I don't post too often but had to share some information. I purchased my model 3 late last summer to replace a Bradley smoker I had for several years. The reason for my purchase was that on July 5th of 2014 I made a trip to a local dumpster and tossed the Bradley into it!
My biggest smoke every year is on the 4th of July. I typically fill the smoker up with as many racks of baby backs as it will hold as part of the overall meal for our guests. Ribs served along with kabobs is our traditional meal on the 4th. The Bradley did ok with smaller amounts of ribs, etc. but anytime I tried to fill it up, it would never get up to temp and I constantly had to fight having the ribs get cooked. I'd usually take them out in a panic and moving into them into the oven so they would get done. Last year was the last straw.........thus my trip to the dumpster last year on July 5th! I just got tired of all the drama.
I used my model 3 a few times last summer/fall with smaller amounts of ribs and salmon, etc. to get a feel for my new smoker. I went all in for this year's 4th of July and filled up every tray in the smoker (10 racks of baby backs - roughly 30lbs of ribs). I'll mention that I also purchased the Auber as well with the model 3 and it worked as advertised keeping the temps very consistent. I'm here to say that the model 3 performed flawlessly! 1st hour at 140 degrees and right at 4 hours and 45 minutes at 230 degrees. I never peeked once unitl the end. Perfectly smoked and cooked ribs with great bark and almost falling off the bone meat.
I am sooooooooo stoked about the performance. What a great smoker! Again, I don't pass out praise very often but felt compelled to share for anyone considering the purchase of one of these Smokin-it smokers!
Thank all of you who helped me when I reached out while considering the purchase of this smoker and thank you to Smokin-it!
Big Red Home Smoker
