Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker Review

Is the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker a game changer for anyone serious about their grilling?

With its solid construction and advanced features, it promises to take your BBQ skills to the next level. But is it really the best offset smoker for the money?

How does it compare to other high-end smokers like the Mill Scale 94 or Patriot Pits? What about the new add-on counterweight – does this justify a $250 price tag?

Let’s see if this smoker that goes for almost $5,000 can really live up to all its hype.

In this review, I’ll go into its features, talk about any positives, as well as any potential downsides associated with this top-of-the-line smoker.

Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a backyard BBQ enthusiast, you’ll hopefully find valuable insights that could help you decide if this might be your next purchase. 

Let’s find out what makes Workhorse Pits 1975 stand out among other smokers in the overcrowded market of smokers.

Is the Workhorse 1975 Smoker the Best Offset Smoker for Your Money?

With its rock-solid build, killer heat retention, and top-notch features, the Workhorse 1975 Smoker sure makes a strong case. But does it really deliver the goods for BBQ enthusiasts ready to invest in a premium smoker? Let’s check it out.

What Makes a Great Offset Smoker? 

It is all about:

1. Build Quality: Strong materials that can endure high temperatures and last for years.
2. Heat Retention: Consistent cooking temperatures due to thick walls of steel.
3. Features: Efficient airflow, large cooking spaces and easy clean-up

The  Workhorse 1975 hits all of these marks. But to see if it’s truly worth the investment, let’s dive deeper into its specs, features, and real-world performance. 

How to Season the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker

Seasoning your brand-new smoker is important to get the best performance out of it. Here is a basic guide to get you started on the right foot.

Cleaning and Preparation:

• Get rid of debris from the delivery process by washing the interior. Start with cleaning up the inside to get rid of any debris left over from production and transportation. This important step will make sure you get rid of all foreign material like  metal shavings and tiny plastic pieces before starting the seasoning process.
• Leave it until completely dry. Make sure that there are no traces of moisture in the smoker after cleaning. Any remaining moisture can affect this process and lead to corrosion in extreme cases. Being patient  will definitely pay off in the future.

Seasoning Process:

• Coat the inside with an oil or fat such as beef tallow or avocado oil. Spread your favorite cooking fat/oil around the walls. This way, rust will never occur while also creating a non-stick surface. You could use beef tallow, avocado oil or even Pam spray for this purpose depending on what you like.
• Let the metal acclimate—Heat the smoker to 275°F for 4-6 hours as advised by Workhorse so that the metal can acclimate and burn off any residual contaminants. This action will set the oil which will create a durable seasoning layer. 

Workhorse Pits 1975 Specifications

When it comes to serious BBQing, the details matter and the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker doesn’t disappoint. This smoker is built like a tank and is packed with features that make it stand out amongst other offset smokers. Let’s look further into the details and find out what makes this smoker an excellent choice for your backyard barbecue.

Pipe Size and Material:

• Smoke chamber and firebox diameter: The Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker has a massive diameter of 24 inches both for the smoke chamber and the firebox, which allows heat and smoke to circulate. Which means even cooking temps and better BBQ results.
• Superior heat retention through 3/8-inch steel. In my opinion, this is one of the best features of this smoker. Built with thick steel measuring up to three eighths of an inch, this smoker is a beast when it comes to holding heat. The thicker the steel the better the smoker retains its heat which makes for more consistent temperatures while cooking. Compared to other smokers like the Mill Scale 94 that use thinner steel, this feature really pushes the Workhorse Pits 1975 ahead of the competition.

Cooking Space:

The Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker offers an incredible total cooking area of about 2,316 square inches when you purchase the full package with firebox grates and upper grate.

• Main Grate: Approximately (1,100 sq. in) – 23.25″x47″. The main cooking grate measures a whopping 47″ by 23.25″ which gives around 1,100 square inches of space. Just for reference, that means you can fit 4 briskets or between 8-10 Boston butts at once.
• Top Rack: 40″x15″. Need more cooking space? The top rack is 40″ by 15″ which works great to keep food warm or cook at a lower temperature. It’s a great addition when you’ve got a big cookout planned. 
• Firebox grates for searing: (23.25″x26.5″). Most people opt not to get the firebox grates, but I feel they are ideal for high-heat searing. These grates will make it possible to get that perfect char on those steaks. 

