amerique

CS has been using those basic electronics,for about 30 years,in the restaurant cookers.

I have a 160,which is just slightly larger than the AQ.

The guys out in the more dry southwest leave them outside all the time,without a cover.

My 1996 is setting outside, right now, in the tropical storm at the beach in S. Fl,where it always has.

It cooks right thru the wind,torrential rain,and second worst lightning location in the country.

We run across them that have been used in a restaurant for decades and are now 2nd hand to vendors,backyard cooks,etc.

I do keep one of the great CS covers zipped over it.

Don't know about the insulation,but most of them run 800º-1000º.

Most cookers have little to none.

I have never had a moments problem with it.

quote:

Originally posted by DAB:
... or would i be better buying one of the other smokers that dont have electronics?

Well all the CS models have electronics, so I'm not sure why the statement like that. Do you mean some other smoker, than CS?

reliable, durable accurate?

All good questions.

I don't think you'll see a Single post about durability. I've never heard of a CS being returned because it wasn't built like a tank. I DO see frequent posts about old CS's still being out there and working. Last one I remember was a smoker from the 80's a few weeks back.

Reliable? Only as good as the company behind the product, so just keep reading the forum for thoughts from users about the company. I'd say you'll find too many success stories to read.

Accurate? I think some put too much in accuracy. For me, it's a smoke is plus/minus 10 degrees that's super accurate. My AQ is more accurate than that, so I don't think that's a concern.

Just ask any questions, we'll try to give you straight answers. Neither Tom nor I work for CS and plenty of us have used just about every smoker out there so we can help out.

Let's see about the insulation. I think it used to be quoted as 1000 degree and it's now 850 degree. ZERO issue. 850 or 1000 it's sufficient to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Prolly a more accurate estimate than a change. It might be relevant if it got struck by lightning.

Actually no, that's more like 100,000 degrees. You're gonna need some serious insulation for that mate.

I have a self cleaning oven, really it has arms and cleans itself. I don't think it goes to 850 degrees. It gets pretty frikkin hot.

Thumper just bought an Americue and used it for the first two times this past week end. It worked flawlessly and produced some tasty shoulder and ribs. Everything worked fine and it was as close to effortless as you can get.

Thumper

thanks for the great info. i should have been a little more precise in my original post. i am definitely going to purchase a cookshack smoker. cabelas has a model 55 which does not have digital technology for its controller as does the americue. before i plunk down all that money i just want to make sure im getting a good reliable smoker. from what i can gather from the forum so far, it appears the Q is a great machine and i cant go wrong. if the digital controller ever goes bad can it be serviced or replaced? ive been smoking on a green egg for years and love it. ive smoked everything on it and it comes out great. im ready,however for a more hands off smoker where i put the meat on and leave it without worry. it appears the Q will meet this requirement

I like easy. I like simple. I like Cookshack. Sometimes when it's smoking with friends around, we do have to decide which beer to drink.

I bought a 55 about a year ago because of the same concerns.. in addition to the extra cost fo the AQ. I have had to fix or pay to fix too many of my other appliances with controller failures over the last 15 years. However, having followed this forum for the last year, I would buy the Amerique instead. There seem to be very few problems posted about the Amerique... and would really like to have had the added features. And, if there is an issue, Cookshack will take care of it ASAP. I had one issue -- I called them and talked to a tech and the problem was resolved. No waiting on hold for 40 minutes, no foot dragging -- a real live knowledgeable person helped fix it right up.

quote:

Originally posted by uncsmoker:
I called them and talked to a tech and the problem was resolved. No waiting on hold for 40 minutes, no foot dragging -- a real live knowledgeable person helped fix it right up.

Once you get past the Oklahoma accent. Don't they know we've been conditioned to understand tech help ONLY when decoded from Indian or Philippine dialects?

Occasionally,Tony ,in service, is a little slow,but the fact they keep sending him to Iraq,gives him some slack points.