Little Chief ---feedback please

[graybeard]

A friend is asking me about a Little Chief so I'm asking the forum. I read that it uses a 250 watt element which seems very low to me. Should I tell him to pass or buy??
Thanks,

beard

 

[fishwrestler]

I use my Big Chief to do fish and make Jerky. I have never used it to smoke any large items. I m happy with it in the manner I use it.

Robert

 

[ronp]

Depends what he wants to smoke is the important question.

 

[graybeard]

Yep, this is a pass for sure. He wants to be able to smoke anything butt especially butts and other large pieces of meat.

 

[jpp]

im just getting in to smoking and im going to do a beef heart but not sure on a brine and how long it should soak or how long to smoke for.

 

[roller]

Pass for sure if he is going to do anything but jerky and fish..He can go better for not much more money. I used one for years but did no large items.

 

[jcurrier]

I use mine solely for cheese, and I can say that its great for that. Quick and easy to deploy and put away when I am done. I smoke other things in other smokers, but I bought my lil Chief for $10 so it serves me well-

 

[coffee_junkie]

jpp, FYI, this is known as a thread Hijack, please start your own thread on this topic, lots of knowlagable folks here that would be happy to help. I can't answer your question, as I have never smoked heart, but I think some have.

As far as the Little Chief goes, I would pass if he plans on smoking anything besides jerky, or fish. I smoked a turkey on mine once, and finished it in the oven, it was okay. I would tell him to pass.

 

[capt dan]

Pass!

 

[rstr hunter]

Looks like you got some great advice. I like mine for smoked salmon and jerky but have other smokers for ribs, butts, briskets, chicken, etc.

 

[bobsim]

I have to chime in here, the Little Chief was my introduction to smoking and it has to be the most user friendly, simple, and dependable entry level smoker on the market. (IMHO of course.) After three years of service I gave mine to a friend, another person initiated into smoking by the Little Chief.

It does have it's limitations as mentioned but you have to credit the simplicity and dependability of it's design. I've since moved on to a wood burning vertical and currently the MES and it seems each step up the ladder brings a little more maintanance and education. A couple years ago while I was drilling out the rivets in the back of the MES for a wiring repair my thoughts wandered to the Little Chief and the days of coming home from fishing, throwing some fish in it and taking a nap.

From my perspective it's a right of passage and a rung on a ladder I'm glad I used. I would tell your friend to buy it and enjoy his introduction to smoking.