Hey Brother do your thang. I'm with about the cabinet smoker. They are awesome. I named mine "The Beast" and since you own one you can understand why. I had mine since April. Nothing but great things to say about it.I also think the same way about the folding table. I keep a can of LSG touch up paint on hand. I purchased the main chamber charcoal/wood grate. About a week ago I did a test . I put the grate under the running plate and place a little charcoal and some wood. I put the running plate back in place. Then I fired up the pellet side of the smoker. I worked great. If you want that more smoke profile. Also adding the LSG wood chips to the pellets. I'm looking into get a insulated vertical smoker.
That's pretty nuts. I've got my eye on the LSG IVC lineup, but I'm leaning toward the Large. It's super overkill for my needs as a backyarder, but hell, at the price point the Mini starts at, paying an extra $300-400 to get double the capacity just seems like common sense, and maybe I could turn that Large into a small barbecue business run from my house - I've seen people do it with a website, schedule, order pickup, etc.
I’ve got the same smoker. I cooked a brisket in it for 9.5 hours and let run to see how long. I got 26 hours, and like I probably could’ve gone at least to 30 or so. I had my BBQ Guru running it.
Hallelujah...let’s get some meat on that baby. That exceeded my expectations by a long shot. That is an impressive cooker. When I get mine a couple of briskets will be the first thing I cook. Thanks for sharing!
Very nice video, as mentioned the burn time will be a little less with food on it and even less if you cook with water. One should expect around 20 hours at 225 with water and food.
This is a great video, thanks. I’ve also been considering selling my LSG offset to get a IVS. With the efficiency and decreased airflow, have you noticed dirtier smoke when wood chunks ignite? Seems like by definition you’d just have worse combustion efficiency with less airflow, and therefore worse or less smoke flavor. I just can’t get my head around that… only thing that’s kept me from switching so far. Thanks again for the video.
@@Texas2.5 it only solidified it for me. Ive been in other peoples comments talking and probing. I feel like I've paid my dues. I started with the offset stick burner learning the art, moved on to ceramics, Akorn, 3 wsm, MB 560 and a 2klb trailer smoker. I literally have over 20 cookers (wife hates it) but when push comes to shove... I value sleep and think that low and slow is the best way to Que, and that Ive paid my dues with the fire stoking every 45 min. BTW not bragging about the cookers, I'm just showing the journey. I wish that it would have registered with me a long time ago to sample an IVS before I ran out of grace with my wife. Lol
Haha 😂 Yep.. I enjoyed my LSG stick burner but I just don't have time for sticks right now. Not until I retire. The verticals in my view are the best combo of ease plus flavor. 👉💨
@@Texas2.5 well if I end up with a LSG I will tell them you sent me. I totally agree about the ease of vertical styles. Now it is on to the insulated ones. Thanks again for the vid brother! I may be picking your brain a bit more in the future
Looking REEEEAAAL hard at the Mini right now. Just got to convince her to go whole hog (pun-intentional) for the cart w/ off-road package. Showed her the still of you taking it out of the garage. She seemed nonplussed.
Show her the video of me dumping my LSG offset on its back in my yard because I didn’t buy the off-road kit 😏 Thankfully my kids were not close by. 550 lbs of steel crashing down.
Thank you for the experiment, that’s impressive. I knew I made the right decision to get an IVS from LSG. only one thing wrong, Today marks 15 weeks since I placed my order, I constantly hear the Jeopardy music in my head, lol.
Just remember when you add water and meat you will need more air and charcoal I find 12-14 hrs is realistic when cooking with water. lump will get you 6-8 hrs
This would be great for a long-haul smoke, except getting stuck feeding wood into it. Too bad there wasn't some kind of wood feeder. So, you could go to bed and sleep while it smoked. I guess that is why I like the pellet grill so much.
Welcome and thank you! They have a very similar flavor quality. For my current lifestyle, not enough difference to make me regret switching over from the offset. The convenience of the IVS is stunning.
That’s absolutely amazing. Loved every minute of this video. So what ended up happening with your offset? I guess you sold it? And I swear your fall colors are amazing up there. Down here in Texas we go from green to brown with very little color (at least around Dallas it’s that way).
