Want a good backyard offset smoker. Something in the 50/60 gallon range (probably). Nicer than Oklahoma Joe's but shy of the Franklin/Goldee's lux pits. Open to your 3rd/4th pit you're just not getting enough use out of, or having one of you build me something.

(Advice/recommendations on where to look is also appreciated)

https://www.texasoriginalpits.com/product/pearsall-20-offset-smoker/


I have this pit I don't use as much as I would like and considered downsizing... Its about 5 years old and could use a good cleaning and maybe some new grates. Not sure what a fair price would be.. maybe 1500

I am in San Antonio

Depending on your time constraints (and their abilities), seek out your local FFA advisor and see if their class is interested in building you a custom smoker...

Would love one like this.

Not sure I could splurge that much right now.

TheOC16 said:

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Want a good backyard offset smoker. Something in the 50/60 gallon range (probably). Nicer than Oklahoma Joe's but shy of the Franklin/Goldee's lux pits. Open to your 3rd/4th pit you're just not getting enough use out of, or having one of you build me something.

(Advice/recommendations on where to look is also appreciated)

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where are you located?

I recently bought an Old Country Pecos and love it. $500 @ Academy

Just keep in mind the gauge of the steel will really play into how efficent your pit is and how much wood you'll burn through. And how much time you have to spend tending to the fire. If you have a budget under $1,000 then I'd pay attention to Craigslist/FB Marketplace. Lot of people will put awesome pits up for sale when they're moving or simply don't use it enough. Some of them just need to be painted and reseasoned.

I don't know anything about those vertical add-ons. Doesn't seem like something I would use and don't know how much that affects the rest of the process.

RoyVal said:

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TheOC16 said:

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Want a good backyard offset smoker. Something in the 50/60 gallon range (probably). Nicer than Oklahoma Joe's but shy of the Franklin/Goldee's lux pits. Open to your 3rd/4th pit you're just not getting enough use out of, or having one of you build me something.

(Advice/recommendations on where to look is also appreciated)

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where are you located?

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College Station, but I've got a trailer.

agcrock2005 said:

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Just keep in mind the gauge of the steel will really play into how efficent your pit is and how much wood you'll burn through. And how much time you have to spend tending to the fire. If you have a budget under $1,000 then I'd pay attention to Craigslist/FB Marketplace. Lot of people will put awesome pits up for sale when they're moving or simply don't use it enough. Some of them just need to be painted and reseasoned.

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I'm thinking $1k-$2k (happy to spend less if it's I can get what I want for less).

I plan to watch FB marketplace for sure. Just don't know how to gauge the potential leakage or other issues on used pits I'm unfamiliar with.

And to BoerneAG2021 - the Old Country Brazos is definitely in consideration. I've heard good things.

My son bought an Old Country Pecos from Academy last year for $500 and loves it.

It had a few areas where the smoke was leaking out, so he just got some head gasket sealer and applied it to those spots.

Worked great. At 225-250, he burns through about one stick of wood per hour.

It's been really good.

TheOC16 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Just keep in mind the gauge of the steel will really play into how efficent your pit is and how much wood you'll burn through. And how much time you have to spend tending to the fire. If you have a budget under $1,000 then I'd pay attention to Craigslist/FB Marketplace. Lot of people will put awesome pits up for sale when they're moving or simply don't use it enough. Some of them just need to be painted and reseasoned.

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I'm thinking $1k-$2k (happy to spend less if it's I can get what I want for less).

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I think with this budget you'll be able to find a pretty good pit on FB or Craigslist, especially if you open up your filters to Houston/Austin. Nothing against the $500 pits from Academy, but they aren't the $3-5K heavy guage awesome pits that you can probably find used on these sites. Most issues (weld needs repairs, leaking smoke, etc.) with older well-built pits can be solved pretty easily too. Good luck! I bought a big offset from Lonestar Grillz 7 years ago...I remember that because it was about 3 minutes after my wife told me we were pregnant with our first kid. It was a great purchase.

HEB Carrie's a couple heavy metal pits.

I'm in south College Station. I'd love to talk with you about your needs. I've been building smokers for almost 20 years, and have built a lot for Texags clients. You can call or text nine seven 9 2 five five 3 seven 2 two. Also check out my page on Facebook@profabtx lots of photos there.

the pit man said:

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I'm in south College Station. I'd love to talk with you about your needs. I've been building smokers for almost 20 years, and have built a lot for Texags clients. You can call or text nine seven 9 2 five five 3 seven 2 two. Also check out my page on Facebook@profabtx lots of photos there.

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+1 for pit man

Bought a lyfetime from an Ag on here and love it.

Jason_InfinityRoofer said:

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the pit man said:

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I'm in south College Station. I'd love to talk with you about your needs. I've been building smokers for almost 20 years, and have built a lot for Texags clients. You can call or text nine seven 9 2 five five 3 seven 2 two. Also check out my page on Facebook@profabtx lots of photos there.

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+1 for pit man

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Now you've sold me on him. I've got an Oklahoma Joe's Pellet grill that's bout 3 years old and decently working and I'll probably use till it dies. But it's just not the same experience with how I was raised to cook BBQ and I know my grandpappy is looking down on me judgingly saying "damn kids and their smokers these days"

I've got one in Brenham I can send you photos of. It needs a little TLC but lots of years left on it. If you like it we can discuss price but I'm open to negotiation. Let me know how to send photos.

My buddy has a Lyfe Tyme for sale. Cypress location.

NineSeven9 71Six 01Four1

Just saw this - photos coming tomorrow. Don't want to text late.

I bought this Lyfetime off Facebook marketplace for $500. The pit is a year old and has very minimal rust. If you keep looking you'll find a deal.

https://lyfetyme.com/product/single-lid-smoker/

Pretty much anything commercial will not have an insulated firebox, so you will be burning a lot of wood.

Your mind may be already made up, but I cooked with an offset smoker for years and gave it up several years ago for a Weber Smokey Mountain. Have never regretted it. Granted, I do not require something that can handle a lot of volume. Two briskets or 3 or 4 butts max.

wadd96 said:

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Pretty much anything commercial will not have an insulated firebox, so you will be burning a lot of wood.

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$100 in fire brick solves that problem.

That's great, but it's not smoking meat. Not much differently than electric smokers. Easy, but not the same result.

I have a big one I have been thinking about selling. It will be about 10K.

I totally disagree, and some judges do too.

RM76 said:

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I totally disagree, and some judges do too.

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I have no doubt you can make good food on these thing, but I've cooked in dozens of IBCA competitions over the last 7 years or so, and I've never seen a single person cooking on a WSM. I have nothing against them, but not once have I seen it. Once or twice I've seen someone bring out a Weber Kettle to cook chicken on.

Not worth the effort.