THE PITS
.jpg/:/cr=t:5.95%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:66.02%25/rs=w:1209,h:1209,cg:true)
THE PELLET
Before transitioning to offset smokers, we honed our skills using pellet smokers—starting with household models and progressing to more commercial versions—before ultimately embracing live fire cooking. These smokers played a crucial role in developing our understanding of the process, especially given our limited time. While pellet smokers still produce excellent results, they simply can't match the depth of flavor and craftsmanship that offsets provide. That said, each tool has its place, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
"MAGGIE" 130 GALLON SMOKEY-OAK BBQ
The first offset smoker in our collection was sourced from Smokey Oak Barbecue, a small independent pit maker based in the south of England. This smoker marked our introduction to stick burning and proved to be an exceptional pit. The craftsmen behind its design invested considerable time and effort into optimizing its performance, and when paired with outstanding fabrication, the result was a truly stellar product.
'SHIRLEY CARTER" 250 GALLON SHIRLEY FABRICATION
This 250-gallon smoker, generously loaned to us by ProSmoke while we awaited the arrival of our 500-gallon unit, was crafted by Shirley Fabrication in the U.S. As expected from the home of barbecue, this pit delivers exceptional performance. With outstanding build quality, it’s a true workhorse—and we put it through its paces.
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:22.8%25,w:66.68%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1209,h:1209,cg:true)
"CAROL" 500 GALLON PRIMITIVE PITS (CURRENT)
Our current smoker is a 500-gallon model by Primitive, a renowned U.S.-based manufacturer known for crafting pits used by some of the world's top barbecue joints. Designed for exceptional performance, it features an enlarged baffle on the firebox, ensuring even heat distribution across the grates. With a well-maintained coal bed, nearly every inch of the cooking chamber becomes usable, maximizing efficiency and consistency.