Which gas smoker to buy???

1. Go into your profile and Under Location put where you are.
2. City & State or Area & State will do. This will help members when answering your questions.
3. Go to ROLL CALL thread and tell us a little about Yourself (A Name We Can Call You) and Experience & Equipment.
4. Do Not Post  your other questions and smokes in the Roll Call Forum.
5. Post your questions and smokes in the Proper Forum, Beef, Pork, Sausage, Electric Smoker, Charcoal Smoker etc.
6. Use the Wiki Section, many of our members have posted great tutorials and instructional threads so take advantage of them.
7. When you can't find an answer ask plenty of questions, we have some highly experienced members willing to help you.
8. When posting about your smokes be sure to post plenty of Qview (Pictures) Our Moto, "No Pics, Didn't Happen".
9. Get a good Probe Thermometer, Don't Depend on the Built in Thermometer in your Smoker (They are notorious for being off).
10. A good choice for a remote dual probe thermometer is the Maverick ET-732
11. Remember, We Always Cook by Temperature and NOT BY TIME...
12. Don't Take Chances, Always Follow USDA Safety Guidelines When Handling Meat.
13. 
    If you are wanting to get into curing meat, there are many members here more than happy to help and give good advice.
14. 
    If you are unsure of a procedure ASK, don't ASSUME, It will make your Smoking experience much more pleasant...

• Heavy-gauge steel cooking cabinet with easy access large front door
• Cool grip front door wire handle
• Porcelain-coated water pan for easy barbecue cleanup
• Cast-iron smoker box
• 3 cooking grates and 4 adjustment levels
• Rotary knob ignition
• Cast brass burner for long life
• Heavy duty side carrying handles
• Gas smoker features an adjustable damper for ultimate temperature control
• Wide stance leg design for stability
• 13,500 BTU
• 524 sq. in. cooking area
• Dimensions of gas smoker box (not including handles) 16" x 14" x 34"

• 
  Premium features include:
  • Easy Access Door
  • Cool grip wire handles
  • 3 cooking grates
  • Rotary Knob ignition
  • Porcelain coated steel water pan
  • Cast Iron Chip box
  • Dimensions: 18" x 21" x 43.2"
  • Weight: 48 lbs.
  • Cooking Area: 524 sq. inches

• 
  Stainless steel burner
• 
  Push-button ignition system
• 
  3 chrome plated cooking grids
• 
  Porcelain coated steel water pan and chip pan
• 
  Built-in temperature gauge

• 30x16x14 Fully welded steel cabinet
• Stainless steel burner
• Porcelain coated steel wood ship pan with lid
• 3 Chrome plated cooking grids
• Push button ignition system
• 
  Product Dimensions: 31 x 17 x 15 inches

Pineywoods said:

Pretty much the same smoker GOSM stands for Great Outdoor Smokey Mountain. With that said I'd go with the 34" you'll want all the room you can get. To further complicate things Walmart handles a bigger GOSM that's 20" wide that would give you even more room and I actually have 2 of that model so I know they work great

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toade said:

Same question here.  Saw both of those smokers on sale on a deal site, started doing more research (on this site and others) and am now convinced that I need a smoker to go with my regular grill (Weber Genesis).  Only question is, which?  Not to thread hijack, but I think my questions will help the OP.

Sounds like the two on sale are going to be pretty similar as far quality and featuers.  Seems like neither have a lower vent, which seems important.

SQWIB, did you add a vent on your 3405GW? 

I added a vent Mod on the 3405.

Was that needed? NO not in my opinion, but it needed a needle valve mod and chip pan mod.

More importantly, do you think it's worth the extra $200 for the big block over the walmart version? For me... A million times yes, the build quality and features on the 3405GW and the 3605BGD do not compare. they are 2 different animals and the 3605BGD is much easier to control and clean. No mods needed at ALL.

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Obviously I'm new, so may not need everything the BB has, but I'm willing to invest the extra $$$ if the value is there. I don't really need all that size, no not if you don't mind halfing your ribs,   as I really won't be cooking for many, but I do like some of the extra features (better grease control, better pans, better build).  Three times the price seems a bit hefty though.  I'm on the fence.

The 2 smokers do the same exact thing just like a Pinto and a Cadillac they both get you to where you're going but one will give a nicer ride, same as the smokers., maybe not the best analogy but my point is you get what you pay for.

My other option is a new Traeger Lil Tex Elite on craigslist for $400 (nearly half off).  I love getting a deal, and Traegers seem well loved, but they seem to have a lot of quality control issues over the last couple years.

I am not familiar with the Traegers but maybe someone can help.

Thanks for all the help.  Will certainly visit role-call soon, as well as Q-View once i have my setup.

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