Which e smoker?

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airman

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 27, 2017
27
14
So,I haven't pulled the trigger on a smoker. During my research I found this forum. Let me start by saying I bought a gas grill last year with a smoke box. Now I want a smoker. Considering the #2 by Smokin it and the Cook Shack (pricey) of similar size. What's the pro's and con's of each. It needs to be wide enough to lay ribs on. And I want it to last many years with minimal issues. I will be smoking just everything I can on this. Any other suggestions are welcome.
 
I am not qualified to answer your question having only owned a Smokin-it #1 for 45 days and no experience with a Cookshack product. What I can say is how much I love my Smokin-it ! I did ribs yesterday and they came out perfect.

You`ll have no trouble doing ribs on a #2 with more than adequate room. I went from a Masterbuilt to a Smokin-it and this was a huge upgrade in quality for not so much more $$.
 
Airman - I used a Cookshack (CS) Amerique 066 for over 4 years with no problems.  Racks are 18 inches wide and 14 inches deep.  My Smokin-it 3D has racks roughly 14 inches wide and 21 inches deep. I have not had any problems with the SI either.  Check the rack sizes for the model you are interested in.  You may have to do some cutting if the racks are smaller than the ribs you want to smoke. 

On the CS the smoker is made in the USA and the SI imported.  The CS racks are nickel plated (stainless steel is an option) and the SI racks are stainless steel. The CS warranty is 2 years and the SI warranty is 3 years (1 year on the digital controller).

Power cord on the CS is 5 feet and 12 feet on the SI.  The SI has larger wheels. 

That is pretty much it. The CS is a great smoker, very solid, but pricey.  The SI is every bit as good but at a lower price with some upgraded features as I noted and a longer warranty. Either smoker will serve you well; one just gives you more for less.

If you compare the smokers side by side, for the dollar spent you can get a larger smoker from SI. And I recommend that people get the largest they can afford just to have the extra capacity when needed. 

Good luck. 
 
Last edited:
So,I haven't pulled the trigger on a smoker. During my research I found this forum. Let me start by saying I bought a gas grill last year with a smoke box. Now I want a smoker. Considering the #2 by Smokin it and the Cook Shack (pricey) of similar size. What's the pro's and con's of each. It needs to be wide enough to lay ribs on. And I want it to last many years with minimal issues. I will be smoking just everything I can on this. Any other suggestions are welcome.
Hi there and welcome!

I don't own either brands but I do own an MES40 (Masterbuilt Electric Smoker 40 inch) and have done a rewire plus PID controller replacement job on another MES40 that I gave to my mother.

I checked both the brands you are looking at and I would imagine the SmokinIt has the edge.  It can go up to 325F which is great because now you can ensure chicken/turkey skin does not come out rubbery/leathery.  The SmokinIt has a 1200Watt element where I believe the comparable Cook Shack had a 750Watt element.  It simply seems like the SmokinIt is offering more in all areas for less money.

Again I don't own either but having MES40's and doing PID controller jobs on one and having the other PID job in progress, I think I would lean towards the SmokinIt.

Hopefully more people who have direct experience will continue to chime in.  Best of luck!!! :)
 
I can't give a comparison, but I have had the Smoke-it #2 since before the digital controller was produced and have been totally satisfied with it.  Racks are about 14 1/2 square.  12 lb briskets usually fit at an angle, larger briskets, 15 lb or so, I cut and smoke on two racks. All the racks seem to heat evenly. It is a heavy box.  I ran across a stand to raise it about 15 inches and it makes it easier to work with..

Maintenance wise, I just change the bottom foil, the foil on the top of the smoke box, and give it a wipe down on the bottom. I put the racks in the dishwasher.

With it and this web site I have never had a bad smoke of any kind.  My dial has been set to 225 since I got it.  Put in a couple small wood chunks, put the meat in, plug it in, unplug it when my remote IT temp beeper goes off, its done.  Stupid simple.

I came out of the instrumentation and control industry but I see no need for holding that precise of a smoking meat temperatures.  Mine works just like your kitchen oven, the heater is on or off and yes the box temp swings up and down a little, to me it is no big deal.

It works well for me.  Let us know what you decide.
 
Thanks Guy's for your replies. Think the snokinit is now the one I'm going with. Old Sarge you may have cost me money. Now thinking about the #3 over the #2.[emoji]128516[/emoji] 801Driver I think you saved me money. Going with a non digital model. Thanks again everyone!:sausage:
 
I've been running a Bradley digital for a few years now. Researching for a replacement hopefully this summer, I've settled on the Smokin-It 3D.
 
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