Opinions wanted

[traffictech]

I've tried smoking  before and just failed. I'm ready to start again and was wondering if this smoker would be good for starting out.I understand a few mods will need to be done and I'm ready.

I was gonna build a smoker but I felt I should learn to walk before I start running..

What are your thoughts?

Char Broil Offset Charcoal Smoker:

• Smoke, barbecue, and grill - all in one
• Perfect for outdoor parties and events
• 1,280 sq. in. of total cooking surface area makes it easy to feed a crowd
• Attractive, compact design that fits well on most patios
• 670 primary, 355 warming & 255 firebox
• Top mounted smoke stack with damper
• Temperature gauge
• 2 wheels for easy movement
• 3 levels of adjustable cooking surface
• Charcoal smoker features convenient front shelf and storage rack
• Model No: 11201566

 

[whistlepig]

It takes a while to learn a smoker. Even a plug and play like my electric. There is so much going on to try for a beginner smoker. Give yourself a break like when I started. Simple quick smokes that only take a little over a couple of hours and not a lot of prep. That way you don't spend a whole day on something if it fails. And some things will fail at first. I tried ribs at first. Four failures. I was about to give up on smoking until I threw a package of Johnsonville brats in the smoker for about two hours. I was forever hooked after that. My first successful smoke. Wings are a quick easy smoke also and not much prep. ..............tiny steps are best.   

 

[s2k9k]

It takes a while to learn a smoker. Even a plug and play like my electric. There is so much going on to try for a beginner smoker. Give yourself a break like when I started. Simple quick smokes that only take a little over a couple of hours and not a lot of prep. That way you don't spend a whole day on something if it fails. And some things will fail at first. I tried ribs at first. Four failures. I was about to give up on smoking until I threw a package of Johnsonville brats in the smoker for about two hours. I was forever hooked after that. My first successful smoke. Wings are a quick easy smoke also and not much prep. ..............tiny steps are best.   

That's very good advice, take heart to it!

I did the same thing and tried to do too much at first. 

Keep it simple and learn your smoker and you will be glad you did!

 

[smoke_chef]

Well... hmmm.. First... I think that's a great smoker to start with. I wish it was the one I would have started with. Instead I started with the two door vertical brinkman. It's an okay smoker too, just too small. As for what to smoke to learn... I hate to be a wrench in the works but I have the opposite opinion. I think a very unforgiving piece of meat like a pork butt is the best way to learn. One, it forces you to spend enough time with your smoker to get an idea about it. Two, it's very hard to screw up a butt. However, wings.. tenderloin, and stuff that goes quick also will dry out quick. Plus, wings are done so fast you won't even really learn anything. Whistlepig is right about brats. I'm pretty sure that's the easiest thing I've ever smoked. But, it's like hitting off a T-ball tee, or dunking a basketball on a 8 foot rim. It's toooo easy to learn. Just my two cents though. The good news is.. there are tons of great people here to help you out. Always post q-view and keep track of basic details like: The temp of your smoker throughout the smoke, how long you smoked it, how many pounds the cut of meat is, what you did to prep it, the temp of your meat when you start and when you pull it off. That sort of stuff. Then, if it doesn’t turn out like you liked... there is someone here that can help point you in a different direction next time. Or... if it's awesome, you can share with the rest of us all the stuff you did right. Then we can learn from you. Also, use the search box and look up whatever cut of meat you want to smoke. Read a few posts in advance to get an idea of what other people have done that worked. You'll be putting out award winning Q in no time.

Smoke'm if you got'm,

Smoke_Chef

 

[crarcher]

I jumped in with a plug and play MES30.  I do not regret getting an electric, I enjoy the electronics keeping the heat regulated.  Before I bought a smoker and then before using it I researched smoking in these forums.  I have not yet had a bad smoke.  I have gained confidence and am trying new versions of the stuff I started with.

Spend some time browsing the forums, I read up on the smokers like you are looking at as smoking is so addicting :)

Good luck in making a decision

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Try building a UDS? A cost of about $50 will get you started , and as for info. on them :http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/search.php?search=UDS+builds  , this should help out a bit...

Have fun and...

 

[mneeley490]

TrafficTech,

That is the exact model I started out on. I think it could be a good first smoker for you; I got some great Q out of mine. As you noted, there are several mods that need to be done to it before it's ready to go. But as you're in a much warmer climate than I am, you already have an advantage. The key mods here are designed to even out the temperature across the smokebox, and maximize your fuel efficiency. Check out the other threads on this board for cheap and (maybe) easy ways to add mods.