Additional Features:

• Two Tel-Tru thermometers on the stock model; Four on the fully loaded model. Two high-quality Tel-Tru thermometers are placed at each end of the smoker in the stock model. However, when you upgrade to the fully loaded smoker, there are four thermometers for even more precise temperature monitoring.
• Mobility options include casters or a wagon. There’s a choice between caster wheels and wagon configuration. The caster wheels are perfect if you want to keep it fixed on your patio while the wagon option has big tires with handles that make it easy to move over different types of terrains.
• External coating with Linseed oil: The exterior part of this Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker is covered with linseed oil that gives it a nice patina finish hence protecting the steel from rusting as well as other weather elements such as rain and sun.

Recommended Wood Sizes for Workhorse 1975

The right sized wood is key when it comes to getting the most out of your Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker. Here’s the lowdown on choosing the perfect wood splits:

Optimal Wood Splits:

• Length: 12-15 inches. The best performance can be obtained from wood splits measuring between 12 and 15 inches in length. This size fits well inside the firebox allowing efficient combustion and a consistent heat supply. It’s the sweet spot that keeps your fire burning strong without you having to babysit it constantly. 
• Diameter: 3-4 inches. Aim at having a diameter of three to four inches. It is the ideal size that maintains a balance between burn time and heat output where steady temperature conditions are maintained as effective smoke production takes place. It’s all about hitting that perfect BBQ flavor, and these dimensions help you nail it. 

Workhorse 1975 New Counterweight

In barbecue, it’s often little improvements that make all the difference. One of those “little changes” is the new counterweight for the smoker which serves both style and practicality. 

Functionality and Ease of Use:

• Makes the heavy door easier to lift. The counterweights’ main purpose is to make lifting the smoker’s door easier. If you’ve ever struggled with the weight of a smoker door before, then you know this is a big deal.  
• Enhances overall usability of the smoker. Since the counterweight reduces the effort needed to open the smoker’s door, it makes the process of using the smoker overall more enjoyable and easier to manage. 

At first, I wasn’t too impressed with this when I saw it online. But now that I see it in person, I think it’s a nice touch with the sleek design and “1975” cutout. It’s a nice add on that helps it not only stand out but become more functional. 

For around $250, I’d definitely recommend getting this add-on. It’s a useful item that is really worth the investment.

Workhorse Pits Smokestack

While choosing smokers, many people do not consider the smokestack to be important even though it does have an impact on the success of your BBQ. Let’s see what the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker has to offer:

Specifications:

• Length: 44 inches. The smokestack of the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker measures up to 44 inches in length which allows significant amounts of smoke to be drawn through the cooking chamber thus facilitating clean burning and constantly maintained heat levels.
• Diameter: 6 inches. The smokestack consists of a 6-inch diameter pipe which provides enough space for smoke to flow freely, enhancing the overall smoking process and improving BBQ quality in general.

Benefits:

• Easy folding for storing and transportation. One of the nice things about this smokestack is that it can be folded up to save room when not in use. So, it becomes very easy to store or transport your smoker whether you are just moving it around the backyard or going on a road trip – a collapsible smokestack adds a lot of practicality.

Note: The cover can only go on if the smokestack is down unless you order a custom cover that allows you to keep it up. In my opinion, the custom cover is worth the extra expense so that way you don’t have to keep screwing and unscrewing your smoke stack each time you want to use it. 

Moving It Around – Wagon vs Cart

Workhorse Pits 1975 offers two great ways to move your smoker around: the wagon model and the caster model. Let’s see which one might suit you best.

Wagon Model:

• Features a handle and large tires for easy movement over various terrains. The wagon model of the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker is designed with mobility in mind; hence, it comes with a heavy-duty handle and big tires almost like those found on lawnmowers. This makes it easier to move the smoker across a variety of terrains, from grassy yards to uneven ground. 
• Perfect choice for people who often relocate their smoker. Those who need to move their smokers frequently should seriously consider this model. Whether you’re moving it around your backyard or transporting it to different locations, the wagon model offers unmatched convenience and ease of use. You might still have a little trouble in high grass or churned up dirt but that’s easily solved with an extra pair of hands to help. 

