Smoker Purchase Suggestion

[bpacilio59]

I'm not sure what forum would be best for this. My old smoker is in need of replacement and I've searched all the sites. No matter what kind of smoker I pick (Gas, Electric, Pellets) I see reviews that trash it most due to fire issues and temperature controls that don't hold the temp. I figured I'd switch to the forums and talk to the folks using it. Can someone direct me to the forum on this site that might discuss this ??
Thanks

 

[FoxmanNC]

I own three smokers of sorts. If you want the convenience of a set-and-forget smoker, a pellet or gravity-fed smoker is a good option. The big box store options offer a variety of both. I've never owned a pellet; many more options exist for them than gravity fed, but most of my personal friends have been underwhelmed with the smoke flavor, though many on here have had good success. The Masterbuilt gravity-fed and Chargrill gravity-fed are the main contenders in that category and do produce plenty of smokiness, though this is done in a very different way than a pellet, which burns compressed wood. The primary heat source of the gravity is charcoal; the smoke comes from wood chunks, often placed in the ash bin, which smolder as the embers fall on the wood. I have been told that the Pit Boss brand Pellet smoker is the best and is made in America, though "best" is subjective, and many others feel differently.
You can smoke on a Weber, though it is not a true set-and-forget smoker unless you purchase some aftermarket gizmos, which I hear work well.
For best results, the old school offset smoker is king of the hill for flavor, but it traditionally requires the most effort. All of my best cooks have been on an offset where the primary heat source is wood. Nothing tops the flavor of meat cooked with wood in the BBQ world.

 

[JC in GB]

What is your price target? I bought a Stump's Baby gravity fed charcoal smoker and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! It wasn't cheap though.

JC

 

[bpacilio59]

What is your price target? I bought a Stump's Baby gravity fed charcoal smoker and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! It wasn't cheap though.

JC

Just looked at it and it's a bit on the high side. If I smoked all the time I would consider it. For now I have about 800.00 as my top end. Thanks for the infi

 

[bpacilio59]

I own three smokers of sorts. If you want the convenience of a set-and-forget smoker, a pellet or gravity-fed smoker is a good option. The big box store options offer a variety of both. I've never owned a pellet; many more options exist for them than gravity fed, but most of my personal friends have been underwhelmed with the smoke flavor, though many on here have had good success. The Masterbuilt gravity-fed and Chargrill gravity-fed are the main contenders in that category and do produce plenty of smokiness, though this is done in a very different way than a pellet, which burns compressed wood. The primary heat source of the gravity is charcoal; the smoke comes from wood chunks, often placed in the ash bin, which smolder as the embers fall on the wood. I have been told that the Pit Boss brand Pellet smoker is the best and is made in America, though "best" is subjective, and many others feel differently.
You can smoke on a Weber, though it is not a true set-and-forget smoker unless you purchase some aftermarket gizmos, which I hear work well.
For best results, the old school offset smoker is king of the hill for flavor, but it traditionally requires the most effort. All of my best cooks have been on an offset where the primary heat source is wood. Nothing tops the flavor of meat cooked with wood in the BBQ world.

I never saw gravity fed as an option when searching the web. I'm going to look into it. I'm looking for something that's easy. The pellet seem to have a lot of issues with the hopper going on fire. Thanks for the info

 

[jcam222]

What budget and type of smoker are you interested in?

 

[bpacilio59]

What budget and type of smoker are you interested in?

I only use it for myself and family. My budget is < 1000

 

[sandyut]

I tarted with charcoal smoker, then switched to pellet. LOVE my Rec Teq! Had it ten years and run perfectly every time. Many folks on here have them.

The Deck Boss is on sale for $899. Super reliable, best customer service.

 

[bigfurmn]

I never saw gravity fed as an option when searching the web. I'm going to look into it. I'm looking for something that's easy. The pellet seem to have a lot of issues with the hopper going on fire. Thanks for the info

I started with an electric Master Built. Looked it a lot used it a ton. I have a Weber 22.5 kettle as well. I have a Pit Boss 1000SC that sees most the work right now. Why did it see the most work? I am busy with work and have a 5yo. Love the kettle for steaks and things but I can set the pellet grill and do other things with the wifi thermometer attached. Set the alarms to wake me of the temps get outta range. They with with a gravity feed as well. If you got all night and day to spend tending a fire a reverse flow is awesome with amazing flavor. It comes down to how busy you are and how patient you are.

