The Right Smoker for Your Budget

In this video I break down my most common recommendations for people who ask me what kind of smoker they should buy.
Full Review Old Country Brazos: • Smoker Review: Old Cou...
Full Review Old Country Over and Under: • Smoker Review: Old Cou...
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[@ALone205]

BRAZOS 00:41 PECOS 1:50 OVER/UNDER 3:30 ALL AMERICAN ANGUS 5:03 PELLET SMOKER TALK 7:38

[@ernestbennett369]

Jamaica news

[@brucethomas3100]

Clay Watson No comments on Oklahoma Joe's Smokers?

[@fredleve2155]

Yt

[@nateyoung6331]

I watched the whole video before seeing this statement lol. First video I didn't go straight to comments.

[@Gdwmartin]

The one with the vertical smoke chamber looked very similar to a line star grillz cooker.

[@garrymcshane6743]

Love this video. You covered all of the questions I needed answered! Thanks!

[@ThyronMathews]

Great video you did a great job explaining the different smokers

[@Cookoutcoach]

Hey Jeremy, great video 👍 I recommend the same thing to a lot of people who want to get into bbq with an electric smoker....I always try to steal them towards pellet cookers because it’s the same easy to use but with real wood fire cooking and not just an oven with smoke. Have a good one

[@Bardin7094]

I decided several years ago to buy a Lang smoker. I really like it though it would have been nice to have seen your video back then. The tips you give on what to look for and consider before purchasing a smoker are helpful. And your tutorial on cooking brisket made my Christmas dinner a great success. Thank you for the work you do.

[@dellmichaels]

Thanks for the advice. Not only did I not know how to do the fire box when I got mine- therefore it's mostly been used as a grill- but I didn't know how to care for it. So now, after 5 years, mine has rusted through where the box and the chamber meet and is beginning to rust through in the bottom of the chamber. So soon, I'll be in the market for a good smoker on my budget ($300 or less). Showing me kinda what to look for is a big help. Thanks for all you help videos. I'm learning a lot. I managed to offset smoke a leg of lamb successfully for new years in large part due to your teaching.

[@buckaroo8805]

love your videos! your honesty is very genuine!

[@markdephilippo1404]

I love this guys videos he holds nothing back no secrets he tells all I’ve learned so much from his videos thanks for sharing

[@lydellwilson8061]

Welcome to Texas! I’m in the market for an upgrade to my Ok Joe longhorn and was looking at this Brazos. Very informative and I think what my next pit is going to be!

[@manmeatbbq5714]

Love this video and thank you so much for your input.

[@EinhanderPilotSantos]

I'm finally going into BBQ! Thanks for the video!

[@castandblast1852]

I have had the old country over and under for almost 5 years now. I absolutely love it. Holds up great. Every spring/summer I just give it a cost or two of paint.

[@Vitug23]

Thanks for all the videos Jeremy! Great video. I have a traeger and I’ve been experimenting with the tube smoker. I noticed a slight bitter taste when using the tube. Do you know if there is a way to add clean smoke flavor to pellet grills?

[@pinball1968]

I like how you kept it simple. Great video!

[@WolfgangHood8404FMF]

Been a sub since your video of how to use a chimney and you were in a driveway. Love your vids, keep up the great work.

[@jcantu23]

Great video! Love your content. Keep up the good work!

[@user-ur8vm8ii4z]

Thanks brother for the great recommendations and tips.

[@bogart281]

very good video, one thing I like to do is in the last hour of cooking, I throw in a full bulb of garlic and a large yellow onion cut in half on to my coals to add a great smoke flavor to my BBQ.

[@pirateron9080]

Thanks Jeremy for your recommendations.

[@donnycarter1074]

I have a Brazos smoker and it performs great. No complaints in the least. I highly recommend it.

[@rondetorres3842]

Been watching a lot of your videos about smoking. Wasn't sure if I'de have the patients to wait so I built a mini WSM to see if I can handle it, I'm hooked! Thought about moving up to a larger WSM or a pellet smoker. Since I still use my mini WSM maybe I'll give an offset smoker a try. Keep up the great work! Thanks for posting reviews for us newbies!

