Purchasing the perfect smoking device.

[bullettuth]

I have been smoking on my propane BBQ for a few seasons now, and am at the point where I want to start to smoke fish, jerkeys, turkeys, sausages, etc.

So what I am wondering is what is a better smoking unit.  Going with a coal BBQ and using that method to smoke items, or go into a Bradley smoker (electric).

I am aware that when smoking with coal, it takes a while to perfect, where as with an electric smoker its quite simple.

My local meat shop has great smoked items, and Im sure he uses electric smokers.

Being from Canada, our electric smoker options are very, very limited.  The Bradley seems to be the only option, unless I order a different brand and model online from the US.

Any help is appreciated and thanks.

 

[jesse t]

FYI, I'm an electric (masterbuilt) user and have seen people mention that Canadian Tire offers an electric smoker in the electric smokers subforum.  

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...1153P/Cuisinart+Electric+Smoker.jsp?locale=en

Don't know anything about it, except that it might be an alternative to Bradley available to you in Canada.

There's also always the option of building your own...

 

[bullettuth]

Thx, ya if I was to purchase an electric smoker it would be the bradley since its on sale for 299 at cdn tire.

Im heavily leaning towards the electric.  It seems flawless.  All you got to do is make sure u have enough pucks loaded and water in the bowl for the burning pucks to drop into.  No charring of the wood, or ash from coals on the meat.

 

[supercenterchef]

I am aware that when smoking with coal, it takes a while to perfect, where as with an electric smoker its quite simple.

This may depend on your definition of 'simple' 

 

[rabbithutch]

If a 'smoke ring' on your meats is important to you, I don't think you will be happy with an electric. I'm not an expert by any means, but I've not been able to get the pink smoke ring on anything I've done in my MES40. I have achieved it with the mini-WSM. I'm still learning about smoke on my Weber OTG kettle.

FWIW

 

[mossymo]

If you are looking for easy to use, controls temperatures well and gives the food product a smoke ring I would suggest looking at a wood pellet grill.