The Texas BBQ Forum

I am looking at an Old Country Pecos smoker. Price is good and seem like it will hold its heat pretty well. Anyone cook on one that can guide me.

I've got one. For its price I don't think you can do any better in the store bought pits. Go to Lowes or Home Depot & knock on the pits they sell. You can tell a difference in the OCP.

Look closely at the welds on the one you get to make sure you don't see any openings. Also check it over to make sure you get everything advertised with it.

Just like any other pit you gotta learn it. I mounted grate level thermometers on mine. Take your time and don't get frustrated with it.

Learn what size logs it likes. I've had the best luck with logs in the 10 - 12 inch range. Started with 1/2 chimney of charcoal. It needs a log about every 45 minutes.

Watch the Aaron Franklin YouTube videos. He is using a pecos in his back yard and gives up excellent tips.

Good luck!




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Thanks bsooner, It looks like a good smoker. I like the thick metal on the wrangler but like the size of the Pecos.
Happy smoking!

bsooner75 wrote:I've got one. For its price I don't think you can do any better in the store bought pits. Go to Lowes or Home Depot & knock on the pits they sell. You can tell a difference in the OCP.

Look closely at the welds on the one you get to make sure you don't see any openings. Also check it over to make sure you get everything advertised with it.

Just like any other pit you gotta learn it. I mounted grate level thermometers on mine. Take your time and don't get frustrated with it.

Learn what size logs it likes. I've had the best luck with logs in the 10 - 12 inch range. Started with 1/2 chimney of charcoal. It needs a log about every 45 minutes.

Watch the Aaron Franklin YouTube videos. He is using a pecos in his back yard and gives up excellent tips.

Good luck!




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I just picked up a Pecos from Academy thanks to some recommendations in another thread. What modifications have you done/plan to do? If any.

The guy at the store said the firebox was way too deep and that I should put fire brick under the rack that's in the bottom of the firebox.
Thoughts?

I've managed just fine using the plate they provide for the firebox. Just a matter of learning how it likes the fire.

I do best using a bed of charcoal and then adding 3 sticks of the B&B wood sold at Tom Thumb. Then I add a stick as temps start to fall. Not sure why the B&B works better than others. It's partly due to it being just the right size.


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I have a OC Over Under one thing that I found with OC is the Plate/Grate in the firebox wont let the ash drop away and tends to smother the fire on long cooks. I built a Rack for mine out of Round stock & AI and it solved the problem. Otherwise for the money you can't do any better than OC for a BYP in that price range.

BluDawg wrote:I have a OC Over Under one thing that I found with OC is the Plate/Grate in the firebox wont let the ash drop away and tends to smother the fire on long cooks. I built a Rack for mine out of Round stock & AI and it solved the problem. Otherwise for the money you can't do any better than OC for a BYP in that price range.

I'm typically cooking for 8-12 hours. So I should probably look at some sort of apparatus to elevate the fire.

Thanks.

bsooner75 wrote:I've managed just fine using the plate they provide for the firebox. Just a matter of learning how it likes the fire.

I do best using a bed of charcoal and then adding 3 sticks of the B&B wood sold at Tom Thumb. Then I add a stick as temps start to fall. Not sure why the B&B works better than others. It's partly due to it being just the right size.


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How big are the pieces? (I don't have Tom Thumb)

at Academy
i still consider it the best store bought stick burner you can buy
it's important to examine and pick the one you want
no warped lids, or bad seams
you can't beat it for $400

Breaking her in...
I need to come up a name.

BladeRunner wrote:[quote="bsooner75"]I've managed just fine using the plate they provide for the firebox. Just a matter of learning how it likes the fire.

I do best using a bed of charcoal and then adding 3 sticks of the B&B wood sold at Tom Thumb. Then I add a stick as temps start to fall. Not sure why the B&B works better than others. It's partly due to it being just the right size.


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How big are the pieces? (I don't have Tom Thumb)[/quote]


Sorry, just now seeing this. I'll try to measure one when I get home.


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I'm torn between an old country and oklahoma joe. I have had the OK joe and loved it. The old country looks even beefier than the joe BUT, it also appears to be all welded up. I can't haul that in either of my vehicles given we have a honda civic and mazda 6.. lol

bsooner75 wrote:[quote="BladeRunner"][quote="bsooner75"]I've managed just fine using the plate they provide for the firebox. Just a matter of learning how it likes the fire.

I do best using a bed of charcoal and then adding 3 sticks of the B&B wood sold at Tom Thumb. Then I add a stick as temps start to fall. Not sure why the B&B works better than others. It's partly due to it being just the right size.


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How big are the pieces? (I don't have Tom Thumb)[/quote]


Sorry, just now seeing this. I'll try to measure one when I get home.


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10 - 12"


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Txdragon wrote:I'm torn between an old country and oklahoma joe. I have had the OK joe and loved it. The old country looks even beefier than the joe BUT, it also appears to be all welded up. I can't haul that in either of my vehicles given we have a honda civic and mazda 6.. lol

They don't make the Oklahoma Joes like they used to. Just give it the knock test and then do the same to the Old Country.

The OC is heavy but it will last.


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bsooner75 wrote:
They don't make the Oklahoma Joes like they used to. Just give it the knock test and then do the same to the Old Country.

The OC is heavy but it will last.


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My first OK Joe was about 2 years ago. Did they change quality control since then? If not, it was a great rig.