Decisions

Why replacement? 4 yrs and a Cookshack would be getting good and seasoned.Yep, the best of it would just beginning to take place. So whats up with the Bradley?

You wantta do it again in 4 yrs, go ahead and get another Bradley...BUT, if you want a smoker that a company will guarantee unconditional satisfaction for the first 30 days, come join the family and you'll never look back.

Go ahead, we know you have a couple questions? No you don't have to buy any special wood and yes 2ozs on most smokes is all it takes.Yes, there will be a nice wood smoke taste.No it doesn't take any longer to smoke in below 0 weather.

Whats the other questions?

Cracked faceplate at the bottom housing the temp control. Leaks grease out the bottom. Hard to nail down the temp more often than not.

I can give you a few reasons to buy the Cookshack.

1 WOOD COST OF SMOKING:

Cookshack uses one or two 2 oz chunks of wood vs Bradley's hockey pucks. Wood costs a fraction of the Bradley's. I had read posts where Bradley owners complained about the cost of the pucks. It's surprising how much flavor comes from such little wood burning in the Cookshack.

2 ELECTRICAL COST TO RUN A COOKSHACK:

Here's a past thread on electrical usage for the Cookshack Elite:

Cost of 4 Independant Smokes

Don't know the Bradley electrical usage but I think it'd be hard presssed to beat this.

3 INSULATION

Cookshacks have 850 degree insulation. You can rest your arm on top of the smoker after it's been cooking for 4 hrs and not feel the heat. That means you can smoke all year long with no affect to your cook times or costs, regardless of weather.

4 EASE OF USE:

You can throw a pork butt or brisket in the Cookshack the night before dinner, walk away, forget 'bout id, go to sleep, take it off when your remote let's you know the meat is done the next day, and enjoy the meal.

5 UPFRONT COST VS ACTUAL COST:

Let's see--one Cookshack over the next 32 years vs 8 Bradley's (based on your latest experience). These things are built like tanks and are indestructable. I made the same decision you're contemplating and never looked back. The Cookshack will be a family heirloom. No comparison on construction.

6 THIS FORUM:

You'll get a lot of advise, help, recipes, techniques and fun from the multitude of Cookshack/FE owners that participate here.

OK. OK. I like the Cookshacks. And am not a current or former employee.

Have to agree Pags, I went through the same hard decisions as you and just can't believe how well built a CS is, it's never gonna bust a seem.

The only bad thing I can see is that last winter I found myself shoveling snow so I could have some fine Que to eat. Brisket in -10* weather, gotta love a CS and no it didn't take any longer.

quote:

OK. OK. I like the Cookshacks. And am not a current or former employee.

You may get hired if Stuart reads your post

Jj Pags nailed it. Dollar/value is unsurpassed when in comes to Cookshack products. I just loaded a pork shoulder into my 10 yr old Smokette, which has been trouble free since day ONE. Ditto on the commercial units I use at my restaurant. Buy the CS...you won't regret it.

Right on!!! Thanks for the thoughts. Gonna try to convince the wife to make a trip down to cabellas this morning!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Jjliver:
I've been a happy Bradley owner for 4 years. Been doing a bit of research on a replacement and have come to the conclusion it will be either a new digital Bradley or a CS. I'm on the fence as the Bradley seemed a bit poorly built but still got the job done. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!!

Jjliver,

I was on Amazon in July 2010 getting ready to pull the trigger and order a Bradley when I read a review that said: forget the Bradley and just go with a Cookshack because it will last practically forever and you can use wood chunks, not proprietary wood pucks.

Another point: I know a Bradley owner who wore out his first Bradley and had just bought his second. IMO, if you buy a quality item the first time you'll get endless enjoyment from it.

I didn't buy the Bradley, I bought the Cookshack and it has been great.

Cookshacks cost a lot more than a Bradley, but Cookshacks really are built like tanks and make great BBQ. I know the Bradley site is good, but the folks here are good too and they really know their smokers and are only too anxious to help others.

Are Cookshacks perfect? No. But call Cookshack and a real person answers the phone. They return calls and emails. They respond quickly and treat you fairly.

Buy the Cookshack Jjliver. You won't regret it.

SmokinMAINEiac

Made the 40 minute trip to Dundee for the Cookshack and wouldn't you know the are now only available online. Gonna order the Smokette tomorrow!! Thanks for all the input!!

MAINEiac makes a good point about calling CS, I think they give a discount on any items that you purchase with the smoker. Might want to ask about that to see if I'm correct.

I've heard of a few that ordered it through cabella's on-line and had a longgg wait, in fact some gave up.Don't know why they don't stock them anymore...that's where I got mine...just had to see for myself.

quote:

Originally posted by Jjliver:
Made the 40 minute trip to Dundee for the Cookshack and wouldn't you know the are now only available online. Gonna order the Smokette tomorrow!! Thanks for all the input!!

Dundee, well that makes you from OHIO or Michigan, either way pleasure to have you aboard.I'm about 40 minutes from Cabela's, who knows we could be neighbor's, have you been smelling my smoke.

I bought my SM025 from yardandpool.com for $729 with free shipping.

SmokinMAINEiac

Riverview MI, 20 minutes south of Detroit. Dang I hate buying big-ticket items online. Oh well, already offered my Bradley to my cousin in the neighborhood.

If I told you the price my brother bid online for an RV camper, unseen, you'd croak. Take the plunge. Fret not. You'll love it.

I bought a Smokette (on line) many years ago after going through several cheap to medium priced smokers. Earlier this year I bought an AmeriQue (on line). Not to replace the Smokette, but to enhance my smoking pleasure.

Go for it

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jjliver:
Dang I hate buying big-ticket items online. QUOTE]

yardandpool.com drop ships from Cookshack. Took a couple of weeks to get it.

There may be a lower price on-line, but yardandpool was the lowest I found. They were OK to deal with.

Got some sausages from Sam's club in my SM025 this morning.

SmokinMAINEiac

quote:

Originally posted by Jjliver:
Riverview MI, 20 minutes south of Detroit. Dang I hate buying big-ticket items online. Oh well, already offered my Bradley to my cousin in the neighborhood.

Were close, I live in Redford, can you smell my smoker now, chuck roll at 160 degrees, something good for dinner tonight.
I bought my 65 442 Sports Coupe out of Riverview, nice place.
I bought my 025 at Butcher and packer across from the Eastern Market last December, check it out.
http://www.butcher-packer.com/...001bb50ff9ad912777c1
Don't worry it's an old picture, and the free cover, forget it, I tried but you can try, they had it in stock. Take a little extra cash if you go, they have lots of stuff, kinda of seedy neighborhood but I go down to the eastern market all the time, no problems.

Thanks for the heads up Bubba. Picked up my SM 25 at Buthcher & Packer in Madison Heights this afternoon. Dig!!!

Wow, they moved, no more in the city of Detroit, no big surprise there, good for you, give me a call after you have your ribs down pat and I'll come over and try them out.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bubbasz1:
and the free cover, forget it, I tried but you can try, they had it in stock. QUOTE]

Wow. If that is a CS cover that is a very good deal as I paid $60 for my cover (which I don't use as I put my SM025 in a plastic garden shed).

SmokinMAINEiac