I realize I'm in Cookshack Country here and that is why I'd like to ask a couple of questions. For those of you who now own a CS, was there any reason beyond the cost of the bisquettes or the sliding thermostat (of the Bradley) that led you to choose the CS? I'm comparing the two and looking for clear advantages of the CS over the Bradley other than the two above. Did any of you ever use or own a Bradley? Thanks for any input you can offer!

I bought a Cookshack because I wanted to buy a smoker that didn't require much of my time, was built bomb-proof and rugged enough to last a lifetime. And with such a sizable investment, I wanted a company that stands behind their product with no b.s.

The beauty in it is its simplicity, yet ability to consistently turn out a superior product with little effort.

No, I never owned a Bradley, just an el-cheapo Brinkman charcoal smoker. Life is much better now.

Finally, this forum is another reason I purchased the product. By searching the archives or occasionally posting a question, I always get an answer to any question I have about smoking ANYTHING in the Smokette.

Am I happy camper? Yes.

mamba- we ordered our Smokette at the Fiery Foods show in Albuquerque after looking at both CS and Bradley there. Knowing little about smoking except wanting ease of operation and good food, we chose CS. Husband did not like the idea of one more mechanical part to give us problems (the fuel system) and having only one fuel available. With our 008 if I have electricity and a piece of wood, I'm in business. Haven't had a bad meal yet from this smoker and am very pleased with our decision to get the CS.

There are a lot of much more experienced users here who will be able to give you better comparisons.

Mudgie

Without being redundant, I'll just 2nd everything mainlydave stated. My only addition is that since I got a CS (008), I find myself smoking constantly (at least once a week) with consistently excellent results and I now really enjoying doing so. I can not say that with previous smokers that I've had.

I know you indicated that you wanted reasons other than cost of the bisquettes, but I don't know if people really think this one through. On the Bradley web site, a box of 48 bisquettes costs $15.89 plus shipping. That box will provide 16 hours of smoke. That is more than $1 an hour for smoke! And in the case of a pork butt, the smoke will cost more than the meat. In all seriousness, I don't understand how anyone could rationalize the purchase of a unit that costs this much to operate.

Buy the Cookshack, its a no brainer.

Richard

i wanted electric for ease of operation and education for a beginner. And i didnt want to depend on OEM wood pellets, when i can get my own wood, vary the amount and the kind or wood. i am so happy with my cookshack. jan

Bisquettes? We don't need no stinking bisquettes! Ditto what RPM said, the cost of the bisquettes is nuts.

I'll tell you one thing. You Cookshack people are a vocal bunch! I've posted this same message around a few different sites and gotten a couple of replies, but nothing like here. You sold me just on input alone. Plus, I like the fact there are so many of you to ask questions and you seem dedicated to your smoker. Thanks very much for taking the time to respond.

Is everyone meaning to say briqettes? I don't know what a bisquette is.

I think I started that and I think you are right! I should have just said little pieces of preformed wood that cost a lot of money!

BTW, how does the CS get so much smoke flavor out of so little wood. Everyone says a little goes a long way. Is it because there is little or no flame?

Bradley is a Canadian company and that's how they spell it. In reality they are compressed wooden "biscuits" or maybe they should call them pucks.

As for the smoke quantity, my guess is that it just smolders and never really flames. Think of it like a cigar, not alot of volume, but they can sure put out a lot of smoke.

Richard

Sorry Richard. I thought y'all were talking about charcoal briquettes.

Have you seen 1/4" cedar panels that people use to line their closets? The bisquettes are like that material, full of chips and a binder product, and cut into round blanks that are stacked like poker chips in a mechanical device that feeds them to a heater that also is the smoke source. I looked at those and said, "No way" do I want to mess with that. They were expensive, too! Because of work and my schedule, I don't use my CS as much as I might, but I really like it and am happy to have purchased it.

we decided on a cookshack after going to the nbbqa convention in atlanta this year. i was originally going to buy a backwoods or southern yankee unit since southern pride and ole hickory were way out of line with our startup costs.
why did i decide on cookshack which wasn't even on the list? number one john spent a lot of time with us and pointed out that an fec100 would meet competition standards, which i wanted to do, but as my wife was afraid why not take alook at an sm150 which he felt would be great for catering. after spending time with patty and dan (man i hope i got their names right) peggy loved the controls!!!!! but the most impressive thing about cookshack was they were the only manufacturers that never told us how to get around food laws and florida has got some of those!!!!
so to be honest cookshacks upfront honesty and the way they spent so much time with us was what decided it for us!!!!!
now if the trailer maker can come thru on the 30th i will be happy since my cookshacks shipped on time and complete one month ago to him and i cant cook on them i'll be happy but to be fair trailer tech does offer a great product too and i am somewhat happy alex and those guys are doing so well
jack
2 Greyhounds....SMOKIN!!!!
ps and yes i am a chef in a prison lol

Another reason to purchase a cookshack is the ability to cook slow and low. I am not an experienced cook. However last evening we served an 8lb. prime rib that my guests said was the best they had ever eaten. I also thought it was really good. Thanks also to my butcher and the recipe I got from the fourm!