New Smoker (clueless)

[rporter81]

I am trying to get in to smoking my own deer sausage and jerky, but don't have a smoker yet because I haven't been able to decide on a smoker. I was wanting some input on smokers. I am not looking to spend a whole lot of money right off the bat until I have figured out quite what I am doing. I would appreciate any input on smokers that are out there.

 

[richtee]

First off...welcome to SMF! Second, where ya from? <Makes a difference in smoking techniques>
Now..look to your left and read thru the stuff there on each type of smoker. Jeff <the owner> spent alot of time posting just the info you need to ask more specific questions.

Be chatting to ya soon!

Richtee

 

[mossymo]

rporter81
First up, welcome to SMF !!!
2nd, from your brief desription requirements I would start with a temperature controlled electric that will hold the temps without having to monitor the smoker.
What is on your menu for first smokes?

 

[ds7662]

Since you are not looking to spend alot of money to start and if you are not sure it is a hobby you will stick with you might research the ECB. They come in several types and are made by a couple different companies.

 

[desertlites]

ya buy a cheapie and a hot plate from walgreens.drill a hole in bottem to eccept plug-season your smoker good first-read the 5 day course-or lurk a bit-get a hunk of meat & dive in-start with cheap meat till ya get your feet wet-were always here to answer your questions-lotsa info from good people-good luck.

 

[bustedluckbarbq]

Welcome to the site! I second the suggestion on looking left... do the 5 day ecourse... Lots of great info there and its free!! Enjoy!

 

[campi]

depends on your area. build or buy a smoker that fits you. i built a 4x8 cold/hot smokehouse.enjoy the smoke!

 

[short one]

rporter81, welcome to SMF from another Missourian. As for smokers, there are a lot of different units used by the good people on the forum. Also lots of good info about smokers here. Look around and read some of the threads and get a couple, three in mind, then ask about them and the friendly folks on the forum will let you know the pros and cons on the individual units you have ask about. Folks here use everything form the cheapies to homemade- revamped fridges, drums, barrels, etc.- to large custom builts and all will be more than happy to talk about the unit they use. Again welcome and enjoy.

 

[kookie]

Welcome to smf. If you want cheap look around in the want ads or on craigslist. Thats how I got mine. If not the ecb's are your next best way to go.

Kookie

 

[habaneroman]

Rporter81.... I started out with the Brinkmann Gourmet, got mine at Lowe's for $37

I love it... very easy to use, get great heat temps, for a good prolonged period of time. For the money, you can't beat it!

Good luck!

 

[homebrew & bbq]

Welcome to SMF!

Which smoker to get has as much to do with you as it does the particular smoker. You need to know how much time you are willing to devote to tending the smoker, how much space you have to work with, how much you want to spend ("a whole lot of money" means different things to different people) and how much you want to smoke at any one time.

My schedule is pretty full and can change on short notice so an electric smoker works well for me. It doesn't require a lot of babysitting to keep constant temps and if I have to run off unexpectedly my wife or daughter can watch it for an hour or two without any harm.

Every kind of smoker (propane, charcoal, wood, electric) comes in a variety of sizes and prices, so it might be good to decide on which fuel source you prefer and then see about different models.

Just my $.02 worth. Good luck on making your decision.

 

[stacks]

RPORTER81 Welcome to SMF!!

I started with an ECB bullet. Cheap at wally world and a great starter. Tho hard to keep the heat up during a Missouri cold snap. As others have said, check out the 5 day ecourse and you will be WAY ahead of most first timers.
Look forward to reading about your smokes.