Choosing the best smoker for pork

[tiyQer]

I'm looking to buy an electric smoker for home use.
Any recommendations? I'd like it to be good quality but reasonably priced

 

[schlotz]

Welcome the SMF from Indiana. Glad to have ya!

Electric smokers can do the job but you end up having to constantly tend them a feeding chips. Most have done a mailbox mode to use them with a pellet tray which frees them from constantly feeding. Lots of threads here on the mailbox mod for MES electric smokers.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

MES 30 or 40 are great options. Especially like what @schlotz said with the mailbox mod or a pellet tube/maze

 

[912smoker]

And , if you decide to add another smoker later, the MES can still be used as a warming cabinet or to finish the cook after the wrap. Very versatile.

Keith

 

[801driver]

Welcome. I have visited Bloomington and Indy several times in my life. I suggest to look for the features and size that will work for you. Think about long term value of SS vs powder coat steel. What environment it will be in, outside all the time vs to be stored in the garage, etc. How much electronics and motorized auger maintenance it will require in the future, do you want a grill option also, etc.

Myself I have a Smoke-it #2 analog that has been sitting under the covered part of my deck for about 10 years. Only maintenance I have done is to clean it every once in a while and replace the foil I put in the bottom and on top of the smoke box for easier clean up once in a while. Being analog (no digital controller, works like your kitchen oven) It is as simple and trouble free as it gets. It is insulated well and gets used year round at least once a week. It is limited to about 250' max temp but I keep it at 225' 99% of the time. I "Set it and forget it" until my remote IT probe beeps at me. It is designed to have very little air flow, so an oz or so of wood chips will smoke at least an hour. I usually start out mine with a few, then a few hours or so into my smoke add a couple more to finish up a several hour smoke. It is very efficient in that aspect.

Lot's of brands and opinions out here. Good luck at finding a smoker that fits you and use it a lot to enjoy it. Post your first smokes, it most always will give you ideas of things you want to try a little different next time or if you need ideas, this is the place to ask questions and get help.

 

[Winterrider]

Welcome to the forum from ND .
If you do go the MES route , I would highly recommend the 40 model over the 30. Also look into purchasing a digital thermometer to verify cook chamber temps and meat temps.

 

[sandyut]

Welcome, can you define "reasonably priced"? Thats pretty subjective.

 

[tiyQer]

Welcome, can you define "reasonably priced"? Thats pretty subjective.

planning in 2-3k euro

I like when you see what you've got and you are sure the money was well spent and the smoker will serve as well to my children
I'm currently considering different options, and I like the cold smoking feature. There are also models with the opposite functionality such as a steam generator, but I'm not sure I need this yet and they're pretty expensive

 

[jcam222]

Welcome the SMF from Indiana. Glad to have ya!

Electric smokers can do the job but you end up having to constantly tend them a feeding chips. Most have done a mailbox mode to use them with a pellet tray which frees them from constantly feeding. Lots of threads here on the mailbox mod for MES electric smokers.

MES used to make an feeder attachment too. Not sure if they still do.

 

[jcam222]

If you want to spend up a little both Smokin It and Smokin Tex are solid choices

 

[normanaj]

planning in 2-3k euro

Seeing that you are in Europe a lot is really going to depend on what's available to you there. If you're thinking of purchasing from the US shipping will eat up a fair amount of your budget.