Was packed well, UPS punched a few holes in the box, but no damage to the smoker.
Initial perception, its built like a tank, understated, looks like a small safe.
Unpacking was a breeze, as was attaching the control unit. Did not need to use the castors as it went on the stand that pags and smokin recommended.
Heavy stainless steel, but if you are the kind of person looking for pretty(you know the kind of pretty grills you buy at Lowes etc that look great until you use them once), then this is not for you as the smoker looks like it means business and will never give you the impression that it is a toy!
Everything went smooth through the seasoning process, wood burned fine, nice smell nice caramel coating on the inside of the smoker when finished.
Prepared a 8# butt and put it in a few minutes ago, plan on using one of Smokins sauce recipes over at pork butt 101.
The only improvement and I mean ONLY that I would like to see is a slide under tray that attaches to the smoker. It gets windy here and I am going to have to remember to put something in the drip pan to keep it from blowing out from under the smoker. While the smoker is never supposed to be used out in the rain(mine is on a large sheltered deck) its feasible that one of those middle of the night thunderstorms could get a few sprinkles on it. I am wondering if it is worth the while to seal the control box to the top with some sort of waterproof, heatproof gasket sealant as this seems the only point of entry for errant water from a little bit of blowing rain or a guest that happens to spill his cup on the smoker, or any stupid thing like that. I have bad luck, if it can happen, it will happen to me!
As far as value goes, I am probably cheaper than the next guy and had a chance to see a smokin tex in person.
Yes it is cheaper, I'll say it again, yes it is cheaper and boy is it built cheaper.
I'm sure it will work just as well initially but the walls are much thinner, heating element is smaller and seems tinny, its no where near as heavy as a cookshack. I think its funny that something called "smokin tex" is made in CHINA. I would not recommend going that route as if you do its simply going to be a expensive detour on the road to a cookshack.
So far this smoker is idiot proof as I have had zero problems on startup and that alone is a miracle with me.
In any case, cookshack and this forum will give you all the information you ever would want to know period..
Do some research on the internet. Cookshack has been in business for many years, I could only find ONE negative complaint! ONE! And that was from someone in the UK and frankly he seemed a little unhinged.
Will update later, this thread is basically directed towards anyone considering a cookshack product and wonders if all the hoopla is true. It is.
