New and looking for advice!

[gotcountry]

Hey Everyone,

Been browsing the forum for a while (mostly looking at pictures of fatties and other delicious food) and am now at the stage where i NEED a smoker (not want, NEED!). So, because I live in Canada, everything seems to be that bit more difficult to find at a decent price (I am in BC).

I am at a bit of a standstill, as I am partially trying to decide between charcoal and electric, but also what is best for my buck. I don't necessarily need advice on the charcoal vs electric, as I have already searched and read all your comments towards other newbs, but what I would like is comparative advice between the Bradley Smoker and the WSM.

What I hope to use my smoker for is: brisket, whole chickens (not sure if you can do beer butt?), fatties, cheese, pork......basically everything..oh and chicken wings! haha.

So, are any of these items exclusive to a specific smoker? I know cheese seems to be something that could be exclusive to one or the other.

My price range is in the $300 area, and the best prices I have found for each so far are:

Bradley Smoker : $289

WSM 18.5" : $329

Thanks in advance, will be checking back fairly often....like every minute!

Spenser

 

[jirodriguez]

Well I have never used a bradly, but I do use and LOVE the WSM. I have the 22.5" WSM and it is a great smoker, super easy to use, easy to clean, no special pellets or disks, and most importantly produces some great Que!

 

[realtorterry]

First I would like to say welcome to SMF. Glad you finally joined in! Second I don't have either so MAYBE I won't be of help, but I would think it would depend on how much tending you might want to do? Being in Canada, I'm sure it's mostly cold so it might make since to go Bradley instead of going out in the snow. BUT i personally like tending the firebox a little & feeling like I'm more involved! I'm sure someone with one of these will be along soon with better advise!

 

[Fife]

 

[gotcountry]

Haha well maybe I can help clear some peoples views on good ol' Canada. I live in BC (more specifically Vancouver Island or Vancouver, depending), and this year we got about 1 week of snow.....last year I think we had 1 day. It rains alot here, but I still barbeque all year long (even when there is snow).

That being said, would the snow have a huge effect on the WSM? Would it make it harder to control temps?

 

[scarbelly]

Welcome to SMF and good luck with your quest for a smoker - I have been up there twice just to see the amazing fireworks contest you all host every year. Each country competing is one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. We were there a few years ago for the finals. Amazing show

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF! My vote goes to the WSM. I have one & they are hard to beat.

 

[beer-b-q]

Welcome to SMF, Glad to have you with us.
 

This is the place to learn, lots of good info and helpful friendly Members.
 

For those of you new to Smoking, be sure to check out Jeff's 5 Day Smoking Basics eCourse.

Click Here it's "FREE" ... 5 Day eCourseE



Also for those of you new to smoking,  Get a good Probe Thermometer as we smoke by Temperature NOT TIME.



A good choice for a remote dual probe thermometer is the Maverick ET-732

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome!!!

The first smoker is only the begining......sighs...

I have a MES a WSM and a BGE. Got the guru kit for the WSM and the BGE today.

Take your time and have fun!!

       Craig

 

[jirodriguez]

Haha well maybe I can help clear some peoples views on good ol' Canada. I live in BC (more specifically Vancouver Island or Vancouver, depending), and this year we got about 1 week of snow.....last year I think we had 1 day. It rains alot here, but I still barbeque all year long (even when there is snow).

That being said, would the snow have a huge effect on the WSM? Would it make it harder to control temps?

I love the Vancouver Island area.... spent our honeymoon up there and had a blast.

The WSM does really well under all conditions except high wind - wind is the hardest thing for almos all smokers to deal with. There are lots of pictures here of folks using WSM's in the dead of winter in a foot or more of snow. If you really want to have it do well you can build or make some sort of enclosure to go around the WSM, then it will work really, really well in all kinds of weather.
 

 

[meateater]

Welcome to the SMF. Glad to have you here. Lots of good folks, great recipes and knowledge. Looking forward to your first qview.

 

[tyotrain]

 

[hardslicer]

Welcome......I'm right there with you in trying to find the right smoker....guess this is half the fun learning about the pro's & con's of each kind.....good luck

 

[lexoutlaw]

weber all the way!!

welcome

 

[sinnful-bbq]

Welcome to SMF glad to have you here. Let us know what you get.

JJ