Amatuer pitmaster SeanySmokes looking to buy his FIRST Smoker! NEED ADVICE

[seanysmokes]

Hello All !

My name is Sean and I am from Rockland County, NY.  I have become a great home cook over the past few years and am looking to expand my cooking arsenal with the purchase of my first SMOKER.  I definitely need a gas smoker and would prefer a double door with a window to really limit heat loss as I master the craft of smoking delicious meats and fish.  I figure the glass would allow me to view the smoking processes and limit the number of times I open the door to check on progress.  A separate compartment for water & chip tray would also help keep the heat in the meat compartment.  With that said... I NEED ADVICE !!!

Ideally, I would like a 30-36" gas, double door smoker with a glass window such as the Smoke Hollow 36" LP Gas Smoker with Window. 

http://www.hayneedle.com/product/sm...la&kwid=SmokersandFryers level03&tid=OLP067-1

HOWEVER - I am skeptical of the removable chip tray with this model as it seems flimsy and I have read that using a cast iron skillet mod is the best alternative - I doubt I can mod this type of chip tray if needed DOES ANYONE HAVE INPUT ON THIS ISSUE?

I would appreciate ALL suggestions on different smoker models and whether or not the glass door would really make a difference for an amateur smoker.

THANK YOU!!

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF!

I think if you post your smoker questions in the propane smoker section you will get more responses.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/109/propane-smokers

I have a Smoke Vault 24, no glass door, but it is a very well built gas smoker.

No mods needed, it works fine right out of the box!

Al

 

[seanysmokes]

Thanks for the input, Al!

 

[tallbm]

Hi there and welcome!

I don't have any input on propane smoker models for you but I can say that the glass doors may end up disappointing you.

I too was really high on the idea of having a glass door on my smoker (an electric) but after about 4-5 smokes I have given up on cleaning it and have accepted that it will now forever be blacked out and smoked covered and I'm 100% fine with it hahahaha.

I think like many of yous you may come to the same conclusion.  The major reason it is so acceptable to me is that smoking meat is done by Internal Temperature (IT) not time or look.  Having a dual probe smoking thermometer like a Maverick eliminates the need to look at the meat as it smokes or cook based on time.  IT is always right.

Do what makes you happy because that is what matters in the end.  I just figure my experience (as well as many others) with glass doors may help you save a few bucks and/or help in making a decision that may come down a potentially better smoker that does not have the glass door feature.

Best of luck and I look forward to seeing where you land with your purchase and your future smokes :)

 

[ab canuck]

[h1]  [/h1]
Hello and welcome to SMF from the Great white North 

. Browse the forums and ask lots of questions, get involved. There is a an amazing amount of info, recipes and knowledge here that are second to none. Enjoy good luck and share your experiences. The only smoker I know of with a double door glass is a Cajun Injector electric smoker XL model at Academy 

 

[gary s]

  Good morning and welcome to the forum from another beautiful 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

 

[seanysmokes]

Fellow Smokers!I have settled on the Smoke Hollow 38" gas smoker with Glass Door. I have also invested in the ThermoPro TS20 digital thermometer to monitor my internal/chamber temps. Looking forward to my first smoke on Saturday - pulled pork it is!!

 

[hardcookin]

Enjoy your new smoker! Looking forward to seeing the results of your first smoke.

 

[dabigbozman]

These are great smokers, I have the 36" version and I love it

https://buydepot.net/products/pro-s...=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=19616072387

 

[geezer]

Fellow Smokers! I have settled on the Smoke Hollow 38" gas smoker with Glass Door. I have also invested in the ThermoPro TS20 digital thermometer to monitor my internal/chamber temps. Looking forward to my first smoke on Saturday - pulled pork it is!!

Good luck with your cook, Seany. 

And whatever you do, don't pull it too early regardless of how much time has passed. Let it hit 200+ IT.