Help Me Pick My Next Smoker

[thegreatmc]

Since this isn't about a specific type or anything like that, I thought this was the place place for it, if not then we'll one of the mods please move it?

First some background. I currently have a Masterbuilt 7 in 1 and I love smoking food on it. I make some great stuff, but my temperature control, size, and shape are not making me happy and I'm ready to expand. I cook a lot and smoking had just recently become one of the tools I use. I have already done fish, ribs, a whole duck, and a fatty. Everything I smoke is with apple wood I cut from trees myself. They produce amazing flavor and are free. I am currently doing 4 racks of ribs, a pot of beans, and have some ABTs to throw on in a bit. This has shown my biggest problem, size.

Here are my MUSTS:
1. I must be able to do at least 4 racks of pork ribs without cutting them up.
2. I must be able to control my heat and be able to do so from 140* clear up to 300*.
3. I must be able to burn apple wood I cut off trees to get my smoke.

I like burning charcoal but I'm not sold on it. If I can do a propane or an electric and still be able to use my own wood, I'd be done with that. I'm also pretty handy so a DIY project wouldn't be out of the question.

What I've looked at so far:

Mini WSM - These are awesome and one of my eventual tools, but they don't meet requirement number 1 so they're out.

UDS/Any kettle style - Also fail in number 1. They don't have the room.

MES 30/40 - Very interested, but I don't know if they meet requirement number 3.

Brinkmann offset - Probably the most intriguing of all so far. They seem very cheaply built and the reviews aren't great. I'm not sure I like buying something to instantly have to modify.

What is everyone's ideas and suggestions? I know everyone had their own view and preferences based off their needs, but I thought this would give you guys enough to suggest where I should start.

 

[gary s]

Have you looked at some custom smokers ?

Gary

 

[thegreatmc]

Have you looked at some custom smokers ?

Gary

I'm not even sure what type of smoker I want yet. Do you have suggestions on custom?

 

[pockets]

Stay away from the brinkmann.. Look at bass pro and cabellas they have some nice virtacle and offset smokers.

 

[robcava]

What's your budget? Lang makes a really nice reverse flow offset with a firebox to handle splits. If you go with offset, reverse flow is highly recommended!

 

[themandlj32]

I have a 40in MES. I love it. You can use your own wood you'll just have to cut it a little smaller then normal. I smoked nine rack of ribs and had room for more. Hope that helps a little.

 

[thegreatmc]

I think I'm sold on the offset, but I'm waiting a year as then I'll know where I'm living and I'll probably build it. My budget is going to max out at $500 so even though the Lang are awesome and exactly what I want, they are a bit step. I don't think I need anything that large, either. It's good to at least hear options so I appreciate that.

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

If you want to try a gas smoker the Smoke Hollow Pro 44 is a great unit. It comes with a rib rack and you can smoke 7 racks of ribs on 1 rack alone. No problem with temp controls you are looking for and no problem burning your apple wood. Price is $279 @ Sams Club. I substituted the water pan with a tin foil pan for easy clean up and also added nomex gasket to door to help contain the smoke

 

[drewed]

It sounds like you want to lay your racks out flat.  That pretty much kills most of the vertical type smokers, or you'll need to trim them to fit.  

The brinkmann's ( and their clones ) really are cheaply made and need immediate modifications, HOWEVER they are cheap enough to all for such modifications and not blow the budget.  Many pit people make some mighty good Q on them.  IF you are moving in a year or so, they might just be the ticket to fill the gap between now and then.

However, if you are ok with trimming the racks a little, or rolling them up, the larger WSM (22.5) will fit the bill nicely.  AS my wife found out when I stuck three chickens on my the other day "OMG you can put a LOT of food on that thing!"  Then I told her that was only the top rack.....

IMG_1372.JPG

• drewed
• Jun 1, 2015

 

[jirodriguez]

22.5" WSM holds 3 racks of ribs flat on each rack or if you use a rib rack you can fit 12 racks of ribs. Using different ways of loading charcoal you can control the temps as you desire. My folks give me all their apple tree trimmings and I cut them up, dry them, then toss them on the charcoal for my flavor smoke.