What Charcoal Grill/Smoker should Smoke Get?

[smokeasaurus]

I was leaning towards the Yoder off-set, but I find having the heat source and grub in the same smoking chamber a little easier to manage the heat. I have just done it that way for so long, I am kinda good at it. I can also build a smaller fire and use less charcoal. It didn't take long for me to figure out what grill I wanted when I sat back and remembered what pits I had the most fun cooking on.

Watching Jaxons Old Country video and Very Old Dogs Yoder off-set adventures, really got me thinking about an off-set. But when I see Lost Arrows posts from the camp and his New Braunfels pit in use, I knew the which way to take to get home.......

[LostArrow]

I'd like this

[smokeasaurus]

It reminds me of the "Lone Star" from The Good One. Sure don't look very traditional...but it is a solid grill with adjustable charcoal grates for different heat zones.  I gotta stick with the old standby design...the barrel........

[muebe]

Dang Smoke your going to love that Yoder!

Where in Palmdale did your sin move to?

[smokeasaurus]

I really don't know     haven't been up there yet.  He is renting a 4 bedroom house with 3 of his buddies. Kinda figure, I better not roll up there....might be like Animal House 

[sparky]

I really like that grill.  it larger than the MC pr36 I was looking at and a tad cheaper (the pr36 had a slide out charcoal pull out tray).  what does the charcoal sit on?  how do you empty the ash out of it?  how do you cook butts/briskets/ribs w/ something like that? how do you get a fuse burn out of it?  I won't learn if I don't ask questions.  ok, don't get mad at my next question.  does the outside need any thing from keeping it from getting rusty (do the outside of them get rusty)?  how much is shipping smoke?  I also like having the fire in the same area as my food.  I do believe it is easier to control the heat that way.  just my opinion.   ok, will wife is yelling at me to get in the shower.  wedding time.   

[smokeasaurus]

The Abilene 16 " on the Yoder site has more pictures if you are interested. The 20" is the same except Smokeasaurus sized 

I am having a charcoal basket made for indirect cooking. It will be placed on the right side of the grill by the side door with the vent.

There is a heavy duty expanded metal charcoal grate the runs the length of the barrel. The charcoal basket will set on that.

Their are two cooking grates. One grate can be removed for when the charcoal basket is being used.

Butts, briskies and ribs on the left side by the exhaust and coals in the basket on the right side.

With all the grates in place, you got a big grill that can cook for a crowd.

Clean-up is a snap. Remove the grates from the top. Open the side door and slide out the charcoal grate. Prop up a trash can to the opening and wisk broom out the ash.

I am sure the outside might eventually get rusty, I am sure Yoder layers on the high heat pain, the finish on my Yoder pellet grill still looks new.

My shipping quote from Eric was 225.00.  Not bad. I have paid in the mid 300.00 range for pits made in Houston,Texas

Keep in mind, this pit looks just like the legendary Oklahoma Joe's from years past...it is like a link to the past.

[sparky]

when are you getting it.  I do like it.  its pretty darn heavy.  how do you move something that weights 350 lbs?  and don't say on wheels either.  it just seems really, really heavy.  the ash clean out sound ok.  the charcoal basket is a good idea.  a big one?  12 x ?. 

[sparky]

I saw the 16 abiline.  what is underneath the charcoal grate?  won't the charcoal as it turns to ask fall threw the grate?  you could just take a small dust broom and sweep the ashes out in a container.  that's pretty easy. 

[veryolddog]

Guys,

Yoder gives you an ASH rake that is curved to go with the barrel design. I use this every time to clean out the offset and it is very easy to do and takes all of 2 minutes. They also provide a little grease bucket that hangs from the grease drain of the unit. Remeber this is 1/4 inch steel. Holds the heat very well. You will love it.

Ed

[sliding_billy]

That Yoder looks great.

[smokeasaurus]

My brother is ordering the 16" model. We are hoping Eric will help us move em to our patios.......

[sparky]

Guys,

Yoder gives you an ASH rake that is curved to go with the barrel design. I use this every time to clean out the offset and it is very easy to do and takes all of 2 minutes. They also provide a little grease bucket that hangs from the grease drain of the unit. Remeber this is 1/4 inch steel. Holds the heat very well. You will love it.

Ed

I didn't see the grease drain on them ed?  I do like the look of these units and I like the ash rake thing too.  easy is good. 

[smokeasaurus]

The ash drain is underneath on the smoke-stack side. The Abilenes are basically off-sets minus the fire-box.

Here is the link to the 16" Abilene that has a bunch of different photos of it:

http://www.yodersmokers.com/abilene16.html

OK, I was on the site and got my Yoder on:

the Abiliene 16" grill is called the Cheyenne with the fire-box

the Abilene 20" grill is called the Wichita with the fire-box

you can download spec sheets to see the actual dimensions....the grill I ordered is a beast.............

[muebe]

That is such a well built grill for $600!

I see some valley trips for me coming up soon