I think this review has perfect timing to it. There has been a lot of talk around here about stick burners (off-sets). I know a bunch of us love their WSM's and Kamado type cookers, but lets face it.......there is something primal and old fashioned about a stick burner. It is kind of like the way Que is meant to be. The problem with a stick burner is that you better have the time and patience to run one. It is almost like you season your meat,toss it in your smoker and spend the next 10-18 hours doing fire management. Another issue is that there is no "middle" ground when it comes to off-sets. You either buy a pile of junk one from the home improvement store. Or you spend 2000 bucks plus another 600 bucks for shipping for a high quality one. Granted, you can go on-line and do all these "mods" to get your POS off-set to work half way decent. Of course in 3 years you have to replace it, or change the bolt on fire-box. A bolt on fire box? Really. The fire box weighs 2 lbs and you wonder why it doesn't last.
There has been a pit out for a number of years that changes the playing field when it comes to off-sets. A unique design gets rid of the dreaded hot spots and wide temperature ranges in the smoke box. Nothing like having a 4 foot smoker chamber and only using 2 feet of it. i know, spend another 500 bucks on tuning plates. Now I started with a Charbroil Silver Smoker and have used well made 600 lb off-sets. I know the peaks and valleys of off-set fire-boxes. The other issue to consider is finding food to feed the beast. While being able to run briquettes in an off-set, you have a issue with ash build-up during long cooks. So your best choice is splits. Now for the bubbas that live where wood is easy to get to, how abour our city brothers and sisters. Gotta find a firewood outlet. Gotta go get it and stack it up yourself. When I lived in the valley I had to pick it up. Throw it off on the front lawn. Schlep it to the back yard. Then cut it to fit my fire-box size. Not all fire-boxes are the same size. Got to cut accordingly.
There is a better way.
The Good One.
Made in the USA, in the great state of Missouri.
The Good One has a fire-box that runs the entire length of the smoking chamber. There is a full length damper that controls the heat and smoke. Once dialed in, you hardly have to adjust it. This is almost a set it and forget it off-set. The model I will be reviewing is a Patio Model. The Open Range.
Here is a little company information from The Good One site:
The Good-One® Story
Made in the USA, The Good-One® Smoker/Grill was first conceived and built in 1988 in a small farm shop in Kansas. Due to the inefficiency and lack of consistent temperature control of existing smokers on the market, the inventor devised a unique offset firebox cooking chamber design that held even heat over an extended period of time. This led to a top end smoker/grill that took competition barbecuing to new heights and produced outstanding smoked meats and other outdoor cooked foods. It required significantly less attention than other smokers and grills. The success of The Good-One® resulted in the line being sold with the intent of taking it from a regional line to a national brand. The Good-One® has been sold to individuals, not only across the United States, but also in other countries throughout the world. In addition to the extensive line of smokers, Good-One also markets their own kiln-dried pure Oak, Pecan, and Hickory lump charcoal and flavored hardwoods especially for the product line. The Good-One® brand was improved even further when it was sold to Landmark Mfg. Corp. in March 2013. Landmark has been in business since 1959 and is one of the largest metal fabrication companies in the Midwest and was the current builder of several models prior to the sale. Going directly from manufacturer to the dealer brings a new level of flexibility, innovation and competitiveness. This ensures a continued high level of quality while giving The Good-One brand improved innovation and product development opportunities.
When the Three Little Pigs cooking team rolled into competitions, they had Chris Marks and The Good One smokers. An almost unbeatable combination. You are basically using a pit that is at home at The American Royal or on your patio.
This will be an ongoing review. Please feel free to comment or ask questions.
