Looking for a new Smoker. Advice on this one?

[justinkp]

Hi.   I've been smoking for about 4 years and my first smoker finally quit.   Not on it's own, we had a bad storm and the wind was so strong it actually picked up the smoker and threw it across my deck and everything inside is destroyed along with a nice dent in the smoker itself.    It was time for a new one anyhow!  

I was looking at the following smoker.  30 inch electric which matches the one I used to have.  This one has a window and remote control though which is really helpful to me.      I'd like to go no more than $300 on my budget.     I usually cook brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and sausages.   The only thing I think I'd need to buy in addition to the smoker below would be the sausage hooks to hang the sausage on.  I use cherry and hickory wood for my beef  and pork, and apple for chicken currently.  

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masterbu...-Window-and-Remote-Control-20070411/202461863

Any suggestions on something that would be a better option for me or even less expensive?   Thanks

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

You could do the MES, they are a nice smoker... Ya may also look at a Smoke It as well, just another option to consider !

http://www.smokin-it.com/Smoker_p/smkmdl1.htm

 

[timberjet]

I think you can get a first gen. 30 for like 150 bucks I saw somewhere.  That would leave you some cash for accessories. Or a bunch of meat. The window is not really needed and you could save some money without that. There are about half a million mes owners on this website. The search bar at the top of the page is your friend here.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

If your not set on a window, there's this MES gen 1 for $177. I have this one & it works fine, just get a separate therm for temps as the temp in this is way off from what the stock therm says !

 

[justinkp]

Waterin, I think you bring a great point.  My old smoker was a MES similar to the one you linked, and I kept thinking the wireless thermometer I bought for it was all jacked up because it showed 300 degrees when I had the smoker set to 150.  Im wondering if its the smoker itself?

 

[timberjet]

 
Waterin, I think you bring a great point.  My old smoker was a MES similar to the one you linked, and I kept thinking the wireless thermometer I bought for it was all jacked up because it showed 300 degrees when I had the smoker set to 150.  Im wondering if its the smoker itself?

All the masterbuilt models have crap thermometers. A maverick or other good probe setup is just a great investment and you can even use it in the house.

 

[gary s]

Most of the smokers that are at the big box stores have cheap thermometers that are not that accurate, Replace it or add a good one

Gary

 

[bmaddox]

If I was spending $300 I would try and stretch the budget to go with the 40" gen 1. It is $310 at Amazon.