Is This The Best Smoker Of 2022?? | Gateway Drum Smoker Review And Burn Off

In today's video I will be doing a review and burn off of my new Gateway Drum Smoker. I will be showing you why I love these smokers so much, and I will be letting you know where I've been for the past month or so. If you're not familiar with Gateway Drum Smokers, they are incredible cookers. They are easy to easy, hold temps extremely well, and are very fuel efficient. The thing I enjoy most about Gateway Drum Smokers is their ability to turn out a fantastic product cooking hot n fast. I use my Gateway Drum Smokers typically for competitions only, but they also are wonderful cookers to have in your backyard arsenal! With this review and burn off video I'm hoping to teach you how to set up a Gateway for cooking, temperature management, and just give you a basic review during the first burn off. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!
***Don't Forget To Follow Me On Social Media***
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Stuff I use:
Thermometers:
-MEATER+ Wireless Thermometer: amzn.to/3HcdCCb
-Thermoworks Smoke: www.thermoworks.com/Smoke?tw=...
-Thermoworks Thermapen MK4: www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen...
Rubs and sauces:
--Tailgaters BBQ Party Rub (use code: ASHKICKIN and save 10%): www.sucklebusters.com/bbq-rub...
--Elk Creek Bar-B-Q Hog Knuckle: amzn.to/378RQhG
-Lawry's seasoning:: amzn.to/3pnF9do
-Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt: amzn.to/3B7MsYX
-16 mesh black pepper: amzn.to/2ZfLLQ4
-Killer Hogs Vinegar Sauce: amzn.to/3f5tWIm
Miscellaneous Equipment:
-Dalstrong Quantum Series Santoku: amzn.to/30lTDQh
-Orange Sprayer: amzn.to/3Br9vhm
-Cutting Boards (use code ASHKICKIN20 for 20% off):
hiawathawoodworks.com/
-Cooking Racks: amzn.to/3gu68xb
-Disposable Cutting Boards: amzn.to/2UWLwY8
-Finger Oven Mitts Pot Holders: amzn.to/3lb5RUm
-Dalstrong Slicer: amzn.to/3iTZ808
-Fat Separator: amzn.to/3oWRgdG
-A-MAZE-N Smoke Tube: amzn.to/3bZGJeP
-GrillBlazer (use code: ASHKICKIN10 for 10% off): grillblazer.com/?ref=ASHKICKIN10
-Cooling rack: amzn.to/3pNkfmA
Some of these links may be affiliate links, these just help support my channel at no extra cost to you
#gatewaydrumsmoker #gatewaydrumreview #gatewaydrumseasoning #gateway #drumsmoker
#smokertemperaturecontrol #ashkickinbbq #hotnfast

[@markowen7129]

Congratulations on all the competitions!! That's an awesome looking cooker man, I'll have to check them out!!! Thanks for the informative video on it.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thanks for watching Mark!

[@Steiny44]

Just bought a Gateway yesterday. Love this video for setting it up. Thanks for doing it!

[@AshKickinBBQ]

you're so welcome! Enjoy that Gateway!

[@Lsthnbrd]

Congrats Darrin! Those are awesome results! Keep on smokin

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you so much!

[@hulkhuggett]

Excellent review, man. And congrats on all the success 👍

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you!!

[@troyv8302]

New smoker day ranks right up there with Christmas as a kid. Congrats on the great season so far, I've learned a bunch from you with the hotter and faster side of BBQ. Guessing if I am getting those kind of results in the back yard, you gotta be crushing it on the circuit. BTW, even got a Minne"soda" out of your close to the end...LOL, thanks!

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Haha, my accent hit's hard sometimes. Thanks for watching brother, I sure do appreciate it!

[@judgewepbbq]

Been 👀 Gateway drums for awhile now...may have to pull the trigger. Congrats on 62K+!

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you Judge!!

[@altoncahoon182]

congrats on the contest success. would love to see some cooks on your new gateway.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thanks brother, I will make it happen!

[@boethel]

Congrats on the wins. Drum looks good, I think it would be good to see what the champ does on one of these.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you! I can make that happen!

[@midwest1228]

Awesome.. Great work. I never could understand why you were always hot and fast on your pellet grill videos. Makes sense now...I don't own a Gateway yet, but I do love my PBC.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

I also have a PBC and it's awesome!

[@ragequit42]

Congrats! I know it would be tough, but would love for you be able to shoot some footage at competition.

[@thegalleryBBQ]

I enjoy watching your success. Nice work brother..

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you Tommy, I sure do appreciate you brother! Cheers 🍻

[@andrewknaff9220]

Congrats on the success!

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you!

[@MrVeteranVlogs]

Another great video

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thanks brother!

[@dave011175]

Love the channel just started watching a few weeks ago tried the Mississippi pot rosat the meat turned out great but way to salty but will for sure be doing pulled bbq beaf cooking it the same way

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thanks for the kind words David!

[@WoodyJr27]

Man, brother, I hope you do more cooks on the drum. As you may can see, I built my own, and I love the way it cooks. I have a weber kettle also, but I only use it for mostly hot dogs and maybe brats.

[@natefilla3187]

Neat, both Gateway Drum Smokers and Blues Hog are both from the small town in Missouri my parents grew up in, Washington, MO. Still pretty local to where I live now, only about 45 minutes away.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

That's awesome! I love all their products!

[@chrisbarber1020]

That looks stunning man I wouldn’t mind seeing some how to videos about drum smokers I’ve done off sets pellet grills but haven’t messed with drums

[@AshKickinBBQ]

I will make it happen Chris!

