Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[RanrocSmoker]

So? You must have cooked something by now besides the steaks?

I fried a couple of eggs Sunday morning using a cast iron, but between traveling for work (4 hour total daily commute), family outings and the rain I have not done anything! I’m hoping to throw a 10# brisket on there this weekend.

I will try to work from home one day this week, but it’s unlikely


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[okie smokie]

Does that front lower panel come off if you need to get to the fan, starter etc.?
I spoke to the owner yesterday and got some interesting info:
 
The stove part is the same as in the other units, except the fire pot , auger and fan face the opposite direction. (the others models empty ash from the front, and have pellets hopper behind). The point being that you get the same unique inner mechanism that is in the more expensive units. The ECO unit may be continued depending on sales, but parts such as hot rod, ash pan, motors, fans etc will be available since they are the same as the other units have.  (Hope this is correct, as I don't want to mislead). I advised the owner (partner of 3) to check out Pellet Fans as it might be to his advantage to be able to answer more questions about his product.  Don't know if this fits with Bentley's rules?  I'm still interested, but the Eco listed on Am. is the last one in stock, also he has one more without the lower cabinet enclosure for $899.

[RanrocSmoker]

Does that front lower panel come off if you need to get to the fan, starter etc.?

Yes, according to the couple of pics I have looking in from the back. I believe all the cart panels can be removed with a socket wrench. Next time I take the cover off, I’ll look and let you know if I’m wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RanrocSmoker]

the Eco listed on Am. is the last one in stock, also he has one more without the lower cabinet enclosure for $899.

If I were handy at all, I probably would’ve gotten the $899 one and built cabinet walls and shelves myself. But the extra $100 was worth it to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[okie smokie]

I agree about the panels.  I don't need a new grill but am very tempted to take a leap.  I like new design concept, but worry about how even the heat is distributed across the grates.  Both in smoke mode and in sear mode. Keep the info coming.  It is appreciated. 

[RanrocSmoker]

I don't have enough temp probes, but I will try to give you all an idea on heat distribution at some point, maybe this weekend if I have time (I'd prefer to focus on cooking food, but I know heat distribution is important to many).

You should probably also know, the heat shield/drip shield/housing piece does not secure to anything once you set it in the pit. There is about 1/4-1/2 inch wiggle room all around, so I would imagine this impacts the heat distribution. At some point, I will try to center it as best as possible (probably use a ruler all around) and then try to measure temps at the grate level with the meat probe, and the two probes on my wireless thermometer (one for meat and the other to measure grill grate level temp).

[okie smokie]

Had a wonderful experience before dinner tonight.  My wife heard me comment on my interest in this pit and encouraged me to "go ahead" and buy it before it was sold.  I had just finished checking out the rather long history of this unique smoker. They made mostly steel powder coated versions of this concept from around 2011 and the internal mechanism has been the same with a few modifications.  The current versions are all stainless and more expensive (as you know), but they all have essentially the same interior pellet delivery, fire pot and drip tray with the central direct fire mode. The few testimonials they have on their own web site were almost all 5 star type. Sooo-I did it.  Last one with the cabinet is now mine. Will be delivered early next week. (or sooner, since I am in Tulsa 240 miles away). Will let you know when it arrives and we can continue to keep each other informed. Thanks again for all your help.   

[RanrocSmoker]

Sooo-I did it.  Last one with the cabinet is now mine. Will be delivered early next week. (or sooner, since I am in Tulsa 240 miles away). Will let you know when it arrives and we can continue to keep each other informed. Thanks again for all your help.   

Awesome and congrats! I look forward to sharing info here.

Yeah, there are videos of their previous “value” models and I think there were still some sites that had some in stock earlier this year. The ones I saw were around the $499 range.

What I found interesting was that on another discussion site, a fairly recognizable name in this industry posted some criticisms several years ago about these early models. About a year later when that thread was revived with new comments, someone mentioned some nice changes that were made to the design on a newer model, apparently in response to the criticism (not saying they were made only because of this person’s criticism). If I remember correctly, I believe that famous person walked back his previous comments a bit. I took that as a good sign that this company was open to feedback and made their product better.

And BTW, I ordered my grill on a Thurs and it arrived the following Tuesday, a day before the estimated date range for delivery. So, it might be pretty fast. Just be prepared to receive. Keep us updated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ylr]

A cheap way to check heat distribution is to do the biscuit test.

[RanrocSmoker]

A cheap way to check heat distribution is to do the biscuit test.

Good idea. Do I heat up grill first before placing biscuits or do place on cold grill? Do I have to have enough to cover all the surface area or can I have a few inches between each biscuit?

Also, can I do with bread instead?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bar-B-Lew]

Get the grill to desired cooking temp first.  Then, place biscuits spaced throughout the grill.  If you have 9 biscuits, go left, right, center in back, center, and front of the grill grate over the drip pan.  If you have extras to place at front and back on any open area on grate not over the drip pan they will probably have the darkest bottom on them because most grills are hotter in those areas.  Cook biscuits to instructed time, flip over and take a picture so folks can see where on the grill the biscuits were cooked and how dark the bottom of the biscuits were.


x            x               x

x            x               x

x            x               x

[RanrocSmoker]

Thanks Bar-b-Lew


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[okie smokie]

Dan advised that he ordered shipped for tomorrow (Thurs). I am only 240 miles away so should get in couple of days.  Can't wait to do my last cook on the GS (no real complaints there) and clean it up for resale. Not sure what I can get for a used pit. (4 years+ and in good shape.) 

[Bar-B-Lew]

Dan advised that he ordered shipped for tomorrow (Thurs). I am only 240 miles away so should get in couple of days.  Can't wait to do my last cook on the GS (no real complaints there) and clean it up for resale. Not sure what I can get for a used pit. (4 years+ and in good shape.)

I think I paid $250 for the one I bought used.  It had competition cart, insulated hood, and the rolling grill grates.  It also was pretty dirty inside, was rusting on the outside, didn't have an igniter rod installed (but 2 new were provided), and the LED on the controller display was messed up.

[okie smokie]

Dan advised that he ordered shipped for tomorrow (Thurs). I am only 240 miles away so should get in couple of days.  Can't wait to do my last cook on the GS (no real complaints there) and clean it up for resale. Not sure what I can get for a used pit. (4 years+ and in good shape.)

I think I paid $250 for the one I bought used.  It had competition cart, insulated hood, and the rolling grill grates.  It also was pretty dirty inside, was rusting on the outside, didn't have an igniter rod installed (but 2 new were provided), and the LED on the controller display was messed up.

No outside rust, but the black paint is dull in places (heat variations), had igniter replaced 6 months ago. Only visible flaw, the led light on the third digit is missing the bar a the top, and also F (light for F/C) has the top bar missing.  So no problem reading it. Has new meat probe.  All works perfectly.  of course the inside will look brown and sooty even if I clean it well.  If I can find the right person (one who knows about smokers,) should be able to get $350?or so.  Will include the GrillGrates (TM), custom 3/8" 304 stainless grates.  I will remove the mods unless directed otherwise. (custom SS heat diffuser, SS car exhaust extension for the chimney, and smoke downdraft.  Also, keep in mind that Blaz'n will have parts for this unit for years to come. For someone who is dollar conscious this would be a great way to have a quality pit.  We shall see.