Hopeful Owner

Beamie -- "Welcome too the forum!"

The Amerique is a fairly large smooker. How many in your family? Do you do a lot of entertaining? I have a ST - same size as the Smokette. Just me and the Mrs. We've fed 10-12 people with no problem but that was just butts. If I were doing a combo of meats I'd want something a tad bigger.

It all depends on your circumstances. I always say, "buy what you can comfortably afford."

Hope this helps a little

Good luck on your purchase!

Wheelz,

The family is small but price is secondary if it will last a while.

I'm just impressed with the autopilot as the new undertaking is a bit intimidating at first.

Thanks for your input.

Beamie,

Cookshack makes a cover for all their smokers. If I had an Amerique I would want to keep the digital stuff out of direct rain. The cookshack cover has a plastic type lining in it

Beamie -- The CS smokers are built like tanks. They are going to last a long time!!!

Put a cover on it when not in use.

Nice thing about the CS smokers is that you can smoke year-around, hot or cold and get very little temp fluxuation, even in a driving wind. cooking times stay the same. They just keep chugging along!

Beamie;
I am a new AmeriQue owner. You will love the unit, it is foolproof. The cover for it is great and keeps it dry and out of the weather. I have done a single slab of ribs, as well as 6 slabs and I am doing a 12# turkey this evening. Go for the AmeriQue if it is in your budget, you will love it.

I'm wondering if a unit without a base is a bad idea in snowy environments.

Are the electrical items protected from the bottom?

I roll mine inside when it is not in use.

I wouldn't feel bad if the unit was under a porch or other overhang to keep direct rain off of it, even while it is covered.

I would not store the unit in direct rain or snow, even while covered, without having some overhang protection.

While it is an outdoor cooking implement, it is also senstive to corrosion and has electronics on board. The more you can insulate the electronics from humidity and temperture changes, the better.

mjadams5, what smoker or smokers do you own?

I think Beamie is inquiring of the AmeriQue. Nonetheless, I will also chime in with my 008 Smokette elemental experience.

Although I do not live in an overly wet environment, mine has been outside on the cart/stand with the cover on for 5 years without benefit of an overhang or roof and has not been affected detrimentally.

Keep in mind, Beamie, this is only my experience, I cannot speak for others or for the AmeriQue.

Like GLH said.

I live by the beach in s. central Fl.

In the dry season we live in a nightly salt water storm from the Atlantic.

Rainy season-well,most folks have heard about our little tropical storms.

My 008 and CS 160[with all the electronics] have set out in the weather with CS covers for many years.

My FEC 100 sets right beside them and I even cook in it in the pouring rain-with the cover on.

quote:

Originally posted by GLH:
mjadams5, what smoker or smokers do you own?

I think Beamie is inquiring of the AmeriQue. Nonetheless, I will also chime in with my 008 Smokette elemental experience.

Although I do not live in an overly wet environment, mine has been outside on the cart/stand with the cover on for 5 years without benefit of an overhang or roof and has not been affected detrimentally.

Keep in mind, Beamie, this is only my experience, I cannot speak for others or for the AmeriQue.

Right, I was asking "in general". I realize that the AmeriQue doesn't have a base to elevate the heating elements.

Beamie,

What do you mean by "base to elevate the heating elements"? The AmeriQue has "legs" and casters that stick down from the bottom of the oven. The base of the actual cooking cabinet (which contains your element) is 7 inches from the ground.

quote:

Originally posted by E_Powell:
Beamie,

What do you mean by "base to elevate the heating elements"? The AmeriQue has "legs" and casters that stick down from the bottom of the oven. The base of the actual cooking cabinet (which contains your element) is 7 inches from the ground.

7" is just a spurt for the snow that we get around here.

I am in similiar situation to Beamie-mainly would be cooking for my family and am trying to decide between Amerique or Smokette. I have read some threads on this forumn about some problems with the original wood box and am wondering if the problem has been fixed? I am also wondering where the Amerique is only a year or so old, has there been any other bugs that have needed to be worked out?

Good afternoon B.Tatton,

Absolutely the AmeriQue if your wallet will allow. It works like a dream. I love mine. I have one of the first made. I never had any problem with the wood box from the get go, but CS replaced it anyway.

No other problems except too much to smoke and too little time.

If you'd like to correspond privately, drop me a note. I'd be glad to discuss it with you. There are several posts about both units. I had a 50 before I bought my AmeriQue.

Bembring has both an AmeriQue and another CS model too. He's a good resource.

You won't be disappointed either way, but the AmeriQue is a blast.

Hook

B.Tatton
I have a new AmeriQue. Have used it 6 times now and it is a wonderful machine. I love the unit, have had many other types of smokers and the AmeriQue is the best I have ever worked with. If it fits in your budget go with it, it is foolproof!