[@MoesSmokeStackGrill]

Oooo I’m looking for one of those. 🔥🔥🔥

[@AshKickinBBQ]

You won't regret it man!

[@chrisk181]

Just picked one up a couple weeks ago, have hung 1/2 chickens and st Luis ribs. Also made pork belly burnt ends on it. Everything was amazing, great choice!

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Yessir, they are amazing cookers!

[@desertdweller6068]

I made my UDS for less than $200 in parts and that was including the walmart domed top grill (weber wannabe) I used to put a hinged dome top lid on it. Makes the best smoked food I've ever had.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Nice!!

[@tomjohns8498]

Hi from the UK 🇬🇧 it would be great to see you use the gateway. I enjoy seeing charcoal, the smell smoke hoo yum 😋 😍 😜

[@AshKickinBBQ]

I will make it happen!

[@woodywoodberry5459]

Dang that thing is so pretty. Grats on how you’re doing buddy.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Love you Brian!

[@PrimeTime2626]

I love my gateway. It makes everything taste better.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Couldn't agree more!

[@1memonkeyevil]

Live in KCMO originally from Chicago. My life in Chicago was propane gas grill forever. Since being in KC it has been nothing but a Weber Kettle a Traeger and recently a 36” Blackstone. You have me hooked by just watching this video. Might have to pull the trigger next spring. Knowing that they are a Missouri Company makes it even more of a want. Lol. Question is how did you get the flag and flame added on to the drum? Would love to have something like that done. Thanks for the great video. Although I am not a competition Q’er I do compete with myself at home to make everything better tasting every time I am cooking. Thanks again.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thanks for watching, the flag and flames were a custom paint deal they had going on. Gateway can customize any drum with whatever you want!

[@benh580]

Ever thought about filming your comps? That would be cool. Nice cooker.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

I have, and I do plan to someday. It's just a tough thing to do with so much going on lol.

[@bobbicatton]

What a fabulous way to celebrate your wins! Such a beautiful smoker👍😊 I look forward to seeing you cook on it.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you Bobbi!

[@ericpete8588]

I’m trying to decide on either the Oklahoma Joe’s Pro Drum or the Gateway Drum. Of course it’s about a $300-$400 difference

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Gateway, and it’s not even close.

[@P3ak930]

​@AshKickinBBQ same decision but different. I have a bronco pro, but considering buying a matte red gateway. Any particular reason you think the gateway is better?

[@P3ak930]

​@@AshKickinBBQ ok. Just purchased the matte red with all accessories with them being 20% OFF accessories and 10% OFF the drum. Go getcha one!!

[@AMadrigal72]

Awesome, do you have a cleaning video???

[@AshKickinBBQ]

I don't...but I can make that happen ;)

[@AMadrigal72]

Awesome, I'm sure that would a lot of others and myself out.

[@altonfender5168]

What do you think about the Oklahoma Joe Drum smoker would you use it for competition the reason why I'm asking and March I have a backyard competition to go to and I've been doing a lot of research on drum smokers and I'm trying to figure out which one should I get I like Oklahoma drum smoker and I like the drum smoker Gateway has hope you have a good competition would like to see some videos of your competition if there's any way possible I know it's hard to do cuz you constantly cooking and doing other things and I appreciate all the videos you have posted cuz it sure help me out a whole lot especially your one on your chicken breast and chicken thighs

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thanks Alton, and I have a buddy that has used an OKJ drum in the past with good results. But I am Gateway man through and through.

[@Kriley9591]

Let’s say you do run low and slow on a uds what would be the best way to go about adding fuel to the burn pot

[@AshKickinBBQ]

No clue. I don’t run low and slow in drums, and a basket of charcoal should last you the whole cook. Low and slow, or hot and fast. You shouldn’t run out.

[@tommchugh9159]

What did you use before the Gateway drum smokers?

[@SleeperBBQ]

Bad As- both you and the drum congrats on the wins Darin

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Thank you sir!

[@PrimeTime2626]

When are you going to start making more videos with your gateway drum smoker?

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Someday. I have 5, and I usually only use them for comps.

[@watsonrk1]

Hey Darin, Wondering what got you started in competition cooking, beside great food... do you sell a product or something like that? My daughter is always telling me I should looking to doing something like this, but it's not cheap to travel or cook lots of food you don't consume yourself.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Hi Randy, so I just got into it helping out a friend and shortly thereafter started on my own. It definitely isn't a cheap hobby, but I love it and I am a competitive person by nature so this feeds my need to compete!

[@watsonrk1]

@@AshKickinBBQ thanks Darin! Awesome that you can do that, like you, I love showing off my bbq skills.. currently not on par with yours, but working that way!

[@guitaristwagner]

Which is better for backyard bbq? Gateway or offset?

[@AshKickinBBQ]

Both would be good, depends on your circumstances and if you wanna tend to a fire all the time.

[@nicholasmartinez7616]

If the intakes are closed that much to stay at 300° do I have any hope to stay in the 225° range?

[@AshKickinBBQ]

You can definitely get them to run at 225° but honestly they’re not made for that. Cans are made to run hot n fast and produce a superior quality when doing so.

[@smokefathersbbq]

Is the heat deflector for an extra $79 worth getting? Is it necessary?

[@AshKickinBBQ]

It is not necessary, and I rarely use mine.

[@AshKickinBBQ]

The only time it’s really necessary is if you’re cooking on multiple levels, and even then…if you rotate…not needed

[@smokefathersbbq]

@@AshKickinBBQ Very good, thank you! Guess I’ll have to add one of these to my arsenal 👍

[@shawncaldwell593]

So you only cook pork in that one?

[@AshKickinBBQ]

For competitions, yes. I have one for each meat.