Hi Everyone

[colin9]

Hi everyone

I debated a long time about getting a smoker and I finally did.  With money being tight I ended up with an ECB but hey it's better than nothing.  Anyway I've only used it twice (to smoke spare ribs).  First time things were a little tough but the second time they were tender as can be and way better than I can get in any restaurant around here (NJ).  Anyway, I have to say that I'm hooked and looking for something else to smoke and see how it turns out.  If my addiction lasts and I think it will after eating the food off the cheapest smoker around I can see myself saving up to get a smokey mountain or an MES.  Which do you guys think is better?

 

[forluvofsmoke]

Welcome aboard! And congrats on the smoker...just bought a brinky gourmet charcoal a few weeks ago, myself, for a back-up rig. A few quick down and dirty mods and she's a great little smoker! Unless you plan on doing large volumes of smoked meats, these are a pretty decent rig to have in your arsenal.

I've heard nothing but good about the WSM. The MES, being electric, well, folks seem to have problems with electric smokers more than any other type, I think. When, the electric rigs work, they work very well, but are more difficult to get as good of flavor and smoke ring in the meat.

I mainly run gassers, myself, but am leaning into the charcoal fires alot more as of late. I still do like my little GOSM 3405GW for certain smokes, and as a back up.

Eric

 

[mballi3011]

First of welcome to SMF. I would keep on smokin with your smoker that you have now. You will do nothing but get better on it and we will help you in any way that we can. All you have to do is ask and we will answer. And by the way there's no stupid question because we were all there where you are right now. So go grab something else to smoke and go for it. I would also suggest that you look up the 5-day E-course and read it and that will give you the basics of smoking meat and other stuff too. Here's a link to it so look it up.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/list/127

So enjoy your new found addiction and keep on smoking. As far as new smoker I would go with the GOSM (great outdoor smokey's mountain) over the MES but that my call and I've had one for years now and they are really a good and sturdy smoker too. 

 

[Dutch]

Colin-my first smoker was an ECB- if you make the modifications to it, it's actually a great little smoke.

 

[starbug]

Hey colin9,

I'm a newbie to all of this as well and have only used my ECB about a half dozen times.  I did manage to make the modifications and they do make a world a difference, I must say.  I also bought the little electric converter for the ECB and I'm still a bit leary about that.  Even on really warm days, the converter doesn't get the smoker up above 200 degrees unless I help along with couple lumps of charcoal.

Anyway, the mods mentioned are linked here:

http://www.smoking-meat.com/modify-brinkmann-ecb-smoker.html

Happy Smoking,

Ray

 

[richoso1]

Welcome to the SMF, and don't underestimate the ECB. Some mighty fine Q has come from that model of smoker. It's all good my frind.

 

[pineywoods]

Welcome to SMF glad you decided to join us. Congrats on the smoker purchase we have members who turn out some fine Q with that same model. You'll find lots of good info and some great recipes here. Have fun and happy smoking

 

[meateater]

Welcome to the SMF. Glad to have you here. Lots of good folks, great recipes and knowledge. Looking forward to your first qview.