If you could choose one smoker....

[Canadagrown]

I’m sure this may have been discussed in this site at some point, but I’m curious to see some opinions with all the different types of smokers out there. Which one would you choose and why? I currently have a pellet smoker and really like it, but space is an issuer if smoking for a large get together. Thanks!

 

[ofelles]

I have a Yoder YS640. It does a get job on everything I have cooked from smoked salmon the Jaliso-style goat stew. And for large cooks I fit 7 10+ pounds of pork butts on it at once. I am very please with my purchase after 1 1/2 years.

 

[JC in GB]

After doing much research, I finally purchased a Stump's Baby. I can do 6 pork shoulders in it at one time. It has made my BBQ cooks much more professional and predictable. It is also insulated so I can use it in the winter.

It would be hard to convince me that any smoker is better.

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this one, and they will ALL be right!

 

[smokinbill1638]

Love my wsm 22. Can do a lot at a time (50 lb of pork butts easy) or a little. Also set and forget especially with my cyberq.

 

[krj]

My gravity fed hands down. Space for days, runs forever on a single bag of charcoal, with the fireboard/fan it heats up fast, recovers quickly, and maintains like an over. Price tag hurts, but so worth it.

After my GF, I'd probably say the WSM. It's highly modable, has a good amount of space, is extremely beginner friendly but has room to use more advanced techniques.

 

[radio]

Wood/charcoal smoker choice would be Peoria custom cooker all the way!!
Pellet would be Yoder YS640

 

[sandyut]

Rec Tec Bull. Does it all consistently and easily.

 

[Canadagrown]

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this one, and they will ALL be right!

Wow you weren’t lying. Not even two of the same have been mentioned lol

 

[sandyut]

I would have to agree - once you hit a budget threshold, the quality seems to be similar and the variations come down to budget, warranty, options, and preferences.

Below that threshold quality and consistency is more of an issue.

 

[Central PA Cowboy]

I love my MES 30. If I could do it all over again, I would have never bought my GMG Davy Crockett and just used my MES 30.

 

[noboundaries]

I love my WSM. That said, if I'm ever in the market for another smoker, I'd buy a cabinet type. It's versatile, insulated, and can use wood, charcoal, or a combination of them both. Vertical smokers are the most fuel efficient and don't take up much space. Pretty hands-off, too. They are pricey, 4x the cost of a WSM, but dang I want one.

 

[JC in GB]

Wood/charcoal smoker choice would be Peoria custom cooker all the way!!
Pellet would be Yoder YS640

Those Peroria pits are some nice looking units for sure.

 

[schlotz]

"...space is an issue" Can we get a bit more detail regarding this? How many is a large get together? What proteins would you be smoking?

 

[Canadagrown]

"...space is an issue" Can we get a bit more detail regarding this? How many is a large get together? What proteins would you be smoking?

For instance. This past weekend I hosted a smoke off at my place with a bunch of buddies who enjoy smoking and about 50 people. There were two categories, ribs, and smokers choice. I did 4 racks of baby backs and that took up my entire grill so I couldn’t even enter the other category. And the 4 racks take THE ENTIRE GRILL. I’ve done this amount many times before and would like more room. I currently have a Camp Chef Smoke Pro SE 24 which has 480 sq inches. It has no second rack or anything. I love the smoker, it is perfect amount of space 90% of the time. I’m just being picky and thinking ahead at my next smoker.

BTW I won the rib category using Al’s method. Never fails. The other bozos were running around frantically the whole time and I sat on my lawn chair drinking beer with full confidence haha.

 

[schlotz]

For instance. This past weekend I hosted a smoke off at my place with a bunch of buddies who enjoy smoking and about 50 people. There were two categories, ribs, and smokers choice. I did 4 racks of baby backs and that took up my entire grill so I couldn’t even enter the other category. And the 4 racks take THE ENTIRE GRILL. I’ve done this amount many times before and would like more room. I currently have a Camp Chef Smoke Pro SE 24 which has 480 sq inches. It has no second rack or anything. I love the smoker, it is perfect amount of space 90% of the time. I’m just being picky and thinking ahead at my next smoker.

BTW I won the rib category using Al’s method. Never fails. The other bozos were running around frantically the whole time and I sat on my lawn chair drinking beer with full confidence haha.

Now that does sound like a lot of fun! Depending on what you might be interested in for example, my MAK 2 Star has a total of 858 sq inches. 429 main grate and 429 top grate. Top grate is removable as well. Best way to purchase them is to buy the full second grate and use it on the bottom and then you have the two half grate bottoms for the top. You can just use one which gives more access to whatever is on the bottom or use both and load 'er up!

 

[Canadagrown]

Now that does sound like a lot of fun! Depending on what you might be interested in for example, my MAK 2 Star has a total of 858 sq inches. 429 main grate and 429 top grate. Top grate is removable as well. Best way to purchase them is to buy the full second grate and use it on the bottom and then you have the two half grate bottoms for the top. You can just use one which gives more access to whatever is on the bottom or use both and load 'er up!

I’m surprised mine didn’t come with an upper grate. There are no rests up there even if I did buy it separate. I’d love to figure out a way to get one in there though. Part of my problem would be solved.

 

[uncle eddie]

I am on my second MES40...there will be a third one day unless there is a major unknown breakthrough

 

[hangmanli]

My first smoker was a Bradley 4 shelf digital electric smoker. I don’t use the Bradley flavored pucks anymore. Just the Amazen smoke tube. The Bradley has limitations. I was new to smoking.

My next smoker will be a “Smoke-It” Smoker. stainless steel cabinet, built solid. Not cheap. They make many different models and sizes.

 

[schlotz]

I’m surprised mine didn’t come with an upper grate. There are no rests up there even if I did buy it separate. I’d love to figure out a way to get one in there though. Part of my problem would be solved.

If by 'mine' you mean an older MAK then there was a stand alone full grate add on for it.