Upgrade?

Congrats on the new smoker! You do seem to have a good problem. IMO, I would smoke butts up to 4 of them. FTC and then smoke up to 6 loinbackribs without rack or 4 slabs of spares without rack. The butts will still be hot.

Then when I got tired of doing them like this I would tradein the smoker for a FEC, but then again it might be because they sure look like a lot of FUN.

Enjoy that new smoker of yours!!!!!!!

FTC? Sorry not familiar with that term.

FTC= foil towel cooler

William,
On that cooler I like to put 2-3 inches of hot water let set 30 minutes, repeat process, then dry with towel. This will heat that cooler really nice. Then when you put them butts in there make sure they are double foiled with heavy duty foil. when you put in cooler keep them together, towl over top. I then will put a small blanket on the cooler itself. They will stay hot while you cook them ribs.

I forgot to tell you that if you need a question answered you can normally use find button at top left corner and get a lot of GOOD reading material. Have FUN!!!!!!

I don't know of a program to "upgrade".

You'll need to call CS direct and inquire.

Don't know if I understand. The Elite & Essential are the same size smoker. So, are you asking if you should go with two small smokers as opposed to jumping up to the AmeriQue?

Yes, that is exactly what I am asking. And really with only a $137 difference, I would probably go with 2 small Elites simply for the Stainless exterior.

Thanks,

William

you might check the CS Comparison Chart for a quick side by side of the residential CS models. The AmQ is all stainless as well and has the addition of the automatic hold function. You can check the capacity comparison on the chart. You may have some negotiation factor with the 30 day no-hassle money back guarantee period to make changes.

I'm with you TNQ, it might be better to go with the AmQ if the money is not a factor,which doesn't appear to be much difference. Good point on the 30 day unconditional guarentee for any reason. Looks like William likes smoking on a CS, now does that surprise anyone?

FYI – I have been at this for about a year now with CS Smokette SM009. I am a newbie. The SM009 was the smallest/inexpensive smoker they had at the time. It is similar to the Smokette Essential in size and price. However, it does not have digital reader etc.

In the beginning I desperately wanted to sell the thing and buy a bigger one or get a second one. I learned how to live with it. For a small family or small gathering it is sufficient. Like the others said use a cooler.

However….
If I did it all again I would return my CS within the first month. Hopefully, the place you bought it from has a good return policy. Then go buy an AmeriQue. It has the capacity and convenience I want. It holds 50 pounds. I believe the real bonus with the AmeriQue is the hold function. From the way I understand it, you stick a temp probe in your meat and set the temp. When your meat gets to the temp you set the AmeriQue goes into a hold mode. This would mean I can go to work and not think all day about how the smoke is going especially if you have to work late.
You have a great smoker enjoy it.

As I said above get the AmeriQue if
1. You can return the other smoker for a refund.
2. Have the resources/cash
3. If you really need the additional capacity
4. Like the hold function idea

El

If money is not an issue then, I would go with the Amerique over the Supersmoker. 50lbs Vs. 35lbs, 4 shelves Vs. 3, 1000 watt element and the Amerique has a hold feature. You could always foil and hold the butts in cooler or oven on lowest temp as suggested. Then get some rib racks and fill it up. If you really need the room, go for it.

Well you will be happy to know that I just ordered an additional Elite with one change. I actually got the door swing reversed. That way I can have them side my side in my summer kitchen and have much better access to them from a central point. I kind of got this idea with my fridge and freezer setup. I will keep everyone abreast of my efforts and let you know how it works out.

Thanks for all the input and posts on this question.

Thanks,

William

nice idea: side by side CS 'ovens'
congrats!

Great Idea. Very nice. Did they charge any extra for the change of door swing?

quote:

Originally posted by William_SWFL:
Well you will be happy to know that I just ordered an additional Elite with one change. I actually got the door swing reversed.
William

Actually a lot of us with double FE's do exactly the same thing with our competition rigs. Big Reds (Boomer and Sooner) I had made the same way.

I think you'll like having two.

quote:

... Thinking about a way to create a grease and drippings drain for my smokers as well as my grill . .Possibly copper tubing leading to a plastic lined trashcan.
William

I'm not sure why, would have to see some photos of the setup, but remember that once grease hits that copper and it's cool/cold then it will clog up. It will be liquid inside the smoker and will solidify once it leaves the heat. There is a catch pan under the smoker, maybe run your other stuff into that one.

Seems like a lot of work, but I haven't seen your setup.

Whatever you do, remember to empty it. One of the "lessons learned" in that thread is to remember to empty the grease.