Help #2 or #3

[Jake]

Hi everyone. I'm new here on the forum. I have never owned a smoker. I'm tired of trying to smoke on my Weber gas grill. Please help make my decision on a 2 or 3. I'm leaning toward a #2.

I think the standard shelf brackets for the number 2 and 3 have the same height and shelf spacing. (I know the the shelf brackets have different lengths.) I believe the standard shelf bracket has 5 shelf positions.

With the shelves mounted in the lower peg holes can any tell me what the distance is from the bottom shelf when it is in the lowest position to the inside top of the number #2 or #3.

What is the distance between the shelf positions.

Finally with a shelf in the top position, what is the distance from the shelf to the inside top of the #2 or #3.

 

[NDKoze]

Welcome from ND Jake! Going right to the Cadillac for your first smoker huh?

I would recommend the #3. For just a little more money the extra length comes in handy more often then you would think.

Verses the #2, you can smoke whole slabs of ribs, full packer briskets, two 10lb Boston Butts, etc.

You can smoke a lot in the #2, but in most cases you are going to have to cut your ribs/brisket or bump them up against each other or the walls/door.

I'll see if I can take some measurements tonight when I get home on my #3.

 

[old sarge]

I just did a quick measurement (3D) With the brackets in the top hole producing the greatest space between the top shelf and the ceiling is pretty close to 4 inches. I have 2 3/4 inch between shelves (support to support) and from the bottom shelf to the ceiling is 14 3/4 inch. If I understood your question correctly.

 

[Jake]

Thanks everyone. I couldn't believe how fast I received replys to my questions. Oldsarge you gave me all the information I needed. I can easily  smoke 2-8 lb pork shoulders at the same time in the number 2. That leaves the door open for a number 2. I guess I have to decide how much I like the extra hundred dollars. I know the right thing to do is to purchase the number 3.

 

[old sarge]

Always do the right thing. The "extra" hundred dollars is like investing in real estate: the dividend pays off in the future. There will come a time when you will be glad you have the extra capacity.

 

[NDKoze]

I know you have the measurements, but here are some pics that may help too.

I have the add-on rack that adds 4 more shelves, but the they just add the 4 shelve in between the the standard 5 shelves, so you can get a good idea of how much space you have.

You won't go wrong with either the #2 or #3.

Subliminal Advertising
Splurge for the #3!!!

 

[jcboxlot]

+1 if you want full st louis ribs not cut in 1/2 (or slanted sideways) the #3 has more room


If you are on the fence, just spent the $$$ on the #3, dont look back.

 

[Jake]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the information and the pictures. I think it will be a number 3. My big question had to do with cooking 2- 8lb shoulders and a packer brisket at the same time. Which might happen once a year at most. Or possibly a turkey.  Looks like it is not going to happen in a number 2.

I think the extra real estate is the way to go. It will allow the heat to circulate better. I just didn't want the extra real estate to be an alligator eating up an extra hundred dollars and space on my deck.

 

[NDKoze]

Double butts and whole packers "can" be done in a #2, but the butts will be very close together and have to be relatively small as well as a packer will have to be relatively small and you might have to fold the end of the flat over on itself to fit.

The extra real estate of the #3 just gives that added airflow that is so nice. I normally only smoke for 3 people, but still am very happy to have the extra space when smoking larger items. I regularly smoke two butts and separate, vacuum pack, and freeze in smaller meal sized portions that I can pull out and have a quick meal that tastes as good if not better than the day I smoked it.

I was in the same dilemma about deciding between the #2 and #3 and it was more of a money issue for me. I just waited and save for an extra couple of months until I was able to spring for the one that I wanted. Waiting for a couple of extra months verses 10+ years with the smoker I really wanted was a no brainer for me.

 

[DivotMaker]

Sorry I missed the discussion, Jake, but it sounds like you've made the best decision, for what you would like to be able to do!  #3, all the way, for not just volume (multiple large cuts), but length!  The ability to throw a 18# packer brisket in there, uncut, cannot be taken for granted!  It's a beautiful thing!

 

[Glock_21]

I was in the same boat back when I bought mine.  I spent the extra $$ and ordered the #3.  No regrets, buy once, cry once.

 

[old sarge]

"buy once, cry once"

And grin for years to come.

 

[Glock_21]

And grin for years to come.

^^^ This, every time you open the door when the food is done.

 

[snakyjake]

Some of the common comments I hear between #2 and #3 are:

#3 allows you to smoke whole racks of ribs, and full-length packer briskets

The ability to throw a 18# packer brisket in there, uncut, cannot be taken for granted

Since I haven't done brisket or "whole packs" (yet), I don't understand what that really means or I have taken something for "granted".  Can someone explain?  Or is the wholeness only for presentation?

