Help a Newbie Smoker

[vtbando]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to purchase my first smoker and have decided that to start, a propane smoker would be best for me for ease of use.  Now, I'm struggling with which smoker to purchase.  I'm looking to cap my cost at $300 and living up north, I'm looking for use and durability during the cold winter months.I had been debating between the Landman 2-drawer vertical available at Costco:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

and the Smoke Vault 24" that I know most of you are familiar with.  But, I'm also open to other suggestions as well.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!  And though I've already done a lot of reading here and elsewhere on smoking, I will be taking the e-class ASAP!

Thanks for your knowledge and opinionsand Happy Holidays to all!

Bando

 

[big casino]

I can not give you advice on the propane smokers, I have an electric masterbuilt. but welcome to the forum

 

[so ms smoker]

  I'm not up on propane smokers either, but I would go with which ever one is the most heavy-duty construction. Thicker metal lasts longer.

Mike

 

[big andy a]

Bando,

I have a stainless GOSM gasser that I love.  I don't know the entire history of the GOSM product but mine was made prior to Landman taking over the brand so I cannot comment on the quality.  Mine is also a vertical model that is easy to use and real easy to keep on temp.  For me, I wanted the stainless covers so I didn't need to worry about rusting and refinishing.  I found mine on CraigsList for $200 and it had only been used a couple of times.  In fact, I went through a seasoning procedure just because the insides looked too clean for me.

Though I haven't used it the two drawer unit from Costco looks pretty nice.  I especially like the ability to add wood or water without opening the main chamber which would be a huge benefit for maintaining temps.  I do still open mine to spritz the meat during the smoke.  I also like the large size, I smoked 30+ pounds of pork butt last weekend and my smoker was pretty full!

Good luck.

Curt.

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Ask questions and use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse
 
      Make bacon the easy way!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/109368/more-easy-made-bacon-with-q-view#post_666451

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf

 

[SmokinAl]

   Glad to have you with us!

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome to SMF there Brando. I would recommend the smoke Vault 24" it's a great uit and very durable to. You'll really like this place for there are a bunch of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. Then if you have any questions you just post them here or yu can try in chat for a faster answer. If you are really new to all of this I would recommend that you look up and take the e-course. It is free and it will also give you the basics on smoking. So with all that said now go and get something to smoke.

Welcome To Your New Addiction

 

[harleysmoker]

I'm totaly new here,,,,,,,,,Master Forge double door propane smoker from Lowes $149.00,,,,,,,,,,

 

[big casino]

Welcome to the forum, have you found roll call yet? they want new users to introduce them selves there

 

[sprky]

First off 

 to SMF. You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I'll bet you will like the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info. 

I have the Master Forge 2 door LPG unit Lowe's sells. I love the unit, for the price you cant beat it. I skimmed threw the specs and it looks fairly close to the 1 you are looking at from costco

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...elshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1#BVRRWidgetID

 

[vtbando]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and all the information.  I look forward to taking the e-course and purchasing my first smoker!  I really appreciate all the advice!

Thanks again!

Bando