Hey, buddy! Yes, I sold it back in the spring... just didn't have time for sticks. Maybe when I retire 😬 We do have some nice colors right now, though they're fading fast. Thanks for watching this one and commenting.... it was fun to make.... at least for the first 24 hours 😂
Very much enjoy your videos! I've been looking at charcoal vertical smokers for about a year with the Lone Star Mini at the top of the list. I currently have two Traegers and a Yoder YS640, and have owned other el-cheapo brands while just starting out (in excess of 15 years ago). I have a couple questions. Does your Mini have any hot spots? I'm not talking spots/racks that are 5 or 10 degrees different, but spots where food may over-cook/burn in that specific location? All my pellet grills have hot spots - ugh! Also, having had your Mini now for quite a few months and I assume numerous cooks, would you do it all over again (SIGNIFICANT expense) and choose the Lone Star Mini?
No hot spots I’ve noticed yet. And I would absolutely buy it all over again!! Hands down, no questions asked. I cannot imagine a more perfect fusion of ease, efficiency, and flavor. The best engineering in the business as far as I’ve seen. If you get one let me know!!! I’ll be pumped for you.
Did you consider a gravity smoker at all? I’ve seen some people loading wood chunks in the chute to make it hands off as well. Not sure if there is an advantage to either or how different the smoke profile would be?
I did. They seemed more expensive and the chute gives them added weight and a larger footprint which I did not want. And in my opinion there’s no additional benefit as a good IVS will smoke for 24+ hours anyways without refilling.
you know, when i first saw that you got one i was gonna tell you how well it holds temp but then i thought, "nah, I'll just let him be as impressed as I was." I have the large version...get ready to set it and forget it bro
Good stuff.... So I was looking at ordering an LSG 20X42, watched your Vids on that exact model as well, but this is impressive, since you've used both, which would you pick for regular backyard use if you only had one? Thx!
@@Texas2.5 so still struggling with this decision, and coming back as you've had both so hoping you can help... I really had my sights on the 20x42, but like you don't always have time to tend it, using a charcoal basket in an offset seems like a square peg in a round hole... And with 3 young kids and all life is busy, so really thinking about a LSG peewee or mini, also IVS would be better in our Canadian winters than an offset, at least less fuel, is there anything you really miss about the 20x42 like direct Grilling or griddle, find much difference in flavor going to your ivs? I can use my PK to direct grill... 20x42 is what I've wanted, but a mini or peewee seem like I'd be able to use more, given less time required and especially year round thru winter, anything you can share that will sway me either way? ... 🤔
There is absolutely nothing I miss about the offset enough to change my decision to switch. Not even close. Honestly, the ONLY thing the offset offers me at this stage in life is “BBQ street cred.” And as I learned by owning it, that’s not a good enough reason to own a smoker if you can only afford one. You honestly sound very much like me and my advice is try to spring for the Mini if you can afford it. Otherwise the PeeWee. Just my two cents🤷🏻♂️ Lemme know what you get!!
@@Texas2.5 thanks for the feedback, while the offset is what I've really wanted, I'm seeing it your way and that an IVS is a much better fit for me and will get a lot more use and year round, appreciate the feedback... Also, not looking for street cred, not doing comps or UA-cam vids, just want one smoker to go with my grill that I will enjoy, big enough for my use and and built to last, likely will go with the IVS, not sure I need something as big as the mini (as odd as that sounds, mini is pretty big) or if the peewee is enough, just wish the peewee had an elevated stand... Thanks again!
Ohh also.....this thing looks like a auto-controller is a waste of money for this rig. if running charcoal apparently this is the best design you can get.....awesome smoker. Did you ever try running your old stick burner smoker on charcoal with the basket? I have a 24" x 48" offset that I have actually ran on charcoal and it wasn't nearly as efficient on fuel as this thing but it wasn't as bad as you think...
I never did try that on a stick burner because it seemed like it would be way more expensive to run on charcoal, and sticks is the whole point of offset smoking. I hear the new fire mgmt baskets from LSG are awesome tho.
