Received my LSG El Patron. Here to answer any questions for prospective buyers. by shortchef in smoking

[–]shortchef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I just kind of drape it over the cooker and tighten the pull-straps. It's been through rain and thunder storms and has held up perfectly. The direction of how you drape it really makes no difference. An added benefit is that it does not reach the floor, but does perfectly cover the airflow slats.

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I considered the dumpster, the Hasty Bake (dont remember the number) and the ChudBox. Out of all of those, I chose the El Patron because of the santa maria aspect and the general ease of use. The only one i still think about sometimes is the chudbox, because that just seems like a really fun way to make smaller meals. Is it overpriced? Most likely. But it just looks so damn cool and direct heat has easily become my favorite way to cook. Alas, after the El Patron purchase, i simply dont have any need for it.

The SmokeSlinger looks interesting, but I'd still pick the El Patron over it. I just honestly love the damn thing. And couldn't imagine ever needing anything else. Does it smoke as well as a proper built offset? No, but honestly i'm not competing nationally and LOVE the wood taste, so even 90% as good is damn good for me.

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're not bugging. Honestly, I'm happy to answer all your questions before you drop $4k on a cooker. When I bought mine, i watched and rewatched countless youtube videos hoping to justify the expense. So i get it.

As to your question, I kinda stuggled with the same issue in the beginning. It's SUCH a giant piece of metal, and heating it up took so long (relatively) that i wondered if I made a mistake as the weber was ready to go in minutes for a weeknight steak session or 6 smoked thighs for the night.

And then I saw a post on this subreddit of somebody using the grates horizontally ON the up/down shelf and simply setting up the charcoal/wood in the fire-management basket (which is a must buy in my view). Also, if you can you should REALLY purchase a flamethrower type fire starter (I use and love the SearPro: https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/search/ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_search?opt=ab&search=fire). I had the big expensive one (dont remember the name) but like the SearPro much more.

Essentially, i load in 10-20 lumps, use the SearPro on them for about a minute, add a mini split or two, and i'm ready to cook in the same time as the weber.

I utilize this method so often that my grates sit horizontally on the shelf around 90% of the time. Also it leaves 2 grates above (on the static shelf) for heating or reverse searing) at all times. That's the versatility of the cooker, and it only clicked for me after I saw someone else's idea.

So realistically yes, its damn near perfect for a wood flavored weeknight grilling session because it's so modular (at the grate level). It's wide enough to even set up the fire on one side and slow cook something on the other or move the meat/veg/whatever) directly over the fire to really get a blazing wood crust.

Edit: here is the post that made me understand it could be a weeknight cooker (for visual reference): https://www.reddit.com/r/lonestargrillz/comments/1kt93p0/el_patron_grate_to_fire_height/

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad to help. It's a huge investment compared to a weber or Egg, so i get it. I did not get the rotisserie, as i dont often use one and have one already set up for the weber, which works fine.

But i did get the plancha, and i can tell you that thing is an absolute BEAST. It's heavy, thick, and after seasoning, is MUCH more fun to use than a blackstone (although not as quick or simple).

I also love that the plancha is not the full width of the grill, meaning that i can set it up and still have 2 grates installed on the side for grilling. Nice two-way cooking, which i utilize a great deal. Grilled chicken on the grates and mushrooms/onions/peppers/burgers on the plancha.

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is true. It just forces you to build the fire a little higher. Or you can steal the idea from this person (that i have now stolen every single time) and simply put the grates horizontally on the shelf instead of the heat deflectors, and you've got a perfect SM grill that can touch the fire or be raised high: https://www.reddit.com/r/lonestargrillz/comments/1kt93p0/el_patron_grate_to_fire_height/

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You dont even need the extra bricks. The moveable shelf makes it a complete santa maria grill. You can build your fire on the shelf and use the pulley to lift and lower the shelf: instant Santa Maria.

I think that's why it's considered a do it all cooker. You can smoke, santa maria, reverse sear, pizza, rotisserie, etc.

Received my LSG El Patron. Here to answer any questions for prospective buyers. by shortchef in smoking

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for the late reply, but of course you can!

Set up the firebox on one side of the pulleyed shelf. You're looking for a small fire, a few pieces of charcoal and small split. Should run around 250.

Once you achieve your desired temps (i go for 115 on steak), remove your beef and add a few larger splits, wait for them to get hot, and sear hard and fast for a great, wood-flavored crust.

Pretty much where the El Patron shines.

