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Buying smoker for Boyfriend

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alicai

alicai

Newbie
Original poster
Jul 5, 2008
3
10
Hi,
I'm going to buy my boyfriend a smoker for his birthday, but do not know whether to buy a gas or charcoal smoker. We already have a large natural gas grill, so we (as in he) will primarily be using the smoker as a smoker and not as a grill. If you have any advice as to how to decide which kind of smoker to purchase, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and hope you all had a safe and happy 4th of July,
Alicia
 
Get the charcoal...and WELCOME to SMF! Any one you do get... point him here..we got ya covered. Or don't tell him a thing and be an "expert" LOL!
 
Welcome to SMF! I too would recommend charcoal, as there is something therapeutic about tending a fire. Enjoy the food!

Take care, have fun, and do good!

Regards,

Meowey
 
For a first, I would buy a gas unit, I got a GOSM which I really like, great unit if ya can still find em. There are very similar ones a Sears an a few others manufacer a similar unit, I think another is smokey hollow. Gas is alot easier ta use as you can regulate the temps easier an it does not require alot a tendin too. Just my two coppers worth.
 
I say charcoal also-there fun-and a gal that's doing that for her man-if u break up can I have dubs? enjoy your time here.
 
I'd say charcoal as well. If he gets frustrated with it early on, you can always convert it to gas with an Afterburner. But you can't convert a gas smoker to charcoal.

And by the way, you are a very thoughtful girlfriend.
PDT_Armataz_01_37.gif


Dave
 
Sounds like Charcoal's the way to go and may be more fun. Glad to hear he can convert it to gas if it's too frustrating using charcoal. Thanks again and I'll definitely make sure he logs on to this site once he gets his present (his b-day isn't until the 20th).

Alicia
 
They all have their own pro's and cons. Which ever you choose, I am sure you'll get great smokes from it.
 
And if you/he doesn't at first, send him back here. The guys and gals on this forum can certainly point him in the right direction.
biggrin.gif


Dave
 
How about ELECTRIC!.....None of the other MES or electric boys stand up for the wall outlet? I vote electric........EASY.....never out of charcoal, gas or proane. Like uncle Ron P. says "set it & forget it"....He also made the "pocket fisherman" you know....A lot of pro fisherman are still using that thing to this day......
biggrin.gif
 
wow, firstoff you a very thoughtful person to be buyin a gift like this... an if he dont like cuz of one or the other.....i dunno, i wud be happy to get a
smoker, reg of type.

i am going to differ from these folks who are correct in that you WILL get the best results from a charcoal. but it depends on your lifestyle. if you havethe time to tend the smoker on a pretty much constant level than charcoal by all means. if this is not going to happen and a set it and forget it type is going to foot the bill better than prob gas the way to go but still need to watch it somewhat, a GOSM is very popular. and if truly hands free is what would foot the bill best than something like an MES would work here
 
Oh, I thought you were talking about me, until I read the set and forget thing. I back you up though, set and forget.

Love my MES!
 
If he has a gas grill then I would suggest a gas Smoker not everyone likes messing with charcoal and if he did he would probably have a charcoal grill. Gas is easy and thats why I like it.
 
I'm with ya there, Piney!
PDT_Armataz_01_37.gif


The "fun" of tending the fire wore off pretty quick for me. That's not to say I wouldn't do it again sometime -- if I could find some decent lump around here.
biggrin.gif
But for now, it's gas!

That being said, I thought erain summed it up quite nicely though.

Dave
 
Your man is lucky to have a lady as thoughtful as you! I agree that either gas or electric is the way to go. He may eventually move back to charcoal but learning charcoal is another skill.

Let him learn to smoke meat first, get some favorite recipes of his own, enjoy the whole thin blue smoke thing and then he will branch out to whatever floats his boat. He can go to charcoal, real wood chunks and a firebox or pellets if he likes. You can't go wrong either way.

The far more important thing is to just do it and have some fun!

Happy smokin' to you both!!
 
I can not believe someone hasnt said buy 1 of each!! You guys are slackin'!!

Alicia...whatever you get I am sure he will be happy :)

Does he know much about smoking? If not have him to take the time to learn alittle before starting so he isnt discouraged.

Good Luck!!
 
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