Do you think that cost of smoking calculation will make people quit smoking?????

john43 · Dec 5, 2014

I ve heard at many times that cost is high and this will let people to quit smoking..Do you think so????Will it work???

fpmich · Dec 5, 2014

NO! We are too stupid to compare cost to flavor. <grin>

chef jimmyj · Dec 5, 2014

COST? Smoker, Fuel, Time verses awesome delicious Smoked Meat!?! I don't mind driving a used car over a new Caddy...

...JJ

atomicsmoke · Dec 5, 2014

Cheapest fresh salmon I can buy is about $19/kg. Cheapest smoked salmon (cold) is about $26/kg. And it's actually great tasting. Comes sliced. I need 2 bags of pellets ($10)...considering the weight loss...no, it's not worth it. However I cold smoke wild salmon when in season if I get it for a decent price.

dcarch · Dec 5, 2014

Depends on your method and system.

Not considering the cost of meat and seasoning, I use about $0.20 for pellets and another $0.20 of electricity each time I smoke.

dcarch

ssorllih · Dec 5, 2014

I cut wood from my own trees using hand tools so the cost of the smoke is nil.

jarjarchef · Dec 5, 2014

I don't think it will stop people. As mentioned by others earlier there are many factors to consider.
Cost of fuel - Pellets vs. Charcoal vs. Splits vs. Propane vs. Combination of previous
Cost of spices for rubs and sauces
Cost of meat
Cost of time
Cost of equipment

For me that is the reason I fill my smoker as full as possible for smokes. Get more bang for my buck and time, lowers the cost.

But ultimately for me it is a hobby of passion that happens to feed my family and friends. Seeing them smile is the ultimate reward for me. The cost is minimal.

rgautheir20420 · Dec 5, 2014

A smoker is just another cooking appliance and the pellets/wood/coals/electricity is just the fuel for that appliance. Now I know you can get crazy with the smoker costs and what not, but you can also do it on the super cheap. We pay hundreds maybe even thousands for stoves and cooking ranges and those burn fuel or use electricity for use. I don't see the smoker as being any different really. Ever seen someone pay $200 for a name brand chef knife?

For me though, it's the amazing tasting food and the people's reaction when enjoying it that makes me not even care what it costs to make.

squirrel · Dec 5, 2014

It has nothing to do with cost as far as I am concerned. The first question I have to ask is if I quit smoking where am I going to buy smoked meats? There is no where to buy them. Certainly no good BBQ joints in my neighborhood. Another point I'd like to make is smoking, curing, sausage making - they are not just my hobbies, they are my passion. I work very hard to make my way in this crazy world and if I have to give up the things I'm passionate about, then I'm going to be a very sad squirrel. I like to think of smoking meat as a friend with benefits.

themule69 · Dec 5, 2014

First you can't buy smoked meat cheaper than you can make it. So with that said you can't control what goes into the smoked meat that you buy. You can control all aspects of what you smoke yourself. It also keeps you from running the roads while the smoker is up and running so you are saving money on gas and wear and tear on your car. Then you get the nice feeling when people eat your smoked goodness. Now that they know what a fine pit master you are they will start asking if you will smoke something for them. I smoke for others on the halves so that almost = free meat or cheese or what ever.

Happy smoken.

David

hickorybutt · Dec 5, 2014

The biggest issue I would see would be the cost of TIME. Because monetary cost just isn't an issue, especially if you are resourceful in how you get your fuel. Charcoal can be expensive. If you burn firewood and get free firewood, thats the way to go. Obviously the smoker can be a big start-up cost, but it you take care of it and it lasts a lifetime, eventually it pays for itself.

