Question About best smoker to buy for a beginner

mbaue825

Newbie

Original poster

Apr 14, 2013

2

10

Lake Charles , LA

• Apr 14, 2013

• #1

Hi,

I am just starting to get into to smoking and was wondering if anybody could recommend a good smoker for a beginner to buy. I am looking for a smoker that will be somewhat affordable. Also I was wondering if there is a single smoker I could buy that would allow me to use either charcoal or wood in it depending on what I was smoking? I was looking for a smoker that would capable  using wood chips or pellets as the wood fuel source. Any help that can be provided would be appreciated. Thanks. 

 

Last edited: Apr 14, 2013

so ms smoker

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Dec 20, 2010

1,874

42

Gulfport, MS

• Apr 15, 2013

• #2

  Welcome Mbaue.  If you could add your location to your profile, that could help. For chips or pellets as a smoke source, an electric  or gas model may be best. To use wood or charcoal as a fuel source, you have many options. 1) SFB, side firebox, 2) WSM, Weber Smokey Mountain 3)UDS, ugly drum smoker. Just to name a few.

  Electric/gas models usually require less attention than charcoal/wood burners. I can't say one is better than the other. Determine your budget and see what fits. Just remember, your first smoker won't be your last! Happy Smokin'

   Mike

 

fwismoker

Master of the Pit

Dec 31, 2012

4,279

1,033

North East Indiana

• Apr 15, 2013

• #3

Is one that uses wood chunks ok as an option?

 

mbaue825

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 14, 2013

2

10

Lake Charles , LA

• Apr 15, 2013

• #4

Yea, one that uses wood chunks would be a OK option, 

 

fwismoker

Master of the Pit

Dec 31, 2012

4,279

1,033

North East Indiana

• Apr 15, 2013

• #5

mbaue825 said:

Yea, one that uses wood chunks would be a OK option, 

Click to expand...

Ok then depending on how much you want to spend.

$100-  Weber Kettle- you can use indirect heat by putting charcoal off to the side and adding wood chunks...or best yet partition it off with something like brick.  

$ 300- Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5"

$ 400- Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5 "