Time to get serious about a new smoker.

[TripletDaddy]

Yes, crapped on the idea of using something that small as a home smoker. For a tailgate or camping smoker, its great!

In what is no exaggeration, I'm considering buying this for my office. That would be seriously

[Drunk Tank]

In what is no exaggeration, I'm considering buying this for my office. That would be seriously

Do it!!! that would be badass!

[TripletDaddy]

Do it!!! that would be badass!

The only problem is the smoke. The smell would be great but it wouldn't have anywhere to escape, which could be problematic. It is also a clear violation of our lease, which I find to be far less problematic.

How sweet would it be to throw on some tip for lunch and never have to leave your desk? The downside is that more people would stop by to visit or ask questions.

[Drunk Tank]

The only problem is the smoke. The smell would be great but it wouldn't have anywhere to escape, which could be problematic. It is also a clear violation of our lease, which I find to be far less problematic.

How sweet would it be to throw on some tip for lunch and never have to leave your desk? The downside is that more people would stop by to visit or ask questions.

No windows in your office? Build a planter box for it to sit on outside your window? Order a range hood and vent it to the outside? Gotta think outside the box on this one...

[CJF]

I can't find much info other than very limited pellet feed and zero temp control. Not sure it is worth the hassle.

[Drunk Tank]

I can't find much info other than very limited pellet feed and zero temp control. Not sure it is worth the hassle.

It is what it is. A dumbed down Traeger for tailgating. More of a novelty item. It would be pretty worthless other than tailgating or taking camping or to a picnic. It has its place, but not really practical. I think the Smoke/Med/High setting is fine for it. That is all Traegers had for years before they came out with the digital controllers.

[CJF]

It is what it is. A dumbed down Traeger for tailgating. More of a novelty item. It would be pretty worthless other than tailgating or taking camping or to a picnic. It has its place, but not really practical. I think the Smoke/Med/High setting is fine for it. That is all Traegers had for years before they came out with the digital controllers.

The temp control is very spotty from the few blogs I found. The pelt feed isn't a big deal but not being able to keep it under 400 degrees would be a major problem. Might as well get a portable charcoal grill for $15 and throw a smoke box on it.

[kccougar]

This seems a step down from the Traeger Junior that comes with the tailgating base. I believe you can order the Traeger Junior with the regular digital thermostat same as the larger units. It is heavier than this one though.

[Surfah]

Question for Drunk Tank and anyone else who may have had an Egg. I got a lead on a guy selling an XL from Craigslist. He recently replaced the gasket and the hardware for the band and upgraded to the larger handle. He is also throwing in a seasoned cast iron grill grate, a pizza peel, a looftlighter (new in the box), some various seasoned wood (cherry, pear & orange), couple rib/roast V racks, replacement temp gauge, used pampered chef grill mitts, coal chimney, and a bag of charcoal.

All for $450. This price doesn't is without the DFMT, Nest, and Mates. He has a replacement XL and is keeping those for his new egg. However he said he'd throw those in for an extra $150 as he may build table for his new egg instead.

Why is he selling so cheap? The egg is cracked. It is thin but goes through to the inside. It starts at the base (base is not cracked) and runs through up to the top. I got pics attached below. Anyway, what do you guys think? Easily repairable and worth the price with that crack? How would you repair the crack? I have read a few forums and most just use JB Weld or some other fireplace or furnace mortar like Rutland's to fix it. The guy suggested I could try to get a new bottom out of BGE's warranty. But I don't roll like that and would feel bad doing that. I doubt they would anyway. I am not sure I could get him to go any lower on the price. I already talked him down $100 from $550.

[Drunk Tank]

It would be a screaming deal if it wasn't cracked. Here is the problem. A used egg has no warranty from the mfg. There is a chance that the crack won't get any worse, but there is an equal chance that it will, even when repaired with JB weld. I can guarantee you that if he was the original owner, he got the replacement egg for free. Their warranty is that good.

So it is a $500+ gamble. A new lower base is around $350 I think. The only thing going for you is that it comes with some nice accessories. The looft lighter is $70, the cast iron grates $100+. The new band, etc is nice too.

I'm sure you'll want to do pizza's but you can't with that crack in its current state. Even with the crack repaired, I would be cautious doing really high heat cooks. To repair the crack, you'll need to open the crack up more and relieve the stress on it. Then fill with JB Weld. It is a risky proposition, but could be a very good deal in the end. Just be prepared that it could go bad and you'll be out a bunch of money.

[Surfah]

It would be a screaming deal if it wasn't cracked. Here is the problem. A used egg has no warranty from the mfg. There is a chance that the crack won't get any worse, but there is an equal chance that it will, even when repaired with JB weld. I can guarantee you that if he was the original owner, he got the replacement egg for free. Their warranty is that good.

So it is a $500+ gamble. A new lower base is around $350 I think. The only thing going for you is that it comes with some nice accessories. The looft lighter is $70, the cast iron grates $100+. The new band, etc is nice too.

I'm sure you'll want to do pizza's but you can't with that crack in its current state. Even with the crack repaired, I would be cautious doing really high heat cooks. To repair the crack, you'll need to open the crack up more and relieve the stress on it. Then fill with JB Weld. It is a risky proposition, but could be a very good deal in the end. Just be prepared that it could go bad and you'll be out a bunch of money.

You confirmed what I have already learned. Reading some of the forums, guys with cracks cleaned them out with a Dremel and then filled it. JB Weld is only rated to 500 degrees too. So you're right, pizza would be a no go. And that is the deal breaker. Damn. Thought I found the deal of the century. Thanks for your input.

[CJF]

I think I'm going to go to this. Any of So Cal CUFers interested in meeting up at this?

[TripletDaddy]

I think I'm going to go to this. Any of So Cal CUFers interested in meeting up at this?

I must be getting old because I read this paragraph and thought, "wow, that sounds really awesome!":

But, Big Poppa's King of the Smoker is a competition with a twist! Each Pitmaster will be required to cook the same meat, no garnish, and they are allowed zero electricity to assist in their cook. That's right... no pit minders, Gurus, or pellet cookers will be permitted! The King of the Smoker plans to be an old school competition with a level playing field, and is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society under their Competitor Series.

[kccougar]

Just a quick update on my previous issues. I smoked some ribs on Thursday night and my temps held steady at 225. In the past, they've run very high, and I thought there was a problem with the thermostat. Maybe it just needed to get broken in a bit?? I had played around with the P-settings before without finding anything that really worked. I had it back at P-2 for this cook.

[CJF]

I must be getting old because I read this paragraph and thought, "wow, that sounds really awesome!":

Me too. Big Poppa is who I bought my setup from. I've called them a few times when has answered. We've chatted quite a bit about technique. His team just won American Royal Grand Championship. He gets some of the stars to put on smoking clinics from time to time for his customers. When I saw the ad I got excited. This looks like it would be a blast with incredible eats. Plus, it gets me out of Utah in December.