Newbie questions

[bcdurante]

Hi all!
I'm looking for info on gas vs electric vs wood! I know everyone says it's a matter of personal preference, but I really am lost! My husband and I are totally new to this, but have wanted to start for years. We wood like to start with one of the easier techniques and once We've mastered that move on to bigger and better. My husband and I would be smoking beef, pork, chicken, sausage, and some wild game. No fish!

We're moving into a house with natural gas capabilities for our grill that could be easily adapted for a smoker. I've heard gas and electric are the best ways to start. I am open to either and would like some info on the best starter smokers so we can get the hang of it and then move up to something better. I am hoping to spend, at most, $300 for a beginners smoker. I don't need anything too big, but large enough to smoke enough for a family get together.

:grilling_smilie: Any tips on the best starter smokers, and techniques would be greatly appreciated!

Brandy

 

[bluebombersfan]

I would recommend the Masterbuilt Electric smoker (MES).  It is a great unit to get started on.  They are around your price range and work great with a little invention called the Amazn smoker that another member on this forum created.  Together they make the MES a very easy unit to make excellent smoked foods with.  Use the search bar and look around the forum a bit and see some reviews on both of these items.  Hope this helps!

Welcome to the forum maybe swing by the roll call and introduce yourself.

Brian

 

[xutfuzzy]

I agree with BlueBombersfan.  I started with the Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain propane smoker, and then the regulator crapped out on me.   My second smoker was propane (another GOSM) and then it did not perform well in the winters here in Ohio.  I have now gone electric with the MES40, and don't see myself going back to propane.  I miss the smoke ring that you get in your meats using the propane smokers, but the taste is same.  I also use the AMNPS so that I can do cold smoking, which is great for bacons and cheeses.  Finally, I really enjoy the electric because of the "set it and forget it" factor.  I can digitally set what temperature I want it to be, and walk away for hours.  I don't have to worry about constantly adjusting knobs like I had to with the propane smokers. 
 

 

[daveomak]

Brandy, morning and welcome to the forum....  Smokers are personal preference... Difficult to suggest a cooking unit.... One idea is shop your local stores and check them out in your price range.... Take note of the model numbers etc and check the forum for information on those your like... Modifications etc to make them work better...  Asking questions on specific models will get many helpful answers....

Glad you stopped in to the forum.... this place can become addicting so enjoy the long smokey ride..  Dave  

 

[xutfuzzy]

Oh, one more thing...if you decide to go electric, make sure that the heating element is 1200 watts. 

You can use this link http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/masterbuilt-electric-smokehouse-models to double check the model numbers.

 

[tennsmoker]

Hello Brandy, and

 to SMF.

I think for an entry level smoker (me for example) would recommend a MES30 or 40. Very easy to learn how to operate. I use a MES30 like 100's of SMF members.

You may be in luck, I was looking at a Bass Pro black Friday add this afternoon and they have a MES30 with the glass door on sale  $179, the only catch is it's a six hr sale, here's the link http://www.theblackfriday.com/ads/bassproshops/bassproshops-black-friday-ad6.shtml    (page 6)

Good luck with your new hobby,

al

 

[fish killer]

I too am a newbie, at least to this site. But I've been smoking meat for about 2 years. I started with a brinkman vertical gas smoker because I didn't want fuss with temperature fluxuactions that I thought I would get with a charcoal burning unit. But even with a gas unit I had problems maintaining a consistent temperature which really becomes a pain the neck when your doing a 15 hour smoke on pork butt. I'm sure much if not most of the problem came from the fact that wasn't insulated. so I recently bought a MES 40 from Amazon. got it for 312$. Last years model, insulated cabinet and digitally controlled temperature so set it and forget it. Also bought the AMZN smoke generator after reading tons of positive reviews off this website. So like some others have already said everyone has there own preference but if I were to make a recommendation to someone that is the way I would go. BTW I did look at the 30 inch model but the additional 10 inches of space you get with the 40 inch model was worth the extra money to me.

 

[bmudd14474]

You can also get the WSM for about 300 and its really nice