I haven't gone thru as many smoker/grills or grill/smokers as some on this forum. I've used "kettle" style units, a Lowe's Chargriller Pro to which I added the offset firebox, a Weber Genesis, and a Big Green Egg. I've been using the BGE for 3-4 years now. After incinerating some ribs and bricking a brisket, I ordered a BBQ Guru to use with long cooks and inclement weather smoking. My memories of tasteless food out of the GENESIS inspite of using a smoker box and flavor bars, is haunting me(my wife reminded me recently about my costly "away from charcoal" experiment.)
Another reason for my hesitation is that being in Indianapolis, IN, There are no dealers nearby where I could feast my eyes on the product and pick the salesperson's brain (not they really know anything). There seems to be a lot of post that indicate numerous issues with getting any CS really ready to go. I have a hard time laying a wad of cash for something sight unseen.
I'm the kinda guy who just can't buy a unit. I've got to buy the most appropriate functional accessories. Because of this quirk, my budget will only allow me to get the 008 combo with cart along with other cooking related accessories. I found Cookshack to have the best price compared to the WCS and the CS. The others kill you on the shipping.
Is there a BBQ doctor in the house that can help me with my delemma?

Whoa, don't like the Egger's hear you're having difficulty with them. They ARE a loyal bunch

quote:

Originally posted by E.Michael:
There seems to be a lot of post that indicate numerous issues with getting any CS really ready to go. I have a hard time laying a wad of cash for something sight unseen. [quote]

I think if you look at the total of almost 90,000 posts, you're picking out some issues because they stand out. BUT... unlike some places, there is this forum to help, so regardless of what happens, they're are a lot of great guys & gals here to help AND most of those issues get resolved by calling CS Customer Service direct (see a post today about a heating problem). It's just that problem posts seem to stand out. Do NOT worry about the units or the reliability. CS is a top notch company and their customer service is 2nd to none.

[quote]
Is there a BBQ doctor in the house that can help me with my delemma?

Yeah, but you can't afford my rates...

Tough question, and only you can answer. We can offer advice, but there are just too many variables. That's why I created this forum for people to look through "which" smoker to buy. So many questions, but lots of good info.

Keep in mind one thing. 30 day money back guarantee. Not many smokers out there off that.

I was in a similar situation. With no local dealers in central IL, I didn't want to throw down a big chunk of cash on something I hadn't seen either. I spent about 12 months researching (debating, waffling) online and finally got to the Cabela's in KC to look at one. I salesman there said he owned a 55, showed me the construction quality and the amount of wood it needed, and compared to the other smokers, it was hands down the most well made. I was sold and have spent most of my free time trying new recipes. It works like a champ, even in the bitter cold. Jim

I all so have a 55 after going with chagriller and gas grills etc I love this smoker its worth every dime.

I just got my FEC100 and have to tell you, it is one cooking machine. It was indeed a considerable investment but it'll do anything and everything I'll ever ask it to do. It is so easy to use it's really amazing. As for the company, you won't find a more "Customer Satisfaction Focused" group anywhere. And no, I don't have stock in the company. Just thrilled with my smoker and what comes out of it. Here's a link to my last Sunday's cook. Bear in mind this is only my second time cooking ribs ever on anything!

Sunday's cook

Cabela's carries the CS smokers. There's one in Hammond and one in lower SE Michigan (Dundee) but it also looks like they have announced a soon-to-be store in Indianapolis. You might want to check on that.

And their prices sometimes beat the factory.

If the F1 race was still on the calendar this year I wouldn't mind at all to throw mine in the truck and make some stuff for the weekend as I'm always there from thursday to Monday.

However Bernie and Tony couldn't get the job done and now I get no F1 live for the first time in 8 years.

QNORTH,
Due to the "bad economy", Cabella's announced a few months back that the INDY store is on indefinite hold. Their decision also had a domino affect on other vendors that planned to set up shop in that area. It's too bad that Gander Mtn. doesn't carry the CS. They compete with Cabella's on most everything else.

Cronyism Sucks,
We lost the F1 because BE doesn't know how to play nice with people. He's a spoiled brat. I for one am glad we sent him to time-out. What we gained was MotoGP.

For me gaining MotoGP is like losing a girlfriend, but she left me chlamydia. My racing is on four wheels.

I do agree with the comments on Bernie, but he doesn't care about losing Indy when there are countries that allow tobacco ads to be had and will pay through the nose to get his circus there.

I really liked going to Indy. I was like driving 8 hours only to still be at home. People would ask ME for suggestions and directions because they thought I was local. After the first two years I was able to help them out instead of going "I'm from NC.".


I think I'll go to Montreal, been wanting to go there for a while anyway.

are the electric smokers any good seems like the lack of good ol fire would hinder the flavor

You can surely read these forums and know that the CookShack electrics are the best. The smoke flavors the meat and the heat cooks the meat. Simple enough, right ?

Welcome to the forum.

quote:

You can surely read these forums and know that the CookShack electrics are the best.

that sounds a pinch biased to me though, since this is the cook shack website, there is something to be said for good ol fire and smoke hitting bricks that absorb flavor, tin doesn't retain much flavor does it? the electric seems an inexpensive way to go, i wonder if i put a piece of wood in the microwave along with some beef if it would taste good, although if you cut it's testicles off im going to eat it,however its prepared, im sure the electric does taste nice.... and thanks for the welcome this is a cool site

Bricks? What kind of smoker are you making a comparison to?

Truth be told I have run into very few surfaces that won't season up. Stainless steel isn't one of them.

In the end they're all about the same wood, gas or electric. They're all indirect ovens that pass smoke through the cooking chamber to flavor it's contents. The biggest differences after that are how clean the smoke is and how moist the environment is. Then comes resistance to temp fluctuations inside and out.

quote:

Originally posted by cronyism sucks:
Bricks? What kind of smoker are you making a comparison to?

Truth be told I have run into very few surfaces that won't season up. Stainless steel isn't one of them.

In the end they're all about the same wood, gas or electric. They're all indirect ovens that pass smoke through the cooking chamber to flavor it's contents. The biggest differences after that are how clean the smoke is and how moist the environment is. Then comes resistance to temp fluctuations inside and out.

you've never heard of a brick oven? ever have a pizza from a brick oven over a metal gas oven? taste is night and day and anything smoked over gas or propane has always tasted rank to me........ my customers can certainly tell the difference i was just wondering what the electric tasted like...i dont want to start a pissing match