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Started By
Message
Need recommendations on a smoker
Posted on 6/21/15 at 11:12 pm
Posted on 6/21/15 at 11:12 pm
What are the pros and coms for charcoal, propane, & electric smokers. Any experience with any of them you can share? TIA
7
Posted on 6/22/15 at 12:50 am to Me Bite
Need some more info from you,
What is your experience level with smoking?
What are you planning to use your smoker for? Strictly smoking or grilling as well?
How much money are you looking to spend?
Pros and cons
Traditional wood burning-
Pros) Better flavor than the other 2. Don't have to worry about plugging it in or running out of propane. Feels more manly.
Cons) A lot more work than the other 2. Takes time to learn how your pit is going to run, can be a PITA looking after temp, etc. Would not recommend if you're just starting out.
Gas and electric
Pros) easy, set and forget.
Cons) parts will wear out faster than a traditional smoker.
amazingribs.com is a great resource with a ton of reviews and way more info than you need on the different types of smokers, etc. I would definitely check them out.
What is your experience level with smoking?
What are you planning to use your smoker for? Strictly smoking or grilling as well?
How much money are you looking to spend?
Pros and cons
Traditional wood burning-
Pros) Better flavor than the other 2. Don't have to worry about plugging it in or running out of propane. Feels more manly.
Cons) A lot more work than the other 2. Takes time to learn how your pit is going to run, can be a PITA looking after temp, etc. Would not recommend if you're just starting out.
Gas and electric
Pros) easy, set and forget.
Cons) parts will wear out faster than a traditional smoker.
amazingribs.com is a great resource with a ton of reviews and way more info than you need on the different types of smokers, etc. I would definitely check them out.
Posted on 6/22/15 at 3:25 am to Me Bite
Propane can be used anywhere, which is a plus.
Electric has attributes in that you can stick a probe in the protein and the unit will not only keep at a constant temp but will shut off when your desired internal temp is reached. This is key for overnight low and slow cooking like butts while you're trying to get a good night's sleep.
Gas smokers can run out of fuel at the most inopportune moments, and it's a pain in the arse to haul the tanks back and forth to get filled.
Pick your poison.
Electric has attributes in that you can stick a probe in the protein and the unit will not only keep at a constant temp but will shut off when your desired internal temp is reached. This is key for overnight low and slow cooking like butts while you're trying to get a good night's sleep.
Gas smokers can run out of fuel at the most inopportune moments, and it's a pain in the arse to haul the tanks back and forth to get filled.
Pick your poison.
Posted on 6/22/15 at 7:21 am to weaveballs1
quote:
amazingribs.com is a great resource with a ton of reviews and way more info than you need on the different types of smokers, etc. I would definitely check them out.
This is where I did a good bit of my research. Unbiased reviews on everything concerning BBQ. I went with The Good One Open Range, but I like to mess with it some. It holds the temp pretty tight once it's set, just have to worry about charcoal and wood.
Posted on 6/22/15 at 7:50 am to Degas
quote:
Electric has attributes in that you can stick a probe in the protein and the unit will not only keep at a constant temp but will shut off when your desired internal temp is reached. This is key for overnight low and slow cooking like butts while you're trying to get a good night's sleep.
This is true of charcoal burners as well, even the BGE/clones and the Weber Smokey Mountain. Look up heatermeter on the weber board. There are other blower options that will let you control temp without being there.
The really big downside with electric is visual. You don't get real smoke rings in the meat, you need to use a pinking salt to get that classic smoke ring because an electric will not produce it for you. I use an electric, Smokin It #3, for my smoking, I've had the same recipe on a Boston Butt in a BGE as I did in my SI3 and the taste difference wasn't noticeable. The SI3 is just much easier to set up and clean up.
I would recommend looking at Pellet smokers as a great option as well. Seems to be the best of LazyQ and taste. Pellet poopers produce some of the best smokes I have had, better than keg/komodo types.
Hard to beat a pro on a stick burner though.
Smoking meat forums has a lot of good information as well.
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 9:21 am
Posted on 6/22/15 at 7:54 am to Me Bite
I'm sure people are getting tired of me pimping my Pit Barrel Cooker, but it's awesome so I'll keep recommending it 
Posted on 6/22/15 at 8:25 am to LNCHBOX
Just get a Weber Smokey Mountain and enjoy
Posted on 6/22/15 at 9:07 am to Kingwood Tiger
if you want simple, get an orion
Posted on 6/22/15 at 2:10 pm to LNCHBOX
Second the pit barrel cooker!
