Learn me smokers.....

[TAftonomos]

Decided I want a smoker, just not sure what to get.

I've seen the electric cheapy ones at Lowes/HD, around $150.

Also similar models that are gas powered for about the same money.

Saw a cool one the other day, was nearly 500$, electric, and had some sort of wood chip/puck that it drops in the fire when needed.

There is a weber smokey mountain 18" on sale at amazon for $200 (charcoal)

I thought about making a UDS, but I really don't have the time to drive an hour each way to buy a drum, and have been unsuccessful locating one close by. 

I've even seen the teracotta pot smoker as well, but I'd rather have something larger.


I'm thinking the electric ones will need parts within a year, maybe the gas one as well?  Is charcoal the way to go?  Is it really a lot more hassle?

[Kopfjager]

Everything else pales in comparison.


www.biggreenegg.com

[hbliam]

I can fill the hopper on my traeger and let it smoke all night while I sleep.

http://www.traegergrills.com/

[rgramjet]

+1 for the big green egg.  Spendy but versatile.

[Hank025]

I have one of the cheap Lowes Electric Smokers. I use it about 8 times a year.

After two years the electric timer/temp gauge has quit on me. However the two years I did have it, it was great. Very easy to use, keeped a very consistent temperature +/- 3 degrees with little to no supervising.

However, when you consider I was only able to cook about 16 items, it doesnt seem quite worth the $150.  You get what you pay for... If you are serious, go big. If this is a passing hobby, get the $150 smoker. Enjoy!

[Howie]

It is amazing how well you can control temperature and how little charcoal you use with The Big Green Egg.  And if you want to roast a chicken  or cook some nice rare prime aged steaks...oh my.

[Jaman]

I can fill the hopper on my traeger and let it smoke all night while I sleep.

http://www.traegergrills.com/

+1 for the Traeger = very much set it & forget it.  had one for two years and love it.

I have two friends that have the BGE, and they like them very much, BUT more of a hands on deal, which is not necessarily a negative...

one of the many things I love about my traeger is how I only need to clean it every 3-6 months - it uses pellets, which burn very efficiently.  another is the cooking area - I have done a 18 lb turkey as well as a 14 lb prime rib roast at the same time.

[Triple J]

Charcoal (lump not briquettes) or wood is nice if you want to be a purist. It takes practice to learn to properly regulate the heat though, and the smoker must be monitored quite a bit. I now have one like below. It works well but takes practice, and is a bit of a PIA. They're cheap though.



I used to have a gas vertical smoker. It wasn't a true smoker as the meat was basically steamed by the burner heating a water pan, and the smoke flavor came from the wood chips. It was easy to use though and made great food regardless. Temperature was very easy to regulate.

After looking at the Traegers here...I'm liking those.   Might have to look into getting one.

[YellowDuck]

Don't make the beast with two backs around. Buy a Cookshack.

http://www.cookshack.com/home

[scduc]

I also am looking forward to purchasing a smoker, I have some friends who have them already. The thing I hear the most, is go propane. You can control the temp much easier. I don't know if I am 100% sold thought. I only grill with charcoal, and the misses is completely against gas grills. I'm going to look at all the options of the poster's here.

[rgramjet]

Don't make the beast with two backs around. Buy a Cookshack.

http://www.cookshack.com/home

My buddy has a Cookshack......$3500.  He smokes 10-15 pork asses at a time and it does a great job.  The thing is built like a tank!

[JEFF_H]

I use a Chargriller with a side box.
start with charcoal using the minion method.
chunk wood after that is going.

more labor intensive but that's part of the fun.
my neighbor has a traeger, i make fun of his 'outside oven'
real men use wood. 

[Howie]

This gizmo will make The Big Green Egg as effortless as a Traeger:
http://www.fredsmusicandbbq.com/BBQ_GURU_PIT_MINDER_NANOQ_BUILD_YOUR_SYSTEM_p/bbgnanoq-sys.htm

[Speedbag]

I've had a Weber Smoky Mountain for a couple years and love it. 

FYI, many guys who participate in BBQ competitions use the WSM.

[mitt]

I've had a Weber Smoky Mountain for a couple years and love it. 

FYI, many guys who participate in BBQ competitions use the WSM.

I really like my 2 other weber grills, and want a smoker.  This just might be the one I want.  The green egg and traeger seem like too much, and the electric ones don't seem well built. 

What do you use for charcoal and wood?

mitt