Help me pick my first Smoker

[nitrobass24]

So i want to start making my own ribs, briskets and pulled pork. I am a complete newbie when it comes to this so please help educate me.

I live in a condo and I have a balcony, so I need a smoker that is Vertical/egg/cabinet shaped...small enough to fit in my closet that has a 28" door.

Has to be propane
Budget is $3-400

Just looking at some reviews it seems a lot of gas smokers, run hot 250f +. From what I have been told for low slow cooking a brisket I need to be at 225~.

Any Suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[supercenterchef]

Didn't see a reply yet, so I thought I'd jump in...

Why the propane requirement?--in that price you could get a nice electric that would fit your other needs well...

 

[s2k9k]

I was thinking electric also, if you act quick you can get an MES 30 for $149.

Don't let them fool you with the temps of a gasser, when I first got my GOSM I had a hard time keeping it below 250* but with a couple of cheap easy mods it will run 135* all day if I want it too and still go well over 300* to crisp that skin on chicken!

 

[hyperslug]

Check out the Camp Chef Vault Smoke Vault 18 and 24. I do not own one but am considering it and said to do 150-400+ degrees. I had the MES 30 and it broke twice and maxed out at 275 I think.

 

[oldschoolbbq]

No comment

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• oldschoolbbq
• Oct 13, 2012

Check Craigs List in Dallas, you may find a Jewel. Hope you find what you want and join us permanently

 I'm a Stickburner cause I like the hands on...I don't drink so handfeeding my Smokers calms my nerves and takes care of the Pyromania at the same time...

Have fun and...

 

[tfortexasbbq]

I have two and have to recommend the Weber Smokey Mountain.  It is not propane or electric, but the 18.5" is one of the best out there.  I have the BBQ Guru DigiQ and have gone 20 hours on one load.  For a Boy's Scout dinner, have actually smoked 8 pork butts at one time (lot of work).  Even without the DigiQ, it is easy to control the temp on the WSM and it turns out awesome Que!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Double check with your Complex Manger many, like where I live, restrict second and third floor apartments to Electric only...JJ

 

[nitrobass24]

Yea the reason for Propane was that we cannot have charcoal or wood burning smokers. I can only have Electric or Propane.

I was thinking propane over electric because I read that Electric will not get hot and smoky enough to give me a good bark on my briskets...am I was off basis here? Also i currently don't electricity on my balcony....so i would have to get an electrician out here to work some magic.

 

[nitrobass24]

After readthing through the forums for a while, it seems that people have a lot of gripes with Masterbuilt smokers and end up modding them. I don't mind spending a little more and it looks like the Camp Chef 24 is pretty solid unit.

Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[big andy a]

I have a GOSM vertical cabinet style gasser that has worked great for me.  I can get the temps low enough for salmon and plenty hot to crisp up chicken skin.  I have not done any modifications to my unit.  It maintains the temp easily so I'm not spending all my time running back and forth adjusting things. I smoke PP at 230 +/- and get great bark.  I bought mine on CL.

Good luck with your search.

Andy. 

 

[nitrobass24]

Well I ordered the Camp Chef 18" from Amazon Yesterday, arrived first thing this morning (You have no idea how hard it was for me to go to work :) )... Tonight i put it together and seasoned it for an hour at 180 with some Hickory Chips.

Going to Sams on Friday to pick up a turkey to smoke this weekend.

 

[roller]

I like Electric ITS EASY and does a GREAT job with GREAT taste...