Posted on 6/22/15 at 2:13 pm to oleyeller
quote:
if you want simple, get an orion
Not a smoker is it? More of a cooker like a small China box right?
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 6/22/15 at 3:42 pm to Me Bite
Posted on 6/22/15 at 3:49 pm to Me Bite
I do not recommend the Masterbuilt electric smokers. We had one about a year and 1/2 when the heating element went out. The warranty is 1 year. I looked on the internet and found this is very common. By the time you got a new part and had it installed it would cost the same or more as a new one. So basically they are meant to be disposible. Also it was difficult to get enough smoke. We just went back to smoking on the BGE.
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 3:53 pm
Posted on 6/22/15 at 4:12 pm to TigerSTPelurker
The older model 40" masterbuilts are the only ones that I have seen people like a lot. Mainly because you can put an AMNPS pellet tray in it with good airflow with no modification. Heating element in it seems to last ok as well. Basically just use it to heat, let the pellet tray do the smoking.
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 4:13 pm
Posted on 6/22/15 at 4:32 pm to weaveballs1
Need some more info from you,
What is your experience level with smoking? newbie
What are you planning to use your smoker for? Strictly smoking or grilling as well? smoking
How much money are you looking to spend? My wife got me a brinkman charcoal smoker and I'm trying to decide if i want to upgrade to an electric. Max $350
I was looking at the Bradly smokers and they look really easy and convenient to use.
LINK
What is your experience level with smoking? newbie
What are you planning to use your smoker for? Strictly smoking or grilling as well? smoking
How much money are you looking to spend? My wife got me a brinkman charcoal smoker and I'm trying to decide if i want to upgrade to an electric. Max $350
I was looking at the Bradly smokers and they look really easy and convenient to use.
LINK
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 4:46 pm
Posted on 6/22/15 at 6:01 pm to Me Bite
Bradley's are terrible and you are restricted to those discs. If you want to go cheap on electric, look for a Gen 1 Masterbuilt 40"
Gen 1s have the vent on the top and the controller is on the backside of the top. You occasionally find them for $200-250
Don't use the chip loader though, buy pellets and this:
LINK
Once you get this thing going, it goes 11 hours full and puts off the perfect smoke. No chip loading nonsense.
If you want to up your budget and get a good electric, look at Smokin-It. The best electrics are Cookshack.
Gen 1s have the vent on the top and the controller is on the backside of the top. You occasionally find them for $200-250
Don't use the chip loader though, buy pellets and this:
LINK
Once you get this thing going, it goes 11 hours full and puts off the perfect smoke. No chip loading nonsense.
If you want to up your budget and get a good electric, look at Smokin-It. The best electrics are Cookshack.
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 6:05 pm
Posted on 6/22/15 at 9:16 pm to Me Bite
Get a Backwoods, Humphreys, or SpiceWine vertical insulated smoker.
ETA - just saw the $350 max budget. Can't beat WSM at that price point. Could also build a UDS.
ETA - just saw the $350 max budget. Can't beat WSM at that price point. Could also build a UDS.
This post was edited on 6/22/15 at 9:18 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 9:30 am to NOFOX
Just ordered a Memphis Pro Pellet. Father in law has the elite.
I cooked on his once and decided to purchase my own.
Should come in within 10 days. Can't wait
I cooked on his once and decided to purchase my own.
Should come in within 10 days. Can't wait
Posted on 6/23/15 at 8:32 pm to jakedel12
I like those Memphis pellet smokers. I thought about buying one when I built my outdoor kitchen, but I ended up just buying a DCS gas grill since I already have a Primo Oval XL.
Also, someone suggested a WSM. This is a great choice. I think you can even get the 22" version for around $300.
Also, someone suggested a WSM. This is a great choice. I think you can even get the 22" version for around $300.
This post was edited on 6/23/15 at 9:57 pm
Posted on 6/23/15 at 9:13 pm to Me Bite
I currently have a REC TEC.
I previously owned a Traeger.
The REC TEC is much improved, although the Traeger was a wonderful wood pellet smoker.
Both are very good investments.
I previously owned a Traeger.
The REC TEC is much improved, although the Traeger was a wonderful wood pellet smoker.
Both are very good investments.
Posted on 6/23/15 at 9:33 pm to tigernchicago
I have the Big Easy and it produces fantastic results whether you smoke, grill, or roast. Research it on the internet.
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