 

[snakyjake]

I don't have a #2 or #3 yet, but something else I've considered for the advantage of the #3 that I don't think the #2 can do:

Smoke 2 x 8 lb pork butts + 1 pan of beans/mac&cheese

At minimum I smoke 2x8lb PB.  Why?  Because that's the way they come, I don't like trying to fit the other 8lbs into a freezer bag, don't like thawing meat, and frozen leftovers are still good (though nothing beats the taste when it first comes out of the cooker).  So the solution is just cook 2 at a time, and have the rest as leftovers.

But I believe 2x8lbs in a #2 doesn't leave room for a pan of beans, chili, or mac & cheese, or anything else.  That doesn't sound like a balanced meal to me. 
And what about a water pan?

Is there enough room in the #2?
Is a water pan recommended when also doing beans/m&c?  Or do these pans serve the purpose of the water pan?  Without risking drying out the beans/m&c?

What would be the suggested setup?
(A)
1x8lb PB
1x8lb PB
1xpan of beans/mac & cheese
1xPan of water

OR
(B)
1x8lb PB
1x8lb PB
1xPan of beans/mac & cheese

 

[JackT]

Jake, had to go back and take a look at how I made my decision and the reminder was worth the time. The #3 also provides a 50% increase in wattage with the 1200 watt element vs the 800 watts in the #2. The add'l 7" of depth in the #3 will allow for the full slabs of ribs and whole briskets. It's never certain what I'll be cooking, but when I do, it's usually for a small group and I like the capacity of the #3. Whether you choose the 3 or 3D is probably worthy of another thread on this forum, but there's already plenty written for your review.

As for presentation of your final product. Yeah, it's always nice to cook like the pro's, but to do so you do need to occasionally "present" like the pro's! Pro's don't cook half a brisket. Secondly, how the briskets cook has much to do with the moisture content of the full brisket. Cutting them will not destroy your meal by no means, but it does change the outcome to some degree. If your decision is a financial one, that's always one that folks can understand. If you are planning on becoming a regular meat smoker, as the folks on this site are, you can't go wrong moving your thoughts to the #3. Hope I was able to assist in your decision, but whatever you choose, Happy Smoking!

 

[snakyjake]

@JackT
Thanks for the input.  I'm trying to justify the #3.  I don't cook for large parties (16 lbs of pork butt would be enough for any party I have) , and don't want to spend extra money to look "professional".  So there needs to be a need.

My cooks will be:
(A) 2x8lb pork butt + 1 pan beans/m&c
or
(B) Jerky (which you can get an accessory for extra racks)

It seems the #2 would be the right fit.  Unless...
Water pan is recommended to the above for better meat moisture, and can be added to the #3 while the #2 won't have the room.  Or the pan of beans/m&c could serve as the "water" pan, and the #2 would be good to go.
Jerky gets too crowded on the #2, or the batch is too small.  But the extra rack accessory for the #2 might make the crowding a non-issue.
Not cutting the brisket retains moisture for a noticeably better product.
Not sure why cutting a rack of ribs is a big deal.  I have to cut the ribs to portion/servings anyways.

 

[NDKoze]

You can definitely do all that in a #3. But, make sure you place the beans/mac & cheese above the pork butt. Placing pans between the meat and the element causes heat flow issues that can disrupt your cook. If you want to catch some drippings, you can use a smaller pan right below the meat to catch some of the drippings.

Water pans (aluminum mini loaf pans) should be placed on the floor of the smoker butted right up against the smoke box. Again, do not place water pans or pans with food between the meat and the element.

If you are planning on Jerky, I don't there is really much of a question that you'll have to go with the #3. Jerky takes a lot of space even with the addon side rails with extra shelves. Unless you are doing very small batches anyway. For jerky you will also need a Jerky Fan which would be the James Jerky Dryer from the SI site or some have made DIY fans with computer fans. This is necessary because the moisture in the SI is too high without a means of pulling it out of there. This excellent moisture retention is great for most other smokes. But, for jerky and if you want to smoke snack sticks or any type of sausages it is a vital piece of equipment.

 

[drains]

Welcome from Texas! #3 all day long. Best value here or anywhere else dollar for dollar. I was in your position last year and was swayed by comments just like your reading now. All I can say is thank you guys for showing me the true path to lazyQ . An extra hundred bucks for the #3 spread over the lifetime of this awesome BBQ machine would add up to mere pennies. Your going to get an awesome smoker either way you go, the #3 is more awesomness for the dollar spent. I approved this message which is just my 2 cents worth.

 

[old sarge]

Compare the dimensions of the two smokers and visit your favorite store and visualize the meat you plan on smoking.  If it helps, take a small tape measure with you. I'm thinking you will get the 3 based upon it's greater depth. But you can certainly do all you want with the 2, but it could get crowded. And there are a lot of folks with the 2 and it does all they need the smoker to do. So let your budget dictate your choice.  And if in doubt, go large!