My Big Chief Addition

[BandCollector]

Since I retired and sold my MES 40 I decided to get another smoker that was as easy to use with my AMNPS. Well luckily enough this Big Chief fell into my lap.

I was inspired by Daveomak and found this one on Craig's List for $50.00.

How lucky can one guy get. . . . It also came with a wrap-around insulation blanket and four bags of hickory chips. . . . Yikes!

I'm so excited that I am running out right now to buy some cheese before my local market jacks up the sale prices!

 

[motocrash]

Nice score! I seem to be a day late,dollar short on the CL deals...

 

[SonnyE]

Those are highly recommended for smoking fish and cheeses. Herb Good smokes Salmon in them.
The are great basic smokers.

My SIL and Grandson smoked a big Salmon Jasper caught last year in their Little Chief, and used some Alder wood from their property up in Port Orchard, WA.
It was delicious!

 

[Proximo]

Wow for $50 that's a pretty good find! Never heard of that brand before. How old do you think it is?

 

[BandCollector]

Wow for $50 that's a pretty good find! Never heard of that brand before. How old do you think it is?

If you Google Big Chief Smokers your search will result in quite a few places to purchase one.

Originally they were called Totem Food Smokers and were bought out by Big Chief. I think the original owner bought this one new about 5 years ago and rarely used it.

John

 

[chopsaw]

Nice find . That's in great shape ! Enjoy .

 

[gmc2003]

Nice pick up BC, Smokers rarely show up on CL around here, and if they do they want top dollar. Get that smoker fired up.

Chris

 

[GaryHibbert]

Nice find. If I could find a Big Chief for that kind of money, I'd have one too--always wanted one.
Gary

 

[SmokinAl]

Great score!
Al

 

[Rings Я Us]

That with 5 racks might be what I need for my jerky every weekend.:D

Don't need any temps over 150 really.. I finish the jerky in the oven anyways

 

[old sarge]

Excellent score! That brand/style smoker has been around for a very long time. Simple and utterly reliable. Here is another oldie but goodie that has been around for decades and pretty inexpensive to boot:

https://www.oldsmokey.com/products/electric-smoker?variant=350587737

 

[cmayna]

Something you might consider doing to your chief. Replace the fixed low wattage heating element with a higher watt adjustable. Did this to both of my Big Chiefs. Fun winter project. Note the little red light to the right of the switch which indicates when the element is heating.

Of course, another idea is to plug your chief into a PID such as an Auber, which I now do.

image.jpg

• cmayna
• Jan 27, 2015

 

[LanceR]

That does look barely used. Congrats. I have a pair of Little Chiefs that have smoked a lot of salmon and cheese over the years.


Lance

 

[Hank R]

I surprised myself today and used my chief to smoke ribs. First time ever I know they were not as good as everyone else can do but I had to start somewhere and learn. I used 3 pans of Apple wood changed every hr. Covered up the Chef with a box to help keep heat in. Then on the BBQ at 225 to cook the ribs, in a roaster for 2 hrs then on BBQ for 1 more hr. We could taste the smoke which was a great surprise. Now I want a Smoke-it #1 real bad. I think I am hooked on smoking. All I need is a passport and $$$

 

[old sarge]

Your time will come. Good to hear your ribs turned out well.