accessories to order with CS

Sounds like you got it covered pretty well. If you get the 008 you should consider the stand. It makes things a little easier having the smoker up higher. Or, you could just build a stand if you find you want one.

Thanks for the commetns Bama, good thoughts.

Barry

You might see if they'd substitute the 5 rack kit for the normal 3 rack setup. That way you could do a lot of jerky laying flat, which seems a lot easier to me.

Might start looking for a thermometer now in the summer clearance piles, because you'll for sure need at least one. I got a Maverick brand at JC Penney a couple weeks back for $9.95. Lowe's/Home Depot/Menards are probably clearancing out a lot of outdoor cooking stuff about now.

tjr, thanks for the comments.

What is a 5 rack kit (I didn't see it under accesories, maybe I missed it...).

I have not even thought about a thermometer, good idea. Any suggestions for what to look for in a thermometer?

Thanks,
Barry

centex - If you get a 008, consider buying the rib hooks. They will work on a 008 if you cut the rack in half ( so they are 1/2 as long). The 008 isnt as tall as a 050 and that is why CS doesnt recommend them. Lots of us (myself included) use these in our 008 with great sucess. The 5 rack kit isnt listed on their website as an accessory. It seems to me an easy thing to include but their response is to "call sales" about it.

bob

Hi Barry,

FWIW. I've used a Maverick thermometer for a couple of years and have had no problems with it. I found mine at Wally World, I think. It has has a remote display so I can watch the temp without standing over the smoker. There are several brands other than Maverick: Polder, Pyrex, and Taylor are a few of them.

One thing I've done is to seal the junction of the cable and the probe with a bit of high temp silicone (the orange stuff you can find at Pep Boys or sometimes in the automotive section of Wally's or the like.) It helps keep water and goo out of the probe. Getting stuff into the probe seems to doom it to an early death.

Looks like you have it covered with the exception of seafood racks.

If you plan to do nuts these work great turned upside down. Search for some almond recipes.

While out looking for the thermometer, look around for a 9x13x2 cheap cake pan. Works great for a drip pan and you can position it to catch both drip holes at once. I bought mine at a dollar store. I keep mine clean and will sometimes boil some of the dripping to reintroduce some flavor back into the finished product. Use own judgement here as some are concerned about bacteria growth and such, but I figure if I take it to a good rolling boil the nasties should be gone.

Also another thing that is a great addition, depending on where the unit will be placed. A light of some sort, one of those magnetic based snake light things work well, you can adjust to light up the inside if needed at night.

Ditto on Hook's suggestion of sealing the cable to probe joint.

Dollar store is great for plastic shoeboxes, great for storing wood in. If you have a Staples or Office Depot or Max close to you, they have these neat little plastic drawer apperatices that look like they would work great for this also.

Good pair of heavy gloves are great as well as a cheap putty knife or scraper for removing some of the cakes on stuff inside.

14 inch aluminum foil to line the bottom of the unit and top of the box.

These are some of the things I have learned make life better since I bought my 008 2 years ago.

I would also recommend trying to talk the wife into the larger unit just for the versatility.

There probably are many other things that you will find that make your cooking easier,that is the part of the learning I guess.

dave

Barry,

I live in Austin and have had a CS for over a year. I sent you a private message using the forum software. I included my phone number so you can call to discuss the CS and make arrangements to see the unit if you want.

Thanks everyone for the wealth of information on everything from cookshack accessories to patio accessories. The pertinent content exceeded my memory capacity, I've started taking notes now.

Belly buster, check your PM.

Thanks again,
Barry

You'll probably have to call about the 5-rack holder. I couldn't find it in the online catalog and don't have one yet myself, have just heard about it here.

Ditto on the other ideas.

14" foil may be hard to find altho ideal size. I use 18" heavy duty and just fold up the excess. A plastic putty knife is plenty strong for scraping out grease and won't scratch the metal.

Having a smoker is a great excuse for hunting through dollar stores and the like for stuff that'll be handy. After you wear through a couple foil drip pans, you'll be looking for something better. I chose a low stainless bowl that fits in the dishwasher. Would also get some degreaser/cleaner/Green Slime/Orange Power sort of stuff to clean racks. I found that a little "iron-shaped" scrub brush helps with the cleaning. Bins for wood are good.

A couple other items: If you don't get the seafood racks, you can find smaller expanded metal racks with slight upturned edges intended for grilling fish and vegetables. They work good for smoking fish, jerky, and nuts. A little hatchet with a nice sharp edge is great for getting just the right size chunks of wood. Of course, that justified a cheap angle grinder to sharpen the hatchet - you can see how it goes.

A lot of good suggestions here. One addition that I find important - If the vent hole on top is going to be exposed to foul weather such as rain while the smoker is in use, go to a local hardware or plumbing supply store and buy a
1 1/4", 90 degree cast or galvanized elbow. Fits perfectly over the vent, does not impede the vent functiong as it should, and keeps the rain, etc out of the smoker. Also, it weighs enough so that it's not blown off by high wind.