As an avid barbecue enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for high-quality smokers that can help me achieve competition-level results in my own backyard. After hearing great things about Old Country smokers, I decided to purchase the Pecos model to put it through its paces and provide a detailed review.
Keep reading to find out if the Pecos is worth your hard-earned cash or if you should keep looking for your dream smoker.
Overview of the Old Country Pecos Smoker
The Pecos is part of Old Country’s line of reverse flow offset smokers. This design places the firebox on the side of the cook chamber rather than below it.
The heat and smoke travel through a baffle plate running along the bottom of the chamber before making a 180 degree turn and passing back over the food again on the way out the chimney.
This continuous flow of heat and smoke provides very even temperatures from one end of the chamber to the other. The Pecos model has 1,269 square inches of cooking surface, giving you ample room for large cooks. The main chamber is made from 1/4-inch steel while the firebox uses 3/16-inch steel for durability.
Some key features and specs of the Pecos smoker:
- Cooking Area: 1269 square inches
- Weight: 470 pounds
- Dimensions: 74 x 36 x 50 inches
- Reverse flow baffle design
- 10-inch chimney stack
- Cooking grates: Chrome-plated
- Firebox: Side-mounted with bartender door
- Materials: 1/4 and 3/16 inch steel
In terms of price, the Pecos typically costs between $1,200 – $1,500 depending on the retailer.
That definitely puts it on the higher end for an offset stick burner, but the quality construction aims to justify the increased cost compared to cheaper models.
Unboxing and Assembly of the Old Country Pecos
When my Pecos arrived, I was eager to get it unboxed and start the assembly process. Here are my tips for tackling this task based on my experience:
- You’ll need two people – With a smoker this large and heavy, having an extra set of hands to help maneuver it is crucial. Don’t try to assemble a smoker like this alone.
- Have power tools ready – The Pecos arrives with bolts that need to be secured during assembly. Having cordless power drills or drivers makes this much easier than using hand tools alone.
- Assembly is straightforward – The instructions Old Country provides are clear and assembly is very intuitive once you get going. It took my friend and I about 2-3 hours total.
- Season the smoker before first use – Seasoning the cook chamber is an essential step before lighting your first fire. This process leaves a protective coating to prevent rusting.
As long as you have a friend to help and the right tools, getting the Pecos put together is a smooth process. Once assembled, this thing is a beast – standing over six feet tall and weighing nearly 500 pounds. Be sure to place it in an open area with plenty of ventilation.
How The Pecos Performs During Smoking Sessions?
The most important question for any smoker is obviously how well it performs during cooking. With several smoking sessions now under my belt, here are my thoughts on how the Pecos excels at producing delicious cue:
- Temperature regulation is outstanding – Thanks to the reverse flow design, temperatures remain incredibly consistent from the firebox side to the chimney. I never saw fluctuations of more than 15-20 degrees across the entire cook chamber.
- Smoke penetration is excellent – With smoke traveling the entire length of the chamber twice, it deeply permeates whatever you’re cooking. Whether it was brisket, pork shoulders, or ribs, everything took on a perfect level of smoky flavor.
- Fuel efficiency is very good – While stick burners will use more fuel than insulated cabinet-style smokers, the Pecos burns wood and charcoal efficiently. Managing airflow properly is key to avoiding any unnecessary waste.
- Space is abundant – With over 1,200 square inches of cooking space, I never felt cramped on the Pecos even when smoking large briskets, racks of ribs, and sides simultaneously.
- Build quality is outstanding – From the 1/4 inch steel construction to the precise welds, it’s clear this smoker was built to last. I expect to hand down the Pecos to my kids one day.
When it comes to performance, the Pecos clearly achieves what you want from a top-tier reverse flow offset smoker. It provides precision temperature control, excellent smoke flavor, and plenty of room to serve a backyard full of barbecue fans.
Old Country Pecos Smoker Pros and Cons
After getting extensive first-hand experience with the Pecos, I wanted to break down some clear pros and cons of this smoker to help you decide if it’s the right model for your needs:
Pros
- Superb temperature regulation
- Deep, even smoke penetration
- Highly durable steel construction
- Massive cooking capacity
- Reverse flow baffle works extremely well
- Easy access firebox and cook chamber doors
- 10-year warranty on cook chamber
Cons
- Requires plenty of space for storage
- Heavy, two-person assembly
- Higher cost than entry-level offset smokers
- Fire and temperature management has learning curve
- Exterior can be susceptible to rust without seasoning
- Difficult to reposition or transport when full
For me, the exceptional cooking performance far outweighs minor drawbacks like the high weight. But this may not be the right smoker for everyone’s needs or budget.
