Thank you for taking the time to post this video. The BBQ Smoker Market is extremely complicated and there is no perfect piece of equipment for all. I have previously owned a pellet smoker (gave it to my son}, smoked for awhile on a Kamado and currently smoking on a Stainless Drum Smoker. I like to be involved with the smoking process and while the drum smoker is almost set it and forget it, I never leave it for long. So, I have the itch for a new smoker and while I have no experience with a stick burner my equipment searches keep leading me back to a stick burner. You have been using a stick burner for a long time. Do you focus on using one wood species or do you vary depending on what you are cooking? I would guess that varying wood species would add another variable that you have to learn to master. Thanks again!
When you first start, especially with a new stick burner. You should stick with the same consistent wood until you feel you have a handle in it and can predict how the cooker will respond when added and burning splits. Once you feel you've got that one piece down, then start mixing in other types of wood.
Great video, great pit! I was on the original waiting list but when I found out that Matt and Caleb were going out on their own, I went with them buying a first run Mill Scale 94, Franklin took another full year or more to finally release his version. In December of 2019, Franklin was emailing the list to gauge demand, I had already had my smoker 6 months. There will always be haters, you don’t need to explain yourself to them. I bought mine because everyone in Texas knows the Mill Scale boys worked for/with Franklin for years, building the very pits he cooks on today. Franklin / Mill Scale built pit, enough said.
Mill Scale makes awesome stuff! I've been impressed with how well Franklin has been able to grow his offset business. I waited years for mine. Now you can order one and have it to you within 2 months. Or if you live close enough to a dealer, you could get it the same day. It's impressive.
I wish it was! I've been wanting to redo a large section of my fence for a while now. Wood is still way too much still. I'm sure your Workhorse is doing great for you, everyone has to go with what works best for them!
Ya, I've seen his video on it. Mine has had none of those issues and guarantee I use mine far more than him! The craftsmanship on mine is great. Does require a little assembly, which if you do wrong, can cause some issues...
I like Aaron Franklin, I think he's very good at what he does. However, I saw his smokers like that priced at $5150. I bought an Old Country Pecos, the heavy version, for about $800.00, tax included, and spent maybe $150.00 on it. Later, I spent $400 on the Old Country pit that is two steps larger than my Pecos, used, and spent $250 or so on that. So I'm at under $2,000 on TWO smokers as thick and heavy as his, with a total of about 4 times the cooking area, and having a vertical chamber on one gives me more versatility as well. Aaron makes good cue, and tells you how to do it. But I'm not sure his smoker is a good value. And once you hit $5K, I figure I'd bite the bullet qnd and step up to a Jambo from Jamie Geer.
I love my Franklin. It's easily the best put I've ever owned, and it's not even close. It isn't cheap, but it isn't cheap. It has no real bearing on quality or how good something is. There's lot of great options out there. Just have to find what works best for you. It's ok that people have differing opinions and preferences. There's a whole lot of right choices.
Yep Scott. That is an amazing offset. I too started with a real inexpensive offset to see if I could learn the process. As you know, I moved up to the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland. It’s great for me and the price is what I could afford. I’m definitely pleased with it. Great job my friend.
That's exactly what it's all about. I'm glad the point I was trying to make was clear. Anything can be the world's greatest if it does everything you need. I'm sure the Oklahoma Joe is fantastic. I've looked at them many times, there's nothing wrong with them at all.
Thank you. It is great and something I was super happy about when I finally found it and when it finally arrived lol. Offset smoking is awesome. For myself, I enjoy the process of making good food on it more than eating it. I always tell people, the kind of smoker you buy depends on the experience you want.
Very fine smoker but I like a damper on the smoke stack especially since there are no dampers on the fire box which is ok he put a lot of thought in the air flow I also like a lid on the fire box to make it easier to clean out plus when I add wood I open my lid until it gets flaming well and I don’t get bad smoke or lose temp
Totally, I think the Oklahoma Joe Highland is great and worth every penny. They are around $400-$500. If you want a little bit of a step up, Yoder makes several different offsets that start in the $1,000 range.
