Best smoker for a cheaper budget?

[jtyler48]

Hey everyone.

I'm in the market for a new smoker and I'm looking to get some ideas of which smokers would be pretty good for around $100-$300 price range.

I know you probably get what you pay for but any tips would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[lemans]

Weber 22 inch gold $149
Works great fantastic piece of equipment

 

[mori55]

Hands down chargriller Akorn. And I have electric mes , weber kettle. Never go back to anything but a Kamado smoker , grill.

 

[b-one]

Weber kettle or 18.5 Weber Smokey Mnt. You may get lucky shopping and find a deal on many models this time of year they like to close them out.

 

[lemans]

Craigs list. Garage sale I bought my weber 18 " for $5.00
Brand new was outside for two years never used

 

[jp61]

Craigs list. Garage sale I bought my weber 18 " for $5.00
Brand new was outside for two years never used

  

$5.00...Now that's a deal!

Congrats! Enjoy!

 

[jp61]

I think the 18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain is $300. I would say most folks that purchased one, like it.

 

[lemans]

Really I didn't need it but I could not pass it up

 

[sfprankster]

I found the WSM on ebay for $279 and went to Home Depot and they matched the price.

Mine works great with a few mods.

 

[davesfroggin]

I found the WSM on ebay for $279 and went to Home Depot and they matched the price.

Mine works great with a few mods.

What mods did you make?

 

[sfprankster]

Gasket kit on the lid and aluminum door $28

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• sfprankster
• Sep 2, 2015

Couple of extra washers on the top grate bolts to extend the L bracket a little $1

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• sfprankster
• Sep 2, 2015

Handles on the main body/chamber for easier lifting to clean/replace charcoal $4

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• sfprankster
• Sep 2, 2015

Second charcoal grate, placed at 90 degrees to catch smaller pieces of charcoal from falling through $12

I used 8" eye bolts to hold the grates together. This make lifting the grates out simple.

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• sfprankster
• Sep 2, 2015

Brinkman water pan for easier access reloading HOT charcoal $12

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• sfprankster
• Sep 2, 2015

Maverick ET-733 remote thermometer

The only two I highly recommend is the gasket kit and thermometer. Maintaining temperatures is a breeze from the first time firing up the WSM with a gasket and the pre-installed thermometer is way off, by up to 20-50 degrees.

 

[davesfroggin]

Nice upgrades.

I also recommend checking Craigslist. I just searched some in my area and saw a WSM 18inch for $125.

 

[rickw]

UDS or used WSM 

 

[cowboy11]

i have a 22" Old Smokey I have used for years to smoke and grill with. It never has looked like much and I added a thermometer. But for less than $100.00 I do not think you can beat it.

 

[areallynicegirl]

UDS or used WSM 

I second that!

 

[krubby]

so guess I m just piling on, but I would do WSM 18.5. quality wise you won;t get something better at that price. 22.5 starts to keep ito the $399 range

 

[sauced]

I use a Weber 22 inch kettle. Great for smoking and grilling. Entry level is $100.

 

[valleypoboy]

My okie joes was $150 when I bought it. I've put a few more dollars, some blood, lots of sweat and no tears into it. (All my mods are in the okie joes mods threads). Estimated $50 in upgrades and I feel it's pretty awesome.
I also have a nice propane smoker that's collecting dust now... not that I want to get rid of it though.

 

[HalfSmoked]

I have a 40" gasser I bought at Bass Pro off season for under $200.00 like said above check for deals now before new season starts.

 

[cowboy11]

I use an Old Smokey, made in Houston since about 1930. Simple, efficient, portable, and has worked very well for me for several years. This is in addition to my other pits.