I've cooked BBQ for plenty of parties and get-togethers. Everything I have in cost (raw meat / rub / smoker fuel) is still much cheaper than getting a party platter of que from a local joint. And the money I save through this will eventually pay for the smoker I guess.?? Even if it doesn't, the purchase of the smoker was an investment in a hobby that I love. That is what it is all about.

chiefmanywrenches · Dec 5, 2014

Really, the cost isn't really that high. I equate it to my truck sort of. I traded in my 4 banger rice rocket that got 30mpg's for a pickup truck that gets like 17. My fuel bill has basically doubled but it is the price to pay for what I really wanted. The same for cooking, if I feel like cooking a pork but or ribs the cost associated with it won't stop me.

bruno994 · Dec 5, 2014

I agree with the others, it would be hard to give up smoking meat...it's not only a hobby, but a passion or as my wife calls it, my obsession. Local BBQ joints are selling sliced brisket for $15 a pound and chopped for $12. So a typical 12# brisket will yield 6 pounds of meat...$2.98 per pound at the grocery, which doubles the end cost to $5.96, plus supplies (fuel, rub, sauce, etc), but even if that adds another $1 per pound and it doesn't, then you are still only at $7.00 a pound, less than half the cost of store bought. My time is only factored in to smoking meat when I am reselling the product which I do during the holidays, if I'm just cooking for the family, I'm usually also doing other chores around the house, so I'm actually multitasking while smoking. As jarjar stated, I like to run a full smoker, you'll rarely find me cooking just one brisket or butt, it's usually full, so that lowers the cost of the fuel per pound also, plus all the leftovers get vac sealed and froze for future use. Nothing like being able to reheat some great meats in 15 minutes after a long day at work.

ssorllih · Dec 5, 2014

The most important factor in smoke cooking is being able to cook it just exactly the way I/you want it done! Smoked chicken leg quarters at home cost a small fraction of what they cost purchased ready to eat.

bluewhisper · Dec 5, 2014

You guys beat me to the price of smoked salmon in stores.

I can get some of my fuel for free, I usually run a mix of wood and lump.

Time spent is valuable, but I can multi-task to some extent - I'm stuck on the patio watching the stick burner, but I could be doing anything around the yard or garage while I keep an eye on it. I can mow the grass and toss a glance at the blue whisper to monitor it.

What's not up for comparison is control. I can buy smoked hocks - OK, but what wood, brine, or cooking process? Who knows? I can't find brined maple-smoked chicken in any store here, but I can make it myself. Do I want salmon that's smoke/dried dark for flaking and snacking, or just smoke-kissed and moist for eating in larger portions?

Finally, "Men will cook when there's danger involved" and it's a relaxing pastime to fuss over the smoker. Kind of like fishing.

beefy bill · Dec 5, 2014

I made all the food for my daughter's birthday party. Cost savings vs. Catering was huge, plus the reviews from the guests, it was definitely worth it. And there's one place by me that's any good, and their prices reflect the fact that they know it. Plus it's a relatively cheap hobby with a real reward, (delicious food, which if youve ever seen me, you would know means a lot!)compared to a race car or or some other hobbies, and I'm home in my yard with my family, which is my favorite place to be. I'll be smoking for a long time..

beefy bill · Dec 5, 2014

I made all the food for my daughter's birthday party. Cost savings vs. Catering was huge, plus the reviews from the guests, it was definitely worth it. And there's one place by me that's any good, and their prices reflect the fact that they know it. Plus it's a relatively cheap hobby compared to a race car or or some other hobbies, and I'm home in my yard with my family, which is my favorite place to be. I'll be smoking for a long time..

seenred · Dec 5, 2014

As others have said, the cost of buying smoked meats/foods, and the price of eating out in BBQ restaurants, is significantly higher than cooking it yourself. This is why I originally got into smoking meats years ago...I always loved BBQ and found I could make it cheaper and better than I could eat out. Over the years, it has become a hobby and a passion. Pretty hard to measure the cost of doing something you love.

Red

aceoky · Dec 5, 2014

Well, I enjoy the process, we love the meats, I'd spend the $$ anyway on something , gotta eat something anyway, it costs whatever it costs so long as I'm able to make bills, payments etc. it really doesn't matter to ME

mr t 59874 · Dec 5, 2014

How much can a cardboard box, hot plate a tin can and some bark off your neighbors tree cost?

Tom

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