Newby : Looking @ possible smoker options ?

[Elf@shore]

Hi everyone !
I am @ S NJ Shore : Between AC /Cape May NJ.
I am an avid cook/griller, So I am told ? LOL.
Mainly do Holiday Meals ,above the Norm.
Includes Turkeys,Chickens, Hams,Pork Butts, BB Ribs.
Along with the normal stuff?
I might get a smoker soon? Not really sure?
I like the open fire idea? Thats where I learned from on an open fire as a kid with a Dutch Oven.
I have a decent knowledge of cooking/grilling. Again: Not sure If I want to get a smoker ?
Currently have a Napolean Gasser. However it seems to dry out some cooks,even @ lower temp?
I am a big fan of using liquid in most cooks !
Sorry for the lengthy Intro!
Been watching this Forum for a few Months, Finally got to join you guys !
Thanks!
Let the waves roll in! Amen!

 

[GatorAGR]

Maybe look at a Kamado? I've had a Kamado Joe for years and like it's versatility. I can grill or smoke and I like the charcoal/wood smoke. A bit pricey though and requires some technique to dial in temp. I've considered going the pellet smoker route as well for simplicity sake. And then there's the Weber Kettle crowd. Sounds like another great option that can do a lot, grill, smoke, etc. Good luck with your search!

 

[zwiller]

WELCOME.

Grab you a smoker tube and bag of pellets for your grill. Works pretty dang good. Takes some effort to dial in temps but doable once you figure it out. From here grab a used MES and use the tube. 30s go for $50 and 40s for $100 on FB marketplace. Thread is my gasser+tube, avatar is a cured turkey from the MES. I am not a live fire guy but many here are. I think they would say to start with a Weber kettle and learn the minion method.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/wood-fired-yardbird.314837/

 

[TexasMuskrat]

Welcome! I usually use a charcoal/wood smoker but recently bought a pellet smoker. I personally love both. You might go look at some in stores and see what catches your eye then do some research on here on that type of smoker and see if it tickles yer fancy or if it is a hard pass. My first smoker was a cheap drum smoker I got off internet used, loved that thing and have since upgraded. Good luck in your decision making and look forward to seeing your posts!

 

[GatorAGR]

Forgot to mention I also have an MES40 with an auber PID controller and the "mailbox mod" for a smoke tube. I use it almost exclusively for sausages, snack sticks, and jerky. Great set up for really low temp stuff

 

[JC in GB]

The Weber Smokey Mountain unit is a pretty good smoker and good for entry level charcoal smoking. I started with a Dyna-Glo unit and if I had to go back, I would probably get the Weber smoker for ny first one.

JC

 

[Brokenhandle]

Welcome from Iowa! Glad you joined us! Tough to know which way to send you. I can honestly say I love cooking over a fire, but not always convenient. As mentioned a Weber kettle makes some great meals. The Mes smokers are great with some modifications. Good luck on your search!

Ryan

 

[sandyut]

Welcome to SMF from Colorado. The type of smoker kinda depends on how much hands on time you want during a smoke and the budget.

I started on a WSM and learned a lot. Eventually moved to a pellet smoker and I love it. Much less fuss and it’s not affected by weather. When I was shopping for the pellet smoker my top three were MAC, Rec Teq, and Yoder. But shop around and make a list of features/build requirements you must have.

 

[normanaj]

Hello from RI.

It really depends on how involved you want to be in the process.

Minimal-Pellet or electric or even a propane.

Moderate-Weber Kettle or Weber Smokey Mountain(WSM) or similar style smokers.

Complete-Stick burner.

And budget is something that may or may not be a factor for you.

 

[jcam222]

Hello from RI.

It really depends on how involved you want to be in the process.

Minimal-Pellet or electric or even a propane.

Moderate-Weber Kettle or Weber Smokey Mountain(WSM) or similar style smokers.

Complete-Stick burner.

And budget is something that may or may not be a factor for you.

100% these answers are critical

 

[Fraser]

Don’t forget the DIY option. Built a drum a few years ago and it works really well. I have a pellet smoker (YS640S) which is convenient for week nite or lazy weekends, but nothing beats the flavor of a UDS!
Plus the pride element, and you can’t argue about the price tag.
Just a thought.

 

[Heart of Dixie]

Good answers here. I personally use offsets with splits. These you pretty much have to spend the day monitoring temps and feeding it wood, but the results cannot be matched any other way unless you purchase a KBQ which is top feed, stick burner, which must be monitored as well. If you don't mind keeping watch 4 hours for ribs, 6 to 12 for pork butts & briskets, consider it. To me it is worth it.

 

[fxsales1959]

Norman pretty much summed up the decision factors. I don't have a wide enough angle lens to take a picture of all the smokes I've ben through since I started with a Masterbuilt Electric..
There is NO such thing as a real Set-it-and-forget-it smoker. All depend on experience and effort.
Of the multitude I've gone through, I still enjoy the taste and results of My Weber Kettle and Smoky mountain the most.

 

[Redicans]

Welcome from Hawaii!! All great responses here!

 

[chopsaw]

I might get a smoker soon? Not really sure?

Weber kettle .

I like the open fire idea?

I have a decent knowledge of cooking/grilling. Again: Not sure If I want to get a smoker ?

Cooked 100% offset with charcoal and wood on a 22" kettle . .

I'm only saying kettle , because it fits everything you've said above .
You can use it as a smoker , or a grill . With options to do other things .

 

[Fueling Around]

Welcome from... well, I could declare central Florida, but in 2 weeks it will be NW Minnesota.

As your cooking has been on a gas grill (very neutral flavor) starting with a pellet tube as Sam ( zwiller ) suggests is an easy start. My wife is not fond of overpowering smoke flavor. You may find the same in your audience.
Wife is happy with smoke flavor from cooking on my pellet grill alone.

I also suggest a Weber grill as many others for a starting point. Inexpensive and a good starting point.

 

[bigfurmn]

Welcome from Minnesota. I personally own s pellet grill, Weber 22.5 and MES 40 electric smoker. I prefer the pellet for the ease of use but the Weber is great of I have the time to tend to a "live" fire.

 

[schlotz]

Welcome to SMF! As you can see lots of people here are willing to help. First decision, how much effort are you willing to spend tending a smoker? Almost none = pellet, but on the far other side is a stick burner, each of which come with their own learning curve in regard to managing fire/temps etc.