My New Hunsaker Vortex - A Pretty Drum Smoker

An overview of the #Hunsaker drum smoker & some of the available accessories. I also take you through the initial burn-in.
Please utilize the link below if you are interested in purchasing a Hunsaker drum smoker or accessories. I will receive a small commission & it will help my channel. Thank you!
www.hunsakersmokers.com/?rfsn...
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[@hunsakersmokers1276]

Nice video Kenyata. Really good job explaining the features.

[@BushiBato]

thank you,a friend on Backyard BBQ Heroes has a blue Hunsaker,i knew they worked well but never saw a in depth review till now.i see now,very versatile.till the next one

[@SouthernCoastalCookingTM]

Thanks for this video. I have been wanting a Hunsaker for a long time. I had no idea all those accessories where available

[@emf9]

Awesome video. Can’t wait to see some cook videos on it.

[@markn.7054]

Great video. Thanks for the thorough walk through. I always had numerous concerns about getting a drum smoker. After watching I’m putting this drum smoker on my wish list. Really straight forward smoker & a lot of room for food. Also looks like it would be easier to transport than my 3 section WSM.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I love it for exactly those reasons. The only tough part about transporting it is lifting it on & off my truck which really isn’t too difficult when I take the vortex charcoal basket & grates out first. The wheels make it really easy to move around.

[@bravozulubbq5502]

Love your channel and your videos bud. Keep up the good work!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thank you Bravo Zulu BBQ! I appreciate your support!

[@TheHolysmokesbbq]

Great video. I just ordered a Hunsaker drum smoker and can’t wait to get them and start smoking!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Holy Smokes! You will love it!

[@markreed9398]

I just bought my first Hunsacker. Just seasoned it. Used that time to learn how to dial it in. Had it up to 350 and no trouble backing down the temp to 300. Cannot wait to cook on it next week.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Congrats on your Hunsaker. I think it’s the easiest of all of my smokers to cook on. Enjoy!

[@mllm1]

Very helpful video. Thanks for sharing it. I hope you’re doing well during this trying time.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for watching Mike! I'm doing well, I hope you are too.

[@mllm1]

Doing good, thanks

[@progers5019]

Nice walk through Kenyata. That is a good looking and colorful drum.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Phil. Hunsaker will paint the drum any color that you want.

[@kingkielbasa2991]

Cant wait to see you cook on this awesome drum Kenyata

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks King Kielbasa! I'll try to get a video of a cook on the Hunsaker up soon!

[@SouthernCoastalCookingTM]

Great video I just ordered me a Hunsaker. I got the 2 grate option and told them I wanted to hang stuff so hopefully I will have some sort of rack

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I don’t recall whether you automatically receive the hanging grate with hooks. I suggest sending an email to Mark Hunsaker at [e-mail] to inquire. He’s very responsive.

[@Kmuggle]

Great review!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks!

[@GTRJohnny66]

Awesome looking in red, nice choice! That's almost too good looking to cook on - almost! ;)

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks! Hunsaker will paint it any color that you want.

[@bootsy727]

Thanks for the awesome video. Just ordered a Hunsaker drum because of your video. I almost went with the Gateway but decided on the Hunsaker. Can you tell me what kind of drip pan you have under yours. Keep up the good work.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Hi John, congrats on your new Hunsaker, you will love it! I bought the drip pan from AutoZone, here's the detail: SureBilt Large Drip Tray, Part Number: 17DT001. Thanks for watching & subscribing!

[@bootsy727]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ thanks, keep up the good work.

[@JuanCastillo-zv6ob]

Greetings from San Diego. First off love your content. How many smoker's you got and which is your favorite?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Hi Juan... I have 8 cookers that could be classified as a smoker. Overall, I have 11 outdoor cookers but I’m trying to sell one of them (Weber Genesis Gasser). My Lone Star Grillz 20x42 offset smoker is my favorite one to cook on. I’d say the easiest one to use is the Hunsaker drum (I have two). Most versatile is probably my Kamado Joe followed closely by my PK 360. I have also owned & sold 3 other cookers & I’m always on the lookout for a great deal so I guess you could say that I’m addicted to grills/smokers LOL.

[@Railroad_Bbq]

How much charcoal does those baskets hold and what is the burn time for 1 basket of charcoal? They look great.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I haven’t cooked an entire basket of lump charcoal down to find out how long it will last. I filled the basket all the way up this past weekend & cooked a brisket. The basket holds a lot of charcoal. Using the Bubs Cage seems to make the charcoal burn even more efficiently. After 9 hours, I had no problem holding a steady temp of 250. You can cook all day on a Hunsaker with a full basket.

[@tyrus0872]

Kenyatta, you know around the same time or just before you bought yours I was thinking of this drum for myself. I actually spoke on phone with the Co owner for 15 mins about his product and comparative drums. I settled to buy, however he was 6 weeks out on production. Well, given that my second choice was a Gateway, I liked it also and so I bought it without a delay, but as you well know having an offset pushes these cookers to a backrow. I like mine as an accessory now, however if the lonesome call is heard or I'm passing by too close the feeling hits me to load him up and do the dance just to appease the cooking Gods of course,,, and my po belly.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I completely understand Tyrus, I bought my Hunsaker drums thinking that I would be cooking often with them away from home. Of course, COVID arrived & most of those cookouts evaporated. My offset & Weber Summit Kamado are usually my first considerations. My drums still get used but not nearly as much. I’m still happy to have them at the ready.

