Talk me out of getting an electric smoker!

[padronman]

 
In fact, I didn't want or need another electric smoker, now I'm not so sure.

Ohhhhhh but you DO want AND need a new smoker.......go towards the light........gooooo towards the light!!! 

 

[grillmonkey]

 
Ohhhhhh but you DO want AND need a new smoker.......go towards the light........gooooo towards the light!!! 

Must get electric smoker. Must get electric smoker. Did I just write that? I don't remember doing it.

 

[aintrite69]

Nope, I didn't want anyone to talk me out of it. I would have definitely come to wrong site for that. AS a matter of fact like you said GrillMonkey, I think I'm going to get the SI #3, and just deal with the wife while we are eating some ribs, chicken or something, that I smoked in it.lol

I will ask this though are there any preferred upgrades to these when you get one? I don't mind doing modifications or upgrades because I want to not because I need to.

 

[divotmaker]

 
Nope, I didn't want anyone to talk me out of it. I would have definitely come to wrong site for that. AS a matter of fact like you said GrillMonkey, I think I'm going to get the SI #3, and just deal with the wife while we are eating some ribs, chicken or something, that I smoked in it.lol

I will ask this though are there any preferred upgrades to these when you get one? I don't mind doing modifications or upgrades because I want to not because I need to.

Now you're talking!  20" of depth for full racks of ribs and full packer briskies!  Major Q real estate in the #3!!  As far as upgrades goes, the one thing that many of us have gone to is the Auber PID controller.  Imo, it makes a great smoker perfect.  It allows you to program 6 steps, with triggers to change the step by time or temp.  Also, it eliminates the temperature swings inherent to all electric smokers, and allows you to hold temps +/- 2 degrees.  The Auber is absolutely NOT required; they work great "as is."  But, if you want a level of control that can't be found anywhere else, go for the Auber when the budget allows.

 

[ageddes7220]

I have the MES gen 2 40 and I love it... Granted it's my first smoker I've owned everything I've smoked in it has turned out great.. And the room inside is amazing.. Only draw backs is that the thermometer is off by 10 degrees but I just fixed that with wireless master forge thermometer. Also cleaning it is a pain but when you wrap your drop trays inside it's not that bad.. Other than that it's been perfect. Put some wood chips in when needed and your good to go. All digital so time controlled and temp controlled.. Never had a problem with temp rising and falling with it either.
~Just putting in my 2 cents~

 

[addertooth]

Okay, I will be the ONE person to make a weak attempt to talk you out of it. 

1.  Purchase the nomex self adhesive gasket material from Amazon.

2.  Install it in all of the gaps around the lid of the grill surface (and any other place where air gets into your existing grill.

3.  Purchase a PartyQ, Pitmaster IQ110/120 (or some equivalent fire stoker).

4.  Install all of the above stuff on your existing charcoal smoker.

5.  Give up fire tending as a profession.  Set it, and forget it.

About the same price, or far less than purchasing an electric, better smoke ring on the meat (in most cases).

Less porch/garage space taken up.  No justification required for another Q.  You can set the IQ120 to  Automatically change the grill temperature when the meat hits a specific target temperature.  Example: Smoke chicken at 225, when breast temperature hits 145, the 120 will raise the smoker temperature to 375 to crisp the skin.  Or, if cooking brisket or pork shoulder, when the meat hits 205, it can automatically drop the grill temperature to a low temperature to "rest" the meat. 

 

[firewife]

I'm learning to smoke on the Green Mountain Grill my husband bought recently and it has GREAT temperature control!  It always stays within 2-3 degrees of where I set it.  I can leave the house (or in the future, smoke overnight) and never worry about the temp as long as my pellet box is nice and full.

 

[addertooth]

Firewife,

Certainly another good way to go, but beyond his original price point.

 

[aintrite69]

Addertooth I have done the first two mods plus some others to my rig. I have plenty of room so that is not an issue. I have no problem with the performance of my Smoke Hollow, it produces great food. i will do a little research on those items you suggested though.

 

[grillmonkey]

 
Addertooth I have done the first two mods plus some others to my rig. I have plenty of room so that is not an issue. I have no problem with the performance of my Smoke Hollow, it produces great food. i will do a little research on those items you suggested though.

I thought we all decided you were going to get a new electric smoker.

 

[aintrite69]

No harm in looking to what these products are all about too though. I'm 98% sure I'm getting a SI #3 though.

Jesus you guys are not any help. I came in said I was going to spend $300, now I'm leaving and going to spend $500. Thanks for all the help.hahaha I'm glad I wasn't asked to be talked down off a cliff, you guys would have convinced me to find a higher cliff to jump from.

 

[addertooth]

If you jump from a high enough cliff, you can use a parachute.  It is the small cliffs that will kill you.

Pitmaster IQ110 costs $139, the IQ120 model (which can automatically change grill temperature based upon meat temperature) costs $199.

 

[padronman]

With my SI #2 I added the cart, the cord hanger, and the cover.....All I need. Oh wait I also bought the cold smoking plate but don't use it much.

 

[daricksta]

 
Ok so I just got into smoking, and at this point I have a Smoke Hollow PS9500 4-1.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/smoke-hollow-4-in-1-combo-grill/prod3920115.ip

I have done all the modifications to it and like it so far, but it is alot of work to keep the temp consistent. I'm kinda lazy anyway so I'm thinking of getting an electric smoker. I'm leaning towards getting Smokin-It #1 for the mere of fact of I can't possible justify (to me or my WIFE) spending more than $300 after just buying the Smoke Hollow. Well besides it's easier.LOL I do have a couple questions though.

1. How big of a turkey will fit in one of these?

2. Is this worth getting one of these instead of an MES?

3. How long will this last?

4. Or should I just shut up, quit crying about having to get up every 30-60 minutes to tend to the fire?

Thanks for any input and opinions you guys have, in advance.

Sorry, AintRite69, but I love my MES electric digital 30" Gen 1 (damn shame I have to use all that) smoker. Using it today to smoke a 4-pound brisket. Yes, I'm getting temp swings but if they're averaged out I bet the temp is pretty much at my 235* set point. I only use the A-MAZE-N Pellet Smoker (today it's filled with mesquite pellets) and since I was careful to get it fully fired up and I've done a few other things to maximize airflow it's been smoking steadily for almost 6 hours. I'm just letting it burn out because I've now wrapped the brisket in foil and after about 5 hours no longer need the smoke. Maybe the controller on your Smoke Hollow does what the MES does: swings up and down but the overall average is the set point. Mine has stayed pretty much at 239 with some swings up about 10* and about 3* below, which is entirely acceptable to me.

I can only talk about  the MES but a large turkey couldn't fit in mine. I've got a turkey breast I plan to smoke at some point. You've got to make sure the turkey is small enough and the heat of the smoker is hot enough to keep the turkey out of the danger zone. Slow cooking a turkey can keep its internal temp above 140* but below 165-170 for over 4 hours and then you've got some serious bacterial trouble.

 

[marauder]

if you like good Q the electrics will do it for you .. BUT if you want a smoker grill oven .. check out the Akorn by chargriller it is a metal insulated Kamado.. 299$  uses lump charcoal and wood chunks for smokin or grilling my buddy has one and an MES and hasnt touched the MES since he bought this.. he says it is as close to set and forget as his MES.. easy to use !