First Look at the Pitts & Spitts Maverick 2000 Pellet Smoker
Unboxing, Build and Walkaround
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Introduction
New Smoker Day: Unboxing the Maverick 2000
It's new smoker day, always an exciting day! What's up BBQ fans! Today we're unboxing the new Pitts & Spitts Maverick 2000. I'll put it together, show you the accessories I picked up, and walk you around the features.
Yes, I need a haircut, and please don't judge my garage. It was below freezing and heading into the low teens, so I had two electric heaters running for 3 hours just to take the edge off.
Why the Maverick 2000
The 2000 has a similar footprint to the 1250, but it's a little taller and has a third rack. I've got some experimental videos planned, and being able to run two briskets up high for a side-by-side comparison is exactly what I wanted.
What Came in the Box
The smoke cage. This is the accessory I'm most excited about. It lets you add wood chunks for real wood fire beyond the pellets, instead of using a pellet tube. I had to have it.
Four bags of Lumberjack pellets. I bought on Black Friday, so this may have been a special for that day.
8-inch heavy-duty wheels with stainless hardware. They make it easy to roll across grass or around the patio.
A stainless steel front shelf with hooks on one side and a paper towel holder.
The Build
A quick safety note: I propped the grill on 2x4s resting on the wide 8-inch stainless diffuser over the fire pot, with a brick and a towel so I didn't scratch the paint. It was rock solid, but that's probably not the recommended setup. Jack stands and a second person are a better idea.
I put the locking swivel wheels on the side I need them, since I swing it around a corner to get it up onto my patio. Once it was together, I took a sip to reward myself. Cheers.
The Walkaround
The firebox sits just off-center, with a glow igniter.
The smoke cage slides in on the firebox. Line it up about center, then move it over about 3 inches. You'll need a little stick to push chunks through.
The diffuser is extremely heavy. Keep it centered. It has a removable plate, so you can drop in the bottom grate, crank it to 600°F, wait about 15 minutes, and sear right over the firebox.
The bottom rack is ginormous: about 20½ by 33 inches. The racks slide out, so you can load them up.
Upgraded modular rack system: heavy, thick 304 stainless, and all three pieces come out. The second rack is about 18 by 33 inches, and the third is almost 14 inches deep by 33.
Griddle: I opted for the full stainless griddle. It drains to the grease side. A smash burger video is coming.
Controller: the standard wireless controller for now. The new digital display is a couple of weeks out, and I'll upgrade when it arrives.
Hopper: holds 35 lb of pellets, with a stainless lid that wraps the edges. To swap pellets, undo the screw on the back, slide out the release, and put a bucket underneath.
Grease: a ball-joint drain opens to a hanging bucket. I like disposable bucket liners to make cleanup easier.
Roll-top lid: heavy stainless, but it rolls up easily. The welded cap means rain won't get in, so I can cook in the rain. It might even keep a little more smoke in.
Front table: heavy-duty stainless and carbon steel, with built-in handles for moving it. Level it with a level and an Allen key.
Burn-In and Cover
I didn't do the burn-in on camera, but it's simple. Run it for 30 minutes to an hour at around 350°F, then give it a spray of cooking oil, anything without salt, and let it sit.
I also picked up the heavy-duty vinyl cover. It's all stainless, so you worry less, but I'm a firm believer: if you spend this kind of money on something, take care of it. Get a cover.
I'll clean it up with some Sheila Shine before it hits the patio.
Final Thoughts
It's a beast, with a ton of cooking room, and I can't wait to play with real wood in the smoke cage. Next up, it goes on the patio and I put it through the paces.
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Thanks For Watching
Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a novice, these tips will enhance your cooking skills and leave your family and friends raving about your delicious, smoky creations. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more step-by-step videos, and let's together become the barbecue heroes we were meant to be!
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