[@01hotbone]

Going to buy one of these. Sir you said you put wax cubes in the charcoal basket? What does wax cubes do?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I just use the wax cubes to light my fire. They are just like candles.... very easy to light & get things started.

[@dewayneandrews642]

Great video... I'm new to your channel...Where did you get the tray from that's underneath your hunsaker drum smoker???

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for tuning in & commenting. It’s a SureBilt Large Drip Tray, part number 17DT001. I got it for $11 at AutoZone.

[@bbqguy6538]

Very informative video. So how do you like it?. On the hunt for new drum smoker. Thanks

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Hi Shaun.... I highly recommend Hunsaker Drums (I own two). Top notch craftsmanship & they are extremely easy to master. Love the capacity & the ability to easily adjust the temp inside the drum with the intake / exhaust system. Customer service is also top notch... Mark Hunsaker is very responsive to emails & via the Friends of Hunsaker’s fan page on Facebook.

[@Rbouch]

Hi....I know you have the Pit Barrel Cooker and I believe 2 of the Hunsaker Drums? What is your honest opinion between the two? I may buy both but not sure yet. I would appreciate any input from you. Thank you Bob

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Hi Bob.... both are fine cookers. If I had to choose, I’d go with the Hunsaker because it’s air intake at the bottom & exhaust at the top can be controlled which allows you to better control the temperature inside the cooker. It also has a larger capacity so you can cook more food. The PBC is more like a what you see is what you get cooker. It also cooks great food but you have.to learn how it tends to cook versus you learning how to cook on it (if that makes sense). Adjustments that you want are harder to execute. In other words, you have more control with the Hunsaker.

[@Rbouch]

Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ thank you so much I’ll probably just do the Hunsaker!!!! I really appreciate you getting back to me!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

You’re welcome Bob.... I’m sure you’ll be happy with your decision. It’s a wonderful smoker.

[@wfp537]

HI, I just ordered a Hunsaker today, a red one, I was trying to decide between this or a gateway, after watching your review of this , I went with it, I was wondering if you bought a cover for yours, and where, They don't seem to sell any on the website, Thank You for doing this review,

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Great choice Warren! Here's a link to the cover that I bought for mine. It fits perfectly, it's made well & it's only $20 on Amazon. amzn.to/3nfjKQ8 Enjoy your new @Hunsaker Smokers drum!

[@wfp537]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Ok Thanks.

[@dsweedler]

How do these upright drum smokers deal with grease? It looks like grease a drippings fall directly on the cooking chamber and charcoal basket. How are they cleaned after repeated use?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

The intake opening at the bottom of the Hunsaker can also be used as a drainage for grease. That’s why I have mine sitting on top of oil pans to keep the grease off of the ground. Some of the grease will drip onto the vortex charcoal basket and evaporate. You can also put an aluminum pan on top of another grill grate & position it below the food grate to catch the drippings. Overall, the grease issue is not something that I would consider a problem but you should expect that the bottom of your drum won’t be spotless unless you manage to catch all of the drippings in a pan.

[@earlcampo7668]

Where did you get oil pan

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@@earlcampo7668 I bought it at AutoZone

[@michaelgoff4703]

Hey to all who are now watching this, you move it to “run” AFTER your target temp is reached.

[@Mr2004MCSS]

Those grates you got should be the new stainless steel ones which in my opinion are better than the expanded metal ones. Nice drum and it's on my list to get one day.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Wayne, you are correct. I received the stainless steel grates & they are high quality. They appear to be even better than Weber’s. I have no complaints about them.

[@Mr2004MCSS]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Most Weber grates are plated steel so the Hunsaker ones should be better quality.

[@desun75]

Wayne Dimirsky i like these heavy duty grates better too, the other ones look to be hard to clean vs these

[@Mr2004MCSS]

@@desun75 I always prefer stainless steel over regular steel because of rust issues.

[@tomevans5458]

I suspect that these stainless steel grates are purchased from an after market supplier. The expanded metal grates would have to be manufactured by Hunsaker. Figuring labor and material, it is probably more cost efficient to include the stainless steel grates.

[@kinkywinks]

I am not seeing a vortex in the smoke, does it actually spin?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

The vortex is stationary. Hunsaker says it is designed to provide even temps across the grill grate inside the drum. I haven’t done any tests but it seems to work well.

