Looking for recs on smokers for a gift

[stone13]

Hi all! My husband has been wanting to smoke meats forever. He's a chef and a total carnivore, so while we've never owned a smoker, his palate and expectations are pretty advanced. I'm looking to purchase him a smoker for Christmas and I need some recommendations about whether I should look at electric, propane, wood, etc., and specific thoughts on makes and models. If anyone has any thoughts about which smokers I should be looking at, I would really appreciate it. I'm looking for something $300 or under.

Thank you!

MS

 

[venture]

Cooks in general and Chefs in particular tend to be very selective about their tools.

I would recommend a rather unromantic gift certificate unless you really know what he would like?

Welcome to SMF!  Why not head on over to the roll call section so we can all give you a proper welcome!

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF!

I agree with Venture, there are so many variables involved it would be better if he could choose.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Welcome to SMF!

I agree with Venture, there are so many variables involved it would be better if he could choose.

X 3

and welcome aboard... whichever way you go (gift cert. or smoker) have him stop by here and we'll answer any questions he has

 

[chef jimmyj]

That's a really tough question...I personally have been Reviewing and Stewing over my choice of next smoker for 6 months...My wife has said if I even Mention the word Smoker and it does not include the type of meat I am going outside retrieve...I am a Dead Man!...

What type of Chef is he?

Type of restaurant and menu?

What outdoor cooking equipment does he have now?

How old is he?

You guys like to eat more Chicken than Pork or Beef?

Do you live in an apartment with burn/fuel restrictions or a house?

Will he have time to play with his smoker, 4 to 12+ hours? 

Or does he need a Set it and Forget it, Smoker?

If you hit the Quote button at the bottom of this post, this will be copied to the response box and you can answer each question without retyping...JJ

 

[scarbelly]

I agree with all who have gone before me but I do have an alternative idea -- If you were to provide him with the opportunity to pick an EARLY Christmas gift you could all enjoy the fruits of it's labor on Christmas Day. You have not lived until you have experience a smoked prime rib 

 

[roller]

If it were me I would go to Sams Club and buy him a Masterbuilt 40 electric smoker. They are 299.00 you get to wrap it up and put a big bow on it and he will have a great big ol smile on his face Christmas morning...

 

[stone13]

Thanks, all! This is very helpful.  I know it's probably smart to go with a gift certificate but I'd love it to be under the tree on Christmas. Chef JimmyJ - This wouldn't be for his restaurant, but his experience has run the gamut from fine dining steak houses to wood fired pizza, so he's comfortable with big chunks of meat and open flames ;) We love it all! I see us smoking more pork and beef than chicken, and I see it as a Sunday afternoon activity, so he definitely has an afternoon to devote to the process. We just had a party and we roasted pork butts overnight to make pulled pork. It would have been so nice to have a smoker for that. That said, I think a set it and forget it, or check in on it randomly setup would be best. Also, we live in a house, so we don't have any restrictions. 

Thanks again!! 

Roller - I'll check out the Masterbuilt 40. Thanks!!

M