Anybody have one? Thoughts? Pros/cons?

A few years ago I ditched the gas grill but wasn't sure what I wanted. Pellet vs. sticks vs. charcoal and so on. Since then I've been using a plain, old-school Weber Kettle and honestly, I've had a lot of fun with it. I've cooked some really excellent stuff and enjoyed experimenting with different charcoals and wood. Plus, I just like the live fire and coals. I've cooked brisket on it and it turned out great but it was a more high-speed cook.

I'm still between a kamado-style and a smoker but for the $$$ and with the versatility of being able to use the firebox as a grill on the Lyfe Tyme pit has me interested. I'd just need to add some thermometers- I figure one in the fire box and depending on the size of the main section I might need 2 there.

Following.

The old ones I've used have really been awesome and lasted forever. I am curious if the new models have the same quality of construction given the growth of the brand (selling at HEB, etc.)

If you like the Weber but you're looking to do more smoking, maybe a 18" or 22" Weber Smokey Mountain would be a good next step.

I've cooked on a Lyfe Tyme before and they definitely seem to be well built.

I have had my lyfe tyme for about 9 years now and it has held up extremely well. I did have to replace the grill part of it but it was a simple fix. It smokes very well.

If your cooking is an event, stick burner all the way. I wouldn't trade the "work" for any convenience. It's simply put, me time. Beer, music, bourbon, music, Bloody Mary, music..and the smell of burning wood.

I definitely like the "playing with fire" part.

When we build the pool and everything else I'm 100% putting in a Santa Maria set up to go along with a smoker/grill set up.

Check to make sure it is all welded together (some companies have started bolting on the fire box, chimney, etc), and that it is made of thick metal (preferably at least 1/4" thick).

Academy and Buccees both sell Old Country smokers, and they are a great deal. I'll eventually upgrade from mine, but am very happy with my Old Country

my Lifetime offset is 32 years old, I bought it new, and it has been stored outside, uncovered, and never been painted.

The main wooden handle rotted off last year after 31 years. I have been too busy and lazy to replace it but it is an easy fix.

It has been a wonderful investment. Maybe I will actually repaint it after I fix the handle. I just use the steel handle brackets to open and close, but it is a little difficult.

Oh yeah, at some point the grid in the bottom of the firebox finally rusted out. I should make a new one of those too. I have been just making the fire without it. for probably 15 years.

Similar story. We bought ours around 2001 and have only replaced a coupke of wooden handles and the firebox grate. Ours is also outside the entire time.

I called Lyfe Tyme yesterday to see if they had a particular model available or any of their dealers had it. Since nobody has it in stock I was told the current lead time is 14 weeks. Good luck finding one if it's not available at HEB.

I bought myne when I wuz young.

But really, I have had one for about 10 years and its held up great. As the OP said, you can use the firebox to grill steaks, chicken breasts, burgers, etc. and smoke briskets, pork butts, chicken, etc. on the smoker. Very versatile and holds its heat very well once hot.

I've had to replace the expanded metal grate on the firebox 3 times already, but that's an easy fix. I had a piece of granite cut to fit where the cutting board goes.

We got my dad a Lyfe Tyme offset as a kid and it lasted 20+ years and at least one move. All he did was repaint it once I believe.

I see a lot of posts of folks that have had them for awhile but not anyone that's bought the ones at HEB. Anyone have feedback on those? Curious if y'all think the build quality of those is the same as what you bought years ago.

I've been thinking of upgrading from my Old Country pit I got from academy 8 years ago….best value in offsets if you ask me by the way. I just want something by with more cooking space and thicker metal.

Love my Weber Kettle but the Lyfe Tyme is a great step up. Takes a few cooks to learn how to control the heat. Perfect for offset cooking steaks and searing over the fire box.

Only con is the crew thinks it cooks too slow.

I also have a 32ish year old Lyfe Tyme my dad bought when he first moved to Houston. Many of my favorite memories from my childhood revolve around my dad cooking on that pit. I haven't used it since he passed in 2016. When Harvey hit the next year almost every artifact of his life was lost in the flood. That pit stayed right where he'd left it.

Probably about time I clean it up and make some new memories with my new daughter.

I hope you get that thing fired up soon

I bought mine back in 2009. Love it.

It's a larger unit, truth be told I bought more pit than I needed. That probably leads me to not cook on it as much as I otherwise would. Still recommend. Very well built. 1/4 inch steel all welded construction.

Have had mine for 30 years. I put a little heat resistant spray paint on it every few years and it looks like new. It'll last many lifetimes.

Had mine for over 10 years and she is great.

Best pits made in my estimation.

Wish I still had mine.