[@danielh750]

Jeremy, great walk through! I have the Pecos and have had it for 2 years and the fire box is already starting to have problems of the metal thinking out. We use it multiple times a week. We should have gone with the Brazos. However when shopping nthe other day we saw the Angus as well and loved the vertical box too. I did not catch that it was only 3/16" though. That makes a difference. Thanks for the video!

[@rustykc]

Great subject and delivery!

[@kevinjones2878]

Hey Jeremy, love the videos. They're always full of information. I'm new to stick burners and trying to decide between the traditional offset like the Pecos or the Over and under. I like the cook capacity of the over and under, but in a previous video you mentioned you enjoyed the flavor slightly better from your Brazos. My main concerns are how much more fuel it takes to run the over and under and the difference in cook capacity. My dilemma is I'm an extreme perfectionist and want the BEST tasting food🤷🏾‍♂️. I know it's all subjective but in your opinion, would the flavor profile from a traditional offset like the Pecos (budget range is about 600 tops) be worth the difference in the amount of cooking real estate the over and under has?

[@MessiahMisfit138]

A Texas boy! God bless you! I'm learning tons from your channel man. Can't wait to impress the family!

[@richardofsylmar]

Thank you. It was very helpful.

[@alvy_theone3916]

This definitely helped me on a decision, thanks.

[@CorbyQ]

Great info. Happy New year to you and the family.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Corby Q happy new year man!

[@cybernode33]

As a former Traeger+ user, I have to say that switching to Asmoke was one of the best decisions I've made in my grilling journey. The portability of Asmoke, which is battery-powered, has made it the perfect companion for all my outdoor adventures. The precise temperature control within 5°F ensured my meals were always cooked to perfection. The choice of different flavored wood pellets also added a unique touch to each meal. With the ability to remotely adjust the temperature and monitor food, not to mention the convenience of creating and sharing recipes via the app, Asmoke has proved to be a worthy investment. For anyone on a budget, this is definitely the right smoker for you. #Asmoke

[@kitwanatyhimba5247]

Thank you, good review ✨❗️

[@Miller78rc]

You didn't cover the $150-$400 range for us poor folk.

[@VanillaCoke]

cook on the stove, light a napkin on fire and place it in the general vicinity of the food for that sweet sweet smokey flavor. be careful not to burn your house down.

[@solaydbak]

Weber Smokey mountain

[@ernieD]

Yup, I'm looking at the Pit Boss 340-440, electric, pellet smoker, bout $200-$300. Bro in law cooks alot on his PB700. Food always comes out good.

[@RHEC1776]

@@ernieD I just bought the Oklahoma Joe side by side for $299 and man let me tell you best $300 every spent. I did two racks of ribs my forst time ever and man were they delicious and juicy. My family is filled with shit talkers 😂 and believe me they loved them. I was waiting for the shit talking because I bust everyones chops about their smoking when its bad and they loved it. They thought I had my pops smoke them for me.

[@fredluden2298]

I build a uds for $240 in one day and it looks just like the $800 gateway. It works great, doesn’t take up much room, and is easy to move. I would definitely go that rout until you can afford a $1000 offset

[@akesq01]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@Barneyrubble241]

I've got a $100 Brinkman smoker. Just cooked a 12 lb pork butt last weekend. Turned out amazing. No need to spend a freaking grand on a smoker unless you're doing it for a living.

[@haroldcowboysmartdc4l715]

Right and plus its about the person who doing the cooking if u know what u doing it doesn't matter what u cooking on its gon turn out great believe me

[@daviddixon2166]

Exactly! I had a Brinkmann and used it for 10 years before I passed it on to my son when I bought a Green Mountain pellet smoker. I love the pellet smoker but miss my Brinkmann.

[@Barneyrubble241]

@@daviddixon2166 I've had a couple of them in the last 20 years or so. Probably the most versatile little grill I've ever had. I've smoked turkeys, hams, ribs, pork butts, plus you can grill burgers, steaks etc. You can move the charcoal around from all the way on the bottom for smoking to the middle for stuff like pork tenderloins or move it all the way up top for steaks and burgers. It really does do it all. Great little grill.

