The Texas BBQ Forum

I am sold on the Pitmaker smokers and am about to finalize my new comp trailer. I want the magnum sniper smoker because I'm still an offset stick burner at heart. Also getting the 30" grillmeister for the grilling duties. Will have plenty of storage boxes with stainless tops and a sink etc....

But I'm torn whether to get a vault(Or safe) as well. This will be for competitions as well as backyard cooking (Sometimes cook for 30-40) and tailgating at football games. I just don't know if i would use it all that much. Like i said, I'm an offset stick burner at heart but Pitmaker really pushes their safes and vaults. Don't know of many people using them on the competition scene but looks like a ton of backyard cooks are using them.

Anyone on here with experience with any of the above?

Thanks in advance.

DR, I don't personally have a vault or safe, but I want one. As a fellow stick burner I know the love of an offset, but the vault offers another tool to the arsenal. As for comp guys, I know a ton using them and love them. They also produce some GC que!

Magnum by itself can hold a lot of meat. Safe plus the magnum is more than plenty for comps or home cooking. On the other hand for those times when you can't tend the offset the bigger vault is nice to have. It's all preference and some extra $ for sure..

Personally I want one of their snipers, smaller one is fine with me. I got a WSM for set and forget it cooks, although it can't hold very much meat. It's all good.. good luck with whatever you get!

I have a safe and love it. I had a vault as well but it was too big for my needs. My buddy had a magnum sniper and it was a great pit as well. You can do everything you need on the magnum but if you have an extra couple grand burning a hole in your pocket you won't be disappointed with the safe.

I have a vault myself... bascially a vertical reverse flow smoker. 5 trays and I can cook 10-15 briskets on it at once. Love it ... wouldnt have any other cooker at this point.

Save your money. If you decide you need it you can always go back and add it.

That sniper has more than enough room. I competed on a vault and now have one on my catering trailer. All the hype is accurate but I really don't like having to arrange my products like I do on a vertical, way easier to manage the products moving horizontally than vertically.

For example, chicken takes the least amount of time to cook. If your not going to cook it on the bottom of a vertical, where does it go if you have other meats not done or wrapped yet? Raw poultry can't be dripping on the other meats that are almost done.

Tell em you want tuning plates and to insulate your firebox instead...

Thank you for all the replies. Some really good points of interest mentioned here.