Gas or Charcoal Smoker

heskie73

Newbie

Original poster

Nov 20, 2014

2

10

Melbourne, Australia

• Nov 20, 2014

• #1

Hi
I have never used smokers before. Not sure wether to buy a gas or charcoal one.
If I buy a gas one does it mean that if I smoke something for say 3 hours I would have to have the gas on for the full 3 hours. Or will it just use gas initially for the start process ???
My local store has a gas one on sale at $200

 

welshrarebit

Master of the Pit

Feb 20, 2014

1,708

106

Kona, Hawaii

• Nov 21, 2014

• #2

I vote charcoal? Check craigslist for used WSMs. Better yet build yourself a mini...

A weber kettle will also put out done great Q with a charcoal basket. I have all three and it's not easy picking one to use! ;)

 

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jul 16, 2008

9,359

205

NW Ohio - outside Toledo

• Nov 21, 2014

• #3

$200. , will get a decent Smoker , look at them and check out their weight. The heavier the better it will last for you.

I tend to agree with Rarebit, look in Craig's List for a Smoker . You can find a higher dollar unit for what you have , then again , look them over before you plop down your

$cratch...

Whatever you do , have fun and . . .

 

welshrarebit

Master of the Pit

Feb 20, 2014

1,708

106

Kona, Hawaii

• Nov 21, 2014

• #4

oldschoolbbq said:

$200. , will get a decent Smoker , look at them and check out their weight. The heavier the better it will last for you.

I tend to agree with Rarebit, look in Craig's List for a Smoker . You can find a higher dollar unit for what you have , then again , look them over before you plop down your

$cratch...

Whatever you do , have fun and . . .

Click to expand...

Rarebit? When did we get so formal Stan? Lol

Welsh or Wood would be fine...

 

themule69

Epic Pitmaster

Oct 7, 2012

12,884

350

live north of fort smith arkansas between alma and

• Nov 21, 2014

• #5

heskie73 said:

Hi
I have never used smokers before. Not sure wether to buy a gas or charcoal one.
If I buy a gas one does it mean that if I smoke something for say 3 hours I would have to have the gas on for the full 3 hours. Or will it just use gas initially for the start process ???
My local store has a gas one on sale at $200

Click to expand...

Yes you would be burning gas for the whole process. As for which smoke, Spend the day reading the reviews. They all have their pros and cons.

Happy smoken.

David

 

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jul 16, 2008

9,359

205

NW Ohio - outside Toledo

• Nov 21, 2014

• #6

, excuse me , Wood ...

 

flash

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Mar 30, 2007

5,280

45

Chiefland/Cedar Key, Fl

• Nov 21, 2014

• #7

I had charcoal in an older GOSM, but converted it to propane. No matter what you get, they ALL burn wood.

I just found the propane easier to control and is more of a "set it and forget it" than charcoal is. Even with the conversion, I still can use charcoal in the can I place on the propane burner, along with the wood. Flavor is great.

 

johnwash

Smoke Blower

Aug 22, 2014

113

10

• Nov 21, 2014

• #8

I'm getting a big poppa uds kit i would look into that if i were you