Toggle sidebar

Is this smoker a total waste?

  • 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.
jjdomingo

jjdomingo

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 30, 2016
10
10
Big hello from Wisconsin! First post here and wanted to get an opinion on a first smoker. I have been BBQing on a charcoal Weber forever now and made some fantastic meals but wanted to get more into smoking. I have searched the market over and read all sorts of reviews on every type of smoker imaginable but decided since I was not sure I would enjoy or have the patience for long haul smokin' I decided to get a Kingsford Water Smoker for $40 from good ol' Walmart. The reviews honestly didn't look awful but I am starting to second guess my decision. I am yet to fire it up (this weekend will be a test run) but wondered if anyone had any experiences with this budget rig.

My main concern is that it wont go well (its an open bottom smoker, like the charcoal pan is literally exposed to the ground below) and I will get upset and toss it in the garbage. Is there any hope for this smoker or am I better off forking out the money for a more quality setup?

(you get what you pay for is what I am expecting)  
 
I have not personally used this particular smoker, but I know a couple of guys that do.  It seems OK for shorter smokes but maintaining the right temp was a challenge and they often got frustrated.  I used to use a Brinkmann electric smoker (similar to that Weber - see link below) for several years before I broke down and and bought a Masterbuilt 40" (MES 40 - 2.5)

http://www.mybestsmoker.com/electric-smoker-products/brinkmann-gourmet-smoker-review/

The Brinkmann - I think - is about $85.  There was no control of temperature aside from on/off and a full water pan.  It also took longer in winter than in summer for similar smokes (no insulation at all) - but for $85 - it was hard to pass up as a starter and it made some great ribs and turkeys for me.  Also - the element is easily and inexpensively replaced.

If it was me - and I was staying under $100 - I would probably go with the electric powered Brinkmann over the charcoal fired Weber because of the difficulty maintaining a good fire.  But if you like "dinking around" with the fire - go for it with the Weber.

Good luck and let us know what you decided.

Ed
 
Last edited:
Uncle Eddie said:
 
 I would probably go with the electric powered Brinkmann over the charcoal fired Weber because of the difficulty maintaining a good fire.  But if you like "dinking around" with the fire - go for it with the Weber.

Good luck and let us know what you decided.

Ed
Click to expand...
Maintaining the fire in a Weber kettle is not difficult at all, I've been BBQing on a 22" Weber for a few years.

If you already have a kettle then you do not need a cheap smoker from Wally World IMHO.
 
cliffcarter said:
 
Maintaining the fire in a Weber kettle is not difficult at all, I've been BBQing on a 22" Weber for a few years.

If you already have a kettle then you do not need a cheap smoker from Wally World IMHO.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info guys.  I will give it a try this weekend and see how it goes (1 rack of ribs maybe) and if its bad I'll just toss it. It was only $40. I might just pop for the WSM (14 inch maybe). Plenty of way better reviews and its a proven smoker. Being cheap never works out. 
 
Lot's of folks start with that style smoker. They are frustrating to maintain temp for more than a few hours. They work fine for Chicken or Seafood. You could do ribs but it will end up a hot and fast smoke. Not bad but you will struggle with 3-2-1. Try to stay between 275 and 325°F and the the ribs will be tender in 3-4 hours...JJ
 
I echo Eddie's comment on the Brinkmann electric. It's a relatively low entry point and it will give you the opprtunity to smoke a variety of things. That was my first smoker and I did brisket, ribs, whole turkeys, butt, you name. Although not huge, had decent compactly to hold 3 racks of ribs or 2 brisket flats or a whole bird.

Temp was one size fits all so you had to work with that but it wasn't the end of the world. It was a great intro into the world of smoking and help me get hooked.

I'm afraid the Kingsford unit would be too much like your Weber and you'll go "why did I buy this. In fact there are accessories for you kettle that would probably help you achieve what the Kingsford unit would do.
 
You'll have to look long and hard for a new Brinkmann anything:  they went TU and filed bankruptcy the end of '15.  Big orange box was their main retailer, and they didn't re-up with them, and the slow death spiral began.  You may find it in some place who specializes in buying discontinued merchandise in your area, but Brinkmann's toast.  Used ones are out there, you'll just have to look.  Unfortunate, because I'm trying to find a new vertical Trailmaster that orange box used to carry.
 
So I did a 5.5 lb pork shoulder on it and it smoked no problem for approx 4.5 hours. At that point it started to get hard to keep heat as the ash tray was totally full and new coals being added (semi-lit) didn't last as long or fully ignite. I think if I drill some holes into the charcoal pan and raise the grate 1.5-2 inches it will drastically improve the results. I built a little wind barrier around it with cardboard as it was windy and the bottom is wide open on this thing and that seemed to help it hold temp better. It was 10+ mph winds so on a calmer day I think it would cook better. I got the shoulder to the stall area (160s) and then foiled and put it into the oven @ 350 to finish her off. approx 1 hour later we hit 200 and it pulled apart perfectly. I was able to get the bark formed and get my smoke ring on this budget smoker so overall its not a TOTAL waste but still not great. What do you expect for $40? I plan to keep it as a "tinker toy" and see if I can mod it out to make it better but I plan to just upgrade to a WSM for a more serious setup. I think for shorter smoked 2-4 hours you can def "get away" with using this smoker but overall its not ideal for long smokes. 
 
jjdomingo said:
 
So I did a 5.5 lb pork shoulder on it and it smoked no problem for approx 4.5 hours. At that point it started to get hard to keep heat as the ash tray was totally full and new coals being added (semi-lit) didn't last as long or fully ignite. I think if I drill some holes into the charcoal pan and raise the grate 1.5-2 inches it will drastically improve the results.
Click to expand...
Try using lump charcoal instead of briquettes, it produces less ash.

You should always add fully lit charcoal to keep the fire going.

Drilling holes may improve air flow, if they are about 1/2" diameter and a couple of inches apart.

Good looking meal, too.
icon14.gif
 
 
Last edited:
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

Its_Raw
Leaking Smoker Lid and Temperature Variances
Replies
5
Views
450
General Discussion
DougE
DougE
DukeSilver22
Is this normal?
Replies
9
Views
537
General Discussion
DukeSilver22
DukeSilver22
cruiser rod
Is this possible?
Replies
12
Views
622
General Discussion
cruiser rod
cruiser rod
Danblacksher
This is a great pellet Grill
Replies
5
Views
1K
General Discussion
JLeonard
JLeonard
Bworx
Replacement smoker handles.
Replies
18
Views
713
General Discussion
Bworx
Bworx
I
Name my smoker build.
Replies
35
Views
1K
General Discussion
irvin78787884
I
B
  • Locked
Which meat is the most patriotic to smoke?
Replies
65
Views
3K
General Discussion
DRKsmoking
DRKsmoking
ron50
Another charcoal question
Replies
10
Views
1K
General Discussion
ron50
ron50

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Top Bottom
Back
Clicky