New potential owner with question

My 025 has been on a covered patio since i got it 3 years ago. If you except the smoke coloring on the inside, it looks like brand new. This cooker will be much more convenient to use if you get a stand for it. Cookshack sells a high quality all stainless steel stand (It is not cheap but the quality is there.) You could also do as i did and many others a get a cart with drawers etc. from Sam's and mount it on the cart.

The quality and service from Cookshack is as high as you can get. If you are looking for something cheaper, remember "Buy the best and cry once."

Terry

Do you have the cover on your's or uncovered?

Ok, so are you experienced in BBQ just not with Cookshacks?

I think I'll move this to the Pros forum. You REALLY need to determine which path you're going down if that's the ultimate road.

Really depends on if you know about Q and want to learn the unit, or you're wanting to just get better at Q first.

You won't really learn enough if you're buying the smaller units (except for Q basics), you need to work with the commercial line of electrics or the FE pellet units.

You can certainly learn on the smaller electrics, but I wouldn't go that route, just not enough capacity.

So you'll either need to go with the 100 series electric or the 150 series FE's.

I wouldn't consider myself experienced in BBQ.
I've owned a couple of different charcoal smokers but have never really studied or worked at learning the real way to smoke meat.
I enjoy cooking and just think that I would enjoy doing it for a living and figure I need to start off small and learn the basics first.

Do you have a time line for when you are hoping to open a bbq joint?
Do you want to work on a few recipes and technique before making the plunge on a larger unit?

If you are planning on just playing around, testing the waters, getting your feet wet, and perfecting a few good recipes the smaller smoker may be the right start, otherwise you’ll have too much overkill.

If you intend on jumping in a relatively short time you may be money ahead biting the bullet and buying a larger smoker up front.

IMHO a near empty smoker cooks a whole lot different than a near full one.
Bear that in mind if you’re just trying things out and adjust accordingly.
Above all, as Smokin suggests, keep good notes.