Started By
Message
locked post

Is there a huge difference between gas and charcoal smokers?

Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:03 am
Posted by Party At LSU
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2005
10700 posts
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...
Posted by CBLSU316
Far Right of Left
Member since Jun 2008
11392 posts
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:07 am to
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.
This post was edited on 1/29/13 at 9:08 am
Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 1/29/13 at 9:08 am to
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.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
50283 posts
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:33 am to
I use wood and charcoal. I don't care for the modern covenieces of a gas or electric smoker.
Posted by Arkla Missy
Ark-La-Miss
Member since Jan 2013
10288 posts
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:33 am to
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 by mx579
New Iberia
Member since Sep 2009
598 posts
Posted on 1/29/13 at 10:53 am to
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.
This post was edited on 1/29/13 at 10:55 am
Posted by yeauxkneauxit
Dallas
Member since Nov 2007
948 posts
Posted on 1/29/13 at 7:05 pm to
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.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram