Vertical (fire box under chamber) v. Horizontal Offset Smoker

[dataxman]

So all of you BBQ pros, which is better and why? Vertical with box under the cooking chamber, or the horizontal offset? Why? Any good pics of what you use?

GO!

[Split Arrow]

I'll be following this thread... I'm in the market for an upper-end smoker and have been trying to figure which is better,and why.

[Graysonhogs]

Give me an offset.... Just always what I've used. I'm sure some vertical guys will chime in. Curious as to the advantages. I'm alway up for learning new things.

[unclefish]

I used to BBQ 500 chickens every year for our church bazaar and used several kinds of pits over those years.

Offset to me is the most versatile because you can put coals directly underneath and still use the offset for smoking briskets, ribs, etc....

Chickens required direct heat or they get a rubbery skin.....or you have to really heat up that offset firebox.

[John Paul]

Bought a vertical last week. I have never had one before and I was very impressed. A lot like the upper end Lyfe Time grills with a vertical on the end, large grilling space in the middle then fire box on the end. Held temps really good and was very tight. Bought it from MG Lumber in Pleasanton, they said some company builds them out of Uvalde. I asked the Commercial sales guy there if he knew the name of the company and he did not. But they are almost Identical to the Lyfe Time but a little larger and about 200 bucks cheaper. This dang thing weighs probably 1500pds.. Not easy to move but I love it.

[texasrig]

I have used an offset for many years and was always very happy with the results. I bought a big green egg earlier this year and it is leaps and bounds better than an offset. From starting a fire to holding a steady temp it just does a better job. It is also very good at holding the moisture in the food.

I was cooking chicken breast and pork chops a month or so ago. They were done so I shut it down and left them on the grill while I finished something else. Well I got to messing with the kids and forgot about the meat for almost an hour. I figured they would be burned or dry as a bone. Nope they were still moist and tender. I was amazed. I've also smoked or slow cooked ribs, pork butt and whole chickens. perfect every time. I hope to try a brisket soon.

They aren't cheap but I use it a least twice a week and it turns out some great food.

[TX_bowhunter37]

Personal preferance

[Target-panic]

educate all of us, what is a verticval vs. an off-set? I think I get it, but general pics would be great.

[dataxman]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/95184/handcrafted-vertical-smoker-for-sale

[dataxman]

educate all of us, what is a verticval vs. an off-set? I think I get it, but general pics would be great.

oh and here is an off-set.

http://www.cbbqa.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=12781

[Target-panic]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/9...moker-for-sale

oh and here is an off-set.

http://www.cbbqa.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=12781

outstanding, thank you very much!

[Split Arrow]

I'm surprised there aren't many opinions on this topic yet...

[dataxman]

Yeah! Me too!

[dataxman]

Can we get a little more info guys?

[froghunter]

Ttt