Toggle sidebar

Looming for a charcoal smoker - $200 range

  • 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.
Remove the Ads for LIFE - 50% Off!
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
bigjoec

bigjoec

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 8, 2011
12
10
Greatly debating between gas and charcoal. Hearing a lot of pros and cons for each. I'm a big time newbie here.

If you could recommend a charcoal smoker around the $200 range, what would it be?
 
You could build a mini-wsm for around $100 all in.

I have a MES Gen2 electric with amnps and it's awesome to set and forget. I also have the 18" WSM, but my mini is my go to smoker.

Plus I had a lot of fun researching and building it!
 
If you don't want to fabricate something and don't want to worry about modifications, consider the Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM) 14.5.  It is priced at $199.00, and available at Walmart and other retailers.  It is easy to master and produces solid results. 

The Fabricated mini-WSM (Made with a Smoky Joe kettle and a 32 quart pot) has similar dimensions and cooks about the same quantity of meat. 

Check out Craig's list in your area; you may have other inexpensive options available.
 
Yes, I'd chime in for a Char Griller SFB....I hate Wal-Mart but they had them here for $179 recently. Good time to pick one up as well...sales galore on them. I'd avoid a MES like ebola.....unless it's for sure a Gen 1
 
I'd say get a cheap offset to start. After you have smoked some of your own meat you will want another and another. Soon you'll have one of each because each one is great for different things.
 
This question has been asked so many times... and every response will be different... everybody has their own preference.... some questions need to be answered..

How many people are you cooking for ??
Will you be cooking often ??
Are you willing to tend to the fire (charcoal) and drink a beer while doing it for possibly long periods (all day) at a time ??

There are other questions as well.. but those a re a few...

I will suggest that you plan on getting a reliable dual probe thermometer (many of us here are fond of the Maverick 732 or 733) no matter what smoker you get... especially true for a beginner...

Myself.. I will suggest a charcoal smoker... any of the WSM's or as previously mentioned a Mini WSM build ...

A 22" Weber kettle grill (silver) for $99 would be a great first time choice as well ... just keep searching and asking questions....
 
Brooksy said:
I'd say get a cheap offset to start. After you have smoked some of your own meat you will want another and another. Soon you'll have one of each because each one is great for different things.
Click to expand...
That is how I started.... spent about $180-$200 buying and modding a Char-griller, got sick of having to baby sit it all the time, sold it for $80, bought a 22.5" WSM for $365 and never looked back. My 22.5" holds more meat, and I can actually fire it up at midnight, get it to temp, and go to bed for 6 hrs., check it in the AM with my first cup of coffee, and leave it alone till the meat is done! That is stock out of the box with the exception of adding eyelet holes for my probe therms.
 
JIRodriguez said:
That is how I started.... spent about $180-$200 buying and modding a Char-griller, got sick of having to baby sit it all the time, sold it for $80, bought a 22.5" WSM for $365 and never looked back. My 22.5" holds more meat, and I can actually fire it up at midnight, get it to temp, and go to bed for 6 hrs., check it in the AM with my first cup of coffee, and leave it alone till the meat is done! That is stock out of the box with the exception of adding eyelet holes for my probe therms.
Click to expand...
I feel that you should have to tend your fire and watch the smoker do what it does. I don't mind the work that goes into every piece of meat I cook. That's the reason I never would've gotten an electric. The only reason I built the EUDS is for low temp stuff like bacon and cheese. Everyone feels differently but to me these set and forget smokers take away from what cooking meat on the grill/smoker is all about. Hanging out with family and friends drinking beers talking crap and making damn good food!
 
Wow,   totally confused now ?   Whatever you decide on, Practice Practice and you Will be cranking out great Q in no time. I started with an ECB, used one for years, Still have one I get out every once in a while..  Which ever one you get look up some post and threads on mods. It will help it be a lot more efficient 

Gary
 
I owned a Traeger for many years and it did a great job until I wanted to dial in the temp to a specific setting...

That's when I moved on to an offset cooker. The OK Joes units in my area were being closed out and after some work it turned out to be a great cooker.

I love tending the fire and relaxing on the patio during long cooks, but it's not always good weather here in OR, so now I'm looking at a set it & forget it type of cooker.

The Pit Barrel Cookers get great reviews and come in at $289 delivered to your door...

There are a lot of options out there for all of us which makes deciding on which cooker to buy a fun little project. Enjoy -
 
fastback said:
 
I owned a Traeger for many years and it did a great job until I wanted to dial in the temp to a specific setting...

That's when I moved on to an offset cooker. The OK Joes units in my area were being closed out and after some work it turned out to be a great cooker.

I love tending the fire and relaxing on the patio during long cooks, but it's not always good weather here in OR, so now I'm looking at a set it & forget it type of cooker.

The Pit Barrel Cookers get great reviews and come in at $289 delivered to your door...

There are a lot of options out there for all of us which makes deciding on which cooker to buy a fun little project. Enjoy -
Click to expand...
Yup - that's why I got the 22.5" WSM. I did OK on short cooks when I had my Char-griller, but doing pork butts and brisket was a pain. Now I can light the smoker at midnight toss on the meat and go to bed. In the winter I wrap my smoker in a welding blanket and it can run at 250° with little to no input from me.

DSCN1871.JPG

DSCN1871.JPG

 
gary s said:
Wow,   totally confused now ?   Whatever you decide on, Practice Practice and you Will be cranking out great Q in no time. I started with an ECB, used one for years, Still have one I get out every once in a while..  Which ever one you get look up some post and threads on mods. It will help it be a lot more efficient 



Gary
Click to expand...


:yeahthat: Best advice!!! We all have our favorite styles, that's what makes the group so interesting. And from the thread it's easy to see MORE than willing to share some GREAT advice, opinions, and experience!!! :2thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Similar threads

ron50
Water Bowl for WSM
Replies
8
Views
946
Charcoal Smokers
ron50
ron50
mr mac
Lump Charcoal v. Briquettes - One Man's Opinion
Replies
7
Views
2K
Charcoal Smokers
Gadgetman
Gadgetman
G
Looking for advice on what smoker to buy
Replies
10
Views
765
Electric Smokers
tumbleweed1
tumbleweed1
drsongs
Lump in a propane Smoker
Replies
2
Views
1K
Propane Smokers
drsongs
drsongs
babydocsmoker
Masterbuilt Smoker
Replies
0
Views
217
Blowing Smoke Around the Smoker.
babydocsmoker
babydocsmoker
kevinwi
Waltons Grinder
Replies
10
Views
423
Slicers, Grinders, Tools, Equipment
Fueling Around
Fueling Around
Lowjiber
New member from Vegas
Replies
15
Views
608
Roll Call
DougE
DougE
S
Recteq 700 - smoker box - different rack area temps at 200 degrees on main unit.
Replies
2
Views
636
General Discussion
civilsmoker
civilsmoker

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Top Bottom
Back
Clicky