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Message
Buying my first smoker... need advice **UPDATED 1st smoke w/ pics
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:43 pm
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:43 pm
First off, I apologize in advance for I am sure this topic has been destroyed on these boards. I have searched and searched and have come up dry trying to find any discussions on this.
Ok, so I am going to purchase my first smoker. Do you recommend the offset or electric ones? I am leaning offset at the moment. Of each, which are the brands/models you personally like? I have read that New Braunsfel used to be good, but that now they are junk.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I am determined to learn and become a good smoker.
Ok, so I am going to purchase my first smoker. Do you recommend the offset or electric ones? I am leaning offset at the moment. Of each, which are the brands/models you personally like? I have read that New Braunsfel used to be good, but that now they are junk.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I am determined to learn and become a good smoker.
This post was edited on 2/24/14 at 11:05 am
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:47 pm to Midget Death Squad
2 totally different animals. an electric is more of a "set it and forget it" where as an offset is going to require constant attention
that being said, i dont consider it bbq if there isnt even fire. my vote is offset
that being said, i dont consider it bbq if there isnt even fire. my vote is offset
This post was edited on 2/10/14 at 2:48 pm
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:48 pm to Midget Death Squad
Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5" is a great one.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:49 pm to Btrtigerfan
quote:
Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5" is a great one.
This or the 22.5. It is smoking with charcoal and wood chunks and is pretty much set it and forget it when using the minion method.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:56 pm to Midget Death Squad
I have an electric Masterbuilt and absolutely love it after being a charcoal guy forever.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 3:00 pm to Midget Death Squad
I have a WSM and like it but I wish it was wide enough so that I didn't have to cut my rib racks in half
Posted on 2/10/14 at 3:00 pm to Midget Death Squad
Go with the offset if you truly want to say you are smoking anything, anything else is just lying to yourself and others.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 4:28 pm to RedHawk
quote:
This or the 22.5. It is smoking with charcoal and wood chunks and is pretty much set it and forget it when using the minion method.
Go with the WSM 22.5".... Awesome smoker.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 4:33 pm to 22jctiger22
I currently have the WSM 18.5, but like others have mentioned the only issue is when you want to do ribs, and fitting them on it.
You need to decide how often you are going to be using this, and generally how many people you will be cooking for.
If just you, the wife and maybe some people every now and then ( I cooked enough to feed 40 people on my 18.5 WSM for my daughters birthday )then go with the Weber, it is a tried and true smoker.
If you have the room, and the money buy a nice offset wood smoker. The ones at Academy, I think New Braunfels smokers are ok.
You need to decide how often you are going to be using this, and generally how many people you will be cooking for.
If just you, the wife and maybe some people every now and then ( I cooked enough to feed 40 people on my 18.5 WSM for my daughters birthday )then go with the Weber, it is a tried and true smoker.
If you have the room, and the money buy a nice offset wood smoker. The ones at Academy, I think New Braunfels smokers are ok.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 10:32 pm to Kingwood Tiger
I use my primo xl for almost everything. I also have a WSM 22.5 that I use for tailgating or when I need more capacity. I have a bit of a grill obsession though. Also have a weber rancher (36" kettle) and a wolf gas grill that needs to be replaced.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 11:07 pm to Mr Mom
Those with the 22.5 WSM, can you fit full slabs of spare ribs or do they have to be cut?
Posted on 2/10/14 at 11:11 pm to Neauxla
I've gad my Akorn over a year, no problems. Pair with an Auber temp controller and you can set it and forget it. 225 for over 20 hours.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 11:17 pm to Midget Death Squad
nm
This post was edited on 3/13/14 at 7:30 pm
Posted on 2/10/14 at 11:24 pm to Box Geauxrilla
quote:
Just go with a Kamado Joe with the heat deflector set for indirect cooking. If you want a set it and forget it experience then add a BBQ guru to it. Then your Kamado will double as a grill when you aren't going low and slow.
I agree with this. I have a BGE and it's versatility and forgiveness works great for novices like me.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 2:28 am to Midget Death Squad
What is your price range? Have you ever smoked anything before? What kind of experience are you looking for? If you're more of a "set it and forget it" type of guy and don't mind sacrificing some food quality for ease of use I'd recommend a propane or electric model. Of those 2 I'd go with propane. If you want a more authentic experience you could always get a 22.5" Weber kettle and add a Smokenator LINK to it. This is how I started smoking before I moved on to my much larger offset smoker. It's also what I'd recommend you do if you're first starting out. The learning curve for a true offset is steep compared to other smokers, and the smokenator is very easy to use for a newbie.
