Is the New Mini Chud Box a Good Deal?

The newest pit from Chudster Bradley Robinson is here! Is it a good deal? What are some alternatives? Find out here!
Besides the new Mini Chud-Box, this episode explores the Hasty Bake Legacy smoker grills, the Hasty Bake Gourmet Pro Smoker Grills, the M Grills M1, Ugly Drum Smokers, a quick shout out to the Pit Barrel Cooker, the Riptangle, Smokerplans.net Frankencube, the Hasty Bake Roughneck Barrel Smoker, Pitts and Spitts Adjustable Charcoal Grill and Pitts and Spitts Flattop Adjudstable Charcoal Grill, Lonestar Grillz 24" x 48" Adjustable Charcoal Grill & Smoker, Mill Scale Metalworks Hot Box, The Smoke Slinger, and Galindo Smokers The Little King.

[@jamesfletcher1178]

I don't have all of these.... But I got one of the first Smokeslinger pits when they first came out. There is no better value in a custom cooker today. The smokeslinger does every single style of BBQ right in your back yard with no compromises in quality. Absolutely perfect builds. low and slow, fast and hot, coal, wood.... everything. All my other cookers sit idle.

[@paulhughes8364]

Check out 1904 pits. The Trolley is almost just like what Snow's cooks on and looks like a solid build.

[@colinwells4975]

Whoa! Thanks for the heads-up. They do look NICE.

[@kdranchaz3240]

Really quality review here. I have the Hasty Bake Roughneck and for my money it’s the ultimate “barrel smoker” that’ll last a lifetime. That said the mini Chud Box is a different animal. It’s classic TX direct heat BBQ. For the majority of us backyard pit masters it’s going to get the job done and will also last a lifetime. I decided to go ahead and order one. Don’t have it yet. Don’t plan on it replacing my offset but I see a niche here where it can be a daily go to open fire grill/BBQ for most proteins. Again I think you nailed this review and the essence of what makes this cooker unique! 🔥

[@SmokeMasterD]

Thanks man. 🙂

[@chuckmcbreen]

Great video! I'm a long time follower of Chuds BBQ. You really nailed the nuance behind Bradley's bbq brand. Keep up the good work.

[@SmokeMasterD]

Thanks man

[@chuckmcbreen]

I made an inexpensive Chud box with my Weber kettle. I found a small weber grate at the hardwares store to drop the coals down. And a rotisserie ring to raise the meat Up. Overall 14 inches grate to grate. Add a little aluminum tape to fill in the holes were the rotisserie rod goes. Works very well.

[@Terk_]

Late to the party, but I have a Chud Box and it is absolutely fantastic. It has basically replaced my Weber 22" kettle and my UDS that i built a few years ago. I have yet to do a full brisket, but with it just being my wife and I those are a rare occasion anyway. So far everything I have thrown at the Chud Box has been really good and I really enjoy the entire process, from getting the right amount of charcoal to using a mop sauce and everything inbetween. Just like Brad says, you can't beat that direct heat.

[@tommyknockers_8608]

how does this compare to cooking on the weber or UDS for like direct heat steaks and semi indirect hanging ribs etc.??

[@Terk_]

@@tommyknockers_8608 I also have the grill basket attachment, so i can do pretty much everything the weber does. As far as direct heat cooking, I have done pork steaks, ribs, beef cheeks, and pork loin. I would say all of those are as good if not better than on the UDS. The best part for me is the ease of access to the charcoal, I know on my UDS I never really needed to check the charcoal since i built a huge basket, but it also makes it harder to do short cooks because of that and if you needed to add more charcoal, it was a bit of a chore. Never done any hanging BBQ, so I can't speak to that, but I think either the UDS or the ChudBox would be perfectly fine, maybe slight edge to the UDS since it is slightly taller and you could hang slightly further away from the meat.

[@tommyboy4128]

I made a solid decision to purchase the "Smoke Slinger" today, and I have to say, thanks to this video and sharing the competitors of the Mini Chud Box. Never heard of Smoke Slinger, but once I did my research as well as talking to the owner Dustin this morning it confirmed that purchasing his titanic smoker was the way to go. This monster of a box is in a league of its own and I'm confident that he will be the one to chase after he gets more and more exposure. To spend a measly $200 more as compared to the Chud product you get so much more in the way of size, durability ( 1/4" thick steel ), and design and fabrication for sure! The next 4 weeks can't get here fast enough when this 4 wheel fire & smoke spittin' behemoth hits my driveway!!! It'll look incredible next to my Workhorse Pits 1975💪

[@rhec_junior_9122]

dudddeee I placed an order for a workhorse 1975 last month and seriously thinkin about a smokeslinger. have u gotten yours yet?

