SM025 vs Smokin Tex

Welcome to the forum.If you go to the Charcoal store on the web they will have some good information, nonbias. There are members that cook on both so I'm sure they will chime in.

If you use the Find button in the top left corner it will give you some good reading material.

IMO, cookshack offers 30 day unconditional money back guarantee, what is there to lose?

I have seen the Smokin Tex at a local sporting goods place and can tell you that it is much "lighter" made than the Cookshack. CS is built like a tank and you will be putting it in your will. Like Cal says The Charcoal Store has comparisons of CS vs ST that is quite revealing.

Can't go wrong with a CS.

db

Why drive to Cabela's, Cookshack will ship it for like $30.00.

I was where you are about 4 weeks ago. I decided to move up from the water propane cheapie smoker adn wanted something really simple to use. I looked at some reviews for both the Smokin Tex and the Bradleys -- not too inspiring. I ended up getting a Smokette Essential and am quite pleased. Availability of parts and overall quality is what sold me. Only problem with where I am is that no one carries Cookshack so I went through The Charcoal Store. It weighs about a hundred pounds so compare that to the Smokin Tex.

Buy one Cookshack or 2-3 Smokin Tex's. Read the comparisons provided by TN Q. Those are the ones that convinced me to go with Cookshack. That and this forum.

I'm kinda biased, so I'll tell you what I think. The ST is a chinese knock-off of the CS. Period. No original thought, they just copied it. They changed a few thing after receiving feedback, but the comparison on the link above will help you out.

Oh, and they don't have Cookshack's customer service. No one's is better.

FYI, I just moderate the forum, I'm not paid by CS, but I really dislike knock-offs. I think it's stealing from the people who came up with the idea. But that's just me

Wow, that comparison tells the story! Thank you for putting it together as it really helped make up my mind. I am not a big fan of spending a large chunk of money on china crap and am fairly disappointed that my local outdoor store would carry such a product. I will be ordering a Cookshack soon

We only provide FAIR information then,to each his own. Glad to hear that you will be part of the family. Please post some reports when you get started smoking so we can help, if needed.We love to look at pictures,but not needed.Have fun!!!

quote:

Originally posted by kbahus:
Wow, that comparison tells the story! Thank you for putting it together as it really helped make up my mind. I am not a big fan of spending a large chunk of money on china crap and am fairly disappointed that my local outdoor store would carry such a product. I will be ordering a Cookshack soon

I went through the same ST vs Cook Shack dilemma and after looking at both I went to Cook Shack and bought one direct. I have had no complaints.

Good luck.

I have owned my ST since they first came out with the stainless 1400 model.It has been a good one other than replacing 2 thermostats.When this one gives up I will be getting a Cookshack for sure.Thanks for a VERY informing article!Well done!

Would you want a Lamborghini or a copy of a Lamborghini, made in China. Hmmm? Who needs to sleep on that one? Anyone thinking of getting a ST should see that comparison. I read the same comparison when I first saw ST. That is why I own a Cookshack now. Quality will always save you money and time in the long run. I think, we all can agree that China really doesn't need anymore of our money.
Just saying.

i'm confused - charcoalstore.com has removed any and all references to the old ST vs CS articles and now sells ST!?!?!!? what happened?

Probably the only way ST would let them sell. The thing is those articles would sell way more Cookshacks, than they will ever sell with ST. I guess they think that the lower prices for ST will pull in more sales. Very lame.

Now,now, would you think a chinese knock-off would want to play FAIR??? Trust us they are cheaper built. Cookshack has NO FEAR, they will give an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee. Thats how a real AMERICAN company does business!!!!!

The links are still cached if you really want to find them. Take a little work, but when you google, click on the cached version. Here are a couple of links. Not sure how much longer they will remain in cache.

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=...&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=...&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

I've had my CS essential for just over a year and still love it! It's like smoking meat in a bank vault--it's that rugged and heavy-duty. Don't forget--a cheapskate spends the most money.

Well. If all you're going to sell is ST, then you better get rid of those articles.

Nice job Uncsmoker. I forgot about the google cache link. Those should be copied and posted here so people can refer to them. I am not trying to bash a Chinese copy. I don't need to. All I am saying is that, I almost bought a ST before I read those articles. Its one thing to say one is better than another, but to see it is another. Hmmmm? I guess, just the fact that it is made in China is enough.

I don't chime in here very often.......but I have to here. I have used both. And the bottom line is- you can NOT find anything that can compete with a CS. It's not even a question. Spend the extra money- you'll never turn back.

I just placed an order for an AmeriQue from Charcoal Store on Friday! I spoke with David (i think) and he stated that the reason they started to sell the SmokinTex is that the new versions were much better than the old ones that they did the comparison on.

Or, maybe the profit margin is better with those chinese prisoners cranking them out on the all night shift?

Be interesting to see the bad ones sent back to the manufacturer.

quote:

Originally posted by ktskas:
I just placed an order for an AmeriQue from Charcoal Store on Friday! I spoke with David (i think) and he stated that the reason they started to sell the SmokinTex is that the new versions were much better than the old ones that they did the comparison on.

Yeah. Ummm. I am not buying it. It is nothing more than the mighty dollar. I can't blame the guy, but I can say go with Cookshack.

i just ordered a SMO20 - got one just before they stopped offering them. i was actually planning to get it from the charcoal store as they are only an hour or so from where i live. however, i ended up ordering direct from cookshack - they have been great to deal with so far and i'm glad i ordered direct from them!! it seems that this change at charcoal store is a bit of a 'sell out' given how strongly they argued against the ST in their previous reviews. unfortunately for them, it cost them my business.

smokinMN,

Ordering that cs020 was quite a BARGIN. I have one and I wouldn't trade it for anyother electric smoker.

Now ordering it direct will be nothing but a pleasure. If you have a problem just give them a call direct. If you need a little guidence on the cooking part, just ask, it will be our pleasure to help you.

Just have some FUN.

I looked at both the CS and Smokin Tex units in person. I went back and forth and looked at each about 5 different times and did a lot of research online. I decided to buy a Cookshack Amerique. Ive had it about 6 months and it is well worth the extra money. There is definitely a difference in quality. CS support and customer service is second to none. If you buy a CS you'll never regret it. Keep us posted with your choice.