What Would I Change About My First BBQ Smoker? – George Hensler

The “Author” has spoken and low… we have our next response to the “What Would I Change About My First BBQ Smoker?” question from Mr. George Hensler.  He competes in BBQ with the Who Are Those Guys BBQ Team, he writes books (See our post on his book, Startin’ the Fire – a guide to starting up a competition BBQ team), and now he shares his thoughts with us here at the BBQ Smoker Site.

Here’s George’s response to our one question interview:

My first smoker was a $200 offset from BBQ Galore. If I had it to do over, I would purchase a unit with better temperature control than this unit. For the first two years I had it, I fought to maintain a consistent temperature which, in my humble opinion, is paramount when trying to cook good que. I did very little research before buying the unit (mistake) and went on a “non queing” salesman’s advice, which proved to be a huge mistake.

I still have the smoker, and use it several times a year just for the grilling space, no more fighting the primitive air draft system on that baby for me!

Folks, this is why I maintain this blog.  So many folks have jumped into the BBQ Smoker game without performing the most rudimentary step… doing some research!  Heck, even talking to a few teams at a local BBQ Competition would have given George better initial feedback than he got from the “non smoking” sales dude.  I’m sure George would agree.

George now cooks on a Caldera Tall Boy smoker, Onynex oven and… wait for it…. a Weber Smokey Mountain BBQ Smoker!  Man, are those babies popular!

If you want to ask him more about this specific smoker, give him a shout over at the Who Are Those Guys? BBQ Competition Team Facebook Page.  You should also check out the Who Are Those Guys? website and check out Georg’es Startin’ the Fire site as well!   If you are curious about what it takes to get a competition BBQ team up and running, it’s a great read.

UPDATE: See responses we received from those interviewed here.

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