[@tommyboy4128]

@@rhec_junior_9122 Dustin said he was targeting completion by the end of this week so hoping to see it arrive next week!

[@rhec_junior_9122]

what's the lead time on those

[@rhec_junior_9122]

wow that's pretty quick. I think these things will blow up soon popularity wise. seems like a great deal for the size and 1/4 thick metal

[@rhec_junior_9122]

can I ask your order number?

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

BR's Mini Chud Box got me interested in this style of direct heat cooker. And the more I researched this method, the more I wanted to jump in. But that mini box is tiny, and I want to cook more than 2 racks of ribs - I like to cook and share with our neighbors. I don't have a lot of room for storing a bunch of different pits, which makes having a good one with a lot of versatility a big priority. I would love to do direct heat cooking, hot and fast grilling, and slow and low smoking. ...Then I ran across the Smokeslinger. 22x44" is the perfect size, and with the baffle and deflector plates, you can do it all. Planning to place my order this week...

[@johnruplinger2449]

I agree the chud box has gotten me interested in direct heat. I have an 18.5" WSM at home and a 1975, and I just lately had the idea to play around with direct heat cooking on the WSM. You got different levels to have the fire related to the food, just seems like that could be an inexpensive way to dip my toe in direct heat cooking

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

Gotta add to this - the Smokeslinger? Don't order one. The owner, Dustin, doesn't return calls. He was going to send me link for a "special order" for a pit. We even talked on the phone about it, and he still hasn't sent me a link. I've been talking with other owners and people who have one on order, and he hasn't been following through with issues with some owners. Hasn't finished some builds for others, and he's non-responsive with them. You're better off going elsewhere. I ended up going with a TMG Pits Dumpster. Has multiple levels of cooking grates - and you can place coals on the bottom rack for direct heat searing/grilling. Or just do multiple levels of cooking.

[@johnruplinger2449]

@@craigjohnchronicles2504 Yikes, Sounds like he could be a Fatstack in waiting. Nice buy, dumpster looks like a nice cooker

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

@@johnruplinger2449 - that exact thought started passing through my mind, so I started looking at other options. Just didn't want to deal with drama with this purchase.

[@theftworthrealtor]

I really enjoy his videos and like you said he seems to be a great dude...when I first came across his channel I was in search of a custom smoker. When I saw he built smokers I checked out his website and I must say I was floored by the prices...not because they are out of line for a custom type smoker, but because the finished product was...how do I say this...less than polished....yeah...I had been looking at the usual suspects, Lone Star Grillz, Millscale and because of one of your videos, Workhorse Pits...the finished product of these other builders blows the Chud pits away...maybe chud pits cook really well, I don't know, but I think he has definitely capitalized on his fan base. I really like his videos, like I said before, but I was not going to pay high end pit $$ and not get a pit that looked high end. I wanted one that looked as good as it cooked and ultimately went with the Workhorse...and for far much less $$ than Chud charges for a similar, but still slightly smaller model. I also find it interesting that there are zero reviews from Chud Smoker owners on the pits and how they cook. The Workhorse and others like Millscale, produce not only great cooking pits, but they are almost works of art...at least to a BBQ guy like myself...great review as always, keep it up!

[@SmokeMasterD]

Thanks man. It's interesting that this mini chudbox is available through freight shipping. I wonder if his pit shop could grow to do the same with his offsets and whether they might become actually competitive in the market someday. Only time will tell.

[@theftworthrealtor]

@@SmokeMasterD The Chud Box is interesting, but for me I don't get the application or why someone would pay smoker pit money for a really small box...maybe I need to watch some vids on how a box like this fit into a mans bbq arsenal...one thing I really do like that Chud makes is the Chud Table...but the price is crazy, for what you get at least. It's a cool table, but a basic steel frame with a wire shelf at the bottom and a space for a very cool cutting board that can be removed quite easily. Maybe the expense is from the burner on the side, which I have no use for...wish I could find another builder that could do this, sans the burner for a more reasonable number....if you've run across something like this in your research from another builder let me know...my workhorse pit is due to be delivered next month or early June and really need a table to go along with it and wanted something more heavy duty like the Chud Table, but cheaper...lol

[@mrheyz]

I would have purchased the Workhorse Pit, but the wait is so long. I love the way they look, they are works of art.