[@RavnerRavner]

u right

[@sugabearchiraq5755]

Jim M agreed!💯 I have a $200 Char-Griller smoker and I can smoke with the best of them!!

[@benjismith593]

I prefer Brazzers

[@gilbertjordan1970]

Benji Smith the worlds greatest

[@wesg8986]

😂👍

[@flcmaybe]

😂

[@Sicnesses23]

But $1000 for a grill? I mean shit. But if yall swear by it i guess ill save

[@waynegranzin3824]

@@Sicnesses23 that wasn't what benji was referring to. i'm marginally embarrassed that i know that...

[@networkn]

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks.

[@BabyBackManiac]

This was an excellent video topic, Jeremy.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Baby Back Maniac Thanks man

[@jmvmike]

I’m building a smoker and you are giving me some great ideas! Thank you and God Bless you and Yours.

[@toddpower4674]

What did you build?

[@enriqueparedespinel1694]

Very good review, Thanks a lot.

[@jandblawncare8570]

Thanks for the video, I actually smoked my first Brisket New Years eve. using some of your tips and it came out great, I lost some tenderness but cooking it in my Camp Chef propane smoker that hates wind and it was sustained winds of 12mph. so it was tough to keep it at 250F. I wish we had a place to buy decent smokers at, about the best I can do locally is Lowes that sells a Oklahoma Joe Longhorn for 300 bucks.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

AnglerX Academy ships for relatively cheap. That’s what I did. When I bought my brazos shipping was 99 bucks. I think it is more now but still reasonable. They brought it to me in LA

[@Ace-yf3xf]

Thanks for your advice on all these units!

[@antoniobabich3583]

I like how the video is on picking the right Smoker but then he doesn't know what the hanging rods are for at 5:55. Lol. Like they say, no matter your experience, there is always something to learn. I learned a lot from this video. Keep up the great work.

[@progers5019]

Hello Jeremy. Was up late and saw your video. You did a great job going through AS Old Country Pits line up with helpful information for those looking. If I had known about the Brazos before buying the one I have I prolly would've bought it. Our AS doesn't have that model in the store. I have a great pit heavy built but $1600 vs $1k for almost the same thing. Hope you are doing good. Need more Mad Scientist vids. LOL HAPPY NEW YEAR. Your OLD pal. PHIL N FLORENCE

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Phil N Florence I get what you mean. If it works well then the money is worth it. I’m really glad to see how your channel has grown! Keep up the good work!

[@jimvollan2691]

If on a budget, what's your opinion on a offset like the Old Country Wrangler vs the Old Country Smokehouse? I really want a vertical pit but don't have the budget for something like the Lone Star 30 inch offset vertical.... Having said that, the Lone star 30 vertical has the offset firebox where the Old Country Smokehouse has the fire directly underneath.... Looking for opinions I guess on the Old Country Smokehouse

[@progers5019]

@@jimvollan2691 Not sure if you're asking me or Jeremy, but for $200 more dollars I'd definitely go with the Smokehouse. Love those vertical slideouts. Can put a lot of food on them, and easy to work with.

[@toms4020]

Great Video! Thanks!

[@gstopngo]

I love the videos. Keep up the good work! Do you have any comments/have you ever used a UDS (ugly drum smoker)?

[@dblosevn]

Jeremy I am so glad you did this video. I wish you would do more on the pellet smokers. I would like to know which is the best.

[@phillipbrennan7082]

Pellets are for nerds

[@davesager9253]

Recteq best I've seen own 2 myself

[@livergsp]

Thanks for the video!

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thanks! I live in Texas and will soon be shopping for a smoker

[@burlymugg]

thanks, great info

[@aaronkarr9430]

Nice review. Wish they had that many smokers to drool over in a store here in CA!

