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turbojoe
Member
USA
133 Posts |
 Posted - 08/20/2008 : 17:51:23
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| ok guys (and gals) who's got one? i'm getting ready to order one and am looking for first hand testimonials on the quality. i really love weber products but can't get over the added features and versatility of the Pro Q excel 20. i watched a couple videos online with a smoke-off between the smaller pro q and a WSM and it looks like some stiff competition for weber (good thing they already have a loyal army). any personal feedback would be appreciated. |
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CarolinaQue
Member
USA
3687 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2008 : 18:51:19
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Mtviewnana just got one the other day. You may try e-mailing her.
Tim
"What you achieve, or fail to achive is only decided by YOU"!!! |
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Big Tom
Member
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2008 : 18:59:09
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I don't personally own one yet but am also looking to add one to my patio line-up. I have read a ton of posts about the two ProQ models on 'The Smoke Ring Forum'. I have not had a bullet style smoker since my formative years with one of the original Brinkman 'Smoke-n-Grill' water smokers. Since I relocated I have been looking for a smoker with a smaller footprint than the Stumps Elite that I left with my buddies on our cooking team in MS.
The Weber WSM has a strong reputation for quality, ease of operation, and versatility. The only opportunities for improvement have been adressed by the folks at ProQ. They also beat Weber to market on a larger diamter model to increase the capacity in stock configuration. The abillity to add the stacker units also can easily increase capacity without having to add another smoker.
Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY division |
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mtviewnana
Starting Member
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2008 : 22:54:48
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Hi all, My ProQ excel 20 was delivered yesterday evening and I cooked my first brisket last night. I love it! I only used a half chimney of charcoal and I used the Minion Method. Since I have never used a water smoker before, I will need some practice. But I can say with that 1/2 chimney of charcoal it kept temp for 9 hours.
I would highly recommend it. There is so much cooking space. I got the additonal stacker and when I have it all put together it looks like a rocket. I am 5'5" and it comes up to my nose and I cant even think about putting my arms around it. Its huge.
I will be cooking 2 briskets and 2 pork butts this Fri. on it, I will be able to give a little more feed back then.
If anyone would like pics of it feel free to email me and I will send them to ya.
Have a great weekend!! |
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turbojoe
Member
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2008 : 17:50:25
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| so... i jumped in with both feet and ordered an excel 20 (E20) bundle (extra stacker). i have read a few threads and it seems to perform, lets just hope it last. thanks for your replies. now im off to dig through the freezer so im ready when it gets here! |
Edited by - turbojoe on 08/21/2008 18:03:19 |
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mtviewnana
Starting Member
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2008 : 17:54:54
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Hi Joewould you please let me know what you think of your Pro Q. I ended up sending mine back. I couldn't get over 200 degrees in 12 hours and the aluminum legs were bending with the weight of the meat and the sand. I had two 14-16 pound briskets and two 12-14 pork butts. Also it was very top heavy with the extra stacker. I made a phone call to the company and they told me there have been other concerns with the legs and off balance issue. I was told that there was going to be modifications as far as sturdier legs. I never did figure out why I couldn't get above 200. I am sure it had something to do with the operator.
I do have to say that Freds music and BBQ has an excellent customer service.
I hope others have better luck than I did.
Francene
To dream of the person you would like to be, is to waste the person you are. |
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Big Dude
Administrator
946 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2008 : 09:09:14
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Wow - went from I love it to sent it back it 11 days. I.ve been considering one and I think many others are also. Please keep us posted on how this works out for you.
East Tennessee = Almost Heaven, South
Non Competitor, "Real Pitmaster" wanabee
Klose Offset
Weber one step
Ducane gasser
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mongo
Member
474 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2008 : 10:20:50
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I see freds music and bbq has posted a warning on the leg issue and states sturdier ones will be added in mid-september.
MONGO |
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mtviewnana
Starting Member
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2008 : 12:01:35
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Hi Larry I do love the idea of the ProQ. I think it is a great idea. And it worked great for me when I was only using 1 stacker. But when I added the top one which is what I really needed for the space ( which I am sure is the reason others are interested also). It came up short for me. It was very top heavy and the legs started bending to the point of falling over. I had to catch it twice to keep it from fallin. I really didnt want $70.00 worth of meat on the ground. I think with the leg changes and a few minor adjustments it will work great. But I have found it is not the one for me. Like I said I am sure in part it had something to do with what I was or was not doing. I am not a pro like alot of ya'll but I enjoy BBQ. And I will keep tryin till I get it right.
To dream of the person you would like to be, is to waste the person you are. |
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ehoehn
Starting Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2008 : 08:55:04
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| I have an Excel20 with 2 stackers and love it |
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mojo
Member
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2008 : 06:11:11
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Wow, thanks for the info on the excel 20 Pro-Q. I was about to buy one to sit next to my WSM , thanks but no thanks. I'll just wait for the new WSM 22.5
Joe |
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turbojoe
Member
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2008 : 19:30:13
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well i have only logged one cook so far as i have a new son now. i cooked 3 full racks of baby backs for my mother-in-laws birthday and it did very well. the one thing that i really like is the modular design. i used 2 stackers (although i only needed one) and didnt have sand so i just used water. i did have a little trouble getting the temp up but i think thats my fault for using too few lit briquets (on the last couple bags of rancher from last labor day HD sale). i added some more lit ones and got it up to 230 where it stayed for the next 6 hours (+/-5*).
as far as the legs go i didnt have an issue but i really didnt have any weight. i received an email from ian at Pro q about the updated legs and they will be shipped to me. made me feel like this company really wants to compete in this market and i understand that they are still in infancy. i love weber products and may even get a new WSM 22 but really wanted to give this one a try.
im gonna cook 2 butts this weekend (might just use one stacker) and i will post all about it |
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mikesooner
Member
USA
3164 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2008 : 19:49:17
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| Don't forget, there'll be a new Weber 26.5 charcoal grill you can grill on, or use as a smoker with indirect heat... |
Edited by - mikesooner on 09/07/2008 21:31:53 |
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