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Is there a huge difference between gas and charcoal smokers?
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:03 am
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:03 am
I cook and grill a lot, but love good barbecue on the weekends also. I've done the ribs and Boston butts in the oven and elevated on the grill, but it doesn't come out with that authentic smoke flavor like you get in the restaurants.
I'm looking to buy a decent smoker in the $150 range, and the ones I've found are gas or charcoal. They both use wood chips, which is where the flavor comes from, but is there a big difference between the two? Common sense tells me the charcoal would be a more authentic flavor, but the convenience of not having to constantly mess with the charcoal would be great. Also, gas would probably give you a more consistent temperature.
Any smoking experts out there? Thanks...
I'm looking to buy a decent smoker in the $150 range, and the ones I've found are gas or charcoal. They both use wood chips, which is where the flavor comes from, but is there a big difference between the two? Common sense tells me the charcoal would be a more authentic flavor, but the convenience of not having to constantly mess with the charcoal would be great. Also, gas would probably give you a more consistent temperature.
Any smoking experts out there? Thanks...
6
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:07 am to Party At LSU
I've only used charcoal smokers and my kamado joe........however I was watching "Best Thing I Ever Made" on food network yesterday and Alton Brown was using an electric smoked and he said it was a very efficient piece of equipment.
That probably doesn't answer your question but gives you another option.
That probably doesn't answer your question but gives you another option.
This post was edited on 1/29/13 at 9:08 am
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:08 am to Party At LSU
I would say spend 299 and get a WSM. If you are going to spend 150 on something you might as well spend a little more and get something that will last you much longer and do a better job.
You will get the best smoker you can get without spending over 1k.
You will get the best smoker you can get without spending over 1k.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:10 am to CBLSU316
One benefit of coal smokers is the ability to put large chunks of wood on the coal. With electric and gas you are limited to chips in most cases that dont provide an even smoke and can cause temp spikes.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:12 am to Catman88
quote:
With electric and gas you are limited to chips in most cases that dont provide an even smoke and can cause temp spikes.
I have a gas smoker and have no issues. I use chips and can keep a constant temp for 12 hours. Just based on ease of use, I doubt I ever get a charcoal smoker.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:27 am to HeadyMurphey
Have had a Brinkamn Chest style smoker for a few years now, cant say I have ever experienced a temperature spike, love the ease of use. it is in the 150 range from what i recall. Can fit 3 boston butts easily, set the temp , add wood every 2.5 hours or so, gets one hell of a smoke ring. I am a huge fan.
Also it is pretty efficient on the propane usage.
Also it is pretty efficient on the propane usage.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:53 am to OLE War skull
Thanks y'all
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:27 am to HeadyMurphey
quote:
Just based on ease of use, I doubt I ever get a charcoal smoker.
A WSM is about as easy as you can get. Load with Minion Method insert meat and adjust vent and you dont have to touch it for about 12-14 hours.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:33 am to Party At LSU
I use wood and charcoal. I don't care for the modern covenieces of a gas or electric smoker.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:33 am to Party At LSU
quote:
Any smoking experts out there? Thanks...
I'm not an expert on smoking meats, but I consider myself to be one at eating them.
Growing up in Arkansas, I've had my share of great smoked & BBQ'd meats. My personal preference is charcoal, but a few years ago, I started checking out electric smokers. I ended up buying a Cookshack electric smoker. It's one of the best culinary purchases I've ever made, imo. It was a little more than I wanted to spend (about $600), but the thing will last forever, is incredibly easy to use, and smokes everything perfectly - awesome flavor. It was well worth the price.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:53 am to Party At LSU
I made this electric that I use to smoke everything. I make alot of sausage and smoke with it every weekend at least.
Uses this amazen smoke generator in the mailbox attachment
Alot of the people I talk to on smoking forums use the MES 30 or 40 with an amazen pellet smoker for extra smoke.
Uses this amazen smoke generator in the mailbox attachment
Alot of the people I talk to on smoking forums use the MES 30 or 40 with an amazen pellet smoker for extra smoke.
This post was edited on 1/29/13 at 10:55 am
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:57 am to mx579
quote:
mx579
That's incredible!
Posted on 1/29/13 at 11:05 am to Catman88
quote:
A WSM is about as easy as you can get. Load with Minion Method insert meat and adjust vent and you dont have to touch it for about 12-14 hours.
exactly.... I've owned quite a few smokers and none of them compare to the WSM as far as ease of use and consistency. The community of WSM users at VirtualWeberBullet.com is an awesome resource for people starting out with a WSM.
Posted on 1/29/13 at 7:05 pm to Party At LSU
personally, I smoke with charcoal (I prefer Lump).
I have this thing about electric...IDK...never done it. Those little smokies or whatever work pretty good. hard to beat a simple smoker. I personally like the smoked flavor. At then end of the day, boston butts (pulled pork)...you really can't go wrong..unless you cook the crap out of it! Even then its probably still good.
I've never used a gas smoker.
I have a Green Egg personally because of the heat retention, etc. But its more expensive but you can manage consistent temps for a reall long time. Good luck.
I have this thing about electric...IDK...never done it. Those little smokies or whatever work pretty good. hard to beat a simple smoker. I personally like the smoked flavor. At then end of the day, boston butts (pulled pork)...you really can't go wrong..unless you cook the crap out of it! Even then its probably still good.
I've never used a gas smoker.
I have a Green Egg personally because of the heat retention, etc. But its more expensive but you can manage consistent temps for a reall long time. Good luck.
Posted on 2/7/13 at 12:25 pm to yeauxkneauxit
Anybody have any experience with the old smokey electric smoker? Looking to get a smoker...but pretty new to all of this.
Posted on 2/7/13 at 12:41 pm to Catman88
quote:
A WSM is about as easy as you can get. Load with Minion Method insert meat and adjust vent and you dont have to touch it for about 12-14 hours.
I can vouch for this
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