My $200 smoker rusted through after 8 months

Bought a fancy offset smoker from a local shop in Austin and the firebox literally rusted a hole through the bottom after 8 months of weekend cooks. Had to weld a patch on it with an old baking sheet cause I refuse to drop another $500 on a replacement. Anyone else dealt with thin metal on these mass produced smokers?

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2 Comments

john6481mo ago

Read a review from some guy on a BBQ forum who tested a bunch of those imported offsets with a metal gauge tool. Said most of them use 1.6mm steel or thinner, which is basically like cooking on a tin can. Had the same problem with mine from a big box store, patched it with a piece of gutter flashing and high temp silicone.

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cameron3181mo ago

It lines up with that same pattern you see everywhere now - companies cutting corners on materials and calling it a feature. Like how mattress brands started using thinner coils and thicker foam layers, or how furniture went from solid wood to particle board with a fancy veneer. My buddy bought a pellet smoker last year, same deal, the drip tray rusted through in six months. They know most people will use it for a season or two before upgrading or tossing it, so why spend the extra money on thicker steel. Kinda depressing when you realize everything is designed to last just long enough to not get returned.

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