IMO, the Pros to this model are:

1) Fairly simple to understand and use.

2) Lots of space for multiple meats. You can fit 2 packer-size briskets, 5-6 full racks of pork ribs, or 4-6 pork butts with room to spare.

3) You will learn (with experience) the basics of heat, smoke, airflow, and time and temp. That is hard-earned, old-school knowledge that you can take and use with any kind of smoker you may graduate to.

The Cons:

1) Thin metal. This thing sheds heat in a hurry. Bad for where I live, maybe not so much for you. You will have to add bricks or some other kind of heat absorbing material to help maintain the internal smokebox temperature.

2) Goes thru lots of fuel. Even with my mods, on overnight smokes it was not uncommon for me to go thru a 20 lb. bag of charcoal or more.

3) The mods. At a minimum, you will need to: make a raised cage to hold the wood or charcoal up off the grate so it gets better oxygen flow; make a metal baffle to force the heat down upon entering the smokebox; make tuning plates to help disperse the heat evenly throughout the smokebox; lower the chimney inside the box to grate level so heat and smoke don't just flow along the top and escape; add two more temp gages on either side of the smokebox near grate level to monitor temps throughout; close the many holes in the smokebox with metal strips, screws & washers, or silicone.

4) Not a set it and forget it type. It takes constant tending and minor adjustments to make sure the temps stay in the optimal range, even if that means a sleepless night on long smokes. I've had some briskets go 20 hours. I would check on it every 30 minutes or so, taking catnaps in between.

Now I live where it's cold and rainy much of the time. I even spread a folded welding blanket on top of the smokebox to insulate it during smokes. But I was able to use it all winter, even with snow on the ground, so it can be a great and easy smoker if you're willing to invest the time to make it so.

 

[jackd]

I am a fan of using propane to start.  I started with a verticle propane dual door.  I love being able to control the heat and smoke easily.  I recently purchased a COS and am having trouble getting it perfect.  If I would have started with the COS I may have given up before I got started.  I learned a ton using the verticle smoker but it does have some draw backs like space and having to pull racks to mop, sauce or foil. 

 

[traffictech]

WOW!

Thank you for all the info and support. 

But I'm be back to square one....

I couldnt sleep last night and took off to walmart to get the grill/smoker. I was shocked by what I saw on the side of the box.

MADE IN CHINA...what?! Yesterday I read on the web it was made in GA but on the box clear as day "made in china".

I dont mean to offend any one here but I'm sick of everything being made in china. I kid you not standing in walmart staring at the box the song 'Made in America' popped into my head.

I've tried searching for a "like" grill/smoker but everything I've ran across in made in china or korea.

I think to get restarted I will built a uds then work on building a SFB. I have a bunch of ideas in my head and will try and draw out and post.

Thank you again for all the info. This place is the BEST!

Happy Independence day!

 

[nhbuck]

Do you have an Academey Sports near you? For $199 they have a smoker I believe made by Old Country BBQ based in Texas with some production done in Mexico. Similar style to the one you posted but much heavier gauge metal. It will hold the heat longer and probably serve your needs for many years.

 

[traffictech]

NHBuck,

Thanks I will check them out...

 

[jrod62]

if you want make in USA. I  VOTE FOR............... UDS !!!!!!!

Build it yourself , the way you want it. the temp is super easy to control.

charcoal basket full can  last 16+ hours without having to do a thing to it.

love mine !!! going to start another one as soon as they lift the burn ban they have here.

(could use a lot of rain soon)

 

[mneeley490]

TT, you are going to find very little in Walmart that isn't made in China. Even Traegers are made in China now.

 

[traffictech]

TT, you are going to find very little in Walmart that isn't made in China. Even Traegers are made in China now.

Thats very true.

A lot of manufacturer's have moved production to other countries.

The ones still being made in the USA are very expensive. To expensive for a starter like me.

 

[mneeley490]

Take a look on Craiglist. You may find what you're looking for, at a much more reasonable price.

 

[gotarace]

Weber Smokey Mountains are made in the USA...at least that's what all the advertising states!! They are a great smoker to start with also!!

There is a small army of Smokey Mountain owners here and they are great helping each other out!!!

 

[smoke_chef]

I think the UDS is the best advice here!

 

[piaconis]

If you're set on buying an SFB smoker, check out the Brinkmann Trailmaster Limited Edition at Home Depot. I had been an indirect grilling guy for a while, and my wife and kids bought me the TMLE. I'm hooked. They all take a few mods, but for me, that's half the fun. For my money, the TMLE was much better built than the Charbroil (which my brother-in-law owns).

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