I would like to thank everyone for their advice. I have learned a lot about smoking in the last couple of days from your advice, Jeff's newsletter, and surfing the net. I am currently leaning towards an electric smoker so once I load everything up and start, I can leave it for a while. I realize that to many smoking purists, using an electric smoker is like listening to someone "run" their fingernails across a chalkboard, but from what I have read (please correct me if I am wrong), the majority of the smoking flavor comes from the wood. I looked at the Smokin Tex 1300 & 1400 models, and while somewhat pricey, they seem to be made well and with the casters, easy to move around (I have a large concrete patio).
Other than the price, are any of you aware of there any other negatives to using en electric smoker and/or the Smokin Tex 1300 & 1400 models?