Old Country is probably the best value on the market. They're not *cheap,* but they are affordable. You can get the heavy duty Pecos, very similar to that Franklin, for well under $1,000 at Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m curious to know if you considered (or have owned) a Millscale 94 gallon smoker? Those are the two I’m trying to decide between. Appreciate any thoughts.
I've never used a Mill Scale. Honestly, to me, it just looks like a larger version knock off of the Franklin pit. I'm sure either will work great. The Mill Scale is quite a bit larger and has a second self option, which is cool. With shipping, it'll end up costing more. The Franklin pits are on sale for the first time ever through the end of the year, right now.
@@bbqelevated thanks for replying! The Franklin rounded collector side to help with air flow is a nice touch too. A second rack for wings at higher temps is a bonus for the Millscale. It’s a tough decision, cost aside.
@@bbqelevated I just received my franklin and had to wait 6 days for it to ship. 400 bucks off now with free shipping so thadds a value of about 700 bucks
That's awesome, I waited over 2 years for mine. They didn't offer free shipping back then. But it was less expensive even with shipping than what they're charging today.
Franklin vs. Workhorse 1969 Points for Franklin: insulated firebox, better firebox door handle, bragging rights brand name Points for 1969: easier ash clean out, stack damper (keeps rain out, even if not used otherwise), bigger chamber door, thicker steel, probe port, available cowboy firebox, better price
They're both the right choice. The Franklin does have a notch cut out to run wires for probes. For me, with shipping. The workhorse was more. The biggest point almost nobody seems to consider, which is also the most important, is air flow and convection. I found the Franklin to be superior with both. It was the ultimate deciding factor
Got my hands on one of each. Lit fires and compared. The size of fire required in the Franklin compared to the workhorse was also telling. The Franklin required a much smaller fire to produce the same temp. The Franklin cook chamber sounds like a small jet engine with all the air flowing through it. Ultimately, comparing the airflow coming through the smoke stacks was the greatest determining factor. The Franklin smoke stack, collector, and firebox are all oriented to each other and the cook chamber to allow for greater air flow and convection. There's a lot that the marketing teams put together to convince people to buy their pits. Ultimately, you've just got to go with what you like and try them out to determine which is best for you.
That must’ve been awesome to get to do that! I wish you had made a RUclips presentation about it. That’s something no one has done, a direct comparison of that sort between the Franklin and the 1969.
@billbryant1288 It was before I started this channel. I think they're both great and a lot of it depends on how you use them and what your methods are. It's all an art form. I'll never talk bad about any pit. They're all great in their own ways.
I love that pit and I really enjoyed your thorough walkthrough of it. You really know how to use it as you can tell by your knowledge of your fire box management etc. Did I say awesome pit lol. Great job buddy and I really enjoyed this video 🙂Btw...what state are you in if you don't mind me asking. You mentioned the high altitude and the dry lower humidity environment like I am in.
@@bbqelevated I agree, you really have a handle on this pit. As you may have guessed I'm in Colorado so we are neighbors at least. We just have this grand mountain range separating us 🙂
I have a few friends in Colorado. I'll be spending some time in SW Colorado later this year. Also, I'm a huge Avs fan, I have been for as long as they've been in Colorado. I played hockey through high school.
@@bbqelevated true. Not trying to knock franklin pits at all. He did the work building his brand so he can charge what he wants for his work. Just saying there are those of us out there that do good work and trying to get established
Which is part of why I felt it was important to specifically state that I don't recommend anyone buy a Franklin. Instead, people need to figure out what they want and don't want and look around. Do the research and find what's best for them. I've only ever found one guy local to me that builds pits of any kind. He built them in his garage. I bought one from him, it was ok. He doesn't build them anymore. Local pit builders can be hard to find if you live somewhere that they aren't very popular. Or if you live in a state like mine where Camp Chef and Traeger are both headquartered in and so the only demand anyone has is for one of those...
Do you have a website for pits you build? I'd love to check it out. I found one guy recently called Mystic Pits or something like that. It's an old guy that builds them in his shop. Super reasonably priced. Was $5,500 for a 250 gal on a trailer.
