Smoker

[papa rick]

Howdy all,

I may have posted this in the wrong thread. I am new here and am still finding my way around.

We are looking for a new smoker. However i dont have the resources to buy the real good models. Can someone suggest a decent smoker that is not going to cost me an arm and a leg?

Thanks for your input,

Rick

 

[deanoaz]

Well, there are a small group of us ECB lovers around.  ECB stands for Extra Cheap Brinkmann.  You can go to a Wally-World, Lowes or Home Depot and buy the charcoal Brinkmann smoker for around $39.  It is great if you just do a list of modifications to it that you can find on any meat smoking forum you get into.  They include mod's to the charcoal pan, lid thermometer, smoke leaks, etc.  Use it as an intro into meat smoking and then upgrade as you see fit.  I have been using one for a number of meat smokes and have grown to love it.  I think I will be satisfied with it for some time, as I am not looking for anything exotic.  Think about it.

 

 

[dwrek]

If you are going to spend under $200, you are most likely going to have to make modifications to your unit.  Like deanoaz mentioned the ECB and the Offset Chargriller's you see at the box stores will work, but require mods.  They aren't that difficult, there's a bunch of vids on YouTube.

Or if you don't need a large unit,Google Mini-WSM and you can make one pretty easily out of a small Weber grill.

If you can go up to $300 the Weber Smokey Mountain is a great unit for the money.

 

[davidhef88]

I like my faster forge propane unit. It did require some mods to get it running where I wanted it to. Since I have done the mods it's a nice running unit.


David

 

[s2k9k]

Hi Rick, what is your budget? What type are you leaning towards? (wood, charcoal, propane, electric...) This will really help us to point you towards what might best suit you.

 

[papa rick]

Thanks for all the reply's. My son in law just gave me a brinkman he found on craigs list for free. I will go to you tube and check out the mods. i also ran across alot of UDS videos. in everyone i watch no one put a bottom acces door to the coals?? Seems like to put more charcoal or wood in you would have to take all the meat out just to get to teh fire? Am i missing something?

 

[deanoaz]

Thanks for all the reply's. My son in law just gave me a brinkman he found on craigs list for free. I will go to you tube and check out the mods. i also ran across alot of UDS videos. in everyone i watch no one put a bottom acces door to the coals?? Seems like to put more charcoal or wood in you would have to take all the meat out just to get to teh fire? Am i missing something?

If you have an ECB (extra cheap Brinkmann) you don't open anything to get to the coals.  One of the mod's is to move the legs (which support the charcoal pan) to the outside of the body, then put the pan on pavers at the bottom.  Then all you have to do is lift the whole smoker body up and off, add charcoal/briquettes as needed to the pan, then set the body back over the charcoal pan.  By doing that you still keep heat/smoke contained with the meat on the racks inside the body.

 

[daveomak]

Papa Rick..... morning.... Yes, you are missing something..... It's called the "Minion Method" ....  Do a search...  Here is a very good explanation on this link.....  When you joined there should have been a 5 day e-course that explained it also....  It is so cool and labor saving.....   Dave

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/minion-method-explained-with-tutorial

 

[papa rick]

Thanks i will give the ecb a try

 

[papagrizz]

Thanks for all the reply's. My son in law just gave me a brinkman he found on craigs list for free. I will go to you tube and check out the mods. i also ran across alot of UDS videos. in everyone i watch no one put a bottom acces door to the coals?? Seems like to put more charcoal or wood in you would have to take all the meat out just to get to teh fire? Am i missing something?

Welcome PaPa Rick,

Dave is right on!!

I have been using my UDS for quite sometime now and by utilizing the minion method I always have lump left even after a 20 hour smoke.  The UDS is one of the most efficient smokers there is..IMHO

Have fun, and let the smoke roll....

 

[papa rick]

Thanks Dave! i think i just got my self a new project.