Franklin BBQ Pits - How Our Pits are designed and why 

My neighbor has a smoker in this style and I've noticed a lot of issues with it. You've addressed every problem I've seen with this style of smoker. Seriously this is a really well thought out design.

You know what I like most about this video? The excitement Aaron has when walking through every intricate detail of the design. This is clearly a culmination of years of experimentation, successes and failures, and thousands of cooks. He is a true expert, and has such a sincere passion for his craft. Thank you Aaron for sharing this!

you can really sense the passion and knowledge he exudes

They are no joke! Cooked on one for the first time a couple weeks ago. It really is designed for great brisket!

Aaron Franklin is a multi trade wealth of knowledge. Rarely can person encapsulate an entire cuisine with such charisma and ‘frankly’ - swagger. As a multi cuisine cook and former chef that has become a fairly decent hobby welder and de facto historian of cuisine origins, WELL DONE🙌🏽

I have wanted to learn bbq for years and watching Franklin's bbq videos have definitely giving me inspiration to strive on cooking the best bbq I can. Truly the best pit design and quality, I've got to order me this.

Incredible! Perfectionist with passion = outstanding results. Bucket list includes a trip to Austin to taste the Franklin experience and then the ultimate- bringing one of these back to NJ to elevate my game. Love what you do Aaron! Thank you!

You’ve worked in or around the oil and gas industry, haven’t you? The reason I ask is you’re using terms that only people intimate with the materials and industries would use and understand. I retired from the industry. Very nice smoker. I’ve cranked out a lot of Q on an offset. But my demands quickly outgrew the multiple offset smokers that I was using. So I built a large reverse flow water bath smoker. I built a tandem axle trailer for it. After using at least two 7018’s and 6010’s doing a tweak or two, I’m finally happy with the way it cooks. I can tune my hot / cold spots via tuners, depending on what I’m cooking and my needs at the time. Most people don’t realize how much work goes into a high quality pit!

I love the location of the drain. This is where it would make sense to be, and I’ve always disliked my pits’ locations at the other end. When the pit is level, or favoring the stack high, this is where the grease goes, right toward the fire. Nicely thought out AF!

"Geographical center of a Brisket" that is awesome, made me chuckle a bit, Aaron is the mad scientist of BBQ, these pits are expensive, but will be the last one you (and your kids) will every buy...nice job.

A master at work and an artist. Awesome craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing.

Dang, that's nice. Love the water pan spot and the slots in the fire box. I get that its a lot of money for a smoker but the design is fantastic. In 1993 I bought a Lyfetyme grill - they're from Uvalde, TX - at the Minnesota State Fair. It's a 20" grill not a smoker. But it's made just like this. Very thick steel. I still have it. Best $360 I've spent. My son will be able to give it to his kids. I've also got 2 Pit Barrel cookers. $350 each. Those things can cook. If the food comes out bad it's my fault not the cooker. Now, I've added another smoker - another Lyfetyme that I got from a buddy of mine. This one is about 25 years old. I have to do some slight fix up to the interior but it's still in great shape. Got it for free. Should be able to do 3 briskets in it or several racks of ribs.

Great information and lots of study went into this. Makes someone appreciate the work of art more!

I have one of the earliest Franklin pits. They’re legit. Incredible craftsmanship. So solid. Elegant design, with everything you need but no unnecessary elements. And it’s like a piece of industrial art rather than an eyesore. Lots of other great pits can smoke excellent bbq. But IMO, none of them look as good as this one.

Looks amazing. I really appreciate all the thought that went into this pit and it’s quality. Up here in Canada, they run for $8000. I do not dispute the pricing, but it’s out of my budget. But I would definitely love one.

You are a true Texas legend!

That's a great looking, well thought-out pit! Definitely on my 'must-have' list, just as soon as I win the lottery.

So good! Fantastic details and very glad you took us into all the specs of, and reasons behind, what is a great smoker.

Mr. Franklin. You really know your stuff and are passionate about it. Thank you for what you do.

What a nerd! (in the best, best way☺- thank you for your attention to detail. I learned a lot just from watching this.)

This video reminds me of watching Paul Reed Smith talk about building his guitars. You both build brilliantly functional works of art. You are in good company. JT

Thank you for the show. Beautiful and functional.

Best offset money can buy. When your fire is balanced it almost vibrates like a fan is running. The weight helps hold the heat so it’s forgiving if you aren’t sitting there watching each moment. Buy yours and never look back and give it to your grandkids.

Appreciate the passion. Texas Legend. If you’ve never had his BB-Q at the restaurant in Austin - you can’t believe how good it is. 🤘🏻🇺🇸

Can't wait to have space for one of these. Looks amazing!

Masterclass in pit design!

I sure am glad you’re active on your channel again keep it up Gods speed.😊

😁 great video. The love and passion Aaron has for barbq really shines. 😁

This is fantastic great design wow!

That's awesome congratulations on your efforts.

Love it!!! Want it! Missed details about the grill grates and grease drain, though. Awesome Pit

VERY nice!!!! Quality looks amazing.

I love my Franklin Pit! A labor of love

Beautiful work.

I really enjoyed this video! Lots of great points (many I needed to hear and be reminded of again). I appreciated your openness

I am putting mine into use in the next couple weeks, ready for Thanksgiving. I've been waiting a while to get a concrete pad poured to give it a good home - and that's all done now. Excited!

WOW! VERY IMPRESSIVE! Wish you had these around in years past, my big BBQ days are behind me, but if I'm ever in the market for a new cooker, this would be my first pick! I've learned and improved so much of my Q from you and your videos. Keep up the great work!

i love how much this guy loves his product. Good old America

I still liked it when you would drive down the back roads,and find one of those big tanks. Take it home and start to make your BBQ pit. Loved those vids and the new ones coming out soon!!!