@@Texas2.5 Yeah it actually wasn't that bad on fuel, I used a little over 20 lbs for a cook that was about 10 - 12 hours long. So maybe about 30 lbs. I normally burn Hickory, but it is nice to have that option once and a while for convenience sake......deff nowhere near as efficient on charcoal as yours is though, holy cow those style smokers go forever! LOL I deff wouldn't even bother with a controller for that either, I have not seen a smoker run so well with such little intervention. I also really like that ash pan integration design....they really put out a fantastic product! Congrats on the new rig! Looking forward to seeing some new bbq stuff on your channel.
Accidentally moving it too much then not opening nearly as open as it was before......this is why Ball valves do not make good control valves. What you need is a Gate valve for that application.....much better.....and the flow through a ball valve when used in a metering application such as that is also not linear....1/8 open is not half the volume as 1/4 open.....because it is not linear.
Super Jealous of your smokers. I ordered the Santa Maria grill from LSG. Wanting an offset in the future but really not trying to spend 5k on my smoker
You can get the 20” series for a lot less than 5k and it is a fantastic offset. Congrats on your Santa Maria! I’ve never owned one. Very intriguing units.
@@Texas2.5 I know whats available, but im just a bit biased toward the offset. Don't have the Santa Maria yet. Still in building stage. Paid for but waiting. The offset I managed to find a way to get one but still hasn't been ordered yet.
And then after a 20 hour cook on some bomb brisket you found that you use the blue bag and your brisket taste like a** so then you change to B and B charcoal
Hey Brother do your thang. I'm with about the cabinet smoker. They are awesome. I named mine "The Beast" and since you own one you can understand why. I had mine since April. Nothing but great things to say about it.I also think the same way about the folding table. I keep a can of LSG touch up paint on hand. I purchased the main chamber charcoal/wood grate. About a week ago I did a test . I put the grate under the running plate and place a little charcoal and some wood. I put the running plate back in place. Then I fired up the pellet side of the smoker. I worked great. If you want that more smoke profile. Also adding the LSG wood chips to the pellets. I'm looking into get a insulated vertical smoker.
That's pretty nuts. I've got my eye on the LSG IVC lineup, but I'm leaning toward the Large. It's super overkill for my needs as a backyarder, but hell, at the price point the Mini starts at, paying an extra $300-400 to get double the capacity just seems like common sense, and maybe I could turn that Large into a small barbecue business run from my house - I've seen people do it with a website, schedule, order pickup, etc.
That’s pretty awesome to have in your back pocket, if you ever have a 40 hour cook, you’re covered! 😂 Amazing piece of equipment.
That is simply unbelievable......thank you for taking the time to film this!!!
You're welcome, thank you for watching! It was all fun and games until about the 24 hour mark 😂👉💨
Wow, that was the most beautifully incoherent explanation of the first law of thermodynamics. Made my day. Thanks
My math and science have never been as good as my speling.
Lone Star Grillz makes a very efficient smoker!
I’ve got the same smoker. I cooked a brisket in it for 9.5 hours and let run to see how long. I got 26 hours, and like I probably could’ve gone at least to 30 or so. I had my BBQ Guru running it.
That's incredible. My initial guess was so far off in hindsight it's laughable. I had no conception of how efficient these things are! 👉💨
Hallelujah...let’s get some meat on that baby. That exceeded my expectations by a long shot. That is an impressive cooker. When I get mine a couple of briskets will be the first thing I cook. Thanks for sharing!
Yes sir I can't wait! Let me know how your first cook goes 👉💨
Very nice video, as mentioned the burn time will be a little less with food on it and even less if you cook with water. One should expect around 20 hours at 225 with water and food.
Thanks so much for watching and stopping by! Y'all have an amazing cooker here to be very proud of. I absolutely love it. Smoke on 👉💨
Wow - ordered my large version of this smoker 8 weeks ago, and have 8 weeks left! Thanks for helping me pass the time!
