Greetings from San Diego

[masonjar]

Hello everyone!

Thanks for having me on board.. I’m never very good at these intros, but here it goes…

I’m an avid griller.. we cook out at least 4 times a week if not more, I’m in San Diego so the weather is always perfect for cookouts.. right now I’m using the 32” Kingsford grill (BC251) that I picked up at Wal-Mart a few years back and I cooks real nice for me. I’m doing a lot of chickens on it and steaks about once or twice a week.. and you know burgers and dogs and stuff like that for the kids.. everything always turns out amazing, so, I’m pretty happy on that end, but, I really want to try my hand at smoking! I’m basically cooking with indirect heat as is, I pile all my coals to the far side of the grill and put the meats on the other side, ya know.. but yeah, I want to take it to the next level. I’ve been looking around for a good smoker, mostly at the box stores like Wal-Mart and lows.. and you guys know what they have…  I have about 1,000 buck  set aside for this.  I was hoping to get some advice from the group as to where to spend my money… should I go with the OKJ smoker and do the mods.. or save some more and see what I can find.. any suggestions would be a huge help.. anyone in San Diego making smokers?

Well, thanks for taking the time to read this and of course thanks for having me, I’m sure I’ll be doing more reading than posting for the time, but if I do have any insight or opinions I will defiantly share them..  

 

[jasper7]

Hey masonjar welcome to the site, sounds like you've got your feet wet.  As far as looking for a new smoker I suggest taking a look at the weber smokey mountain.  They have a great track record, ready to go straight out of the box, no mods required.  Good luck with the search, and good smokin'.

 

[mike5051]

Welcome to the site!  I agree with Jasper7.  You're already familiar with indirect cooking with charcoal.  I got a WSM after cooking on a kettle for years.  It was an easy transition and they produce some good Q!  Good to have you with us.

Mike

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with the above. My vote goes to a WSM.

Al

 

[joe black]

Welcome from SC. It's good to have you here.

 

[chad e]

Welcome to SMF. I don't regret my WSM as my first and only smoker.

 

[masonjar]

Thanks everyone!

Seems like the WSM is running away with it!

I was at home depot last night  looking at them.... They look real nice.. The more I read about them the more I'm really thinking that's the way to go... I think the door on the front looks a little cheap, but as long as it cooks good I can care less how it looks! Pretty sure I'll pick one up this weekend if I can find the big one.. if not I'll have to order it...

Also,as an update..

I came home to find my wife bought me a Pit Barrel Cooker! haha! shes so awesome! I was telling her about them the other day and how cool I thought they were and she decided to get me one for fathers day! She hooked it up too! two turkey hangers, the extra cook grate, cover.. everything! so, yeah cant wait to break this thing in! I'll keep everyone posted on how that goes as well...

 

[jasper7]

Congrats on the new smoker, heard lots of of good stuff about PBC's.  Points to your wife she's a keeper.  Have a great fathers day, and keep on smokin'.

 

[chad e]

Ya no joke....
points to the wife!

 

[masonjar]

Yeah, shes awesome! think ill keep her, lol....

im going to give this pbc a shot this weekend. ill let you guys know how it goes and ill get some pics and post them up too..

i have never cooked ribs before, so i think i want to give it a shot :D 

 

[gary s]

  Good morning and welcome to the forum, from a cloudy, hot and humid day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about  everything.

Gary