Hello From Minnesota

[Meat&BeerGuy]

Hello fellow meat smoking enthusiasts! I live in Minneapolis, MN and work for a local brewery in sales. I have been smoking meat on and off for a few years (mostly on a friend's Big Green Egg and a Weber Smoky Mountain I have up North at the family cabin). I am engaged and about to be married and buy a house with (hopefully) a nice big deck and that I intend to put a badass smoker/propane grill combo on (wedding gift from my pops hopefully, fingers crossed). My fiancee and I love to grill up chicken, salmon, burgers, veggies, etc on a whim and she is not the biggest fan of the charcoal set-up, thus the need for a propane feature. I prefer charcoal but if I am going to put a big piece of hardware in our new backyard/on the deck I need to compromise.... However, I love smoking brisket, ribs, pork, etc. and am looking for some guidance on what make/model would be best for us. I want to maximize surface area devoted to smoking but also have enough space over propane for an impromptu backyard BBQ with burgers and brats with neighbors/friends.... I have looked at some of the Smoke Hollow combo models, would love a Yoder but I don't think they do anything with Propane and pellets might be a tough sell to my fiancee.... Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

Welcome! I think Smoke Hollow and Char-Griller are two of the only ones I know of that have the combo propane grill and charcoal smoker. Smoke Hollow has the offset firebox but the Char-Griller doesn't look like it does. Looks like you're cooking space is limited in the combo models.

For the money spent you might consider getting a separate gas grill and a smoker. Possibly either a MES or a vertical propane smoker. I have an MES40 and a Smoke Vault 24 and love both of them.

 

[Meat&BeerGuy]

Welcome! I think Smoke Hollow and Char-Griller are two of the only ones I know of that have the combo propane grill and charcoal smoker. Smoke Hollow has the offset firebox but the Char-Griller doesn't look like it does. Looks like you're cooking space is limited in the combo models.

For the money spent you might consider getting a separate gas grill and a smoker. Possibly either a MES or a vertical propane smoker. I have an MES40 and a Smoke Vault 24 and love both of them.

Thank you very much for the reply, I will for sure check out the MES line. Cheers!

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF!
Glad to have you join us!
Al

 

[gmc2003]

Welcome! I think Smoke Hollow and Char-Griller are two of the only ones I know of that have the combo propane grill and charcoal smoker. Smoke Hollow has the offset firebox but the Char-Griller doesn't look like it does. Looks like you're cooking space is limited in the combo models.

For the money spent you might consider getting a separate gas grill and a smoker. Possibly either a MES or a vertical propane smoker. I have an MES40 and a Smoke Vault 24 and love both of them.

Char griller duo does have the side fire box. It's usually has to be bought separably. They're not a bad starter unit, but leak like a sieve and need constant attention and mod's.

Chris

 

[kawboy]

Welcome from a fellow Minnesotan!

 

[meatsweats86]

Hello from one Minnesotan to another! What Brewery are you employed with? I would recommend buying a nicely used older Weber Genesis gas grill on craigslist which you can find for $200 or less right now. The older ones seem to be built better in my opinion which is what I have. These things are built to last, parts are available and they get hot. I would recommend buying a cover or keeping it stored in the garage. This will be perfect for all your grilling and searing needs.

I would also recommend buying a WSM or building an Ugly Drum smoker for all your smoking needs. The WSM can be found on craigslist for around $200 - $300 ,but you have to be quick to get it or you can build a UDS for under $200.

So.....for $400 or less you have a dedicated gas grill to keep the wife happy and a nice charcoal smoker that can cook 1 or 6 slabs of ribs at a time. There has been several occasions where I had the grill and smoker going at the same time.

A pellet smoker might be a good option also. Pitboss sells one for around $450 that has a sear function to use for grilling or low and slow for smoking.

I started with a 22.5" Weber Kettle a few years ago and caught the bug. Now I've got 5 smokers and building another shortly.

 

[NorCalMedic]

Hello from Far Northern California! Not to be confused with the rest of the state FYI :eek:).

Long time lurker and amateur backyard cooker. Currently working with a camp chef 24 and a 22in kettle with a slow and sear. Just ordered a rec tec 700 / The Bull for some some bigger cooks and cant wait to try out a pellet smoker after my months of research on them. Will be upgrading my membership ASAP to pay back for all the great information i have received from these forums. Can’t wait to join some of the discussions!


Mod if you could move this to the main roll call forum for me

 

[Meat&BeerGuy]

Welcome from a fellow Minnesotan!

Cheers!

 

[Meat&BeerGuy]

Hello from Far Northern California! Not to be confused with the rest of the state FYI :eek:).
Yoder cheyenne
Long time lurker and amateur backyard cooker. Currently working with a camp chef 24 and a 22in kettle with a slow and sear. Just ordered a rec tec 700 / The Bull for some some bigger cooks and cant wait to try out a pellet smoker after my months of research on them. Will be upgrading my membership ASAP to pay back for all the great information i have received from these forums. Can’t wait to join some of the discussions!


Mod if you could move this to the main roll call forum for me

Welcome! I think Smoke Hollow and Char-Griller are two of the only ones I know of that have the combo propane grill and charcoal smoker. Smoke Hollow has the offset firebox but the Char-Griller doesn't look like it does. Looks like you're cooking space is limited in the combo models.

For the money spent you might consider getting a separate gas grill and a smoker. Possibly either a MES or a vertical propane smoker. I have an MES40 and a Smoke Vault 24 and love both of them.

Thanks for the info! I am now realizing that I might need 2 separate units. Thinking I might just get an inexpensive propane grill and splurge on a Yoder Cheyenne.... Thoughts?

 

[Meat&BeerGuy]

Hello from one Minnesotan to another! What Brewery are you employed with? I would recommend buying a nicely used older Weber Genesis gas grill on craigslist which you can find for $200 or less right now. The older ones seem to be built better in my opinion which is what I have. These things are built to last, parts are available and they get hot. I would recommend buying a cover or keeping it stored in the garage. This will be perfect for all your grilling and searing needs.

I would also recommend buying a WSM or building an Ugly Drum smoker for all your smoking needs. The WSM can be found on craigslist for around $200 - $300 ,but you have to be quick to get it or you can build a UDS for under $200.

So.....for $400 or less you have a dedicated gas grill to keep the wife happy and a nice charcoal smoker that can cook 1 or 6 slabs of ribs at a time. There has been several occasions where I had the grill and smoker going at the same time.

A pellet smoker might be a good option also. Pitboss sells one for around $450 that has a sear function to use for grilling or low and slow for smoking.

I started with a 22.5" Weber Kettle a few years ago and caught the bug. Now I've got 5 smokers and building another shortly.

I work for Surly. I think I am going to take your advice and get a solid used gas grill for everyday use and a smoker. I am not sure exactly what make/model but I will certainly be looking into your suggestions, cheers!

 

[meatsweats86]

I've only been to Surly once. I'm not a big fan of IPA's , so their beer selection is limited for my taste buds. Great facility and I had their brisket when I went and it was very good. I see they are transforming the upstairs to a pizza joint. Might have to check it out!

There is a place in MN called Consolidated Container. They quoted me $50 for a new/ unlined drum which is very reasonable considering you know it's safe and there's no liner in it. I'll be buying one from them shortly and following these steps - https://www.fix.com/blog/building-an-ugly-drum-smoker/


I would recommend this style of Weber. Great for 2 people or cooking for 8. This is a pretty good deal I found.

 

[gary s]

Good morning and welcome to the forum from a cloudy, windy and warm day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about everything.

Gary