Smoker Recommendation

sixgun95 · Nov 18, 2014

I am going to purchase a smoker and would like some recommendations please. I am new to all this but have been doing a lot of research on this site. I am thinking an electric or charcoal. What are the pros and cons of each? I like the convience of electric but am not sure what the difference is with the final product - is there that much of a difference between a brisket coming out of an electric vs a charcoal smoker? Willing to spend $300-700 ish. Been looking at the Masterbuilt or Cookshack Electric and Weber Smokey Mtn just because they seem popular on this forum. I am a very busy guy, so minimal oversight is important - if I can set it and come back in 10 hrs would be a good thing.

Lets hear it - what do you think? Thanks!!

bigchefpete · Nov 18, 2014

Very new here myself but thought I would toss in my 2 cents..

I am new to dedicated smokers and after much research decided to build one myself out of an old fridge which is pretty common as I understand it.

If you are a do it yourself kinda guy you just can't beat this option. It's a dang hoot and you get exactly what you want and learn a ton about smokers in the process. With a little research you can get WAY more smoker for your buck as well.

On the subject of "set it and forget it", again I'm no expect but it seems logical that (short of only a few exceptions) electric is the way to go in that respect.

Good luck and have fun!

Pete...

sixgun95 · Nov 18, 2014

Not interested in this option but thanks anyway.

themule69 · Nov 19, 2014

For set it and forget it electric wins hands down. The draw back is most electrics will not get hot enough to crispy up the skin of poultry. You won't get a smoke ring with electric. Remember you can't taste a smoke ring. You can control the low temps a lot better with electric.

A komoto will be close to set it and forget it for char coal.

Happy smoken.

David.

oldschoolbbq · Nov 19, 2014

Check all the post on different types of smokers in our search bar at the top of this page. This will be your best friend... I suggest getting the best you can with what you have $. Quality is a factor . Just type in the brand you want to see and search.

Take your time and you will be rewarded.

Have fun and. . .

sixgun95 · Nov 19, 2014

themule69 said:
For set it and forget it electric wins hands down. The draw back is most electrics will not get hot enough to crispy up the skin of poultry. You won't get a smoke ring with electric. Remember you can't taste a smoke ring. You can control the low temps a lot better with electric.

A komoto will be close to set it and forget it for char coal.

Happy smoken.

David.

What is a Komoto?

themule69 · Nov 19, 2014

Sixgun95 said:
What is a Komoto?

I miss spelled that pretty bad It should have been Kamado. A BGE is an example.

For those not familiar with Kamado style cookers, it is worth noting you fill the firebox once, with wood chunks mixed in, and it will do a long smoke with a single loading. They are insanely frugal on fuel. Even better fuel efficiency than the WSM smokers. I have done 16 hour smokes on a single load, and had charcoal left. Due to a greater insulation, a lower amount of fire is required to achieve and hold smoking temperatures. This translates to less (dry/tresh) air-flow, which results in moister meat.

Happy smoken. David

jirodriguez · Nov 19, 2014

For $400 a 22.5" WSM is really hard to beat. It is as close to set-it-and-forget-it as you can get with charcoal, holds a ton of meat, works straight out of the box with no mods, and has a small footprint on the deck. In warm summer weather I can get up to 22+ hrs. at 250° on one 20 lb. bag of charcoal - the charcoal ring holds one 20 lb. bag, in the winter that drops to about 18 hrs. I wrap a welding blanket around mine in the winter for a windbreak and insulation.

I just couldn't justify the $1300 for the BGE, figured $400 WSM + $900 for MEAT!

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jirodriguez
Dec 15, 2013

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sixgun95 · Nov 19, 2014

Can you get the same results from a electric smoker as you can from a WSM? Is there much difference in the end product?

themule69 · Nov 20, 2014

Sixgun95 said:
Can you get the same results from a electric smoker as you can from a WSM? Is there much difference in the end product?

They both have their places. To say one is better than the other depends on what you want to do with it. Their is no smoker that I know of that is the best for everything. Their will be trade offs with which ever you choose.That is why a lot of us have more than one smoker. I would suggest you get over in the review area and spend a day reading.

Happy smoken.

David

cyclonefan · Nov 20, 2014

+1 WSM.

retfr8flyr · Nov 20, 2014

Get an Akorn Kamado and a BBQ Guru DigiQ https://www.bbqguru.com/StoreNav/GuruCookerGuide?AdviceGrillId=61&kitId=39 You will be hard pressed to find a better set and forget setup then this. I have the Akorn and the BBQ CyberQ WiFI and it's a fantastic setup. If you can afford it, then get the Kamado Joe instead of the Akorn but the Akorn will do a great job for a lot less money.

webesmokin · Nov 22, 2014

I have been smoking with a Cookshack Amerique for the past two years. It is very well insulated and allows me to smoke in any cold weather. It always gives excellnt results with very little tending. I can sleep all night without checking on the smoker. It also uses very little wood.

timberjet · Nov 22, 2014

Sixgun95 said:
Can you get the same results from a electric smoker as you can from a WSM? Is there much difference in the end product?

Hands down wood and charcoal are king. No doubt about it. If you are more of a set it and forget it guy electric is what you want. That said I have a small electric for fish and jerky, plus the beginning stages of smoked sausage. I have A UDS and Weber kettle which gets more action than all my other smokers combined. I have friends with pellet grills but they are just that. Grills. You can add smoke generating devices to a pellet grill though and make it a smoker but for my money I would recommend a WSM and a Weber performer one touch gold. The best of the best in that price point.

lemmy · Nov 22, 2014

How about one of those green eggs?

b-one · Nov 22, 2014

+2 WSM!!!!

timstalltaletav · Nov 22, 2014

+3 WSM

rsnovi · Nov 22, 2014

+1 Cookshack. I am using a Cookshack 025 and it is turning out some good food without much effort.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

timberjet · Nov 23, 2014

Lemmy said:
How about one of those green eggs?

I don't think they are in his price range. Very cool smokers but wow!!! $$$$

colt black · Nov 23, 2014

Start out with a wsm...if you want real cheap then just use a weber kettle grill. Watch bbq pit bouys on you tube. They use a kettle grill for 90% of their smokes..or for more money take a look at pellet smokers. I have a yoder ys640 that I absolutely love. you wont find one built better. This is truly a set it and forget it.

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