[@desun75]

Nice video 👍 it would be hard to decide between this and the gateway. What made you pick this one besides the lid attached? Did the temps settle after a while and I’m sure there is a learning curve to these like any smoker. I like that ash in bottom can come out the intake hole for easy clean up.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Dan. I liked the concept of Hunsaker's Vortex charcoal basket & how its supposed to provide even temps throughout the inside of the drum. The learning curve is very small. I quickly figured out that having my intake open around 40% is sufficient to reach 275 degrees (this is the equivalent of having the intake slightly past the run position, in between the run & stop positions). I also learned that the exhaust only needs to be open slightly & small adjustments are all that's needed to dial in to the desired temp. Once you're dialed in, it holds the temp extremely well. I'm pretty sure that the Gateway is also easy to use. Walking around at a recent BBQ competition in Elk Grove, CA, I probably saw more Gateways than anything else. I liked that Hunsaker is a small company that sells most of their drums direct & the owners are very responsive. Gateway might be just as responsive, I really don't know.... the Hunsaker just resonated a little more with me.

[@desun75]

Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ you have all the best tools “grills”for bbq In my opinion. Do you think you want to compete one day?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I have seriously thought about competing. I'm a KCBS certified judge & they recommend that judges compete at least once. The main things that are currently holding me back are time & money (competing is not cheap). I also need to find someone to help as I honestly don't think that my wife & daughter would be into it. Great question though.... its always on my mind.

[@desun75]

Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ I’m in the same situation, cost a ton of money and time to compete. Wife and small boys have no interest lol. Competing in my first SCA steak comp next month and that’s doable with time and money. One day event is a easier pill to swallow

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@@desun75 That's awesome! Competing at SCA will at least let you get a taste of what it's like. I'm sure it will be a blast.... good luck!

[@ronaldkondler5792]

As always, Kenyata, one super review!! I have the Pit Barrel Cooker, but there are many enhancements that makes the Hunsaker a superior unit. Now I need to check the increased cost which I certainly expect over the PBC. Three things that I ESPECIALLY like, over my PBC: (1) A taller smoker, keeping the longer-length, hanging-ribs out of the coals, and (2) SUPER-CONTROL of the smoker's heat, and (3) Upon finishing your cook, a more convenient way to 'snuff' the coals without having to remove them to a sealed trash-can to stop the burning process, thus wasting the remaining briquettes . One thing I do like about the PBC: A porcelain finish on the outside. Does the Hunsaker have a paint finish on the outside of the drum, or is it 'porcelain-ized' like the PBC ? Thanks, again, Kenyata!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Ronald! Great question about the Hunsaker, unfortunately I don't know the answer & I don't want to guess & give wrong info. I suggest sending an email to Mark Hunsaker who is super responsive. His email address is [e-mail]

[@EJV-Florida]

What made you go with this one vs a gateway?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I like the design of the Hunsaker, the intake valve & the adjustments that you can make at the exhaust just made sense to me. I also liked that it has wheels for portability. I can't remember if the Gateway has wheels. Anyway, I have no personal experience with Gateway so I'm neutral about it. I've seen many Gateways at BBQ competitions and I'm sure that it is a fine drum. Hunsaker appears to be a smaller company and it just appealed more to me. Another drum fabricator that you may want to check out is called Cotton Gin Smokers. I've been looking at their Instagram page.... they seem to be more pricey than Gateway & Hunsaker but they make some very nice looking drums.

[@EJV-Florida]

Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ awesome Thankyou for the info! And I will check them out now!

[@sdgoes99]

What size pan did put under the smoker?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@sdgoes99 I'm not sure of the size but it's an oil pan that I bought from AutoZone. Check the other comments to this video for the link to the product. I received this question a few times so it shouldn't be difficult to find.

[@sdgoes99]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Thank you

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@@sdgoes99 You're welcome!

[@hinds90]

I'm curious what makes this better than a 22 weber smokey mountain?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I can't remember if I said that the Hunsaker was better than a WSM but I think it is easier to control the temps in a Hunsaker without having to do any modifications to the cooker. The walls of the drum are thicker than the WSM which helps with heat retention. The biggest issue with the WSM is probably the chamber hatch which doesn't provide a complete seal without a modification. All that being said, WSM's are extremely popular in competition BBQ & they are capable of producing food with great flavor. I believe WSM's are still Harry Soo's favorite cooker & he is an award winning Pitmaster. There are a ton of videos out there of guys cooking with WSM's so I wouldn't rule it out for consideration.

[@hinds90]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Not directed at you. I was doing research and it seems the consensus from owners of the hunsaker and Wsm is the hunsaker is better. I can understand why honestly.

[@Miisile]

So did you cook on it at all? I haven’t seen a video of yours with it except for this demonstration

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I did a video with a spatchcocked turkey on the drum smoker.

[@Miisile]

Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ I’ll watch it tonight. Thanks. How is cleanup of the vortex fins. That looks like it gets messy.

[@hinds90]

With the price I really can't understand the hype for this smoker.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Well, the 18 gallon Pit Barrel Cooker is $300. The Hunsaker is 55 gallons & it has features that allow you to control the temp that PBC doesn’t have. I have both & I think the Hunsaker is fairly priced. Their price also includes the cost for shipping.

[@gusgusnft8231]

For the cost, it better start the fire by itself. I’ve got the PBC, I like it, but u don’t recommend it. Too much work to make it work.

[@hinds90]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ honestly I think all the high end barrel cookers are over priced. Build one or catch a oklahoma joe bronco on sale.