Inexpensive Smoker

[papa rick]

Howdy all,

We are looking for a new smoker. However i dont have the resources to buy the real good models. Can someone suggest a decent smoker that is not going to cost me an arm and a leg?

Thanks for your input,

Rick

 

[cooknhogz]

Whats a arm and a leg? I have a propane Master Forge from Lowes for small smokes that works great for me. Under $200

 

[jarjarchef]

I agree... What is your budget?

 

[thsmormonsmokes]

I still haven't gotten around to building mine, but a UDS would fit your description.  I found a barrel source for $20.  I'm guessing I can get it built for under $100 once I get off my butt to do it.  The only trick is finding a safe barrel.  Once you've got that, you're golden.

 

[papa rick]

i looked at the UDS Videos. No one seems to put a bottom access door in them. Seems it would be pretty difficult to get to teh fire without removing all the meat??

 

[papa rick]

My son in law just gave me a char broiler vertical smoker. I hear they need modified. Are they worth the trouble?

 

[deanoaz]

Howdy all,

We are looking for a new smoker. However i dont have the resources to buy the real good models. Can someone suggest a decent smoker that is not going to cost me an arm and a leg?

Thanks for your input,

Rick

Coming from the position of a present and somewhat newbie ECB user, I would suggest it as an inexpensive way of sticking your toe in the water.  If you are not aware of what an ECB is, it is an Extra Cheap Brinkmann.  It is a Brinkmann charcoal, vertical smoker that runs $39 at Wally World or other places like Home Depot or Lowes.  There are a number of threads on this forum of mod's to make to it that are cheap (work vs. $$$'s) and effective in giving you that intro into meat smoking.  My belief is that it is a great way to learn smoking techniques and then read about other smokers (electric, propane, pellet, etc.) to see what you might want to get in the future if you want to upgrade.

 

[roller]

I still haven't gotten around to building mine, but a UDS would fit your description.  I found a barrel source for $20.  I'm guessing I can get it built for under $100 once I get off my butt to do it.  The only trick is finding a safe barrel.  Once you've got that, you're golden.

There you go !

 

[pit 4 brains]

i looked at the UDS Videos. No one seems to put a bottom access door in them. Seems it would be pretty difficult to get to teh fire without removing all the meat??

That's the beuty of a UDS. There's no need to tend a fire. The heat is controlled by the amount of air let into the bottom and keeping the lid shut. I built mine a few years ago and it is my go-to rib, butt, brisket and chicken smoker. I can do better Q than the local Q joint, just not as much..

My son in law just gave me a char broiler vertical smoker. I hear they need modified. Are they worth the trouble?

Is it a charcoal burner?

If it's free then give it a few runs and see how you like it. What few mods that could be done will probably be worth the effort. One thing for sure, if you do the mods, it will be your custom smoker and you will get to know it well. 

Right now I have 4 picnics and two eyes of round smoking in a smokehouse I made from a flat crate, a big camp-chef stove and an AMZNPS. Don't fuss over the brand or the shiny stainless steel, just get good steady temps, steady smoke, and get to smokin'!

 

[pgsmoker64]

This is, of course, just an opinion but in bang for your buck and ease of usage you can get a MasterBuilt Electric for about $200.

I have a CB w/ SFB, a WSM, and a MES30 and I use the electric more often than any of the others because it's is quicker to prepare, clean up, etc.

Just a thought.

Good luck on your choice and good smoking.