No, I don't. Not many offer Offset smoking classes in general. I've done a few videos here and there on it. Ultimately, it's something you just have to learn by doing. Start with small splits, don't over compensate, practice with it for a few hours before you put food in the cook chamber.
I've never washed mine. I just seasoned it with flaxseed oil which also results in doing just a standard burn-off at the same time. Soap and water have never touched mine. In a month or so I'll be doing my spring seasoning which is the same process I did when I got it. I'll record that. Not sure if it'll be out in time for you though.
@@bbqelevated I hear you man. Not trying to be a jerk. You have great camera presence and are very knowledgeable. I just see you can grow your channel a ton. Pick up a cheap lavalier mic and plug into your camera or phone. And make more videos! I enjoy them - Geoff
Everyone has to get what appeals to them. There's a lot of right answers out there. For me, my Franklin was the best choice, and I have zero regrets. To be honest. Many of the competitors I've seen, like Moverg, are just Franklin knock-offs...
@@bbqelevated you can’t be serious, knock off really. Moberg,Shirley fabrication and jambo have been around before the Franklin smoker was even a thought and Franklin is the knockoff here. No way anybody who did any type of research would ever pick a Franklin over moberg, Shirley, or jambo. Especially since they are in the same price Range or cheaper
@dmdm9198 Aaron has been building his own offsets for decades, long before he ever started selling them... I mentioned nothing about Shirley.. Honestly, before I spend $8,500 on a 250-gallon Moberg. I'd get one from Mystic that's legit hand built, on trailer for about $2,500 less than a Moberg. But I don't ever see myself getting one that size. My backyard Franklin does exactly what I need.
@@bbqelevated Franklin has not been building smokers longer than jambo, shierly or moberg, franklin doesn’t even know how to weld lol. He had them built to his specs and are not worth the wait, you are paying for name brand. Stop making crap up, jambo backyard model with upgrades 3500-5k, shierly fabrication 4k-6k depends on options, moberg backyard 4-6k depends on options when they are available. If the Franklin makes you happy whatever but don’t be spreading lies about other pitt makers who been in the game longer and push out a far superior product than Franklin
Thank you for taking the time to post this video. The BBQ Smoker Market is extremely complicated and there is no perfect piece of equipment for all. I have previously owned a pellet smoker (gave it to my son}, smoked for awhile on a Kamado and currently smoking on a Stainless Drum Smoker. I like to be involved with the smoking process and while the drum smoker is almost set it and forget it, I never leave it for long. So, I have the itch for a new smoker and while I have no experience with a stick burner my equipment searches keep leading me back to a stick burner. You have been using a stick burner for a long time. Do you focus on using one wood species or do you vary depending on what you are cooking? I would guess that varying wood species would add another variable that you have to learn to master. Thanks again!
When you first start, especially with a new stick burner. You should stick with the same consistent wood until you feel you have a handle in it and can predict how the cooker will respond when added and burning splits.
Once you feel you've got that one piece down, then start mixing in other types of wood.
Great video, great pit! I was on the original waiting list but when I found out that Matt and Caleb were going out on their own, I went with them buying a first run Mill Scale 94, Franklin took another full year or more to finally release his version.
In December of 2019, Franklin was emailing the list to gauge demand, I had already had my smoker 6 months.
There will always be haters, you don’t need to explain yourself to them. I bought mine because everyone in Texas knows the Mill Scale boys worked for/with Franklin for years, building the very pits he cooks on today.
Franklin / Mill Scale built pit, enough said.
Mill Scale makes awesome stuff! I've been impressed with how well Franklin has been able to grow his offset business. I waited years for mine. Now you can order one and have it to you within 2 months. Or if you live close enough to a dealer, you could get it the same day. It's impressive.
It’s more expensive than your fence lol. I went with the Workhorse 1975
I wish it was! I've been wanting to redo a large section of my fence for a while now. Wood is still way too much still.
I'm sure your Workhorse is doing great for you, everyone has to go with what works best for them!