How The Old Country Pecos Compares To Other Popular Offset Smokers?
The offset smoker market is crowded with models from various brands. Here’s an overview of how the Pecos stacks up against 7 different options to consider.
- Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Reverse Flow Smoker
Oklahoma Joe’s is known for making affordable offset smokers. The Highland model also uses a reverse flow design and costs several hundred dollars less than the Pecos. However, the lower price comes with thinner steel construction and smaller cooking capacity at 900 square inches.
For cost-conscious buyers, the Highland provides good bang for your buck but won’t match the Pecos’s durability or size.
- Horizon Smokers Ranger
Horizon makes premium offset smokers that compete directly with Old Country’s lineup. The Ranger model has comparable 1/4 inch steel construction and a cooking area exceeding 1,000 square inches.
Horizon offers more customization options for those wanting decorative flourishes. But expect to pay $400-$600 more for a comparably equipped Horizon smoker.
- Yoder Smokers Wichita
Yoder is another premium smoker brand that produces models in the same price range as Old Country. Their Wichita model has slightly thicker 3/8 inch steel construction and a deeper cooking chamber.
However, its cooking surface is smaller at 1,070 square inches. Yoder offers more finish options but the core smoking performance is on par with the Pecos.
- Pitts & Spitts Maverick 850 Pecos
At over $4,000, the Pitts & Spitts Pecos (same name – not affiliated with Old Country) is far more expensive but uses thicker 1/2 inch steel. It offers similar reverse flow technology but in a cabinet style design rather than offset.
The cooking capacity is lower at 850 square inches. The price is hard to justify unless you’re a competition pitmaster.
- Z Grills 700D4E
This pellet smoker from Z Grills costs under $900, making it far more budget-friendly. But you lose the authenticity of cooking with an offset firebox.
While pellet smokers are convenient, limitations on maximum temperatures and smoke flavor are noticeable. The 700 square inch capacity is also far lower than the Pecos.
- Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D
Dyna-Glo is another very affordable offset smoker option. But again, lower quality materials like thinner steel drive the sub-$1,000 pricing. The 1,382 square inch capacity exceeds the Pecos and six chrome-plated cooking grates are included.
Serious pitmasters will quickly notice this is not a smoker built to last decades like the Pecos.
- Meadow Creek SQ36
Meadow Creek produces high-end offset smokers in the USA. Their SQ36 model has thicker 3/8 inch steel construction and similar reverse flow design to the Pecos. The cooking capacity is lower at 1,064 square inches.
Meadow Creek offers more customization options but equivalent models cost $700+ more than the Pecos.
When compared to the full spectrum of offset smokers in this price range and features tier, the Pecos remains an excellent blend of premium materials, construction quality, capacious sizing, and reasonable pricing.
It’s easy to see why the Pecos is one of the most popular choices for backyard barbecue enthusiasts who want a serious smoker without pushing into luxury price territory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you’re still debating whether the Pecos is your dream smoker, here are answers to some commonly asked questions about this model:
The Pecos uses 1/4 inch steel for the main cook chamber and 3/16 inch steel for the firebox. This is thick, heavy-duty steel construction that explains the near 500 pound weight of this smoker when fully assembled.
As mentioned above, the Pecos uses 1/4 inch steel for unrivaled heat retention in the cook chamber. This thickness also enhances the smoker’s durability and weather resistance.
Old Country smokers are made in the USA. Their production facility is located in Spicewood, Texas. Buying one of their smokers supports American manufacturing jobs.
A reverse flow smoker places the firebox on the side instead of below the cooking chamber. The baffle plate forces heat and smoke to travel the length of the chamber twice for superior temperature regulation, smoke saturation, and fuel efficiency.
Final Thoughts
At a price point between $1,200 – $1,500, the Pecos certainly isn’t inexpensive. But given the outstanding performance and construction quality I experienced first-hand, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny if you have the budget.
The reverse flow design works flawlessly to produce incredibly consistent barbecue results across the expansive cooking surface. Whether you’re feeding the whole neighborhood or entering competitions, the Pecos has the capacity and precision temperature control to handle any smoking need.
While the initial cost exceeds entry-level offset smokers, it’s a clear case of getting what you pay for. The Pecos is built rock-solid from thick American steel and has modern design elements like the side firebox placement.
All in all, I can’t recommend the Old Country Pecos enough for discerning pitmasters who want the very best backyard smoker money can buy. If you invest in one, I have no doubt you’ll be churning out competition-caliber barbecue for decades to come. It’s an heirloom-quality smoker you won’t regret making part of your outdoor cooking arsenal.