[@petersallander6913]

Very good advice

[@mrhatts6mg]

I purchased the All American Angus the weekend before xmas 2018. "Out of the box" the temp diff between the middle of horizontal and bottom of the vertical is about 100~150°F (Digitally checked on the grates). With a 3/16"x14.5"x26" tuning plate in the horizontal, using progressively larger holes up to 1.25", I was able to shave that down to approx 25~50°F diff. The dual stacks is not just for looks! I found that by closing one off your horizontal will maintain a much higher temp, while the vertical stays cooler, with both stacks opened all the way, the temp will equalize between the horizontal and the vertical much more. The hot box side *VENT* does not leak! I've ran so many leaking smokers in the past, I could shut off the side vent and still have good enough airflow to maintain a good smoldering fire. The vents on the Angus will straight up extinguish the fire if you close it off completely. I found that the hot box vent, on the Angus, at about 25% was more than adequate to maintain a temperature around 250°F. Over 1600sq" of cooking surface (not including the hot box grate)! Without adding a 4th grate to the vertical, you're looking at least 6 large pork shoulders and 2 large briskets all at once, with room to spare. The horizontal alone was able to smoke 6 loin (baby back) ribs with good spacing between. Now, here's some not to awesome news: everything other than the hot-box vent is a leaky S.O.B.; I highly recommend anyone looking to get the Angus to also buy some sort of gasket (LavaLock or something similar). The hot box lid (although it's design appears that it would prevent leaking) leaks, the horizontal lid leaks and the vertical door leaks. Get some high-temp food safe gasket and prepare to put it on just about every door or lid. Also, unfortunately, Old Country BBQ Pit "support" is practically non-existent. Their website is stuck in the 90's, one of their phone #'s is invalid, the other goes to a voicemail blackhole and if you email them about parts, good luck getting a response in under a week and the response won't be very helpful when you do. If you want to add a 4th grate to the vertical or if you want to add a tuning plate or a charcoal grate to the horizontal, prepare to contact your local metal or welding shop to have it made for you, or if you already have the tools and talent to weld, DIY. Overall, I'm very happy with the Angus. None of the cons above came as a surprise, because I had done the research prior to purchasing. With some DIY I was able to correct some of the issues I had with it "out of the box". I needed something with a lot of cooking surface for the giant family BBQs that I have on occasion, if it were just me and the wife I would have picked up the Brazos instead.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Hey man this is tremendously helpful! Thanks so much

[@shicken11]

You can get more heat in the vertical section relative to the horizontal by increasing the airflow. This is done by leaving the firebox door open during cooking and opening the stacks at least halfway.

[@gathmart]

Yeah I just got one two weeks ago, about 5 Cooks now. I was very impressed. Great smoker in my personal opinion.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Awesome video and helped me a lot toward deciding my 1st smoker! Now If I could just find one. They will come back in stock someday, I'm just impatient.

[@thomashood3748]

Very good. Helpful

[@mikeruizesparza1514]

love your so didactic video. Keep up the good job

[@wabennett7670]

Jeremy, awesome review on the stick burners! I have had several, but I'm getting on up in age and decided that long cooks were just too much work with stick burners trying to maintain fire and heat. I went with a high quality pellet grill/smoker. The Yoder YS640s and WOW! I have been getting as good if not better results on the long cooks as I did with the stick burners but with a fraction of the work. That means I can enjoy my finished cooks a lot more. A plus with the Yoder pellet smokers is that you can actually grill on them with grill grates over the open fire from the pellets. You should do a pellet smoker comparison for us old guys too tired to maintain the stick burners. Also, Weber is going to release their Smoke Fire series of pellet smokers in the very near future. Early reviews are very good! Keep on smok'en man! Love your presentations!

[@03track03]

Hey Jeremy! Been watching your videos for a few days now and am making the switch from an electric smoker to an offset. The Old country looks great, my problem is that there is no academy sports within 8 hours of me and the reviews that I see for the ones that people have had shipped seem to have lots of problems. Any recommendations?

[@joedemonia9002]

Thanks Jeremy for doing this video, I'm trying to decide between the Pecos & Brazos, I have a WSM but also want an offset as I enjoy the art of BBQing. :)

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Joe DeMonia I’d say spend it on the brazos if you can. It’s not flashy but functions really well

[@Gene756]

Very informative..! Thanks..!

