New smoker advice.

[chevytech77]

I'm sure this has been done before but I'm not sure where to post this question so hopefully someone can help me get this in the right section, as needed.

I am what I would consider a beginner smoker that likes to feed friends and family with tasty smoked foods that I prepare and smoke myself. For the past two years I have been using my CharGriller with the sfb and a master forger vertical. I've used lump charcoal and briquettes. I've used chips and chunk wood. My woman and I camp often in the summer and I like to smoke then as well. I've grown tired of constantly tending a fire and fighting to get that perfect temp to hold for long hours for good quality results. I hate to admit it but I'm really starting to look at some "set it and forget it" type smokers and I have been told that "Santa" needs some suggestions to make sure he brings me something along those lines for Christmas this year.

So here's my "requirements" and hopefully you all give me lots of suggestions......

$400 limit
Fuel choice is not an issue (elec, gas, wood, etc)
Small/light enough to transport semi-easily (100 lbs or less)
Tough enough to handle being transported/moved on a regular (bi-monthly) basis for 6-8 months out of the year.
As easy to run and keep at temp with as little "baby sitting" as possible.

Go!

 

[chef jimmyj]

If you have an electrical source, this Smokin-it will fit your requirements. It is portable and if you need to do greater volume there are larger sizes....JJ

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

 

[chevytech77]

Yes, sorry for not saying that earlier but we always camp with electrical hook up minimum. The Smokin It smokers are definantly on my list for sure. It's usually just the two of us but I do like to cook for 8-10 at times as well so 4-6 racks of baby backs, briskest, pork shoulders and the occational turkey(s) are always on my menus.

 

[superdave]

Do you currently own a Weber kettle?  Check this out.

http://americansundancer.com/stoven-barbecues.html

 

[chevytech77]

Do you currently own a Weber kettle?  Check this out.

http://americansundancer.com/stoven-barbecues.html

I do not have a Weber Kettle.

 

[jirodriguez]

You want a Weber Smokey Mountain! (WSM) they are the set-it-and-forget-it of vertical charcoal smokers. I usually start my butts and briskets at midnight, go to bed for 6 hours, then check it in the morning, leave it alone (other than adding wood) till the meat is done. The WSM works straight out of the box with no mods, and the make 3 sizes of them now.

$400 - 22.5" WSM will hold a lot of meat! I have had up to 90+ lbs. of meat on mine at the same time! I have ran over 22 hours on one 20 lb.

          bag of charcoal.

$300 - 18.5" WSM great for a family of 2-4. Still big enough to do a decent sized turkey on each rack. Racks of ribs generally need to be cut in

          half to fit well, but pork butts and brisket usually fit fine.

$200 - 14.5" WSM, the new kid on the block. Great for small spaces or taking camping! I have never seen one so not sure how it does space

          wise on the racks.

I started with a char-griller and like you got tired of constantly fiddling with it, and not feeling very confident during long smokes. Once I switched to the WSM I almost felt guilty by how easy it was to use - and the results are always good, it has never let me down once!

 

[chevytech77]

You want a Weber Smokey Mountain! (WSM) they are the set-it-and-forget-it of vertical charcoal smokers. I usually start my butts and briskets at midnight, go to bed for 6 hours, then check it in the morning, leave it alone (other than adding wood) till the meat is done. The WSM works straight out of the box with no mods, and the make 3 sizes of them now.

$400 - 22.5" WSM will hold a lot of meat! I have had up to 90+ lbs. of meat on mine at the same time! I have ran over 22 hours on one 20 lb.
          bag of charcoal.
$300 - 18.5" WSM great for a family of 2-4. Still big enough to do a decent sized turkey on each rack. Racks of ribs generally need to be cut in
          half to fit well, but pork butts and brisket usually fit fine.
$200 - 14.5" WSM, the new kid on the block. Great for small spaces or taking camping! I have never seen one so not sure how it does space
          wise on the racks.

I started with a char-griller and like you got tired of constantly fiddling with it, and not feeling very confident during long smokes. Once I switched to the WSM I almost felt guilty by how easy it was to use - and the results are always good, it has never let me down once!

