smoked.

In your area,it might be like using a dump truck to go to town and get a bag of sand.

Of course,real men would think that was a challenge.LOL

Just my $0.02