@@bbqelevated very true. Pits of this quality are all about the same and they all can create phenomenal bbq. Cheers 🍻
Mad Scientist Barbecue showed the poor craftsmanship of the Franklin pits. I wouldn’t buy one for $250. Cheers!!
Ya, I've seen his video on it. Mine has had none of those issues and guarantee I use mine far more than him! The craftsmanship on mine is great. Does require a little assembly, which if you do wrong, can cause some issues...
This is the best review video I have seen.
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
I like Aaron Franklin, I think he's very good at what he does.
However, I saw his smokers like that priced at $5150.
I bought an Old Country Pecos, the heavy version, for about $800.00, tax included, and spent maybe $150.00 on it. Later, I spent $400 on the Old Country pit that is two steps larger than my Pecos, used, and spent $250 or so on that. So I'm at under $2,000 on TWO smokers as thick and heavy as his, with a total of about 4 times the cooking area, and having a vertical chamber on one gives me more versatility as well.
Aaron makes good cue, and tells you how to do it. But I'm not sure his smoker is a good value.
And once you hit $5K, I figure I'd bite the bullet qnd and step up to a Jambo from Jamie Geer.
I love my Franklin. It's easily the best put I've ever owned, and it's not even close.
It isn't cheap, but it isn't cheap. It has no real bearing on quality or how good something is.
There's lot of great options out there. Just have to find what works best for you. It's ok that people have differing opinions and preferences. There's a whole lot of right choices.
Yep Scott. That is an amazing offset. I too started with a real inexpensive offset to see if I could learn the process. As you know, I moved up to the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland. It’s great for me and the price is what I could afford. I’m definitely pleased with it. Great job my friend.
That's exactly what it's all about. I'm glad the point I was trying to make was clear. Anything can be the world's greatest if it does everything you need. I'm sure the Oklahoma Joe is fantastic. I've looked at them many times, there's nothing wrong with them at all.
@@bbqelevated that Franklin is just awesome! I can tell how much you like it. Offset cooking is by far my favorite.
Thank you. It is great and something I was super happy about when I finally found it and when it finally arrived lol. Offset smoking is awesome. For myself, I enjoy the process of making good food on it more than eating it.
I always tell people, the kind of smoker you buy depends on the experience you want.
Im a begginer and didn't know what to get so I ordered the texas original brand there's so many out there and should be here few days. Great video.
Awesome, I'm sure you'll love it. It'll definitely be a lot nice than what I started out with!
Very fine smoker but I like a damper on the smoke stack especially since there are no dampers on the fire box which is ok he put a lot of thought in the air flow I also like a lid on the fire box to make it easier to clean out plus when I add wood I open my lid until it gets flaming well and I don’t get bad smoke or lose temp
It's that you've found what you like!
Thing looks so well made. Wish I could afford it lmao
Ya, they used to be quite a bit less...
Good stuff. Thanks for putting this together
No problem. Just wish it didn't take me so long. The weather hasn't been cooperating here recently.
Hey man! Are there any other good wood fire offset smokers that might be more affordable? Appreciate it!
Totally, I think the Oklahoma Joe Highland is great and worth every penny. They are around $400-$500. If you want a little bit of a step up, Yoder makes several different offsets that start in the $1,000 range.
Old Country is probably the best value on the market. They're not *cheap,* but they are affordable. You can get the heavy duty Pecos, very similar to that Franklin, for well under $1,000 at Academy Sports and Outdoors.
My take on stick burners is this, once you crack the $3K plus barrier accept nothing but 1/4" steel construction.
Are there ones over $3k that are thinner than 1/4"?
@@bbqelevated None I can recall off the top of my head, the Lang and Sherily entry level smokers use 1/4 and/or 3/8.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m curious to know if you considered (or have owned) a Millscale 94 gallon smoker? Those are the two I’m trying to decide between. Appreciate any thoughts.
I've never used a Mill Scale. Honestly, to me, it just looks like a larger version knock off of the Franklin pit. I'm sure either will work great. The Mill Scale is quite a bit larger and has a second self option, which is cool. With shipping, it'll end up costing more. The Franklin pits are on sale for the first time ever through the end of the year, right now.
