Best Wood Fired Smoker for Under $750?

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

robertwhite

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jul 3, 2012
71
14
TN
I might be totally off base, but is there a quality built wood smoker (horizontal, side fire box) for under $750 and if so, what would it be?

Right now I have the CG w/fire box and I have basically "outgrown" it. Don't smoke a ton of food at one time so the size is fine, but the thin steel, gaps, holes, lack of ability to control heat, etc. have reached the point of not being fun anymore, even with some mods.

I use a mixture of a little charcoal to start it up, and then oak, apple, hickory woods if that matters at all.

If there is nothing in that price range, are there plans available to build my own? I do have welders and plasma cutters, so that wouldn't be an issue.

Thoughts?
 
I moved from a CG Pro to a 22.5" WSM (Weber Smokey Mountain) and have never once regreted it. I can fit a ton of food on it if I need to, it has a small footprint, is super easy to use and maintain temps on, and it only cost $399. I have done parties for up to 30 people on it (split the cooking over 2 days - to mainain sanity
hit.gif
)
 
Thanks, but not really interested in the WSM as it is a vertical and I definitely want a horizontal with offset or sidebox.
 
Well if you bump up your price to $850 you can get a Yoder or go up to around $1100 and get a Lang.
 
I might be totally off base, but is there a quality built wood smoker (horizontal, side fire box) for under $750 and if so, what would it be?

Right now I have the CG w/fire box and I have basically "outgrown" it. Don't smoke a ton of food at one time so the size is fine, but the thin steel, gaps, holes, lack of ability to control heat, etc. have reached the point of not being fun anymore, even with some mods.

I use a mixture of a little charcoal to start it up, and then oak, apple, hickory woods if that matters at all.

If there is nothing in that price range, are there plans available to build my own? I do have welders and plasma cutters, so that wouldn't be an issue.

Thoughts?
Build you smoker....  there are lots of builds on here to look at.....     Dave
 
I have an OK Joe from Lowes and I think its great for the price.

But if I had the tools and the time I would build one.
 
You should click on my account name and look at photos of my smoker and there will be a forum i started about mine. Its and old country bbq pits wrangler smoker thats sold by academy sports I paid 499 for it but u can also have it shipped for about 80bucks if nowhere around you. A guy i told about it on here actually just bought one online. I purchased mine without any review for that model online anywhere and first thing i did was make an account here to do a review myself and help people out on a budget as well. I went more indepth about it then most reviews ive ever seen lol. Its a offset wood burner or charcoal mix if you prefer. Its 24in diameter by about 30 something inches long. I have alot of photos and long reciew about it and tuning playes and demensions i used and all. Its made from all 3/16th steel so it holds heat like a champ and for 499 u cant beat it. Otherwise ur looking at almost 1000 for 1/4 in pit. Also it has a baffle already welded in and a 6in stack coming out side and turning up at a 90degree angle from grate level I looked at the ok joes at lowes and not to hate on ok joes kinda guys but id be willing to bet the oc wrangler would make you think twice before purchasing an ok joe smoker. Just food for thought for you man. Im extremely active on here when it comes to questions about the oc wrangler pit since nobody else has forums for it. So if intrested take a look at it and hollar at me if you need more details other then what ive wrote in the thread for it. Take it easy and good luck
 
If there is no urgency on when you get it, don't forget to check Craigslist. I got my horizon there for a steep discount off new. If I had the equipment and skills I would build my own though.
 
              i to have the 399 version of old country pit from academy        been smoking on it for over three years   after growing weary of chargriller pro     thicker steel translates to more weight     it took  four employees  to load on my truck    three of us got it off with aid of ramps     been on driveway since     do not know the model name  but have been pleased      it is like a disease                  i now want a bigger pit      still back yard    not looking to compete      i do not need a larger pit     it falls into the want category       looking to add tuning plates  and some insulation around  smoke chamber door    should last me another   seven years           some one tell me what the model is called           thanks    studio q
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Clicky