Cookshack's philosophy is a
reflection of its origins as a small, family owned business. Cookshack products are made in the USA, and
always have been.Cookshack's philosophy is a
reflection of its origins as a small, family owned business. Cookshack products are made in the USA, and
always have been.
Cookshack was started in the early 1960's by Gene and Judy Ellis of Ponca City, OK. Mr. Ellis was an inventor and entrepreneur who loved barbecue and wanted to find "a better way" to produce great barbecue. The two collaborated on the recipes that became the formulas for our Spicy Barbecue Sauce and dry spice blends.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis ran the company until their deaths in 1985, when their son and daughter, Mark Ellis and Donna Ellis Johnson, took the helm. In 1992, Stuart Powell stepped in as General Manager. John Shiflet, the company's national sales manager, has been a part of the Cookshack team since 1985 and plays a key role in the company's success. Sales have climbed steadily since the company's beginning. Their fastest growing product is the Cookshack Smokette for home use.
According to Cookshack, their employees are their greatest asset. Most key employees have been with the company for 10-20 years. Cookshack takes pride in making their products in the USA, and in the service that they provide after the sale. Cookshack employs approximately 25 people in their 21,000 sq. ft. factory in Ponca City, OK.
In late 2004, Cookshack began a relationship with Fast Eddy's BBQ to manufacture and market the Fast Eddy's by Cookshack line of large pit smokers. These pits were developed on the barbecue circuit by Ed "Fast Eddy" Maurin, winner of numerous Grand Championships from the barbecue competition circuit. These 100% wood burning pits extended the product line to enable Cookshack to meet just about every need for a smoker oven or pit.
In the early 90's, Cookshack developed its IQ sereis of controllers for its commercial line. In 2009, they updated their line of home use smokers from mechanical thermostat units to these electronically controlled thermostats. This new controller was designed to control the variance in temperature in the oven when cooking small loads. Today this technology is available on the Cookshack AmeriQue, Elite Smokette, and Elite Super Smoker ovens.