best electric smoker? or other heat source for home use

[mkevenson]

After my trip to Texas, and some delicious Bar B Q, I have decided to investigate smokers for home use. I really want to cook slow, cooking temp around 200 degrees, and generate a good smoke for added flavor and texture. I figure that I will want to cook a long time say 6-10hrs. I figure that wood fuel would be ok if I wanted to constantly tend the fuel source, which I don't. Propane would be ok except that a home tank I'm told would only last about 6 hrs and is quite expensive fuel cost. Electric seems the way to go if I can find one that will allow me precise temp control and would create enough heat to make smoke and still cook slowly. I found one at a local Bar B Q store made by Traeger seen here, http://www.traegergrills.com/.
The Jr would fit my size needs, but the cost is $399 locally plus $18 /bag of peelets. A bit steep for an untried product. Plus to get precise tempcontrol you have to spend $899 for the Lil Tex Elite.

Does anyone have any better suggestion?

Mark

 

[Alacrity59]

Elton Brown, the Good Eats guy, uses a hotplate. He's had show where he has built a smoker out of a couple of plant pots and another show where he uses an army surplus box of some type.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Congratulations on your decision. Last summer, I started using my smoker regularly and I'm really enjoying it. I don't have any expertise with electric smokers, so I can't help you out with that. Good luck!

 

[danek]

I've been smoking on a Traeger fo years; love it. I smoke any pork and beef at 240ish; below 225 degrees and I get concerned about spending too much time in the 'danger zone'. At 240ish, one bag of pellets will last me around 18 hours; I've insulated my smoker by draping an old saddle pad over it - seems to help.

There are lots a fans here of ceramic smokers (like Big Green Egg and Primos), and I've read that they can go 6-10 hours without refueling easily. Stumps makes outstanding smokers, but that may be more than what you're looking for.

For rock-bottom pricing on a smoker, I forget what people call it - something like Ugly Old Drum or something like that, where they make a well-working smoker from a 55 gallon barrel and a Weber kettle lid. Google them, some folks have created some great looking products using innovative ideas.

Whatever you end up with, good luck and happy smoking!

 

[futurman]

I have a large Big green egg, and it is awesome. If you stack the charcoal right and fill it a little more than the bowl holds, I can get mine to stay at 230 for over 15+ hours. The cost is high, around a grand though. Best grill I ever got!

 

[DFrancis]

I have friends up in the Yukon that use a Bradley Electric for all their game and more. They swear by it and use it a lot.

 

[Aevum]

+1 for the alton brown idea, theres a episode where he uses a iron skillet on a electric heater, a carboard box and a couple of sticks to support a rack to smoke a chunk of salmon, if your intentions are towards cheap, home made is decent,

the electrical heating element (with some sort of power regulation) a skillet, and a tin/metal trash can (well cleaned or new prefered, but that depends on what flavours you like in your food), install a couple of supports inside to hold the racks and a small door for accesing the heat element,

 

[mkevenson]

thanks for all the help. After doing much research and with your help I have decided on a masterbuilt 7 in 1. Uses propane or charcoal. I'll find out. Got good reviews.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...n.endeca.EndecaDataBean@41828e24&ddkey=Search

 

[airplanedoc]

I have a masterbuilt 7 in 1. Mine is about 15 years old. I would recommend the Stainless version over the standard. If it does not come with the stand to elevate it, I wold also get that. It puts the top cooking surface at the perfect height for a adult without bending over. FYI I use propane in mine

 

[40_Caliber]

+ 1 on the Traeger. We've had one for a few months and have really been enjoying it.

.40

 

[JPM]

I've got the Traeger 075 and it is fantastic. I highly recommend getting the digital temp control. I set it at 250 for most things, but it will go down to 180 if you like. The pellets last for quite a while. I've smoked ribs, brisket, pork shoulder, roasts, etc. Never had a bad piece of meat off the Traeger.

 

[40_Caliber]

Here are some pics showing some details of our Traeger

Firepot and "hotrod". The hotrod ignites the pellets.

_____________________
Heat diffuser goes on top of the firepot. I added bricks to help stabilize the internal temperature.

_____________________
Drip tray covered in HD Aluminum foil to ease cleanup. Must do.

_____________________
Pellet hopper

_____________________
Heating up

.40

 

[mkevenson]

Here are some pics showing some details of our Traeger

Firepot and "hotrod". The hotrod ignites the pellets.

_____________________
Heat diffuser goes on top of the firepot. I added bricks to help stabilize the internal temperature.

_____________________
Drip tray covered in HD Aluminum foil to ease cleanup. Must do.

_____________________
Pellet hopper

_____________________
Heating up

.40

Looks good. i saw one like yours and almost bought the JR. The 2 things that held me back were the initial cost and the cost of the pellets. Perhaps in the long run it would have been better but time will tell.