Myron Mixon G20 Gravity Feed Smoker Review

Myron Mixon claims his G20 Gravity Feed Smoker is a set it and forget it cooker and initial reports confirm this assertion. Be that as it may, temperature controllers like the popular BBQ Guru are recommended for ultimate ease of use. Cabinet style smokers continue to gain popularity in our backyards and beyond. Mixon’s Gravity Feed line boasts beautiful fit and finish and fully welded, solid construction, built to withstand the rigors of commercial and competitive cooking, while providing ease of use for the aspiring backyard pit master.

Gravity Feed Smokers employ a coal chute or hopper that is filled with fuel to provide a steady supply to the fire, aiming to eliminate the babysitting required with stick burners and some other designs. Unfortunately, coal and wood sometimes gets jammed up in the chute, relegating the cook back to babysitting duty. Mixon’s round chute design is said to eliminate this issue and work equally well with lump, briquettes and/or wood chunks, although Mixon recommends adding the wood separately in the firebox. Depending on cooking temp, you will use about one half to one pound of charcoal per hour. The coal chute holds seven pounds and may need to be replenished during long cooks.

Mixon is a big advocate for water pans which he strongly believes will help maintain temperature, eliminate hot spots, reduce fuel consumption and produce moist, tender meats. Retaining moisture in meat also results in better yields for the commercial cook. The G20 comes with four 23″ D x 14.5″ W nickel chrome cooking racks that can be placed at varying rack positions. Additional racks may be purchased. Each rack holds one standard hotel pan.

The transfer chute is a channel from the firebox that carries heat and smoke to the bottom center of the cook chamber for even heat distribution. If you choose not to use water, a V-shaped grease deflector is provided to prevent drippings from getting on the transfer chute. Remove the water pan when not in use.

The air intake damper is a one and a half inch ball valve on the firebox door. It can be used with thermostat control devices like a BBQ Guru. A wire port to insert a probe is also built-in. An exhaust chimney with damper is positioned at the back of the cook chamber and offset to prevent condensation from dripping on foods. Click here to learn more about controlling heat with dampers.

Cook chamber dimensions are 15.2″ H x 23.6″ D x 15.2″ W, there is a drain valve at the bottom and it is fully lined with stainless steel making clean up a breeze. The walls are insulated and all doors close on high temp braided insulation. The firebox door has two sets of braided insulation. The front, coal chute and firebox door all latch shut.

Mixon’s smokers go through a 2-step, powder coat process that starts with a base coat of zinc primer and finishes with high-temp exterior powder coat. Mixon will do custom paint upon request. Heavy duty casters support this big boy. Comes with a limited two year warranty.

Smaller G9 and larger G33 models are also available. We tested the G33. Click here for our detailed review.