Cooking on the FEC in bad weather

If you plan on cooking in an FEC in inclement weather, there are two things I would recommend doing.

First, buy a cover to go with it. The cover is very convenient in that it zippers on both sides of the front flap making it very easy to open and check the smoker. Plus it will help to protect the electronics.

Second, add a 90 degree bend plus a rain cap to the exhaust outlet. This helps when it is windy outside. The smoker performs better when wind is not blowing straight into the exhaust vent.

Regarding your question on the SS, the only thing I can tell you is that the SS cannot be used at a sanctioned contest while an FEC can. That is if you ever plan on competing with it. One other thing, the FEC has a wider range of cooking temps than the SS plus the IQ4 controller allows you to cook on the FEC at two different temp levels if that is what you want to do with the smoking process you plan on following.

I'm sure someone else will chime in with additional differences between the two.

Weather isn't an issue with the FEC any more than another smoker except you just need to keep the pellets dry and since the pellet hopper and the electronics on in the same area, you'll keep both dry.

All CS's are made the same, with stainless and all walls insulated with 800 degree bat insulation. Cold temps don't cause a problem.

Just buy the cover and it's good. I've cooked many a contest with a thunderstorm going and no problem...except keeping the rain from washing off the rub as I loaded the smoker.

The FEC and the other CS aren't the same. Totally different method/product. The smaller CS's use a electronic element for heat and wood for flavoring. The FEC's use pellets for both heat and flavor.

The smaller ones have a moister cook just because they're designed that way. The FE's have a drier heat, more what you get in an offset.

Both turn our great products and have a loyal following here in the forum

Ask any question you come up with.

Smokin'

I just sold my FEC500. I also have a FEC100, which has been at a friends place for a couple of months. I have had to use my stick burner lately. I forgot what a pain it is having to check the fire every 45 minutes. Plus, I burp up all the smoke that was used cooking the meat. Once you use any FEC, you will never want anything else ever again.

Hey folks,

Thanks for all of the advice. I'm just about sold on the FEC. One clarification and one question:

First, the clarification: A couple folks mentioned using the smoker with the cover - is this the pvc cover that cookshack sells for abour $90 or are you suggesting something else? It's okay to use the cover with the FEC running? It won't melt the cover?

Second the question: I was talking with Dave over at charcoalstore.com. He has the FEC for a little over $3,000 including shipping which is great for me as shipping to MA would normally run me close to $900. Has anyone ever done business with them? Are they good guys to buy from?

thanks

Jim

Cookshack won't undercut their distributors, so you will probably find it a little cheaper from a distributor like the Charcoal Store.

I got my FEs from Hans at the West Coast Store, http://thewestcoaststore.com/. He also included shipping.

Basically you order from the distributor, but the smokers are shipped from Ponca City. Hans has a weekend special of $2995 thru midnight tommorrow.

The cover is a must. I didn't order them at first, and I never got so tired of fighting trash bags in my life trying to cover the pellet hopper and electronics if there was hint of rain. They are very strong a durable and well worth the price.

You'll be hard pressed to find much better peeps than Dave at the Charcoal store.

Go for it Jim, You won't regret it.

RandyE

Dave at The Charcoal Store is 1st class. You can't do any better when you deal with them. Go for it!!

I BOUGHT A FEC100 FROM DAVE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO,AS I ONLY LIVE A COUPLE HOURS FROM THE CHARCOAL STORE I PICKED IT UP FROM THEM. YOU WON'T FIND A BETTER PLACE OR FINER PEOPLE TO DO BUSSINESS WITH. DAVE AND HIS STAFF ARE #1 IN MY BOOK

Dave's a great guy.

The smoker is so well insulated, you don't have any issue with the smoker getting hot on the outside.

I like to cook, in the summer, with the cover on the smoker. The stainless gets too hot to touch in direct sun. Not from the internal heat, but from the sunlight.

quote:

ply

I also bought my FEC from The Charcoal Store this past October. Great folks, you can't go wrong. They were very helpful and knowledgeable.

I asked the same thing earlier and now entend to get a cover real soon. Mine came from The Charcoal Store as well. My wife suprised me with it this Christmas. They were very nice and helpful to her throughout the purchase. I will be using mine under a 10x20 tentwith an exhaust flu, but still think I will need a cover.

Mine sits on the porch all year long without a cover. It is always working. I bought it in 11/2003. Last month, I pulled the pellet box/auger assembly off and pressure washed the unit. I figured it should be cleaned every four years.

Hey Pit Crew, Were are you located????


RandyE