@@bbqelevated thanks for replying! The Franklin rounded collector side to help with air flow is a nice touch too. A second rack for wings at higher temps is a bonus for the Millscale. It’s a tough decision, cost aside.
It definitely is. You may also want to find out how long the wait time is for Mill Scale. It looks like it could be a long time to get one.
@@bbqelevated I just received my franklin and had to wait 6 days for it to ship. 400 bucks off now with free shipping so thadds a value of about 700 bucks
That's awesome, I waited over 2 years for mine. They didn't offer free shipping back then. But it was less expensive even with shipping than what they're charging today.
Quality looks insane. Hardly surprising. Will last several lifetimes
My youngest som sure hopes so. He called dibs!
Awesome pit👍🏼
Thank you!
Franklin vs. Workhorse 1969
Points for Franklin: insulated firebox, better firebox door handle, bragging rights brand name
Points for 1969: easier ash clean out, stack damper (keeps rain out, even if not used otherwise), bigger chamber door, thicker steel, probe port, available cowboy firebox, better price
They're both the right choice. The Franklin does have a notch cut out to run wires for probes. For me, with shipping. The workhorse was more.
The biggest point almost nobody seems to consider, which is also the most important, is air flow and convection. I found the Franklin to be superior with both. It was the ultimate deciding factor
@@bbqelevated How did you determine the difference in air flow and convection?
Got my hands on one of each. Lit fires and compared. The size of fire required in the Franklin compared to the workhorse was also telling. The Franklin required a much smaller fire to produce the same temp. The Franklin cook chamber sounds like a small jet engine with all the air flowing through it. Ultimately, comparing the airflow coming through the smoke stacks was the greatest determining factor.
The Franklin smoke stack, collector, and firebox are all oriented to each other and the cook chamber to allow for greater air flow and convection.
There's a lot that the marketing teams put together to convince people to buy their pits.
Ultimately, you've just got to go with what you like and try them out to determine which is best for you.
That must’ve been awesome to get to do that! I wish you had made a RUclips presentation about it. That’s something no one has done, a direct comparison of that sort between the Franklin and the 1969.
@billbryant1288 It was before I started this channel.
I think they're both great and a lot of it depends on how you use them and what your methods are. It's all an art form.
I'll never talk bad about any pit. They're all great in their own ways.
Awesome pit!
Yes, it is. Thanks!
I love that pit and I really enjoyed your thorough walkthrough of it. You really know how to use it as you can tell by your knowledge of your fire box management etc. Did I say awesome pit lol. Great job buddy and I really enjoyed this video 🙂Btw...what state are you in if you don't mind me asking. You mentioned the high altitude and the dry lower humidity environment like I am in.
Thanks, I've loved this pit, glad I found one that plays to all my strengths. I'm in Utah as well.
@@bbqelevated I agree, you really have a handle on this pit. As you may have guessed I'm in Colorado so we are neighbors at least. We just have this grand mountain range separating us 🙂
I have a few friends in Colorado. I'll be spending some time in SW Colorado later this year. Also, I'm a huge Avs fan, I have been for as long as they've been in Colorado. I played hockey through high school.
He is just reciting what others have said.
Support your local pit builders 😁
...if such a thing exists for you locally...
@@bbqelevated true. Not trying to knock franklin pits at all. He did the work building his brand so he can charge what he wants for his work. Just saying there are those of us out there that do good work and trying to get established
Which is part of why I felt it was important to specifically state that I don't recommend anyone buy a Franklin. Instead, people need to figure out what they want and don't want and look around. Do the research and find what's best for them.
I've only ever found one guy local to me that builds pits of any kind. He built them in his garage. I bought one from him, it was ok. He doesn't build them anymore.
Local pit builders can be hard to find if you live somewhere that they aren't very popular. Or if you live in a state like mine where Camp Chef and Traeger are both headquartered in and so the only demand anyone has is for one of those...
Do you have a website for pits you build? I'd love to check it out. I found one guy recently called Mystic Pits or something like that. It's an old guy that builds them in his shop. Super reasonably priced. Was $5,500 for a 250 gal on a trailer.