[@mw688]

Curious, how do you feel about the Orion cooker/smoker? Small, stainless steel and a totally different method for cooking than what Im ussd to. Thanks

[@MustangGuru]

The best one I have is the 2 Char-broil American Gourmet 40” offset smokers i got for 20yr anniversary gift where I work.😎

[@shawn72251]

VERY HELPFUL REVIEW 👍

[@richardisaacs3601]

I have used some off set smokers and other types as well. If you don’t want to babysit a smoker, check out a pit barrel smoker. Very easy to use , food turns out great. Those barrel smokers have helped people win at Memphis in May national bbq championships. Then it all depends on what people like, each person is different.

[@AlexAlex-fi2zi]

wonderful episode, planning to get Masterbuilt 560, not sure if it's a reliable one, any advice

[@elbob17]

I started with a $100 Char Broil trashcan smoker. It was a lot of fun after a few modifications.

[@metal75801]

Question.. for cook surfaces, do you recommend raised or flat expanded metal, or is it a matter if personal choice?

[@scoffroad]

Dude, this video nailed it. Great job. I've got to find a cool apron now.

[@brokenarrow6491]

I couldn't afford an expensive smoker so I got a oklahoma joe's smoker and it's been awesome. If I had plenty of money I'd probably buy it again because it's heavy duty and the food comes out great and that's all I need.

[@jsangel567]

What a selection! Never seen so many styles here in Utah.

[@codetalker3135]

We have a very limited selection of smokers for us here in Utah buddy. I bought a Weber Smokey mountain. But I’m looking to upgrade to an offset smoker soon

[@joaquinthomason780]

Who made the 4th smoker the one with the vertical cook chamber

[@athroop1321]

I bought a OKJ offset from Lowe's couple years ago. I'm currently upgrading it as the welds are poor and air it has horrible air gaps. I'm welding it all up and I'll repaint it. I'm in the market looking for a propane or air tank to build my own.

[@BBGrillShack]

Nice video man! A lot of nice grills at that store.

[@marklazarus2584]

I have an old cheap Brinkman and I am, looking to upgrade, this has been really helpful. Have you ever tried the Orion? I am now considering either the Orion or the Pecos. Thank you for all of your videos.

[@mohamedsaid2227]

hey man i really enjoy u r channel alot. i was thinking of actually opening texas style restaurant here in Egypt just need an advice on best smoker for mass producing like the ones in Franklin for example which u might advice me to look into thanks alot in advance

[@dirtybaystrangler]

For something like that you might want to look into building your own pits.

[@RickHdz36]

Good video! I would love to buy a Brazos in the future if I needed to cook that much.

[@lowdownone]

I respect the fact that you have no problem recommending smokers that many other "pros" would call cheap. A lot of folks new to bbqing will get a lot of sticker shock at the price of pits. When watching all these other channels, some of these guys have thousands of dollars worth of pits, with many costing thousands each. Jambo pits anyone? Chances are if your pit is to blame for all your culinary disasters, news flash, the problem probably isn't the pit...it's you. I'm not an offset guy (too lazy) but would have no problem buying one of these you recommend if I was.

[@chuckstonex1632]

I really appreciate your videos. I finally got my Old Country Pecos today. It has been seasoning for four hours getting ready for tomorrow.

[@joshuasandman3942]

How has yours been holding up so far? I'm looking at getting one as well

[@chuckstonex1632]

@@joshuasandman3942 I am very happy with mine. I would recommend them. It is just my wife and I usually, but it has plenty of room for a serious party

[@joshuasandman3942]

@@chuckstonex1632 Thanks for the reply Chuck! I just picked mine up and am loving every second of it!

[@anthonybooth9511]

im in california what store is this do they ship to cali

[@axelreyes9705]

His is the one I have. I love it.

[@U-H-M]

I got a bbq from walmart for $23 been using that to smoke. I just place the coal to the side maybe occupying 25-30% of the grill is hot coal, i throw the wood chips on top. Works GREAT

[@mcconn746]

I thought reverse offset smokers were the best. Any input on them? Thanks.