Check out Fat E's BBQ channel if you haven't. He's got that pit! Thanks for watching. Cook video to be made soon hopefully 👉💨
This is a great video, thanks. I’ve also been considering selling my LSG offset to get a IVS.
With the efficiency and decreased airflow, have you noticed dirtier smoke when wood chunks ignite? Seems like by definition you’d just have worse combustion efficiency with less airflow, and therefore worse or less smoke flavor. I just can’t get my head around that… only thing that’s kept me from switching so far.
Thanks again for the video.
If this is not a sales pitch for IVS and LSG I don't know what is! Thanks for doing the heavy lifting for us bro!
It's hard for me to fathom how IVCs have not gotten better traction among backyard BBQ guys. I aim to help change that! 👉💨
@@Texas2.5 it only solidified it for me. Ive been in other peoples comments talking and probing. I feel like I've paid my dues. I started with the offset stick burner learning the art, moved on to ceramics, Akorn, 3 wsm, MB 560 and a 2klb trailer smoker. I literally have over 20 cookers (wife hates it) but when push comes to shove... I value sleep and think that low and slow is the best way to Que, and that Ive paid my dues with the fire stoking every 45 min.
BTW not bragging about the cookers, I'm just showing the journey. I wish that it would have registered with me a long time ago to sample an IVS before I ran out of grace with my wife. Lol
Haha 😂 Yep.. I enjoyed my LSG stick burner but I just don't have time for sticks right now. Not until I retire. The verticals in my view are the best combo of ease plus flavor. 👉💨
@@Texas2.5 well if I end up with a LSG I will tell them you sent me. I totally agree about the ease of vertical styles. Now it is on to the insulated ones. Thanks again for the vid brother! I may be picking your brain a bit more in the future
Thanks so much! That really helps me out a ton and I appreciate it. 👉💨
Looking REEEEAAAL hard at the Mini right now. Just got to convince her to go whole hog (pun-intentional) for the cart w/ off-road package. Showed her the still of you taking it out of the garage. She seemed nonplussed.
Show her the video of me dumping my LSG offset on its back in my yard because I didn’t buy the off-road kit 😏 Thankfully my kids were not close by. 550 lbs of steel crashing down.
Thank you for the experiment, that’s impressive. I knew I made the right decision to get an IVS from LSG. only one thing wrong, Today marks 15 weeks since I placed my order, I constantly hear the Jeopardy music in my head, lol.
Yeah, covid-19 has really slowed our country down unfortunately. I promise it will be worth the wait!! 👉💨
Great video 📹
I think I'll get one . If u like hot and fast get a pit barrel it's works like a charm toooo!
Great video. Love watching stuff like this. That pit looks awesome.
Thank you very much! I had a lot of fun making it.... despite it covering TWO nights instead of one 😏
That’s impressive! I’ve been wanting one of these for awhile.
It was crazy. I was in shock the first time I pulled that charcoal basket out on Sunday.
So a guru would make this thing run smoothly for 45 hours
UNBELIEVABLE🤔.. can't wait to purchase 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thanks for the vid ! Question - do u use the t plates for the snake method often? Any tips on holding temps with valve openings with that method ?
You could cook a feast of meat ribs chicken,brisket, chuck roast on one cook would have enough meat to eat on for a week.
That smoker is very efficient I’ve owned one for 2 years and I love it
Does it make good bark and smoke ring? I really torn between this or the 24 by 24 offset cabinet
Yes it does
Love the video. Great test. Keep up the good work. God Bless
Thanks so much! I hope to do so👉🏼💨
Do you have a link for the red s-hook you're using to hold the T-handle on the Off-Road cart in the UP position?
It's all about air flow I never used a fan on my wsm or any thing I've ever used I've never had any problems.
What LSG model is that??
(Is that the MINI??)
Can you use T plates for snake method in an offset firebox as well?
I suppose if you are running your offset on charcoal, but I never did that so I can't say for sure.
Just remember when you add water and meat you will need more air and charcoal I find 12-14 hrs is realistic when cooking with water. lump will get you 6-8 hrs
I might have to re do the experiment with a brisket sometime! 😁 👉💨
@@Texas2.5 it's hard work but someone has to do it
This guy knows whats up!
