Trying to make mind up
- Thread starter DONF
- Start date
DONF - For starters, I recommend looking critically at the warranties ( SI is 3 years and ST is 2 years), and check the price of accessories. Also look at the cost for repair parts if needed after warranty expires (which will be difficult for the ST since they do not list parts/prices on their website). The SI3 has larger shelves, a longer cord, dual door latches which should be better at distributing compression equally verses a single latch. As for the heating element, SI states clearly what theirs is: 1200 watts. The ST 1400 is 700 watts so I would guess that the 1460 is the same. ST uses two 700 watt elements in their 1500 series. For the 1460 you would have to check by contacting ST. It may have a larger wattage element. I just don't know.
Build quality? Probably very similar. I can tell you that the SI3 compares very favorably with my CS. Rock solid. Shipping is not not inexpensive, but it is quick. Some companies ship by freight, which is cheap but can take some time.
Since smoking meat is a hobby, and a social one at that, pour over the forums. You will find SI is quite busy and very current.
That is about all I can tell you. Virtually all of what I said comes direct from the websites of SI and ST. Good luck with your choice.
Dave
Build quality? Probably very similar. I can tell you that the SI3 compares very favorably with my CS. Rock solid. Shipping is not not inexpensive, but it is quick. Some companies ship by freight, which is cheap but can take some time.
Since smoking meat is a hobby, and a social one at that, pour over the forums. You will find SI is quite busy and very current.
That is about all I can tell you. Virtually all of what I said comes direct from the websites of SI and ST. Good luck with your choice.
Dave
jcboxlot
New member
I'll address as a newbie to the SI and why picked. I almost got a Bradley, whew glad that passed. Almost got a Weber smokey, still might, but it was 16 degrees today. Who wants to mess with fire!
To start, looking at your profile, you have all gizmos covered. All of which were recommended to me by user friends. Not sure why you are looking at these box smokers..............I was told the pellet ones were the end all to smoking needs. That aside............to help make your choice and what helped me.
Read amazon review on each, the SI and the texas ones. Each size.
Check youtube for each model make. SI, Tex, Shack
Check ebay. The texas one seems to be dropped shipped from various wholesalers. Not a plus in my humble opine.
Check cookshack for reference too and wonder why its $1300.
The 12 foot cord on the SI is a bonus that one cant overlook. Also, the SI has a fat drip pan. If I recall, the others might not.
Hope that helps.
To start, looking at your profile, you have all gizmos covered. All of which were recommended to me by user friends. Not sure why you are looking at these box smokers..............I was told the pellet ones were the end all to smoking needs. That aside............to help make your choice and what helped me.
Read amazon review on each, the SI and the texas ones. Each size.
Check youtube for each model make. SI, Tex, Shack
Check ebay. The texas one seems to be dropped shipped from various wholesalers. Not a plus in my humble opine.
Check cookshack for reference too and wonder why its $1300.
The 12 foot cord on the SI is a bonus that one cant overlook. Also, the SI has a fat drip pan. If I recall, the others might not.
Hope that helps.
Pork Belly
Moderator
Get the SI #3 you wont regret it. I love mine, it is built like a tank and puts out excellent meals consistently.
Thanks for your help ,the ST heating element is 700w and I'm thinking the SI #3 would work fine , I like the #4 better a little out my price for now, as to the pellet cooker it works great but it doesn't do everything I don't think there is a perfect cooker plus I had a MES and I really liked it and was fun making different types of food in it plus I just enjoy cooking and trying new things and ways
Pork Belly
Moderator
I also wanted the #4 after seeing my friends #2. I knew his #2 was quality just too small for me. I have not regretted buying the #3. It has been great I haven't felt like it was too small and I should have held out for the #4. That #4 is a beast, not owning a catering company or restaurant I don't need the #4.
DivotMaker
New member
From purely a $-per-square-inch perspective, the #3 is the hands-down winner over the ST 1400 or 1460. For roughly the same money, you'll be able to buy a smoker with much more "Q-Estate," and some accessories to boot! Plus, the SI has a 1-year longer warranty. The construction of these units is virtually identical, so the price difference is only for the "name" of ST! Been around a little longer, and have inflated their prices to match, but have been kind of stagnant in innovation. Steve, at SI, is trying to stay ahead of the competition. His smokers boast bigger wheels, longer cords, and now have standard handles on the #2 and 3! More things around the corner, but that's the difference for now.
Buy the #3 - as Brian said, you won't regret it! ;D
Buy the #3 - as Brian said, you won't regret it! ;D