Caster Model:

• Comes with rubber casters and a wood rack. The caster model has rubber casters that allow it to slide easily over hard surfaces like patios. Additionally, at the bottom, there is a wooden rack for holding precut firewood. This rack is missing on the wagon model.
• Suitable for stationary use on patios. This particular design is meant for those who intend to place their smokers in a fixed location. However, if the need arises the casters give you the flexibility to move the smoker to adjust its position. 

The choice between these two models depends upon your specific requirements as well as how you plan to use your grill. If you need something mobile and versatile, then go for the wagon model. On the other hand, if you want limited mobility combined with extra storage area, then the caster model is an excellent choice.

Workhorse Pits Firebox

The firebox is the heart of any smoker, and the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker has a firebox that’s built to impress. Here’s what makes it special:

Size and Material:

• 27-inch firebox made from 3/8-inch-thick steel. This heavy-duty material provides excellent heat retention and durability for maintaining uniform cooking temperatures.
• Butterfly vent and solid door design. The butterfly vent found in the firebox allows for precise airflow control which will help you regulate the temperature inside the smoker. Its solid door design helps seal it tight so that heat and smoke do not escape, making for an efficient and effective smoker.

Versatility:

• Cowboy firebox with additional cooking grates. To enhance your cooking options, the cowboy fireboxes come with extra cooking grates, adding versatility to your cooking options.  
• Excellent for searing and direct grilling. Besides being a source of fuel to keep your smoker warm, it also serves as a versatile grilling station. With its large size plus additional gates, it’s excellent for searing steaks, grilling vegetables, or even preparing side dishes while your main course is cooking.

Workhorse Pits Drain Ball Valve

Cleaning up your smoker takes time especially when built-in features such as drain ball valves aren’t available; however, with Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker, things just got easier due to its useful drain ball valve system. 

Ease of Maintenance:

• Ball valve simplifies grease management. The Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker has a ball valve which allows easy maintenance of grease from building up. This feature will help you avoid a greasy mess after many hours of cooking. Simply turn the valve and direct the flow of oil into a pan thereby preventing it from accumulating in your smoker and causing flare-ups.
• Modifications with elbows to extend the valve for better access. You can easily modify this ball valve by adding some elbows so that it gets extended for you to get a better way to access it. In addition, if you have the wagon model, attaching an elbow or two can help navigate around the crossbar that might block the direct flow of grease. Attaching a few elbows and adding a drain bucket will make catching the grease more efficient and maintenance even easier. 

Final Thoughts

Is the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker worth the money? In my opinion, yes.

It’s definitely one of the most outstanding smokers out there right now!

Let’s recap:

Overall Value:

• Exceptional heat retention and consistent temperatures. What makes Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker so special is its heat retention capabilities due to its steel thickness measuring in at 3/8 inches. This ensures a consistent even temperature  during your smoking sessions which is crucial for nailing that perfect BBQ every time. 
• Superior build quality compared to similar models. The Workhorse Pits 1975 beats almost every other smoker in its price point hands down when it comes to build quality; strong materials plus clever design elements make it an excellent choice not only for weekend warriors but professional pitmasters too!
• Worth the investment for serious BBQ enthusiasts. Sure, $5,000 might be a bit hard to spend on a smoker but if you are really serious about your BBQ this is a price that you will have no problem paying. The durability, versatility, and ease of use mean this smoker will be a reliable part of your BBQ setup for years to come. 

If the price tag for this smoker is too steep, consider the Old Country Pits Gen 2 smoker which comes in at just under $2,000. You can check out my review of that smoker here.

Conclusion

So, is the Workhorse Pits 1975 Smoker worth it? Absolutely. This smoker is a top-tier option for anyone serious about achieving the perfect BBQ. Sure, the price might be steep, but the features, build quality, and ease of use make it a solid investment. With exceptional heat retention, a robust build, and versatile cooking options, the Workhorse 1975 will take your BBQ game to the next level.

This is a smoker that, with proper care, can be passed down and enjoyed for generations.

Whether you’re a backyard griller or a BBQ aficionado, this smoker delivers consistent, high-quality results that are sure to impress. 

Don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel to get more reviews, tips, and BBQ recipes.