No need for water with the solid heat regulation of the smoker
This would be great for a long-haul smoke, except getting stuck feeding wood into it. Too bad there wasn't some kind of wood feeder. So, you could go to bed and sleep while it smoked. I guess that is why I like the pellet grill so much.
Thanks for the video. Subscribed. I am going back and forth deciding between IVS or offset LSG. Any opinions on the taste between the two?
Welcome and thank you!
They have a very similar flavor quality. For my current lifestyle, not enough difference to make me regret switching over from the offset. The convenience of the IVS is stunning.
I'd say it's well worth the cash!!!
Excellent research!
Thank you kindly! Best compliment I can get.
Torn on the cabinet vs the offset, i have a gravity cooker but im looking for better smoke consistency and better airflow.
It’s a hard choice and totally depends on how much time you have. If lots, the offset is great at airflow and flavor.
That’s absolutely amazing. Loved every minute of this video. So what ended up happening with your offset? I guess you sold it? And I swear your fall colors are amazing up there. Down here in Texas we go from green to brown with very little color (at least around Dallas it’s that way).
Hey, buddy! Yes, I sold it back in the spring... just didn't have time for sticks. Maybe when I retire 😬 We do have some nice colors right now, though they're fading fast. Thanks for watching this one and commenting.... it was fun to make.... at least for the first 24 hours 😂
Wow-unbelievable how efficient
Very much enjoy your videos! I've been looking at charcoal vertical smokers for about a year with the Lone Star Mini at the top of the list. I currently have two Traegers and a Yoder YS640, and have owned other el-cheapo brands while just starting out (in excess of 15 years ago). I have a couple questions. Does your Mini have any hot spots? I'm not talking spots/racks that are 5 or 10 degrees different, but spots where food may over-cook/burn in that specific location? All my pellet grills have hot spots - ugh! Also, having had your Mini now for quite a few months and I assume numerous cooks, would you do it all over again (SIGNIFICANT expense) and choose the Lone Star Mini?
No hot spots I’ve noticed yet. And I would absolutely buy it all over again!! Hands down, no questions asked. I cannot imagine a more perfect fusion of ease, efficiency, and flavor. The best engineering in the business as far as I’ve seen. If you get one let me know!!! I’ll be pumped for you.
Did you consider a gravity smoker at all? I’ve seen some people loading wood chunks in the chute to make it hands off as well. Not sure if there is an advantage to either or how different the smoke profile would be?
I did. They seemed more expensive and the chute gives them added weight and a larger footprint which I did not want. And in my opinion there’s no additional benefit as a good IVS will smoke for 24+ hours anyways without refilling.
What smoker is that
you know, when i first saw that you got one i was gonna tell you how well it holds temp but then i thought, "nah, I'll just let him be as impressed as I was." I have the large version...get ready to set it and forget it bro
😂 That's an awesome story. I love it! Thanks for sharing and congrats on your cooker as well! LSG never ceases to amaze.
Good stuff.... So I was looking at ordering an LSG 20X42, watched your Vids on that exact model as well, but this is impressive, since you've used both, which would you pick for regular backyard use if you only had one? Thx!
I actually had to make this choice, and I sold my offset to buy the Mini. For me it came to lack of time for stick burning in this phase of my life.
@@Texas2.5 so still struggling with this decision, and coming back as you've had both so hoping you can help... I really had my sights on the 20x42, but like you don't always have time to tend it, using a charcoal basket in an offset seems like a square peg in a round hole... And with 3 young kids and all life is busy, so really thinking about a LSG peewee or mini, also IVS would be better in our Canadian winters than an offset, at least less fuel, is there anything you really miss about the 20x42 like direct Grilling or griddle, find much difference in flavor going to your ivs? I can use my PK to direct grill... 20x42 is what I've wanted, but a mini or peewee seem like I'd be able to use more, given less time required and especially year round thru winter, anything you can share that will sway me either way? ... 🤔
There is absolutely nothing I miss about the offset enough to change my decision to switch. Not even close. Honestly, the ONLY thing the offset offers me at this stage in life is “BBQ street cred.” And as I learned by owning it, that’s not a good enough reason to own a smoker if you can only afford one. You honestly sound very much like me and my advice is try to spring for the Mini if you can afford it. Otherwise the PeeWee. Just my two cents🤷🏻♂️ Lemme know what you get!!