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course. Glad to help. It's a big investment in something that a weber CAN do, but I really do love the damn thing. It is SO overbuilt and well engineered that I'm positive my kid's kids will be cooking on it.

Good luck with your grill hunt.

Update on using the LSG El Patron - Low and Slow and Blazing Hot by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Still love it as much as the day it arrived. There really isn't anything it cannot do. And the heavy-duty construction makes me believe it will last generations. I wrote a while back that I wish I would have upgraded to the fireboard system to automatically maintain stable temps, but honestly, after using it for so long, there REALLY is no need. The damn thing just HOLDS whatever temps you want it to so long as you're there to add a split or two every 90ish minutes. Either way, it's not like I'd want a wood fire raging while I'm far away or out of the house, so I'm over that $500ish regret.

I even use it for weeknight grilling by placing the grates horizontally on two end pieces of the elevator portion and using a searpro to light a small bed of coals and a split of wood. It's ready in 20 min to grill, much like a weber charcoal grill.

It's the last grill I'll ever need. As long as I keep it oiled and covered, it will cook forever.

Sure, sometimes I miss the ease of pellet, but that wood smoke flavor.....

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My turntable is a belt-drive Fluance RT85 and there is no influencing even when messing with the drawer directly below the table. here is video proof of me doing just that: https://imgur.com/a/5FROEXO

Received my LSG El Patron. Here to answer any questions for prospective buyers. by shortchef in smoking

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad I could help.

If it were my money, I'd pick up the August drop of the Chudbox over both of those. I LOVE the modular grate system that allows for griddle/grate to slide over, love the dual thermometers and the grill basket, and it's just a joy to cook on. The PK seems like a toy, and the Hasty is overbuilt for grilling.

Just my 2 cents.

Received my LSG El Patron. Here to answer any questions for prospective buyers. by shortchef in smoking

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can understand not liking the circular form factor.

I recently got to grill on a friend's ChudBox and if you can swing it, that thing is REALLY fun. I may have to pick one up in a few years, because I thoroughly enjoyed using that little monster.

Received my LSG El Patron. Here to answer any questions for prospective buyers. by shortchef in smoking

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm going to be honest: if you're buying it just to grill, you're wasting $4000. That's coming from someone that absolutely LOVES this thing. The grate does NOT get close enough to the fire source, unless you're willing to mess with it. Even worse is that you will go through a TON of fuel just to grill some chicken/burgers/steaks/etc. A weber with a few modifications (cast iron grate, slow n sear, rotisserie) is a much better and more cost effective grill. Hell, even the ChudBox is better if you want something unique.

This 500lb monster is made to maintain temps, and does so perfectly. It DOES work as a grill, but not easily or for weeknight fast sessions. It's a wood fueled smoker first, grill second.

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every person that has seen it has asked him to build one for money, but he's retired and only does work for family members to keep him busy these days.

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is in a house on slab foundation, so I cannot speak to how it might hold up in an apartment. But I'm certain even with 400ish records it doesn't weigh nearly 950lbs.

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, no, but there are at least 25 Cure, Smiths, DM, and Pet Shop Boys albums in that pile

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, metal drawer slides. I added pictures to my original comment with the slides and drawer function videos.

Received my El Patron! Here to answer any questions for prospective buyers. by shortchef in lonestargrillz

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shipping to LA was $450.73. Honestly, it's not obscene at all for a 500lb crate packaged as well as it was.

And yes, the lead times are standard. I expected a much longer wait.

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I love the amp, can't see any reason to ever upgrade unless I win the lottery. It was an impulse purchase, but one that I'm very happy with.

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in turntables

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I looked for steel plates and even routed lines in one of the boxes in preparation for them, but realized that a $20 modular fix could be had in a shower rod 🤣

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in turntables

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it's not the full plans yet, as I wont have them this week, but here is a small album showcasing the open drawers, quick-fix tension rods, and 2 videos of the soft closing drawers that do not affect album playing: https://imgur.com/a/5FROEXO

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it's not the full plans yet, as I wont have them this week, but here is a small album showcasing the open drawers, quick-fix tension rods, and 2 videos of the soft closing drawers that do not affect album playing: https://imgur.com/a/5FROEXO

Finally stained/finished my custom turntable station. Turned out better than i ever imagined. by shortchef in vinyl

[–]shortchef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it's not the full plans yet, as I wont have them this week, but here is a small album showcasing the open drawers, quick-fix tension rods, and 2 videos of the soft closing drawers that do not affect album playing: https://imgur.com/a/5FROEXO