Hi, this year was my first venture in to smoking. My son and one of his best friends earned their Eagle Scout ranks, and a friend suggested I smoke a brisket for the celebration. I knew nothing about it, and bought a $50 charcoal unit from walmart, read up on directions, and had a tremendous success. Since then, I've smoked a few pork shoulders, and may smoke a turkey this Thanksgiving (although I'm also curious about the spatchcocking roasting method).
But now I'd like to look into a smoker that doesn't require as much baby-sitting, and that will hold temperatures better, so I've been looking at electric and pellets. In my searching, I've read a lot of pros and cons on the Masterbuilt, and some units are on sale this month.
I've also read here about this AMPS thing, and would like to know more about that. I've pulled up their web site, which I'll read this evening.
The Masterbuilt models I'm looking at are:
- 20070213 at Kohl's (but I've read to avoid this one)
- 20070311 now on sale for $200 at Academy (found that here!)
- 20071814 will be $130 at Ace Hardware Thanksgiving week
While I don't care about the window, the 20070311 looks like the best option so far, but I'd like opinions here? I know several MES units had problems with the heating element and even with holding temperatures, right?
As for the AMPS, would that replace using the wood chips? Just put it on the lower shelf?
Thanks so much!
But now I'd like to look into a smoker that doesn't require as much baby-sitting, and that will hold temperatures better, so I've been looking at electric and pellets. In my searching, I've read a lot of pros and cons on the Masterbuilt, and some units are on sale this month.
I've also read here about this AMPS thing, and would like to know more about that. I've pulled up their web site, which I'll read this evening.
The Masterbuilt models I'm looking at are:
- 20070213 at Kohl's (but I've read to avoid this one)
- 20070311 now on sale for $200 at Academy (found that here!)
- 20071814 will be $130 at Ace Hardware Thanksgiving week
While I don't care about the window, the 20070311 looks like the best option so far, but I'd like opinions here? I know several MES units had problems with the heating element and even with holding temperatures, right?
As for the AMPS, would that replace using the wood chips? Just put it on the lower shelf?
Thanks so much!