A WSM is on my list too. What fuel do you use in it?

 

[jirodriguez]

A WSM is on my list too. What fuel do you use in it?

Charcoal fired, then you toss in chunks of wood or splits for your "flavor" smoke. I usually bury 5-6 fist sized chunks in the unlit charcoal then dump half a chimney of lit on it. With that set up I don't have to add any more wood for the first 4-5 hours or so. Then I toss on one or two chunks of wood every 2 hrs or so, that's it, no other input.

 

[chevytech77]

Good to know. I use a similar combination in both of my current smokers as well.

 

[chevytech77]

Still open to suggestions.

 

[b-one]

I agree on the WSM! I have the 18.5 and its great!!

 

[chevytech77]

Sounds like the WSM is pretty easy to use. I would REALLY like something that I don't have to babysit every 30-45 minutes, for sure.

 

[gary s]

Made a choice yet ?

Gary

 

[jirodriguez]

Sounds like the WSM is pretty easy to use. I would REALLY like something that I don't have to babysit every 30-45 minutes, for sure.

I call my WSM "smoking for dummies" easy to use. When I made the switch from my Char-griller to my WSM I almost felt guilty at how much easier it was to do long smokes. It took a while to get mentally adjusted to just lighting it, putting meat on, and walking away.... lol.

 

[chevytech77]

Made a choice yet ?

Gary

Nope, not yet. Just doing my research before buying. i talked "Santa" into letting me make this purchase in the spring but instead requested a Weber Performer series grill for Christmas instead.

I call my WSM "smoking for dummies" easy to use. When I made the switch from my Char-griller to my WSM I almost felt guilty at how much easier it was to do long smokes. It took a while to get mentally adjusted to just lighting it, putting meat on, and walking away.... lol.

That would be a refreshing change for me, for sure. The woman is growing old of hearing me complain about how much of a pain the other two I currently have, are. It cuts into my camping nap and beer quality control time lol.

 

[chevytech77]

About the WSM, How even are the meat temps between the two food racks? For instance, if I am doing a bunch of ribs and need both racks to do it, how much hotter is the ribs on the bottom rack going to be over the top rack?

Also, I'm sort of known for my baby back ribs so I need to know that the 18.5 WSM is capable of doing at least four racks at a time. Can it?

 

[smokin bark]

I use an ECB. I've done the mods and it turns out some great BBQ. It can be temperamental and you have to watch it for temp spikes & lows. Having said that, I would recommend the 18.5 WSM. My Neighbor has one and it is a dream. Based on your budget the WSM is the way to go.

 

[thesmokist]

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Masterbuilt-40-2-in-1200-Watt-Electric-Vertical-Smoker/50113706
I have a char griller with a side fire box actually an under firebox and a charbroil vertical gas smoker but I was eyeing this master built one at lowes.

 

[jirodriguez]

About the WSM, How even are the meat temps between the two food racks? For instance, if I am doing a bunch of ribs and need both racks to do it, how much hotter is the ribs on the bottom rack going to be over the top rack?

Also, I'm sort of known for my baby back ribs so I need to know that the 18.5 WSM is capable of doing at least four racks at a time. Can it?

Hmmm... not sure if you can fit 4 racks on the 18.5 unless you cut them in half. and use a rib rack. On my 22.5" I can fit 3 flat racks of St. Louis cut ribs on each grate, then if I use a rib rack I can put 6 racks on each grate for a total of 12 racks of ribs. If you can afford it the 22.5" is really the way to go, you always find an "excuse" to fill the extra room in the smoker with something tasty!

 

[timstalltaletav]

WSM undoubtedly. As mentioned, it's almost too easy. I have an 18.5 which generally big enough. I can do 4 racks of ribs pretty easily, but you will need to cut them in half. Variance between racks is minimal in my cooker. As long as I keep water in the pan, the lower rack is only a few degrees different than the upper.

I've smoked 20 hours on one bag of charcoal. Ash/fire management is simple, the unit is well made.

Coming from my old ECB this was like going from Chevette to a Cadillac...

My only advice, get the 22.5 inch model. I plan on upgrading mine in the spring.