I would like to purchase a Cookshack Smoker and would like some help in deciding whether to get the one with black sides or the all stainless model. Will the black sides rust at all? Is the all stainless worth the extra money?
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cuz
we got the stainless sm150 and fec100 since they are nsf approved but just between you and me i like the black better
health inspectors like stainless just because they have been trained that way. never understood why they didn't object to black vulcan stoves but they don't. myself i would pocket the difference and use it to buy prime rib!!!!!!! 
jack
2 Greyhounds....SMOKIN!!!!
ps i think the reason i like the black better is because i have stood in front of black vulcan stoves too long with weak hood systems lol. must be the fumes my wife says
we got the stainless sm150 and fec100 since they are nsf approved but just between you and me i like the black better
health inspectors like stainless just because they have been trained that way. never understood why they didn't object to black vulcan stoves but they don't. myself i would pocket the difference and use it to buy prime rib!!!!!!! jack
2 Greyhounds....SMOKIN!!!!
ps i think the reason i like the black better is because i have stood in front of black vulcan stoves too long with weak hood systems lol. must be the fumes my wife says
Hey Cuz, check out the following link. Scroll down to the post from Donna where she discusses the potential for rust on the black sided smokers. Cookshack Paint
I can tell you first hand that the powder coating process she describes is first class. We used to sell industrial equipmant that went into chemical plants and the powder coating held up even in the most corrosive atmospheres.
As far as I'm concerned the decision comes down to aesthetics. If you like the black look, go for it. If you want the stainless look and don't mind popping for a few extra bux, spring for the stainless.
Just my two bits worth.
I can tell you first hand that the powder coating process she describes is first class. We used to sell industrial equipmant that went into chemical plants and the powder coating held up even in the most corrosive atmospheres.
As far as I'm concerned the decision comes down to aesthetics. If you like the black look, go for it. If you want the stainless look and don't mind popping for a few extra bux, spring for the stainless.
Just my two bits worth.
Thanks for your input. I guess whatever I can save will be helpful. Do you think I will be able to smoke in the winter? Im on Long Island.
yes, a Cookshack looses very little heat even in extreme cold. The door fits very tight and there is only a maybe half inch hole in the bottom for drippings and one on the top for smoke. When it is raining, I just put a big cookie sheet over the control and the smoke hole together.
i think mine smokes better in the winter. and i think that donna thinks the stainless is for around the coastal regions where there is salt in the air. jan
Stainless steel is actually bad around salt - the chloride will cause pitting and lead to intergranular cracking. Remember the DeLorean sports car? It had a stainless steel body & big problems with corrosion from salt on the streets in the winter. Best remedy is to wipe off any salt residue & keep it clean & dry.
dan
dan
The original Cookshack's were black because ... well ... smokers should be black! We began making stainless steel models by popular demand. Some people just like it better than black.
We got the stainless -- I like the look of stainless and I figure it would hold up better on LI too. We are planning on using our smoker year round and that is one of the reasons I chose Cookshack. I believe that folks use them in northern states and Canada year round too. Also, I know we are using ours much more than friends and family who have the old kind you have to tend so much - so it is paying for itself really quickly in my opinion. (not to mention I love having more smoked things than BIL who scoffed at an electric smoker HA!!) And I am planning on using it tons during the hot humid summer. No heating up the kitchen. Whooo Hoooo!
I have had a black sided smokette on the beach here in south Fl for several years.
It has run allnight and in the hurricane season,a couple times a week -minimum.
We keep a cover on it,as it is in a pure salt shower every night.
I do clean and touch up a few spots each year at my annual inspection.[When I remember]
A couple drops of 3 in one oil is nice.
I also have a much larger one, setting covered,that I use windex on occasionally.
I meet people on the Fl circuit that have had them 12 -15 years.
They will last indefinitely,so consider that when you make your choice.
It has run allnight and in the hurricane season,a couple times a week -minimum.
We keep a cover on it,as it is in a pure salt shower every night.
I do clean and touch up a few spots each year at my annual inspection.[When I remember]
A couple drops of 3 in one oil is nice.
I also have a much larger one, setting covered,that I use windex on occasionally.
I meet people on the Fl circuit that have had them 12 -15 years.
They will last indefinitely,so consider that when you make your choice.