My first time on a forum

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smoke_chef

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
SMF Premier Member
Feb 22, 2008
620
14
Marble Falls, AR
Hello all,

I'm double excited to have found this forum. First to find other people who love to smoke meat as much as I do. Actually, I've read some posts already and I've learned that I have only scratched the surface. Second, because I've never participated in a forum before. It seems like a great place to learn and share. Though I'm sure I'll do more learning than sharing.
I'll get started with a couple of questions right away. I first bought a traditional round ECB (El Cheap'o Brinkman) from Wal-Mart about 3 years ago. I pretty much wore it out smoking chickens. Although, there were a few racks of ribs, one turkey and a disaster of a brisket. So, I recently got an "upgrade" replacement which is the square ECB from Wal-Mart. It's still in the box because I've been second guessing the purchase. Partly because of some reviews I have read recently and partly because I just moved and I haven't had time to mess with it. So just yesterday, I see that Home Depot has a square ECB but it has two doors. One for the meat and one for the charcoal and water pans. Obviously that would help hold heat in the smoke chamber while adding water or minding the heat. So, finally to my questions. 1) will the extra door make enough difference to go through the hassle of exchanging my Wal-Mart ECB for the Home Depot ECB? 2) Is there any other smoker, say under a hundred bucks that you would recommend if I'm going to make an exchange anyway?

Thanks! I look forward to getting to know you.

Franklin
a.k.a Smoke_Chef

P.S. How do I add an avitar by my post???
 
welcome franklin..............

make sure to sign up for Jeff's free 5-day ecourse ............

i have ecb's........using a gourmet version.......love it.......you can pull the body off to add charchol and wood for smoking..........don't think i have seen a square ecb.......

but you have found the place to learn alot.........before i found this spot, i have smoked since the mid to late 70's........using the orig. ecb.....but i really didn't KNOW how to smoke till i found this place.......so buckle in.......hang on.........and prepare to learn..........i sure did........and haven't looked back

once again........welcome
 
Welcome, it is great to have you and I am sure some of these guys can answer your questions. I personally only have experience with the GOSM line.
 
Welcome to the forum Smoke Chef. If I had to do a vertical smoker I would go with a Bandera w/ SFB. It's $249 at the Academy, and I think it would be a better smoker than the ECB square vertical. Maybe a bit more money, but a more versatile smoker that you can actually burn wood in without burning the meat. So maybe consider a switch. And check out bandera-brethren.com to find out more how to use the Bandera Smoker and what mods to make. Good Luck.
 
Welcome to SMF Franklin! A square ECB, eh? Got a link to it? Never seen one. Anyway, as far as the door thing... I rarely use my ECB's door. Maybe just for a quick toss of a chunk in. And that does not cost much heat. Like was mentioned, if I have to do a major coal pan refill, I grab the whole unit above the pan and lift it off and set aside. Dump if I have to and add my preburned chunks and coals and set the top half back on.

In my book, you can't beat an ECB for cheap Vs. performance. Under a hundred by ALOT. And I have done briskets and about anything the big boys can do. Downside is room, and they do take some attention to the fire pan.

Cold weather smoking requires a bit of ingenuity a well...but it does with almost all smokers. If I were you, since you are familiar with it... I'd replace your old ECB with a new one and hang around here. Won't be long before you'll see for yourself the pros and cons of the other brands and types, and can make a decision then on what type best fits your needs. AND still have the ECB around for overflow/different applications.

Again...welcome and enjoy!
 
Thanks to all for the nice welcome to the forum. I'm already an addict.

I mentioned a square ECB. I'm using a pic of it as my avatar right now. Maybe I'm calling it by the wrong name?
 
Welcome to the forum Franklin! Looking forward to your qviews.
biggrin.gif
 
Welcome to the site....I have looked at the square ecb that you seen at home depot....I thought the two doors was a nice idea....But I wasn't interested in a charcoal smoker at this time..........
 
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