[@torgeystravelingbbq7555]

Thanks for the video

[@josephhanks5270]

I really enjoy your videos, you kind of remind me of an Alton Brown of the BBQ world (I mean that as a compliment). I do have a question. Have you ever used the OC Smokehouse vertical? I am looking to purchase either the Pecos, over and under or the smokehouse. I've seen good reviews from both the Pecos and over and under from yourself and others but there is virtually no quality reviews of the smokehouse. Your thoughts?

[@TheRealChetManley]

I went from offset to pellet smoker about 5 years ago. It was initially disappointing. I got to where i liked the food off of it. It cooked beautiful food, but the flavor was never there. Finally got rid of it. Going back to offset. Way more work and much more room for error, but flavor is far superior.

[@Kineticartist]

BEST BBQ CHANNEL 2018 Great content excelent delivery Keep up the good work!

[@jackwebb5917]

You recommended the pecos, what is the difference between it and the wrangler?

[@baircichlids5350]

In your opinion what would be the better smoker the Pecos or Oklahoma Joe reverse flow

[@roxygonzales6080]

Hey Jeremy what do you recommend to seal any of those unwanted air leaks? Mine comes from the top of the lid and i just use foil to try and seal it but is there a more efficient way that you know of? Thanks for all the vids!

[@jaysantos536]

NO reason to do that.

[@BLACKNIGHTKNIGHT]

Hey Jeremy, I'm on the other side of "G" town of Greenville, TX. I too was looking at the Over and Under. But man, after seeing reviews on Academy and seeing how thin the metal was, I'll probably stick with an Off-set Smoker. I hope with Summer being over and Fall around the corner (Well, whenever Summer & Fall finish battling it out lol) these will be on a clearance to get better pricing. 👍

[@DonaldAJr]

Awesome video. My 2 chamber was a nightmare to keep at 125° to 150°. I'd blink and it was 400°. So I'd close the oxygen slide and it would be around 75°. I don't have that kind of patience. I just got a pellet smoker and the only draw back is the smoke flavor. Granted it has 5 to 7 huge holes in the back that can't help the situation.

[@pbubip]

Where would you buy the all-American bravos smoker in the UK? I cant seem to find an decent source. Any help or guidance would be appreciated

[@lyleswavel320]

Is it true that brisket and other meats get all their smoke flavor in the first 2 hours and after that its just cooking

[@darrelllee2107]

I'm glad that you talked some about that spectrum of barbecuers. I'm on the end that loves to be out all day managing the fire. It kind of forms of special connection with the meat for me. (Not like a romantic connection or anything although at this stage in life, I might not rule that out... just kidding!) I always mess something up but it still tastes amazing. It's like I can taste the work that went into it. Also, I can't think of a better way to spend a day than to just sit around with friend and family and just enjoy time together. Of course, you can spend time inside with friends and family with a pellet smoker...

[@jjrivera4]

What are your thoughts on the wrangler?

[@duvalpenny100]

Would you recommend spending the $100 more for the old country Wrangler as oppose to the Pecos?

[@brandingo9094]

Is it worth using the top rack for smoking meat? I would think it would be cool to make a full size slide out grate for the top. Is it worth doing or is the top only good for warming? Can u achieve atleaste 250 275 on top grate

[@capnrob97]

I have gone from fiddling with the fire offset smokers for years to now, just a couple pellet smokers. Set it up, and enjoy Saturday fishing and come back to some good smoky meats.

[@peterc504]

What would you guys say is the best smoker to get for someone cooking for 2-4 people? Dont need any of these huge ones just enough for a brisket, ribs, or pulled pork but want one that will turn out the best flavor and smoke! Is it best to go pellet, charcoal, gas, or electric?

[@ratherbfishin2421]

Hey what's up bro whatever happened to this cabinet insulated smoker that they were having you test out enjoy your videos very informational Happy New year

[@edzaffina9785]

Would you recommend lengthening the stack on the brazos?

[@tjmaierhofer6379]

Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco it’s also amazing and a decent price