Meat capacity of Smokin Tex 1400 or Cookshack Smokette

[ack226]

I've been smoking on a Webber Smokey Mountain bullet for a while, and now want to buy an electric smoker to use when I'm too lazy to tend the charcoal.  I've done a lot of research and narrowed my choices down to Cookshack or Smokin Tex.  My budget constraints mean that I can afford either a Cookshack Smokette Elite or a Smokin Tex 1400.  

My main concern is how much meat will fit into each of these.  I'd like to be sure that whichever I buy, I can fit:

--A full-sized rack of ribs without cutting or folding it.

--A full-sized brisket without cutting or folding

--Two 10-pound pork butts at once, preferably with a little extra room to spare for a fattie or two at the same time.

The Smokin Tex shelves are 14.5" x 14.5", but it's taller so there's more room between the shelves.  I think I could do large pork butts no problem, but worry about full-sized ribs and brisket fitting into the horizontal space.

The Cookshack Smokette shelves are 14" x 18", but there are only two shelves that look very close together -- there's not much vertical space between them and I'm not sure whether there's enough vertical clearance to do pork butts with both shelves in use.  It looks like brisket and ribs would fit horizontally no problem.

Can anyone comment on whether the items above will fit?  Which smoker should I get?  

 

[scarbelly]

I have the SmokinTex 1400 and I love it - I have not had any issues with not having room enough to do anything - I have 4 shelves plus I also bought the fish and cheese shelf with the unit so I have a total of 5 now.

 

[ack226]

Thanks Scarbelly!  So to confirm, you have been able to fit full sized racks of ribs and brisket into your SmokinTex 1400 without cutting or folding them?

Also, while I've got you here, how is the insulation on the Smokin Tex?  Is it hot to the touch on the sides or top while it's going?  I'm wondering how far out from the wall I need to keep it, and whether I can put my digital thermometer on top while it's going without melting it.

Thanks again!

 

[scarbelly]

I have a couple of rib racks so I can get 4-5 racks in at a time so I have never tried to lay a rack down - The insulation is pretty good - I put my ET73 transmitter on top with no problems

I will tell you one other tip - get an A MAZE N Smoker too - it provides a much better smoke source, lasts much longer and it is only around $30

 

[wildflower]

I have a " SMOKIN-IT " Model #2 and love it,  everything as a Smokin Tex but less cost

 

[ack226]

Thanks everyone.  One more question:

The Smokin Tex max temperature is 250* while the Cookshack goes up to 300*.  How much of a difference will this make when cooking poultry?  I plan to do whole chickens and turkeys as well as various pieces.  My wife really likes chicken and this is a big part of getting her to sign off on the price of the smoker.

The Cookshack is more expensive, but it will get up to 300*.  How much will that extra heat make a difference?  Will I miss it if I don't have it?  Any Smoking Tex owners getting good results with Chicken and Turkey?