I had one but sold it a few years back. It was awesome but just didn't smoke that much anymore.

Couple of things to suggest, I had the handles changed to metal springs to avoid the handles rotting, temp gauges, and had the offset box plumbed for propane. I would just move the tank from my Weber to the smoker. Gave a lot of flexibility.

I might have a few pics. I'll see if I can find them…..

Had mine about the entire time we were in the previous house. Thing was awesome and built like a tank. It didn't make the move with us but I miss it on occasion.

I've had mine for 20 years. Still going strong with the exception of the handle. As someone said, it takes a few tries to get it right, but once you get it dialed in there is nothing better.

OregonAggie said:

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I see a lot of posts of folks that have had them for awhile but not anyone that's bought the ones at HEB. Anyone have feedback on those? Curious if y'all think the build quality of those is the same as what you bought years ago.

I've been thinking of upgrading from my Old Country pit I got from academy 8 years ago….best value in offsets if you ask me by the way. I just want something by with more cooking space and thicker metal.

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I bought one from the HEB this past summer and the quality is great. I haven't used any other Lyfe Tyme pits but I can't imagine they're made any better than the one I bought. Mine looks exactly like the one FBG_Ag78 posted above.

Thank you sir!

I think I'm going to buy the one with the vertical cooking area too. We smoke a lot of stuff for parties in my neighborhood and it would be awesome to upgrade mine.

Got mine in 2008
Use it frequently
Only issue I have it the firebox door hinges warped and it's hard to open/close to clean out

Otherwise, it's been great

Make sure to order the temperature gauge from Lyfe Tyme or another gauge that fits. It's a game changer.

The link below is a game changer. Digital thermometer that allows you to use 6 probes at once, along with a clip that allows you to set one about 3/4" above your grate for more accurate cooking temps. It also uses Bluetooth, so you can easily check the temps from a distance

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Thermometer-Wireless-Grilling-Stainless/dp/B07RM1L3Y6/ref=pd_aw_sim_2/145-0607777-0301755?pd_rd_w=VdhK7&pf_rd_p=4a14332c-7e23-4ec9-823a-651663cffa87&pf_rd_r=4KP7N6A9J71S5SXMRR8C&pd_rd_r=8fc2db0b-3fb7-4362-b643-d25f12dea8cc&pd_rd_wg=vGsYc&pd_rd_i=B07RM1L3Y6&psc=1

muleshoe said:

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I had one but sold it a few years back. It was awesome but just didn't smoke that much anymore.

Couple of things to suggest, I had the handles changed to metal springs to avoid the handles rotting, temp gauges, and had the offset box plumbed for propane. I would just move the tank from my Weber to the smoker. Gave a lot of flexibility.

I might have a few pics. I'll see if I can find them…..

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Couldn't find pictures, but one more thought after looking at pictures in the post, get the two-lid option, not one. I had the single lid version. Didn't realize it at the time, but the amount of heat that escaped with the single lid was crazy.

Before you pull the trigger, have a look at my smokers. Facebook@profabtx

Also, please get a website, i've talked to a few friends of mine about taking a look at your stuff and they, like a lot of people, refuse to enter the Metaverse! No idea of the cost, but got to think one pit sold will cover it.

Sold my 20" box offset Lyfetime because it was just too big for our usual use for a 3 person family. Great for large groups, but too big to "grill" on regularly. Bought a 16"x 40" (special order) which is large enough to BBQ about 12 leg quarters or a couple racks of ribs in a horizontal "offset" mode, but can grill a crap load of burgers or fajitas when we do have a gathering.

Could not work out direct ordering with Lyfetime and pick up as Victoria is a LONG way from Uvalde. Coordinated Lyfetime with the local HEB Garden Center Mgr for the purchase and shipment for no shipping cost and the pit/grill at regular cost. HEB actually created a "part number" for it because of this. When it showed up, I could not pick it up for a couple of days after it made it to HEB. When I picked it up, the Garden Center Mgr. said that it was the most inquired about "pit" they had seen in two days. Several folks had tried to buy it on the spot because it fit the slot between grill and pit.

The first one had **** for a paint job. Low heat bubbled it horribly and the paint split. Talked with HEB and Lyfetime sent another shortly. This one was all good.

Same build as my prior pit for Lyfetime. Very satisfied.



That being said, I was driving through the neighborhood this AM and saw what looks to be an old PK grill under a neighbor's shed awning and it does not look like a beater but is not currently "in use". I may hit them up to try and score a deal just because I want an old PK since you can get parts again.

Have the same one as pictured above. Bought at HEB about 5 years ago. Went with Lyfe Time because of the thicker steel than similar brands at Buccee's, etc. Holds heat really well for long smoking.