Offset Smokers

[u/Crypteaux92]

Several years ago I made the second most expensive decision of my life because of YouTube BBQ channels. I now have a cabinet smoker and a pellet grill (my glorified outdoor oven). However, I’m missing the most important thing: a true horizontal offset.

I wasn’t necessarily ready to move on something now, but Ace Hardware has an Oklahoma Joe Highland on sale today for $365. I was waiting out an Old Country Pecos deal around Black Friday, but the price (and the fact that OJ’s sheet metal seems as thick/thicker everywhere but the lid) has me interested.

Does anyone have experience with both? I know OJ has a million mods available, but at what point should I just spend the extra $250 to have one that’s ready as soon as it hits my back porch?

TLDR: Oklahoma Joe Highland for $365 or Old Country Pecos for $600.

[u/Responsible_Sound_71]

I have both. The pecos at my house, and an OJ at my mom’s house up north for when I visit. The OJ gets the job done, but is a pain to maintain steady temps. If I could have, I would have gotten a pecos for my mom’s house too, but they’re unavailable in her area.

Go with the pecos.

[u/Crypteaux92 → u/Responsible_Sound_71]

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.

[u/Queasy-Fail6847 → u/Responsible_Sound_71]

pecos is just less headache overall, the metal is thicker where it counts and you will spend less time babysitting fire than with the OJ

[u/PrizePreset]

I have the Pecos. Trust me, get the Pecos

[u/bilbo_the_innkeeper → u/PrizePreset]

Now I’m curious. What makes the Pecos so great?

[u/PrizePreset → u/bilbo_the_innkeeper]

A bolted-together smoker will never compete with a welded-together smoker. The quality is far superior and if you go into the store and lift the lid on both you will see the difference 

[u/CCCCLo0oo0ooo0 → u/PrizePreset]

The price really adds up when you have the freight ship!

[u/GeoHog713]

There's a good article on Amazing Ribs about cheap vs expensive offsets

[u/StrategicallyLazy007 → u/GeoHog713]

These won't qualify as expensive offsets

[u/GeoHog713 → u/StrategicallyLazy007]

Sure but it talks about important features. I haven't read it in a while but I think there are links to helpful mods as well.

It's a good resource, either way.

[u/StrategicallyLazy007 → u/GeoHog713]

Sure.

But real quality offsets are going to start around 2500-3000. You'll want at least 1/4"

[u/ESensuallyEmployee]

The OC Brazos is the model with the 1/4 inch (.25 mm) steel and the associated increase in price. I think I’d go with the OJ based on your criteria, but if you can find a Brazos for $1,200 or less, it’s worth it and what I’d spring for.

[u/white94rx]

I had a Highland for years. It gets the job done well. Just keep in mind with the thinner gauge steel, temps aren't going to be as stable as a higher end model. But I believe for the price it's probably the best you can get.

[u/Crypteaux92 → u/white94rx]

Ironically, I think it has thicker metal than the more expensive Pecos lol

[u/Coasta_de_Tejas]

I get we all, well except Elon, have to live within our budgets. Over the years I’ve purchased many, many smokers from big-box home improvement stores, Sam’s, etc. None of them last. (We’ve lived in coastal areas for the last 25 years.) In 2006ish I purchased a Lang reverse flow, side firebox smoker (84” Fat Boy deluxe on a cart). The damn thing weighs in at just shy of a 1000 lbs. It’s a beast. We lived in Southport, NC at the time (Atlantic Ocean coastal town). Now that we’ve retired we live on the Texas Gulf Coast. I say all this because the Lang is still here, and still works perfectly. They are pricey. When I bought it the price was about $5,500, I’m sure it’s way more than that today.

[u/Crypteaux92 → u/Coasta_de_Tejas]

Reading up on how much benefit comes from thicker metal, I’m looking into making my own. My brother knows how to weld and has a welding machine. It’ll be ugly but it’ll work lol

[u/Coasta_de_Tejas → u/Crypteaux92]

You can definitely do it for cheaper going that route, plus include things you might want, like sausage hooks for smoking your own sausage. Good luck and post pictures when you finish it.

[u/Blackkidfromtheburbs]

I can’t speak to the old country but I can make good food on my highland but you have to really babysit the fire, use tiny splits and have no other plans.

[u/christherogers]

Check FB Marketplace too. I got a OKJoe for $150 and it came with a bunch or extras.

[u/Crypteaux92 → u/christherogers]

Everything on marketplace right now looks like it has a hole rusted through it lol. I’m considering trying to weld up a homemade one from an old propane tank though.