Hey OB - So I had a traditional stick burner... PITA to manage. Just don't have the time to constantly tend a fire. Went with a pellet smoker and while the convenience is awesome, definitely not the same taste so that's gotta go. I've been reading that gravity fed smokers are pretty awesome whereas you're combining the more traditional elements of a stick burner with the set/forget nature of a pellet. Obviously, there are some differences in the smoke (thin blue, vs. smoldering smoke,etc.) - but I think it would be the perfect compromise. I've heard that kamodo style cookers aren't the best at smoking? Experience otherwise?

As with anything, quality matters so I'd be looking at Stumps or Assassin.. or any others one might recommend? Would love to find a builder in the Houston area. Otherwise I'm looking at ~$500 in shipping costs alone. Advice? Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/KBQ-C-60-BBQ-Smoker-Pit/dp/B00JVCXY7O

I have had this for a while and have been pleased.

Did not want to put a big stick burner in the backyard but wanted to burn wood.

Use a chop saw to cut up firewood to fit in the chamber.

Not a set and forget. You have go check the firebox every 30-45 minutes.

Fan with thermostat monitors temp and sucks the smoke into the cook chamber.

The thermostat works great for pork ribs and shoulder. If I'm doing a brisket I use a probe and watch the temps a little closer.

Serious question (not trying to be an ass): if you have to check it every 30-45 min, what is the advantage over a traditional style smoker at that price point?

I use a gravity feed smoker. Built my own actually - I've posted pics on here before of it. Its roughly a clone of a Stumps smoker with my own design twists. It has a firebrick lined furnace area (inside 1/2" steel). Thing probably weighs 800lbs.

I can (could) cook 8 briskets or 20 pork butts on it comfortably if I wanted to. But the cool thing is it uses so little fuel I don't feel bad about throwing a couple racks of ribs on it or only a couple pork butts. Being fully insulated it's very efficient.

With something like a DigiQ and a fan you can definitely leave it unattended for extended periods of time and cook at a pretty constant temp. On a single stack/load of fuel I can get 8-12 hours (depending on fuel type and temp, etc). I can do a rib only cook with half a bag of charcoal or so.

I've used it with brick charcoal + chunks of wood as well as lump charcoal - great results with either, just depends on how much smoke taste you want, etc.


Finished with epoxy primer and single stage urethane (car paint):




Cutaway view of the sketchup model I made showing how it all goes together. Air flows from the fan blowing below the furnace area (through the ash box) into the furnace then out into the bottom of the cook chamber then out the top/side exhaust. Deflectors at the bottom keep the temps equalized left/right and front/back.

It's called gravity feed because the feed chute is filled with fuel but ends up being starved of o2 so it doesn't all burn up at once. The fire burns only within the furnace area (in my case lined with firebrick) and as the fuel turns to ash new fuel drops down into the burn zone.




The furnace area before the feed chute and exhaust vent was welded on. I made it such that the firebricks could be replaced from below through the ash box if/when needed.




Fuel stack, furnace, ash box, and exhaust vent welded together:




The guts assembled, before insulation, etc:




Closeup of diffusion panel and drip pan:




And then the whole cook chamber:




Everything was insulated before being buttoned up:




And the doors are all sealed:




Air intake:



Ash pan and removeable grill that holds the fuel from falling through until its burned up (sketchup view):




Hopefully that gives you a good idea of how these work.

Java that's a sweet looking machine.

Catfish the advantage for me is the compact size-- tucks away pretty small and I'm able to get stick burn smoke without the traditional smoker in the backyard. This thing is a little bigger than a dorm refrigerator.

Check out the KBQ website for more info and better feel for how it works.

Interesting dude that created this and an interesting web site with general bbq information.

https://kbq.us

Holy crap - that thing is seriously legit. Well done sir!!

I have an Assassin that I don't use much sitting on my back covered patio, comes with WIFI controller, fan, etc. $1500 firm. Has the large Hard Rubber Wheels for moving around. College Station.

I have a Southern Q Limo Jr. that I run with a fan and digital controller. It will run 12 hours at a constant temp. I can add wood throughout the cook to add smoke flavor and stop when meat is wrapped. I'm a big fan of the design.

This is one of my favorite builds I've ever seen

javajaws said:

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I use a gravity feed smoker. Built my own actually - I've posted pics on here before of it. Its roughly a clone of a Stumps smoker with my own design twists. It has a firebrick lined furnace area (inside 1/2" steel). Thing probably weighs 800lbs.

I can (could) cook 8 briskets or 20 pork butts on it comfortably if I wanted to. But the cool thing is it uses so little fuel I don't feel bad about throwing a couple racks of ribs on it or only a couple pork butts. Being fully insulated it's very efficient.

With something like a DigiQ and a fan you can definitely leave it unattended for extended periods of time and cook at a pretty constant temp. On a single stack/load of fuel I can get 8-12 hours (depending on fuel type and temp, etc). I can do a rib only cook with half a bag of charcoal or so.

I've used it with brick charcoal + chunks of wood as well as lump charcoal - great results with either, just depends on how much smoke taste you want, etc.


Finished with epoxy primer and single stage urethane (car paint):

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That is an awesome setup. Great job.

I'm slow. How do you fill it up and what do you fill it with?

Theres an airtight door on the top - just open and dump in briquettes, chunks, lump, whatever. You light it from the bottom through the ash box. I just use a map torch but you could use a brush burner as well (also helpful to preheat the cook chamber).

javajaws said:

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Theres an airtight door on the top - just open and dump in briquettes, chunks, lump, whatever. You light it from the bottom through the ash box. I just use a map torch but you could use a brush burner as well (also helpful to preheat the cook chamber).

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That's what I thought, but it looked like insulation over the hole. I went back and looked and the perspective was different and the hole is on the back side of the photo showing the insulation on top. Anyhow, that looks like an awesome smoker.

Sailor said:

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I have an Assassin that I don't use much sitting on my back covered patio, comes with WIFI controller, fan, etc. $1500 firm. Has the large Hard Rubber Wheels for moving around. College Station.

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I am interested in your smoker. Please contact me at 214-212-9000 or clay.callaway@yahoo.com
Thanks in advance,
Clay Callaway '77

I have a stumps. It's awesome. With the Digi Q, I will set it and I feel comfortable that it will go for about 16 hours and not change temps once. Stupid easy.

highly recommended.

JR

I would seriously consider getting a Kamado. There is no welded metal contraption in the world that will match the fire management efficiency and cost of a Kamado and that is the problem it looks like you are trying to solve.

Pitmaker in Houston is known for their cabinet smokers. Very set it and forget it

Lone Star Grillz also does cabinet but is doing a reverse flow that is cheaper and without the long wait time that is supposed to be pretty fuel efficient

And I am sure the pit man will weigh in and he could make you one custom

Masterbuilt just came out with a gravity fed smoker, it's on the small side but a bigger one is supposedly soon to be released. Anyway, a much cheaper option at $499. They are being sold at Home Depot so you should be able to look one over there.

Gravity Series 560

Just bought an Assassin and would be happy to talk to you about it and answer any questions. Jeff and his family are great folks and will do what's right by their customers. I decided on Assassin because of their features standard that you pay extra for with Stumps and the like. Had about a 2 month wait time but worth it!