Best smoker for around $350 or less?

[stringer]

Want to get into smoking meats, not sure what to buy. Want something larger than dome kind i see at walmart. What should i be looking at? Thanks.

 

[jpittssr]

That is really a loaded question.

 First you need to ask your self several questions, one of which you have already answered.

Less than $300 narrows it down a lot.

Next question, do you want wood/charcoal, gas or electric?

All of them have their good/bad points.

I started out grilling on a refrigerator rack supported by bricks. Have used several gas grills and found that most often I would use the left burner and place my meat over the right burner cooking with INDIRECT HEAT.

This led me to buy a offset smoker made by Brinkmann. I used it for several years and finally replaced it with another Brinkmann which is not made near as well as the old one but it sells for around $180.00

Lots of guys are making smokers.

I'm sure you will get plenty of input.

 

[stringer]

ok thanks alot. in my price range, what would be the best offset smoker to get and possibly modify on the cheap?

 

[jpittssr]

The Brinkmann is the only cheap one I have owned.

Maybe some of the others have experience with other brands.

I bought the Brinkmann for 200 with tax, used it once now have it up for sale.

I decided to buy a Lang and I have really enjoyed it. It's a lot more than a Brinkmann but, what the heck, it's only money.
 

 

[sneeferson]

TSM make a couple of Propane models that to me (a complete newbie who has researched for weeks) look pretty good.

One is black and one is stainless $300/$350 directly from the manufacturer, and maybe better prices around to be had.

If i post a link my post will get moderated and the information will reach you more slowly, so i did not post a link.

PM me if you have any trouble finding what i am talking about.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Landmann has some nice Propane units in your range. Masterbuilt 30" Electric is Great and you may still find a 2011 40" MES at Sam's Club for $299...JJ

 

[jimmycricket]

Check out the brinkmann trailmaster its and offset smoker arond 300 and can be modded decently.

 

[jirodriguez]

Watch aimtofind.com or amazon.com for free shipping sales on either the 22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain or the 18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM).

The WSM's just plain work straight out of the box, assemble in 15-20 min., and produce great Que! The 18.5" can cook for groups up to 10 people fairly comfortably, and the 22.5" can cook for groups of up to 30. Poke around the forums and you will see lots of us are very, very happy with the WSM's.

 

[stickyfingers]

Academy Sports has the Old Country Boy for $399.

 

[bar-b-que blues]

Poke around the forums and you will see lots of us are very, very happy with the WSM's.

My first post here... I couldn't agree more! Thumbs Up

 

[stringer]

thanks everyone. decided on the char-griller smokin' pro and plan to do some modifications. 190 shipped to store from walmart, cant wait till it gets here. hope i made a good choice.

 

[jirodriguez]

thanks everyone. decided on the char-griller smokin' pro and plan to do some modifications. 190 shipped to store from walmart, cant wait till it gets here. hope i made a good choice.

I started with one of those, modified it, had a total of $250 wrapped up in it, used it for 8 months, sold it for $80, and bought a 22.5" WSM. Have never once regretted it and wish somebody had convinced me to get the WSM from the get go.

The Char-griller will work, but even with mods you are going to be spending a lot of time tending to it, and it does not perform well in windy or cold weather. I would say if you have the extra $$ return the CG and get the WSM. Both will produce great Que, but you will be a lot happier with the WSM overall.

Johnny

 

[stringer]

I started with one of those, modified it, had a total of $250 wrapped up in it, used it for 8 months, sold it for $80, and bought a 22.5" WSM. Have never once regretted it and wish somebody had convinced me to get the WSM from the get go.

The Char-griller will work, but even with mods you are going to be spending a lot of time tending to it, and it does not perform well in windy or cold weather. I would say if you have the extra $$ return the CG and get the WSM. Both will produce great Que, but you will be a lot happier with the WSM overall.

Johnny

ok thanks. i wish i could afford the 22.5 wsm right now but its a bit out of my price range, which has since shrunk. i guess i will just try to do the best i can with this one for now, untill im able to graduate into a better unit. since its not cold or windy here, maybe i'll have better luck (hopefully)

 

[piaconis]

Check out the Brinkmann Trailmaster at Home Depot.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bama bbq]

ok thanks. i wish i could afford the 22.5 wsm right now but its a bit out of my price range, which has since shrunk. i guess i will just try to do the best i can with this one for now, untill im able to graduate into a better unit. since its not cold or windy here, maybe i'll have better luck (hopefully)

Keep your eyes peeled for a Craig's list, ebay, or store returns.  You might get into a WSM for less than a cpl hundred bucks.  For instance, here's a guy selling his for $200: http://tvwbb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9130026584/m/3571081046?r=1051091046#1051091046

 

[oldschoolbbq]

How big you want

 

I have a Brinkman and sold it to a friend and he couldn't get it running and got frustratedand gave it backThere she is...the garage is full of my other stuff..

.

Cabella's and Bass Pro. carry some decent(Horizon at BPS) smokers ,but a little more than your budget.

UDS's are popular and a basic is around $50 , depending on how much Dumpster diving you do...

This is my "Flo" Baby...no way it's going..she and 'Lil Girl make a team:

Once I get the UDS the way I want it,I'll be using it on my Birds and such, till then it's these two and that 'Brinkman Girl'...looking at CL for a Grill.....they seem to last only a year.

Thanks for looking at my fowl...

Have fun and as always...