Help with a decision

av8tor

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Feb 4, 2008

231

18

Fort Worth, TX

• Feb 5, 2008

• #1

Well I thought I was set with my mind ready to purchase a propane GOSM 3605BGD smoker. Several people at work have GOSM's but one fellow is planning on going electric or pellet this summer. So with the great wealth of information here at SMF I started reading in the Electric Smoker forum. Now I am torn between the two. I really like now what I see in the MES. I wonder if there might be someone here that has either had both or experience with both that can help me sort out the advantages and disadvantages of both. I am concerned about the MES producing smoke @ temps around 180º. Does this mod really need to be built? What about the quality of taste, is there any differences between propane and electric? Any other thoughts or advice on the subject would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks

 

smokeys my pet

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Sep 25, 2007

1,080

11

Havre de Grace,MD

• Feb 5, 2008

• #2

I have a GOSM 3405 from walmart I like with a couple mods you can keep low temps that are good for fish and jerky. I also cut another grate from stainless expanded metal. Here are a couple pics. And you can get the valve and fittings at home depot or lowes. The gauge is not required just for me to know fuel level.

 

setitandforgetitsmoker

Fire Starter

Jan 30, 2008

67

10

VAN WERT OHIO

• Feb 5, 2008

• #3

i would like to say that in my opinion it is a matter of what form of energy that you want to use for heat lp or electric in any smoker that is pretty tight on air you might have some chance of not keeping smoke going at low temps. so real easy fix get 1 4 inch firerod element or calrod with enough high temp wire to get it out of smoker maybe 24 inches set in smoke pan with chips plug into electric and forget about it it will smoke as long as you have fuel in it.

 

kookie

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Mar 27, 2007

2,850

10

Mandan North Dakota

• Feb 19, 2008

• #4

I think both are good smokers........Just depends on size you need and the time you have when using it..........I have been looking at both also..... Also it depends on your budget........ I am a tight wad so I am always looking for the best deal.......lol......

 

flash

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Mar 30, 2007

5,280

45

Chiefland/Cedar Key, Fl

• Feb 19, 2008

• #5

Personally, I would go propane over electric. Electric drawbacks that I have seen, lack of adjustible control over temps, not high enough, not low enough, some don't even supply a temp gauge and lastly, what if the power goes out?? My smoker saved the day when we went thru 4 hurricanes in Florida that one year.

 

fred420

Meat Mopper

Jan 5, 2008

252

10

buffalo, ny

• Feb 20, 2008

• #6

propane---easier temp control and portability for camping and tailgating.....thats why my camper rack has 2 propane cylinders...