FAQs
General
What's so unique about a Hunsaker Smoker?
Hunsaker Smokers are engineered to be the best drum smoker on the market with features not found on other smokers. Our unparalleled features include the patented vortex basket, floating-hinge lid, 5-position adjustable rack system and centralized air intake system plus many more. For a full list of features, please click here.
What is a vortex plate?
The patented vortex plate helps eliminate hot spots within the smoker by mixing the air. The vortex plate is bent at the right angles which causes the heat to flow through the plate and "spin" with no mechanical parts. The resulting steamy, smoky sauna improves flavor and consistency.
How long will a charcoal basket burn?
We recommend that the charcoal basket be filled 3/4 of the way to the top. A 3/4 filled basket of charcoal should burn over 10 hours. When cooking hot and fast, most meats will not require more than 5 hours.
What kind of charcoal should be used?
We recommend that you use natural lump charcoal or briquettes in your smoker. Most natural lump charcoal isn't made with chemical additives, is easy to start, and produces a consistent even burn. It does however tend to burn at a hotter temperature. Briquettes are very uniform in shape and may burn longer than lump but does produce more ash.
Can the dial thermometer be calibrated?
Yes, you can calibrate the thermometer with a flat screwdriver. It is unlikely that you will need to calibrate since the factory tests each thermometer.
Why is the thermometer mounted in the smoke stack?
The thermometer is located in the smoke stack to reduce the chance of damage to the probe and allow easy-to-read temperatures.
How do I clean my smoker?
To clean your smoker, use a wire brush and/or a metal scraper on the inside of the smoker to remove built up residue. We recommend that you do not wash the inside of the smoker due to potential rust issues. If you do choose to wash the inside of the smoker, make sure the smoker is cool and dry. You should spray the inside of the smoker with cooking oil and re-season after cleaning if water is involved. We do not recommend that you use chemicals.
Does the front caster lock?
Yes, the front caster locks but should only be locked in the six o'clock position.
Order Status
How do I track my order?
We will email you a tracking number once your shipment is on its way. Smoker parts are shipped via UPS or FedEx and a tracking number will be emailed. Smokers ship via R&L Carriers or FedEx Freight in a large box on a pallet. The carrier will call to schedule a drop off time.
Return Policy & Warranty
What is the return policy?
We do not accept returns unless there is a manufacturing issue. If you are not satisfied with your Hunsaker Smoker, please call us at (573) 554-4368 or email hunsakersmokers1@gmail.com.
Are the products warranted?
All Hunsaker Smokers products are warranted to be free of mechanical defects and in proper working order for a period of one (1) year from date of purchase.
Shipping
Do you ship outside the USA?
Hunsaker Smokers ships to the lower 48 States (via ground) and to Canada (via ground). For European orders please visit https://www.emc-bbq.com/. We will send bulk orders to BBQ dealers internationally.
Smoker orders shipped to Canada will need to be manually quoted since this is a freight item.
Pricing & Payment
How do I pay?
Payment is accepted through www.HunsakerSmokers.com through our secure checkout. We accept most major credit cards.
When will my credit card be charged?
Credit cards are charged once the order has been placed.
Do I need to pay sales tax?
Sales tax is charged depending on if we are required to collect it.
Support
How do I contact Hunsaker Smokers?
We can be reached by calling 573-554-4368, emailing hunsakersmokers1@gmail.com, filling out the contact form or by mailing 4009 Citation Dr Columbia, Missouri 65202. We love talking about barbecue and would like to hear from you.
My order was damaged, what do I do?
Please call 573-554-4368 and explain the issue or email hunsakersmokers1@gmail.com with the issue and pictures of the damage.
Facebook Group
Hunsaker Smokers operates "Friends Of Hunsaker Vortex Smokers," an active Facebook group with customers around the world. We encourage our members to post pictures, videos, and barbecue-related information. It's a great group of people and invite you to join the free group!
Why Buy Hunsaker?
Our standard, innovative features set us apart from our competition.
Starting from the bottom, the locking caster and large rear wheels make it very easy to move over rough terrain.
The central air intake is designed to bring in air under the bottom of the ash pan and equalize the fresh air instead of having the air come in from two tubes, which can hot spots in the charcoal.
The patented vortex charcoal basket is designed to mix the air in smoker and eliminate hot spots. The vortex plate is also standard, so there is no need to spend additional money on a diffuser plate which takes up one of the three cooking levels on a competitor. You can cook right on top of the Vortex plate and not burn the meat.
Our five level grate support system has no pins to get in the way when lowering or raising the charcoal basket or food grates. We use a heavy-duty expanded metal food grate versus a Weber-type grate.
Our patented floating hinge allows you to raise the lid and not have to look for a place to set the lid. It also makes it much faster to get in and out of the pit.
Our thermometer is mounted in the exhaust stack versus on the side of the drum. This makes it much easier to read the thermometer and eliminates damage to the thermometer probe when moving the charcoal basket, diffuser or food grates. It also gives a realistic temperature versus a side mount, which can be off 50-70 degrees depending on where the reading takes place.
Our design promotes steady and consistent temperatures compared to other designs. We have many standard design features in our smoker whereas others charge more for their options.
Legal-
- WARNING: California Proposition 65: Combustible by-products produced when using this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.