Hi Gang- I hope you are all doing well. Well, I have been using a Smokin Tex for a couple of years. Its the small unit, does fine, blah blah blah.Well, I married about a year ago and I find myself cooking in different shifts. Some the night before, some the next day in order to accomodate the volume of people the family has.
I simply need more smoker. I have looked at the differing units and the Amerique is definitely the route I want to go.
1) Where is the best online place to get one? I had thought Cabelas. Today I looked and they were at $1599 and previously they had been less than that.
2.) Has anybody had trouble with the probes? I know that when I use one of my thermometers I am constantly having to replace them. Are these heavy duty? Why will they last longer than the Taylors and the other units I am always replacing?

Thanks in advance......

I bought my FEs from the West Coast Store. Hans is great and has good customer service just like Cookshack. His price beats Cabellas by about $120 bucks, too.

http://www.thewestcoaststore.com/cookshack_amerique.html

Bought my AmeriQue from the Charcoal Store and have loved it. No problem with the probe. Check them out, great to work with and you will love the AQ

I also bought from the Charcoal Store, with no regrets. As far as the probe is concerned, it is not made like the probes that come with the remote thermometers. It is more of an industrial grade probe, and mine has held up well to repeated use and cleaning.

You'll love the Hold feature of the AQ. You can start your smokes the evening before without the worry that they might overcook before morning. The worry free sleep is priceless.
Smiler

Well, I am all set to pull the trigger and a new opportunity shines its light my way.
I ran into a guy with a Cookshack 150 about two months old. I can get it for less than an Amerique...
I do not know anything about the 150, they seem pretty similar in size, features, etc. Except the 150 is for commerical use.
Will it hoild up as good outdoors? Still uses 120v? I will do some reading, but what are the biggest differences?
Thanks All...SG

Hi Steve,good to hear you back.

I've used a 160 for years,and it is great.

Mine was built in the '90 s,and never missed a beat.

It stays outside,with the CS cover,by the beach in south Fl.

It survives the nightly salt shower from the Ocean and the rainy season.

It doesn't have the temp probe of the AQ,but does the same control functions by time.

They will roll through a standard door,so can go anywhere.

It is retaurant certified and I see them a lot of places.

I'd use mine in comps in a heartbeat,if they were allowed.

I've run across some that were used daily in restaurants for 20 years,and they swear by them.

Hope this helps a little.

I had a 150 outdoors for about 4 years, so no problems there. Get a cover for it. It uses 120.

The controller in the AQ is basically the same that's been used in the commercial series for years. The 150 is bigger and will serve you well.

I purchased my AmeriQue from Charcoal Store approx three weeks ago. Service was impressive and lightning fast. The smoker was ordered on a Monday and delivered to my home in Florida on Wednesday. Also, David was very helpful with some general questions and followup. I would strongly recommend Charcoal Store for your purchase. Great price, service, delivery and follow-up.
Hilton