All stainless or black exterior?

I like the stainless exterior, easy clean up and nice looking, no rust either. To me it was worth the extra $. Roger

Remember this....you can NEVER go wrong with stainless.
Fresno

again, depends on preferences, location and budget. Some just like stainless, period. If you've got it in an enclosed or covered area, stainless is less critical (like in my garage, where I have the black with no visible signs of rust or wear after a number of years). And then, the cost...

FYI Dennis (what is the UT for?)

The Black is actually a Powder Coat if that helps. Other than that, it's just a personal preference. No performance issues between them.

Smokin'

I personally prefer all stainless.

UT stands for Utah--the BBQ capital of, uh, Utah. I'm originally from Texas though, so I know good Q. And I've educated my neighbors on what real BBQ is--now they turn their noses from the all-too-common pork roast in the crock pot doused with Kraft BBQ sauce that always seem to show up at church/neighborhood gatherings. There's even a guy who sells this at our local, annual town parade/picnic. Pretty sad.

Back to the question, Utah is an arid, high desert. And while I agree that SST has its place, I wonder if the extra money spent on it will buy me anything. How many guys with the powder coating have rust developing on theirs?

Thanks for your help.

I have had a black smokette setting here at the beach area in south Fl for several years.

We are completely drenched in a salt shower every night.

I have a loose cover from my old offset over it.

It has a little rust around the bottom of the feet,that wouldn't be there if I wasn't too lazy to wipe a little 3 in 1 oil on them occasionally.

After a couple of years,some of the folks touch up the feet and maybe the closing latch.

Hopes this helps a little.