That's my best advice. Now if you've got the change you could always get a pellet smoker with a digital control and OT ball out
Added pic of my baby
That's my best advice. Now if you've got the change you could always get a pellet smoker with a digital control and OT ball out
Added pic of my baby
Posted on 2/11/14 at 8:30 am to weaveballs1
Sorry for the delay in response. I was getting error messages trying to log into TD yesterday evening, and this is my first chance to check thread since then.
My price range would be in the $500 area, but I am willing to jump to the $1000 if it is worth it. Part of me wants a cheaper one to learn on, but the other part doesn't want to waste money by buying one now and another later.
My experience? I've grilled on a $100 weber kettle for years using hardwood charcoal. For small meats I would throw some hickory chips in with the coals to add a bit of smoke flavor. I did attempt smoking twice on my gas grill, but I never could maintain enough smoke to do a good job. I was using chips with a foil pack I would wrap and vent. First attempt was a pork butt and second a briskett. Both times the meat cooked well, but smoking was flawed. Sooo, I am very amateur.
My concern with the WSM is limited use. My ultimate goal is to be smoking multiple meats at once (2 briskets, or 2 butts, combination of briskett butt and chiken, etc), and reading that ribs need to be split to use is concerning to me. I am torn on the idea of constant attention vs set and forget. I guess I am somewhere in between? I think ideally the ability to set it at midnight and then lounge and maintain when I wake up is my goal.
My main purpose is that I would like to use chunks or even logs. I know that will take time and practice, which I am willing to do. Can electrics or propains make good use of this? Maybe that is more what I need?
Currently I am researching these three and am curious to everyones thoughts on them or even any other suggestions:
BGE (or other komodo?)
Oklahoma Joe offset
Lang offset (is it worth me biting the bullet and investing in this instead?)
all other suggestions welcome (I am about to research some of the ones already mentioned on this thread)
My price range would be in the $500 area, but I am willing to jump to the $1000 if it is worth it. Part of me wants a cheaper one to learn on, but the other part doesn't want to waste money by buying one now and another later.
My experience? I've grilled on a $100 weber kettle for years using hardwood charcoal. For small meats I would throw some hickory chips in with the coals to add a bit of smoke flavor. I did attempt smoking twice on my gas grill, but I never could maintain enough smoke to do a good job. I was using chips with a foil pack I would wrap and vent. First attempt was a pork butt and second a briskett. Both times the meat cooked well, but smoking was flawed. Sooo, I am very amateur.
My concern with the WSM is limited use. My ultimate goal is to be smoking multiple meats at once (2 briskets, or 2 butts, combination of briskett butt and chiken, etc), and reading that ribs need to be split to use is concerning to me. I am torn on the idea of constant attention vs set and forget. I guess I am somewhere in between? I think ideally the ability to set it at midnight and then lounge and maintain when I wake up is my goal.
My main purpose is that I would like to use chunks or even logs. I know that will take time and practice, which I am willing to do. Can electrics or propains make good use of this? Maybe that is more what I need?
Currently I am researching these three and am curious to everyones thoughts on them or even any other suggestions:
BGE (or other komodo?)
Oklahoma Joe offset
Lang offset (is it worth me biting the bullet and investing in this instead?)
all other suggestions welcome (I am about to research some of the ones already mentioned on this thread)
Posted on 2/11/14 at 8:38 am to Midget Death Squad
Cook burgers on it.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 8:42 am to Midget Death Squad
Good One Open Range
this looks interesting too. anyone have any knowledge or thoughts on this? design makes sense to me. I do like the idea of a smoker that can be used to grill on as well
this looks interesting too. anyone have any knowledge or thoughts on this? design makes sense to me. I do like the idea of a smoker that can be used to grill on as well
Posted on 2/11/14 at 8:56 am to Midget Death Squad
quote:
New Braunsfel
This is the one I have and I really enjoy it. It maintains a stable temp, It produces a good amount of smoke, has not fallen apart on me, etc.
I just did a brisket on it this past Saturday and was one of the easiest smoke jobs I have ever done.
I would recommend if you enjoy put some work into making good bbq and like spending a nice summer day outside cooking. If you want super easy, get one of the electric smoke boxes type
Posted on 2/11/14 at 10:24 am to Midget Death Squad
quote:
My concern with the WSM is limited use. My ultimate goal is to be smoking multiple meats at once (2 briskets, or 2 butts, combination of briskett butt and chiken, etc), and reading that ribs need to be split to use is concerning to me. I am torn on the idea of constant attention vs set and forget. I guess I am somewhere in between? I think ideally the ability to set it at midnight and then lounge and maintain when I wake up is my goal.
Go ahead and get the 22.5 WSM then. It is huge. You can easily fit a brisket and three pork shoulders on it and it holds a full rack of ribs without cutting them in half.
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