Does it exist or is it in the works? Advice Requested

more information on how you're planning on using the new smoker would help us give a recommendation.

Most of the time I will be smoking just a few items for family meals - pork shoulder and ribs. Chicken quarters, Brisket etc. I would nowhere near fill an Amerique.

Occasionally, (once a month or so), I could see easily coming close to filling an Amerique, for parties, etc. I would obviously be cooking an assortment of meats on varying cook schedules.

I initially had an Amerique and traded up for a FEC 100. I really worried about the overkill issue, until I got it and discovered how versatile it is. With the FEC, I've been able to turn out lots of product, which I've sold, making enough money to pay for the FEC.


From what you're doing, sounds like a PG 500 or 1000 might work and also give you direct grill space. Just remember the Electrics and the FECs are two different critters, with two different smoke profiles.

If cost is not an issue and you REALLY want to go pellet, which I recommend, get the FEC. Once you start cooking on it, your friends, family and neighbors will help you fill it every time.

P.S. It is OK to let your neighbors help pay for the rig and pellets.

P.P.S BBQ keeps really well in the freezer once it's vacuum packed with a food saver. Drop a frozen bag in a pot of water and in 20 minutes you got some excellent Que.

A couple of days ago, Fast Eddy hinted on Facebook that a new project was in the works. Perhaps it is a scaled down FEC100. Time will tell.

I hope a scaled down FEC 100 is truly what he is hinting about. While, I would like to have a FEC 100, I simply cannot justify the size and associated expense for a unit where I would not utilize its capacity (ever).

Why not contact Cookshack directly? They'd be the best source to answer your questions and they'll be happy to do so.

So... I called Cookshack to inquire about the possibility of an Amerique sized FE pellet smoker and I think I perplexed the lady I spoke to. I explained that I would like an FEC 100, but it's too large and the PG 500 and PG 1000 are too small. She was kind enough to take my name and number and said if there were something like this in the works that someone else would give me a call to discuss. I didn't receive a phone call, but if I do, I'll report back...

I may have to reevaluate and just purchase the Amerique.

With a 30 day no question return policy you can't go wrong either way. Try the one you think will work and if it does, great, if it doesn't, trade it for the other one. I have an FEC and have no regrets. I even bake bread in it because at higher temperatures it burns clean.

At which point I decided to upgrade from the Amerique to an FEC, the AQ was 2 years old. I listed it on Ebay for $1,200 and sold it within hours.

You really can't go wrong.

Mootpoint, first off let me say there is no such thing as overkill.

I started with my first Cookshack 009 Smokette 15 years ago.
When it was 10 years old I upgraded to a 066 AmeriQue and sold my 009 for what I had paid for it
I drooled over a FEC 100 for 3 years about 3 months ago I bought a SM260 and I’ve already overloaded it twice.
I do not smoke commercially; I just have that many friends

I’d say start out with the AmeriQue and once you see how easy it is to use move on from there

No matter where you start it won’t take long before you become infected with twofootidis (the undeniable need to buy the next size smoker)

Let the journey begin.
You’re gonna love the way you smoke

My regrets in life have come from the things I didn't do, not the things I've done. I say "Go for it". Like Arnie says, it might be the start of a journey.

Cookshack sent this out on Twitter last week:

"@CookshackInc: Cooking #ribs for all the employees today while we test a new prototype #FEC! #yummy"

They're working on something!

My dad always said "If you want friends, buy a truck"! I tell my boys, "If you want more friends, buy a smoker"!

quote:

Originally posted by iSmoke:
Cookshack sent this out on Twitter last week:

"@CookshackInc: Cooking #ribs for all the employees today while we test a new prototype #FEC! #yummy"

They're working on something!

Pretty much the same thing they put out on FB.

I spoke to Cookshack. While there is a new FEC prototype in the testing phase, it will not be the smaller version I was hoping for. I think I'll take a day or two to think things over, weigh the pros and cons, and really consider purchasing the Amerique.

Mootpoint,
I went through all the same issues a few years ago when thinking about an FEC 100 to replace my smokette.

The general feeling at the time was that a smaller version of the FEC 100 would NOT be a great deal less money. As (like all Cookshacks)it is built like a tank, and taking out a little bit of sheet metal would not save much money, after all everything else still needs to be there.

I went ahead with my purchase and have never regretted it. Sure a single rack of ribs or one chicken looks pretty funny in it but they sure do taste great.

I also find that my pellet consumption is way down from that of a FEC 100 full of product.

After several weeks of research and waivering back and forth between other smokers (FEC, MAK, Big Green Egg, Stumps, Backwoods), I decided to purchase the Amerique. It should be here in a couple of weeks.

You will love the AQ. I feed a family of 5 and some times wish it was just a little bigger! Making jerky and deer sticks fills it up pretty qiuck. It was the best money I have ever spent and I am already lusting over the 100.....

Bang for buck, the AQ is the best rig on the market.

Had my Q for about 5 years, excellent piece of equipment and the Cookshack community is awesome.

You bought a winner. I bought the AQ three yeas and love it. I used this forum for guidance in making the decision on which smoker to buy. I also used the advice here for learning to use the smoker. This divice makes one who needs to stay out of the kitchen (like me) look like a genius. Good luck and enjoy the smoker.