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Smokers- electric or charcoal?
Posted on 5/6/10 at 1:40 pm
Posted on 5/6/10 at 1:40 pm
I am looking to probably buy an electric smoker in the near future and was curious if anyone out there likes theirs, or should I scrap that idea and get a charcoal smoker?
Posted on 5/6/10 at 1:43 pm to monz29
Is there a reason you want an electric smoker? Like you cannot have a charcoal one? Is it a price issue?
Posted on 5/6/10 at 2:38 pm to Ole Geauxt
The "purist" will tell you that you need a charcoal smoker, but you don't. The electric Brinkman is soooo easy and does great. You don't have to worry about maintaining the proper temp with the coals. You simply throw a couple of wood chips in every now and again and it forget about it. I have smoked a lot of different meats and have not been dissapointed.
I would also highly reccommend gettting a remote thermometer to make it even easier.
I would also highly reccommend gettting a remote thermometer to make it even easier.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 3:01 pm to Tomcat
I have had a Brinkman Electric smoker when I couldnt have a charcoal grill at an apt I used to live at. I have a Webber Smokey Mountain now.. There is no contest. The WSM whips the ever living crap out of the Brinkman I used to have. If you do go electric though the Brinkman is the best bet.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 3:24 pm to monz29
I have a masterbilt electric. I chose electric because it was easier to keep a low steady temp.
Charcoal was a pain, fire too hot, too cold up down add more.
Electric you can set at certain temp and time and not worry. The heating element will turn on and off as needed.
Wood chips provide smoke.
Charcoal was a pain, fire too hot, too cold up down add more.
Electric you can set at certain temp and time and not worry. The heating element will turn on and off as needed.
Wood chips provide smoke.
This post was edited on 5/6/10 at 3:24 pm
Posted on 5/6/10 at 3:27 pm to USAF_Vol
With my Webber and decent charcoal I can maintain the same temp for about 13-14 hours without doing anything other than vent movement after a couple of hours.
I get a much better smoke ring than I ever got with an electric smoker also plus you CANNOT use chunks of hardwood with an electric smoker which is a very big dealbreaker imo.
I get a much better smoke ring than I ever got with an electric smoker also plus you CANNOT use chunks of hardwood with an electric smoker which is a very big dealbreaker imo.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 3:42 pm to Catman88
The new 800W heating element in the MES 40" is unbelieveable. I was smoking stuff when it was 20 degrees outside and it held it's temerature. The electric smoker is too easy to go any other way.
In the 40" I smoked 40 lbs of sausage the other day without doing anything but adding wood. I have in one time smoked a turkey, and 3 geese and had room to spare. It does and excellent job, and I have used charcoal, green eggs, home made smokers and all. I wouldn't trade my current MES for any of the others.
In the 40" I smoked 40 lbs of sausage the other day without doing anything but adding wood. I have in one time smoked a turkey, and 3 geese and had room to spare. It does and excellent job, and I have used charcoal, green eggs, home made smokers and all. I wouldn't trade my current MES for any of the others.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 3:49 pm to Da Hammer
But can you burn wood that isnt little wood chips with it?
There is a HUGE difference in producing quality BBQ with wood chips and by using chunks.
There is a HUGE difference in producing quality BBQ with wood chips and by using chunks.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 3:57 pm to Catman88
quote:Amen, brother!
But can you burn wood that isnt little wood chips with it?
There is a HUGE difference in producing quality BBQ with wood chips and by using chunks.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 4:58 pm to OTIS2
Dude, there simply is no question. Charcoal smoker is the gold standard. I have a Weber Smokey Mtn (an a BGE). The WSM rules by a wide margin for low and slow smoking. BGE is best for grilling or baking. Electric would be my last choice.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 8:56 pm to Ole Geauxt
quote:I have both, and use both, but mostly use electric..
I mostly use electric.
Posted on 5/6/10 at 10:20 pm to Catman88
no reason other than it seems to be much easier- as far as trying to keep the temperature at a consistent level
Posted on 5/6/10 at 10:40 pm to monz29
Electrics = Easier
Charcoal = Better
Charcoal = Better
Posted on 5/7/10 at 7:58 am to Zilla
If I wasn't going to use charcoal, I would certainly get a propane smoker before an electric.
It is not hard to regulate/maintain temps with a good charcoal smoker like the WSM.
It is not hard to regulate/maintain temps with a good charcoal smoker like the WSM.
This post was edited on 5/7/10 at 8:00 am
Posted on 5/7/10 at 8:12 am to monz29
quote:
I am looking to probably buy an electric smoker
I'm not saying you can't produce some good smoked meats with electric, but there is no comparison to using charcoal and wood. An electric is less work, so if that's important to you, go that route. But if you are looking for taste, there is only one way to go ... charcoal.
Posted on 5/7/10 at 9:08 am to Zilla
quote:
what about gas ?
I have gotten decent results using my gas grill. The grill has a wood box that hangs over the burner and I turn the other side off and just use one burner on low. I prop the lid a little and have no trouble maintaining around 225-250 degrees and just add wood chunks every so often. I would like to get a dedicated smoker but am torn between electric and charcoal. I am leaning toward electric due to simplicity.
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