 

[bpacilio59]

I tarted with charcoal smoker, then switched to pellet. LOVE my Rec Teq! Had it ten years and run perfectly every time. Many folks on here have them.

The Deck Boss is on sale for $899. Super reliable, best customer service.

This looks like it might be a winner. I only want to smoke with it so how is it at getting a good smoke from the pellets ?

 

[Winterrider]

What is your main purpose? Smoking butts, brisket, chicken, or plans on smoking fish, jerky, making sausage?
The electrics are going to have a bit better temperature range, 120° - 275°. More ideal for fish, jerky, sausage. Most pellet grills have a low temp of around 180°. Not saying that it can't be done on them or a vertical.
I have both a pellet ( RT ) and the electric (which gets used more often). I do sausage, jerky, smoked nuts, etc., more than I do other proteins.
Have no experience with a kettle ( I know, my loss )

 

[bpacilio59]

What is your main purpose? Smoking butts, brisket, chicken, or plans on smoking fish, jerky, making sausage?
The electrics are going to have a bit better temperature range, 120° - 275°. More ideal for fish, jerky, sausage. Most pellet grills have a low temp of around 180°. Not saying that it can't be done on them or a vertical.
I have both a pellet ( RT ) and the electric (which gets used more often). I do sausage, jerky, smoked nuts, etc., more than I do other proteins.
Have no experience with a kettle ( I know, my loss )

I do brisket, chicken and pork but I smoke (Brisket) at high temp so most electrics don't go past 275.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Got a buddy that has a larger vertical propane smoker (Masterbuilt I think) and it has been a workhorse for him for around home and competitions doing pretty much anything you can fink of. He does now have a homebuilt trailer offset but still uses the. If you are looking to do most any normal projects and if space is a thing then maybe look at a vertical type smoker. I have been running a pellet last few years for the "convenience" but have a love hate relationship with it, need to get back to running an offset and at times I miss my old Masterbuilt electric that I started on.
Good luck

 

[sandyut]

This looks like it might be a winner. I only want to smoke with it so how is it at getting a good smoke from the pellets ?

I get great smoke from the Rec Teq! I run Lumberjack competition blend for everything and love the flavor. I get great smoke rings etc. I too use it only to smoke, I use my gasser for grilling.

 

[02ebz06]

The pellet seem to have a lot of issues with the hopper going on fire.

That depends a lot on the physical design.
Hopper fires are caused by auger fires that are not caught soon enough.

A lot have the end of the auger tube directly over the burn pot.
Those are the most susceptible to auger fires.
Ones that have a ramp that the pellets slide down into the burn pot rarely if at all have auger fires.
However you are talking more $$$ for them. Unless there are new ones I don't know about.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

That depends a lot on the physical design.
Hopper fires are caused by auger fires that are not caught soon enough.

A lot have the end of the auger tube directly over the burn pot.
Those are the most susceptible to auger fires.
Ones that have a ramp that the pellets slide down into the burn pot rarely if at all have auger fires.
However you are talking more $$$ for them. Unless there are new ones I don't know about.

I have a Traeger Pro 22 and never have issues with burn-back.
I just lower the temp gradually until I get around 225 or so and then shut it down.

 

[bpacilio59]

That depends a lot on the physical design.
Hopper fires are caused by auger fires that are not caught soon enough.

A lot have the end of the auger tube directly over the burn pot.
Those are the most susceptible to auger fires.
Ones that have a ramp that the pellets slide down into the burn pot rarely if at all have auger fires.
However you are talking more $$$ for them. Unless there are new ones I don't know about.

I did look at the camp chef pro XXL wifi. Does this one have the ramp as you discussed

 

[chopsaw]

the ramp as you discussed

This is an example of a drop auger design . Pellets are fed up out of the hopper , then trickle down the chute to the fire box . Less chance of burn back .

 

[sandyut]

The pellet seem to have a lot of issues with the hopper going on fire.

Not really, follow the directions, clean after three smokes (thats what I do), never had a backburn.

 

[schlotz]

Going on 11 years smoking with my pellet pooper and have never had the hopper/auger catch fire. Not saying that can't happen but usually details are left out by those complaining about something going wrong with their equipment.