It’s awesome! I just can’t justify the cost
Everyone has to go with what's best for themselves.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO GET FIRE MANAGEMENT CLASSES IN CALIFORNIA
I’m getting reading to jump into an off set smoker
Thanks
No, I don't. Not many offer Offset smoking classes in general. I've done a few videos here and there on it. Ultimately, it's something you just have to learn by doing.
Start with small splits, don't over compensate, practice with it for a few hours before you put food in the cook chamber.
Hola amigo, espectacular esa barbacoa, me encanto, me quedo apoyando tu canal 🔔👍saludos de Fernando de cocina con brasas 👋👋👋👋👋
Thank you!
Love my Jambo!
Awesome!
I wish I cooked enough to need a Jambo, and could justify affording one.
I cannot see paying that kind of money but if I ran a business that makes perfect sense😎
Everyone decides for themselves. Do what makes sense for you. Thanks for your comment!
@@bbqelevated Thank you 😊
JUST PLACED AN ORDER FOR MY FRANKLIN SMOKER WITH A 400 discount offer
Congrats, I'm sure you can't wait!
What is the price of it?
Looking at their website, right now, they are $5,150, which includes shipping.
@@bbqelevated
Thanks!
Excellent video…
Thank you. Did yours ever arrive?
Ordering in a few weeks. Luckily, lead times are only 2-3 weeks now
Awesome, I'm sure you'll love it!
Thanks. Was wondering if you washed out when you first got it? Also, did you spray flax seed oil on legs and lower rack also when you first got it?
I've never washed mine. I just seasoned it with flaxseed oil which also results in doing just a standard burn-off at the same time. Soap and water have never touched mine.
In a month or so I'll be doing my spring seasoning which is the same process I did when I got it. I'll record that. Not sure if it'll be out in time for you though.
Bro. Please work on your audio.
Unfortunately, there is nothing I can about it at this point...
@@bbqelevated I hear you man. Not trying to be a jerk. You have great camera presence and are very knowledgeable. I just see you can grow your channel a ton. Pick up a cheap lavalier mic and plug into your camera or phone. And make more videos! I enjoy them - Geoff
@Colorado4x4 I've already done that a few months ago. The issue had nothing to do with my mic. It had to do with how the video was being edited.
She's a beauty 😍
Thank you. I agree!
Way better smokers out there, no way I would have bought a Franklin over a moberg or shierly fabrication.
Everyone has to get what appeals to them. There's a lot of right answers out there. For me, my Franklin was the best choice, and I have zero regrets. To be honest. Many of the competitors I've seen, like Moverg, are just Franklin knock-offs...
@@bbqelevated you can’t be serious, knock off really. Moberg,Shirley fabrication and jambo have been around before the Franklin smoker was even a thought and Franklin is the knockoff here. No way anybody who did any type of research would ever pick a Franklin over moberg, Shirley, or jambo. Especially since they are in the same price Range or cheaper
@dmdm9198 Aaron has been building his own offsets for decades, long before he ever started selling them... I mentioned nothing about Shirley..
Honestly, before I spend $8,500 on a 250-gallon Moberg. I'd get one from Mystic that's legit hand built, on trailer for about $2,500 less than a Moberg. But I don't ever see myself getting one that size.
My backyard Franklin does exactly what I need.
@@bbqelevated Franklin has not been building smokers longer than jambo, shierly or moberg, franklin doesn’t even know how to weld lol. He had them built to his specs and are not worth the wait, you are paying for name brand.
Stop making crap up, jambo backyard model with upgrades 3500-5k, shierly fabrication 4k-6k depends on options, moberg backyard 4-6k depends on options when they are available.
If the Franklin makes you happy whatever but don’t be spreading lies about other pitt makers who been in the game longer and push out a far superior product than Franklin
because you like to over pay?
No, why? I paid exactly what it was worth at the time I bought it...
If you can't cook on a 1000 dollar or under smoker , you can't cook on a over 5000 dollar smoker either.
Depends, I think the opposite is a more accurate statement.
Great video.
Thank you!