New smoker recomendation ... have $450 to spend

[rexlan]

I started with a vertical Brinkman electric but found it difficult to load and seemed to run too hot.

I went to a vertical rocky mountain propane which I like allot  I mostly did butts, chicken, ribs and some brisket ... worked pretty good.  I did find it difficult to accurately control and there was a lot of stratification from top to bottom and front to back.

Now I am making sausage and it is impossible to run it below 160 degrees with the door closed.  And, at that low temp it is very hard to make smoke.  I think it is not suited for sausages.

So, I want to buy a new smoker.  Must be gas or electric. 

I get free chips (hickory, oak and sassafras) in huge quantities.  These are nice size chips and absolutely dry and clean which I would like to continue with.   The pellets and disks seem horribly expensive to me so I'd like to stay away from them if possible.

My question is if there is a good quality smoker available within my budget that can run down as low as 140 and up to say 275-300 degrees with reasonable accuracy?

I also would like it to have at least 4 shelves spaced enough to hold whole chickens or butts.  I generally do 4-6 chicken or 4 butts at a time.

Ideas ... THANKS! 

 

[ecto1]

MES 40 from Sams Club....may be tough to get that low I think mine only goes to 170
 

 

[kryinggame]

you can buy my MES 30 for $450.00 I'll even throw in the shopping. I'll warn you, it's been well used. lol

Seriously though, you can't go wrong with an MES. If I were you, I'd go with an MES. You have two options a 30 inch vs. a 40 inch. I have the 30 inch and have no issues getting in a few yard birds; BB and/or st. louis ribs.

Then, although you get free chips, I would still get an AMNPS. That is really set it and forget it. YOu can get 12 - 14 hours of constant smoke with an AMNPS.

With chips, you're constantly loading them in and that's to much of a headache for an overnight smoke and there's always the risk of over smoking.

Those of us who have and MES are satisfied with it. Even if something goes wrong, Masterbuilt has great customer service.  Finally, the smoker can go up to 275 degrees.  I don't know if there are any smokers that will go up to 300 degrees. But at 300 degrees, you're doing more grilling, instad of smoking. Personally, I don't do any smoking above 225 -235 range.

Let me know if you want to purchase my used MES. lol

 

[chef jimmyj]

I have a MES 40 and love it. It will run from 100*F to 275*F with no problem. I just smoked 8 full Racks of SL Spare Ribs and will easily fit 4 large Butts or Chickens. The only down side is having to reload Chips every 30-40 minutes and like most Electrics, has a hard time making smoke at the low temps. The chips are no big deal for the 4-6 hours needed for Birds and Ribs, but I will never be without the AMNPS for the long haul Butts, Briskies and especially Sausage. For $4.99 for 2Lbs of Pellet you get 4-6 10-Hour Smokes. It ain't free but it's cheap...JJ

 

[timetosmoke]

The 2012 MES 40" is your best bet if you need lots of room otherwise the 30" is the one to get.

The new 2012 models have an improved interior design as well as other updates.

Good luck with what you buy and please keep us posted!

 

[BGKYSmoker]

I use a Bradley 6 rack for sausage and teamed up with the AMZNPS its a winning combo.

 

[rexlan]

Thanks for the replies ... sounds like the MES is the way.

Headed over to Sam's today to look at them.  I see Amazon has it for $314, no tax and free shipping.  Better than Sams after the tax.

Will report back with more questions.

Can the AMZNPS be uses with my chips or must it be with their dust?
 

 

[diggingdogfarm]

If I had $450 to spend, I'd look at something more serious than an MES.

http://www.smokin-it.com/



~Martin

 

[rexlan]

UPDATE:

I went to Sam's yesterday and they do have the 40" unit for $299 in stock.  It is the 2011 model I believe.
 

Amazon has the same unit for $314 with free shipping so after tax it is a little cheaper ~ $8, not worth it in case there is an issue out of the box.

I emailed Amazon and asked when/if they would have the new 2012 unit for sale and if they intended to discount the 2011 units they had left in stock ... waiting for a reply.