@@Texas2.5 thanks for the feedback, while the offset is what I've really wanted, I'm seeing it your way and that an IVS is a much better fit for me and will get a lot more use and year round, appreciate the feedback... Also, not looking for street cred, not doing comps or UA-cam vids, just want one smoker to go with my grill that I will enjoy, big enough for my use and and built to last, likely will go with the IVS, not sure I need something as big as the mini (as odd as that sounds, mini is pretty big) or if the peewee is enough, just wish the peewee had an elevated stand... Thanks again!
Ohh also.....this thing looks like a auto-controller is a waste of money for this rig. if running charcoal apparently this is the best design you can get.....awesome smoker. Did you ever try running your old stick burner smoker on charcoal with the basket? I have a 24" x 48" offset that I have actually ran on charcoal and it wasn't nearly as efficient on fuel as this thing but it wasn't as bad as you think...
I never did try that on a stick burner because it seemed like it would be way more expensive to run on charcoal, and sticks is the whole point of offset smoking. I hear the new fire mgmt baskets from LSG are awesome tho.
@@Texas2.5 Yeah it actually wasn't that bad on fuel, I used a little over 20 lbs for a cook that was about 10 - 12 hours long. So maybe about 30 lbs. I normally burn Hickory, but it is nice to have that option once and a while for convenience sake......deff nowhere near as efficient on charcoal as yours is though, holy cow those style smokers go forever! LOL I deff wouldn't even bother with a controller for that either, I have not seen a smoker run so well with such little intervention. I also really like that ash pan integration design....they really put out a fantastic product! Congrats on the new rig! Looking forward to seeing some new bbq stuff on your channel.
Accidentally moving it too much then not opening nearly as open as it was before......this is why Ball valves do not make good control valves. What you need is a Gate valve for that application.....much better.....and the flow through a ball valve when used in a metering application such as that is also not linear....1/8 open is not half the volume as 1/4 open.....because it is not linear.
Gotcha. Good to know!
Wow. Just. Wow
Unbelievable!
Try kingsford long burn. 😎
What is the capacity of the cooker
Up to 7 racks, each would hold 3 racks of ribs.
What is the price point on this cooker
lonestargrillz.com/collections/smokers/products/mini-insulated-cabinet-smoker
Now try some lump charcoal
That's a great idea! I'm actually intrigued by this. Thanks! 👉💨
More videos please
Amazing!!!
I completely agree! 👉💨
Thats its Im buyin one...
😂☝️
Love it. Tell em i sent you!! Let me know when you order it! I’ll celebrate with you 😊
The Hillbilly way to drink water lol
Try jealous devil
U can save money on electric bill cooking with it instead of oven.
Super Jealous of your smokers. I ordered the Santa Maria grill from LSG. Wanting an offset in the future but really not trying to spend 5k on my smoker
You can get the 20” series for a lot less than 5k and it is a fantastic offset. Congrats on your Santa Maria! I’ve never owned one. Very intriguing units.
@@Texas2.5 I know whats available, but im just a bit biased toward the offset. Don't have the Santa Maria yet. Still in building stage. Paid for but waiting. The offset I managed to find a way to get one but still hasn't been ordered yet.
IVC or IVS?
Yes :-) IVC/S.. Insulated Vertical Cabinet Smoker
And then after a 20 hour cook on some bomb brisket you found that you use the blue bag and your brisket taste like a** so then you change to B and B charcoal
No chance I can afford B&B in Alaska. Kingsford blue has always been fine for me.
Thanks for spitting out the water. That’s what I want to see.
The first 48
But good luck with your infant
There’s no meat in the smoker. It’s not a useful experiment. Load it down with meat and see how long it runs. That would be useful.