Fluid dynamics have never been so delicious🔥💨😋🍻

Smoked my first Boston butt years ago following Aaron's video. He made it easy and it tasted GREAT. 👍👍

Fantastic! I finally used the chili in adobo last year in my chili... gonna try without the habanero this year (maybe the wife will not complain about too much heat) love the addition of cinnamon and chocolate.. even a bit of honey sounds intriguing. Can't wait to try this recipe.. love the cheese and SC addition.. Thanks for the content. I appreciate you, man!

Beautiful pit hands down

Great job on the pit👍 Now for me to finish my pit i needed more ideas thank you.

"it's all about the details. they matter." looks great. cooks great.

Awesome job man, awesome job! I wish RU-vid would let us double like videos!!

Great design

I love this pit. it sets so much higher than any other pit. Aaron did his home work.

looks awesome, i want one

I love watching Aaron talk about his craft. 🙃🙃

I love my Franklin smoker! Works great!

I love mine , best purchase ever !!!

It is a beautiful, heirloom-quality smoker, and I love, love, love that it's designed and built in Texas.

Heck, I'm sold! Now if I can only find $6000.

Very nicely done.

Solid and best on market. 5K is not in my budget but I believe its worth every penny. "Built like a little Maserati" and priced like one. You get what you pay for, so save up.

Great design. 😎✌️

Built like a brick outhouse! Dang nicely done.

YaY our Bi-yearly Franklin video 🥳 🎉

Such a sweet burner! Would not mind a test run dxD Franklin for ever!

Looks nice

Nice pit!

👍🏾love it…now to start savin for one!

Congratulations 🎉 Like having a commercial smoker for my home! Mouth-watering watching the video. Take my money!!!

Fantastic

I'm going to buy one when I can afford it love the pit

I definitely want to buy one

Love it good video

That thing is a BEAST!!!!

I need one!

i need this in my life

Being a union pipe fabricator and welder in Houston for 40 years, I'm impressed with your work. I know what it takes to build this. Im retired now and if I could afford it, I would certainly buy one Franklin. I enjoy all of your videos👍😎

I'm done wanting one. I want mine on order today.

Fantastic content 👌 👏 👍

Awesome!!!

Love it!

Magnificent!

Dude naturally and effortlessly sells truth because he obviously and nakedly loves every detail regarding what he does. Makes it easy to believe in him and anything he produces.

In a world of BBQ barges and hulking SUV's this pit is like the little Italian roadster. Finely tuned, a joy to "drive" little convert able sports car.

Truth be told Aaron Franklin can talk.

Now I want one.

I want one!

You had me at "Hey there". I just wish I could afford one.

I would love to purchase one ! My Father passed away in 2016, took my cooking after him and his name is Franklin. He also designed a rotisserie for his church from a bed of a pick up truck in San Diego

I want one so bad!!!

Will be competing with one of these at the Pasadena Livestock Show Rodeo. 😊

Damn, I want one now....

Ill have to go for the ole propane tank unit for now an save up fur this high rent unit but i love its design.

My 250 gallon stick burner, had the stack at same height as rack. Heat would come in at one end rising to top of meat compartment then going right out the stack. I came off stack on inside, ran pipe to bottom of meat chamber to 2/3 the distance to firebox. The heat now circulates to top of meat chamber and the cooler air drops to the bottom and out the stack. The air in the top where the meat is, is always hot. The firebox air inlet comes in under the coals and wood. So air goes up through the fire to keep coals red hot. I’ve BBQed for 45 yrs, this is the most efficient and controllable pit I’ve ever had. I use combination wood chunks and wood, after an hr or so of wood. I’ll put a shovel of coals every 1 1/2 hrs.

I like all swivel casters

Been to Franklin BBQ and had the best RIBS of my life there. Yes, the brisket is out of this world and also the best I’ve had, which was probably the expectation? The ribs are what broke me though. And I live in a part of the country KNOWN for ribs specifically. All that being said, this thing is killer. I do wish though for $5500 you’d get a little swing up tabletop to do your work on in front of the grill. I understand the reason to omit it, but also would be a super nice addition where you can set and stage your meats before placing them into the pit.

Great design. I wonder though if that firebox design would be tough to clean out?

Looks nice. I want one. Is there an option for a flat warming/cooking surface over the fire box?

I was always told the air dampner is for times when wind is blowing into the vent. Pretty sure its a necessary to have one. It definitely is where i live.

I was all about it and then I saw the price 😂 no disrespect, well earned and looks extremely well built. maybe one day I’ll get one!

Damn Aaron. You're as OCD as me. I love it 😂

Science and Art = Great BBQ.

He is master of convection fire

Great review. I’ve been thinking of graduating from my Traeger Pellet and Big Green Egg to an offset, but what scares me is the ability to maintain temperatures for long periods of time, say on overnight cooks. How long can a typical Franklin offset hold a temperature without new wood? I’ve become accustomed to using blowers like FlameBoss on the BGE or just loading up the hopper on the Traeger and going to bed at night sleeping soundly knowing nothing would go wrong. With an offset am I getting up every 1-2 hours for fire management???? Lastly, researching some other offsets I noticed they have adjustable dampers on their stacks but yours does not. Any thoughts on that detail?

I don't doubt the quality of smokers or BBQ Franklin produces but one thing is obvious - his greatest asset is his ability to sell. This guy is a straight up salesman. (Not saying he isn't passionate or authentic)