Is the Hasty Bake Roughneck the Ultimate Barrel Smoker for Your BBQ?

When it comes to serious outdoor cooking, finding the right smoker can make all the difference. Enter the Hasty Bake Roughneck—a barrel-type smoker that promises durability, versatility, and performance. But with so many options on the market, is this the best barrel smoker for your needs? In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the Hasty Bake Roughneck, exploring its features, performance, and whether it truly stands out from the competition. Join me, Gordon Ramsay from Cooking For Profit, as we dive into the details of this intriguing smoker.

Overview: What Makes the Hasty Bake Roughneck Special?

The Hasty Bake Roughneck is not your average barrel smoker. It’s designed with the serious BBQ enthusiast in mind, offering a range of features that make it versatile and easy to use. One of the most notable updates is the powder-coated metal construction, which adds an extra layer of durability. This smoker is available in a loaded version, complete with extra accessories that enhance its functionality. So, what exactly do you get with this smoker?

Design and Build: A Closer Look

The first thing you’ll notice about the Hasty Bake Roughneck is its solid construction. This isn’t just any barrel smoker—it’s built to last. The powder-coated finish not only looks great but also provides protection against the elements, ensuring your smoker stays in top condition for years to come.

The loaded version of the Roughneck comes with several noteworthy accessories. One of the most practical is the set of sturdy wheels on the back, making it easy to move the smoker around your patio or even take it on the road for competitions. The handle on the back allows you to tip the smoker back and wheel it to your desired location with ease.

Airflow and Temperature Control: Precision Smoking

Controlling the airflow is crucial for maintaining consistent temperatures during long cooks, and the Hasty Bake Roughneck excels in this area. The smoker features dual air intake dials at the bottom, allowing you to fine-tune the amount of air entering the firebox. The exhaust vent, located at grate level on the back of the smoker, is also adjustable, giving you full control over the airflow and smoke distribution.

The double-walled firebox door is another standout feature. It’s lined with a gasket to ensure a tight seal, keeping heat and smoke where they belong—inside the smoker. This design helps maintain steady temperatures, crucial for low and slow cooking.

Cooking Flexibility: From Ribs to Tomahawk Steaks

Inside the Roughneck, you’ll find a well-thought-out layout designed for flexibility. The smoker comes with multiple laser-cut grates that can be configured in various ways. Whether you’re hanging ribs or using the grates for traditional grilling, the Roughneck accommodates a variety of setups. You can even use the rib hanger to cook ribs on one side while grilling on the other.

The charcoal basket is another highlight, designed to hold enough charcoal for up to 18-20 hours of cooking. This means you can load up the basket and let the Roughneck do its job without constantly tending to the fire. The charcoal tray below the basket catches ash, making cleanup between cooks simple and quick.

Lighting and Initial Burn-In: Getting Started with the Roughneck

Getting the Roughneck ready for its first cook is straightforward. The smoker comes with a deflector plate that you can use to manage direct heat. For our initial burn-in, we used a Hasty Bake fuel starter—a gel that lights quickly and gets the charcoal burning evenly.

Once the fire was going, we let the smoker come up to about 350-375°F for a solid 30-45 minutes to burn off any manufacturing residues. This process is essential for any new smoker to ensure it’s clean and ready for cooking.

Cooking Performance: Putting the Roughneck to the Test

We decided to test the Roughneck with a range of different cooks, starting with a tomahawk steak. After getting a nice smoke going with cherry wood, we placed the steak on the upper grate to let it absorb the smoky flavor. The Roughneck’s design allowed us to easily add wood chunks through the front without disturbing the cooking process.

Once the steak reached 115°F internal temperature, we moved it to the lower grate, closer to the fire, for a perfect sear. The result was a beautifully charred tomahawk steak, cooked to perfection.

Next, we tested the Roughneck’s low and slow capabilities with beef cheeks for Barbacoa. Using Fogo charcoal briquettes, we maintained a steady temperature for several hours, allowing the beef to slowly become tender. The result? Juicy, flavorful Barbacoa that shredded effortlessly.

Grilling and Smoking Versatility: From Burgers to Ribs

One of the Roughneck’s strengths is its versatility. After testing with beef and tomahawk steaks, we wanted to see how it handled ribs. We loaded up the rib hanger with nine racks of ribs, seasoned with a mustard binder and a sweet BBQ rub. The Roughneck easily accommodated all nine racks, with room to spare.

The ribs smoked beautifully with hickory wood chunks, reaching an internal temperature of 197-205°F in about 3.5 hours. After wrapping the ribs in competition-style foil with butter, brown sugar, and honey, we let them rest in a warming drawer. The final product was tender, juicy ribs with a perfect bark.

We also tested the Roughneck’s grilling capabilities with burgers. While the upper grate worked well for smoking, we found that it didn’t produce the sear marks we wanted. For next time, we’ll drop the grates to the lower level for more direct grilling.

Final Thoughts: Is the Hasty Bake Roughneck Worth It?

After putting the Hasty Bake Roughneck through its paces, it’s clear that this smoker is a serious contender in the barrel smoker market. Its sturdy construction, versatile cooking options, and excellent temperature control make it a great choice for both novice and experienced pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking ribs, grilling steaks, or experimenting with low and slow cooks, the Roughneck delivers consistent, delicious results.

The Roughneck’s ability to maintain a long, steady burn with minimal intervention is a major plus, especially for those who like to set up their smoker and enjoy the day without constant adjustments. The loaded version, with its extra grates and mobility features, offers even more flexibility and convenience.

If you’re looking for a barrel smoker that combines durability, versatility, and ease of use, the Hasty Bake Roughneck is a fantastic option. Its thoughtful design and performance make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about outdoor cooking.

So, is the Hasty Bake Roughneck the best barrel smoker for your BBQ? Based on our tests, it certainly has the potential to be. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or competing in a BBQ contest, this smoker has what it takes to deliver top-tier results every time.