[@theftworthrealtor]

@@mrheyz it was a long wait, 9.5 months, but let me tell you, it was worth it...when the delivery truck showed up and I saw this thing in person, the pics and videos do not do it justice. I had been about to order a pit from LSG, but saw the Workhorse the evening before I had decided to call my order in and there was no looking back. Fell in love with the look and realized I did NOT want a painted smoker...the fit, finish and craftmanship is second to none and it just blew me away when it arrived at my driveway...I am so glad I waited. I could have had any number of pits in half the time, Millscale, LSG and a few others, but I think I would have regretted it every time I saw a pic of the Workhorse online...you might check back with them if you haven't already made a purchase, I heard the wait times are not as long maybe because of their new facility opening up soon...

[@johnruplinger2449]

@@theftworthrealtor You may probably know this by now since this was from 6 months ago, but that table doesnt not include the side burner. Which I agree 100% with you, table looks great and would be very functional, I love to have one, but the pricepoint is pretty high for what it is.

[@jameshenry7211]

I have a smokeslinger. It's the real deal for sure. Incredible value. He charges $300 to ship anywhere in the US, which is ridiculously cheap for a 750lbs smoker.

[@SmokeMasterD]

I think we' may see even greater things from Smoke Slinger in the future. 🙂👍

[@DeAngeloWilliams2415]

Cool review but Bradley has said numerous times the chud box isn’t a smoker it’s a direct heat Cooker that will give you Some smoke. Be careful getting a chud box if you expecting a smoker. It works best for things like seafood, chicken and steaks

[@tommyboy4128]

Although I like Chuds / Bradley Robinson, I feel he missed the mark with this product for two reasons. First and foremost, at 3/16" material, that's a crack on the chin to the buyer, especially for the price. If he built them with a 1/4" then it's something to consider. Second, the footprint. Way too small, again, for the price. Once you get down to the bottomline with shipping, you're in the vicinity of $2,400-$2,500. That to me is a deal breaker, especially seeing competitors out there with similar or better build quality and materials....Smoke Slinger. If I were plunking down that kind of cash for a direct heat box style cooker, the Smoke Slinger is an easy choice.

[@SmokeMasterD]

I'm not sure how much difference that extra sixteenth of steel makes, but it is true that the price per pound difference on the two smokers is quite a lot.

[@tommyboy4128]

@@SmokeMasterD It definitely makes a difference. Decreases the risk of warping over time. By the way, I own a 1975 Workhorse Pit, and when I was in the market shopping for an offset I watched your offset smoker video and it helped me with making the right choice. Dollar for dollar, Workhorse Pits are unmatched! Keep producing those videos.... nice job!!

[@mike_adams]

The chud box just a bit too pricy for a square UDS. I like his concept, just in the wrong price category. I agree with the comment above that you get so much more with the slinger for similar $

[@wcneathery3100]

Bradley has done a great job marketing the Chud Box via his KZbin Channel.

[@mrheyz]

Enjoyed the reviews. I really want a Kamado, Chudbox and a pellet grill to add to my arsenal.

[@nordicwilly6650]

Really enjoy your reviews, especially the overview of the models available out there. I built my own vertical direct grill several years ago. I liked it for certain items like tri-tip, but overall I came to conclusion that two-zone, horizontal grill with sear-in-the-rear is better setup for most items.

[@SmokeMasterD]

You may be right about that. I have yet to do a tritip on the offset. Maybe I will have to do that soon.

[@dbcoh]

Can you review the Chud Press next?!!!

[@hojobbq]

Lots of folks coming out with direct heat cookers - could you do a comparison video - Chud box, Royale Fab BBQ, Hurtados Smoke Box, Centex, Smokeslinger (new smaller box), Deep Creek Metalworks - just to name a few

[@SmokeMasterD]

Sounds like a good idea. May be able to do it after the holiday.

[@rhec_junior_9122]

I ended up ordering a smokeslinger I think dollar for dollar is the best one out there right now

[@fredluden2298]

Should do a video just on direct heat cookers

[@Isovapor]

I’d go with the lone star grillz 48”. I dig the adjustable charcoal grates. The 3/16” steel on the new Chud box is worrisome to me. Great video! Cheers!!

[@jasonstein5179]

Why is 3/16” steel worrisome?

[@Isovapor]

@@jasonstein5179 1/4” steel is the bare minimum used on cookers where 2000 degree fires are used to cook food. 3/16 steel will not withstand high cooking temperatures and will rust through in two years if not meticulously cared. It’s very cheap steel. Oklahoma Joe pits are 1/4” steel and they are terrible at burning and rusting out. Cheers!!

