Opinions on purchasing a smoker

[Almightys]

I'm on a budget but really want to start smoking meats. I see smokers all over the price range and am not sure what to get. electric vs propane, bullet vs cabinet?
Im a bit lost after reviewing what seems to be endless conflciting info from bias people on the interwebz LOL

I know that I would like to get one that is reasonable on price, easier for me to smoke with and can hold basics. Maybe one large pork shoulder or couple of slabs of ribs. I really dont need to fit 60lbs of meat at once in there or at least right now I think I dont.

So trying to get opinions from those who own them and what reccomendations you woudl have for a semi amateur.

 

[BobS]

I am currently smoking on my BGE and Primo, ceramic grills. These are great for hot smokes (ribs, and butts), but not so good for real low temp work and they are also not cheap. I have been reading like crazy about electric smokers. My wife and I are buying a B&B that also serves dinner and I want a really good smoker than can do everything from smoked cheese to prime rib with minimum intervention to control the temp. I am looking at smokeshack, because of the 50 year history, incredible reviews and low temp control capability, but these are probably not what you call reasonable in price.

That said, I have also heard a lot of good things about the SmokinTex Smokers and these can be had for $395.

http://smokintex.com/1100.html

 

[simon1]

I use a Char Griller but I had to do some modifications on it to get it sealed up good for temperature control, and I also have a Wally World bullet smoker that is open on the bottom and only has vents on the lid. It works okay and it's the one I use when I smoke cheese.

I've never used one but the Weber Smoky Mountain gets good recommendations. It's sealed well, has vents on both the top and bottom for temp. control, and is easy to use. You can put about 6 briquets of charcoal with a couple of wood chunks in the fire pan to keep it low enough to smoke a chunk of cheese, or load it up and use the minion method for longer cooks. If I buy another smoker I think I'll try one of those.

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/tour.html

If you want competition quality (doesn't sound like you do) then there are several companies that make quality offset smokers, in about the same price range, like these:

http://www.gatorpit.net/pits.htm

 

[Tim_McD]

I have a Masterbuilt electric that I bought at BassPro and it does a very good job at turning out consistent smoked meats. The size is that of a dorm fridge, the temp and time are digitally controlled - so much of the fiddling that is require to keep a charcoal or propane smoker going is eliminated.

It is sized for home use, but I turn out enough meats per cycle to generously serve 20 people. The BassPro had one even more automated, where it fed the smoking "pucks" for you, but it was a couple of bucks more and required proprietary disks.

 

[PugslyCat]

I've heard to avoid propane smokers as the fuel releases water vapor that winds up on the food. Not harmfull to the consumer, but it stops the smoke from adhering.

A fried of mine has the Weber bullet type smoker. He absolutely loves it. He's addicted to smoking, meats that is.

My father has an electric smoker that works well for fish, but he doesn't think it would work for much else. I don't know if it's him or the device that is the problem. It's an electric bullet type that he purchased at Bass Pro Shop.

Lately I have been seeing a small barrel type grill/smoker at WalMart for $69. It should be functional and should max out at about the kind of load you are describing putting into it.

 

[thebikingengineer]

Start with the El Cheapo Brinkman and figure out what you like and dislike about it before you drop serious coin. It'll be right up your alley.

 

[Commander Quan]

If you can swing it I'd go for a Weber Smokey Mountain they are $300 at amazon and IMO worth every penny. Once you learn to adjust the vents properly they're practically set and forget.

 

[NeverOne99]

I'm an Old Smokey fan myself. The make awesome bbq grills too.

http://www.oldsmokey.com/Products/OSES/oldsmokeyelectricsmoker.html

 

[ackvil]

Thanks to some recommendations from B&Bers I bought a Weber Smoker and am glad I did. It uses charcoal and does a great job. You can look at some recommendations from the experts right here.

 

[NeverOne99]

Thanks to some recommendations from B&Bers I bought a Weber Smoker and am glad I did. It uses charcoal and does a great job. You can look at some recommendations from the experts right here.

Good choice

 

[Omak]

weber

 

[Almightys]

Considering how cheap I am this might be the ticket! The fab work he did was minimal

I've heard to avoid propane smokers as the fuel releases water vapor that winds up on the food. Not harmfull to the consumer, but it stops the smoke from adhering.

A fried of mine has the Weber bullet type smoker. He absolutely loves it. He's addicted to smoking, meats that is.

My father has an electric smoker that works well for fish, but he doesn't think it would work for much else. I don't know if it's him or the device that is the problem. It's an electric bullet type that he purchased at Bass Pro Shop.

Lately I have been seeing a small barrel type grill/smoker at WalMart for $69. It should be functional and should max out at about the kind of load you are describing putting into it.

 

[COHunter]

I'm considering building a UDS. (Ugly Drum Smoker) I've checked out some forums on it, and I have access to steel drums fairly easily. Definitely fits the budget, the most expensive items will be the cooking grates.. Something like this:

 

[Almightys]

I'm considering building a UDS. (Ugly Drum Smoker) I've checked out some forums on it, and I have access to steel drums fairly easily. Definitely fits the budget, the most expensive items will be the cooking grates.. Something like this:

Do you have any links to plans for one of these? i know where I can get food grade used steel drums for $20

 

[Commander Quan]

Here you go http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436

 

[simon1]

Google is your friend.

http://www.thepickledpig.com/forums...32-our-uds-cooker-how-build-one-part-1-a.html

 

[COHunter]

Thanks CQ and Simon for the assist on the links! Those were 2 of them that I found along with some youtube videos that are out there that give a step by step. I did however read a thread from a fellow that's built several and the difficulty of removing some of the liners on food grade barrels if they're so equipped. Just may be something to consider.

The ones I can get my hands on are hydraulic/oil barrels that I intend on burning out then washing out. Luckily I have a neighbor that is a retired welder, so I'll try to see if he works for whiskey and beer!

 

[Wid]

Don't go super cheap on a commercially made smoker, they are for the most part JUNK. Either go with a quality smoker known to work well like the Weber or build a drum smoker. Each will give you some great BBQ. I have made a few USD and own a Weber.

 

[ouch]

I won't be happy until I get this one.

 

[Jim]

That pose is called "the Stumps lean".