[@larrycopenhaver]

@@Isovapor it will not get that hot

[@Isovapor]

@@larrycopenhaver you are ignorant. It will get as hot as you the amount of charcoal or wood you put into it. An offset firebox burns at 1800 degrees. 3/16 metal is cheap and can’t handle repeated exposure to high heat over long periods of repeated exposure. Buy one and keep us updated on how it warps and the rust accumulation. Cheers!!

[@larrycopenhaver]

@@Isovapor I built one 1/4 inch and it doesnt get close to that hot

[@fiftyf1]

The hanging rack was included, now it is extra cost. Also no cast iron grates in the Roughneck as was originally standard.

[@SmokeMasterD]

That's not cool

[@paceva]

You should do voice overs as Owen Wilson.

[@SmokeMasterD]

Interesting thought.

[@alexgrassi320]

Any interest in a flat pack, finger jointed designed box? You can Weld it yourself or have a friend or pro welder put it together in a couple of hours.I just designed one and can Cnc plasma cut and ship to your door. Alex at Vanportpits

[@wooltron1]

With a weber kettle and a BBQ stacker you can achieve pretty much the same thing. Way cheaper option.

[@jordesign]

The Smokeslinger shop is close to my house. I have communicated with him, and came close to buying one when he first offered for $1800. I should have pulled the trigger, but I really want the Pitts & Spitts Flattop because of the adjustable fire grate.

[@SmokeMasterD]

Do you like your purchase?

[@jordesign]

@@SmokeMasterD I have not made a purchase yet. Battling research hypnosis syndrome. The price of both went up $400-$500 since I started my search.

[@jamesfletcher1178]

@@jordesign And honestly its a steal at the current prices. Keep in mind that this pit is modular and done with MODERN standardized part contruction. This means part replacement and upgrades are a breeze. Smokeslinger has all sorts of add ons and upgrades in the pipe line. The base pit body alone is worth the asking price, but there is so much more going on with this pit and this Company. Been BBQing for 45 years and all my very best BBQ has been made on this box.

[@jordesign]

@@jamesfletcher1178 Can the smokeslinger make brisket as well as an offset AND sear steaks?

[@jamesfletcher1178]

@@jordesign it's great for briskets!

[@andrewknaff9220]

As a fan of Chuds BBQ YT channel I’ve always wanted a Chud box and the new mini looks awesome. That being said that Smokeslinger seems like a much better product for the money.

[@SmokeMasterD]

It does. Never inquired to them about shipping, which could make a difference.

[@smokefathersbbq]

That Smokeslinger looks to be a must have. Thing looks badass for the money! Comes with everything you could ever need for it.

[@jamesfletcher1178]

@@smokefathersbbq I am a plank holder for the smoke slinger. I got one of the first 10 production prototypes he made. Its the perfect backyard cooker. It does it all. Can be configured with the feature rich stock parts to cook any style of BBQ. I have a huge custom offset, all sorts of grills and pits. I have not touch anything but this smoke slinger since I got it. You wont believe this, but it will cook a entire brisket start to finish with half a bag of charcoal and a couple of post oak splits. 9 hours unattended cooking.

[@smokefathersbbq]

@@jamesfletcher1178 That’s awesome! Had my eye on that cooker for quite a while now. Once they get setup with Affirm, then I’ll get one. It’s like one of those “must haves” that my backyard is missing.

[@Smokeslingerowner]

​@@SmokeMasterD$300 shipping to any of the 48 states

[@mefobills279]

Pittmaker Grill Meister 30" $2,800.

[@koryweaver5868]

Completely off topic but i wanted your opinion as i think you are very knowledgeable about grills. I want to have a grill that can do high heat. I have a reverse humphries smoker. I want to get either a weber kettle with rotisserie or kamado joe large with rotisserie. Price is the issue. Do you think kamado joe really outperforms the weber kettle for high heat.

[@SmokeMasterD]

Ordinarily the kamado would do better for really high heat. My last episode on electric kettles might provide an answer to your dilemma. Watch it and see what you think then.

[@robertmaza9679]

I think Royal BBQ Fabrication also out of TX. has a nice vertical box as well it may be just a lil bit better then the Chud Box. 🤔

[@hojobbq]

I have a Royale BBQ direct heat cooker on order - should be finished in a few weeks

[@robertmaza9679]

@@hojobbq i finally ordered one for myself today 😊 supper stoke about it👍

[@hojobbq]

@@robertmaza9679 that’s awesome - Jeff and John have been great to work with - still on pace to get mine in next week or so

[@hojobbq]

Got my Royale Fab direct heat cooker a couple weeks ago - you won’t be disappointed - it’s a great cooking vessel

[@dank9288639]

for 2 thousand dollars there are wayyy better pits out there.

[@ralphalf5897]

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