Smokin everything in Texas

[danitron]

I'm new to smokin and joining a forum to learn and get feedback from when I cook. I'm a quality engineer by trade so I plan to track variables well and come up with recipes to include the fuel, dampener settings, and whatever else for the smoker I end up buying. Any suggestions for first time offset smokers would be great. I'm looking at a Smokin Joes Canyon combo grill bc I just moved and don't have anything. Then move to dedicated smoker when the time is right..

 

[BigW.]

Welcome! I'd suggest starting with a Weber Kettle. Then save up for your offset.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Welcome from North Texas. A Weber Kettle would be a great start.

 

[millerbuilds]

Welcome to SMF from North Texas, I agree a Weber Kettle is the perfect rig to start with.

- Jason

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Welcome, but be careful of the enablers here, they'll help you spend your money...

 

[fxsales1959]

I'm new to smokin and joining a forum to learn and get feedback from when I cook. I'm a quality engineer by trade so I plan to track variables well and come up with recipes to include the fuel, dampener settings, and whatever else for the smoker I end up buying. Any suggestions for first time offset smokers would be great. I'm looking at a Smokin Joes Canyon combo grill bc I just moved and don't have anything. Then move to dedicated smoker when the time is right..

Welcome to the group from SE Florida. you're getting ready to jump into a high-suction rabbit hole. I talk too much, but here goes:. I can imagine the immediate gratification the OK Joe combo unit offers with the gasser side for throwing a couple burgers or a steak on the gas side after work..
depending on how experienced you are, you'll learn that using an offset (stick-burner) is probably one of the most work intensive smokers you'll find, though many will argue the true smoke flavor can't be beat once mastered. If you look at my signature you will see I've run the gamut of types of smokers out there ( not including many I have deleted.. I had an OK Joe Highland reverse flow which I recently re-homed because I'm in S Florida and didn't have the patience to chuck wood splits on a 7-9 hour smoke in Florida heat.. Since you are in Texas, fuel ( wood) shouldn't be an issue.
I would take a step back and think about what your goals are as far as meat. doing ribs, brisket, or a pork butt are time consuming but very satisfying once mastered.
Since we're helping you spend money. The first thing I would invest in, though not very expensive is a multi-probe thermometer to track temps in both meat and cooking chambers. Opinion will vary but my most used tool is my Inkbirdbbq I-BBQ-4T four probe wired thermometer with wi-fi
(versus bluetooth)

I've already gotten off track, but bear in mind that most any "smoker" you buy from a box store will require modifications in you are ACHD like I am.
Also consider where the appliance will be kept, like under covered patio or close garage.
Either way a good cover is highly recommended.
Humidity is your enemy for lifespan.
In closing, with all the smokers I've been through, my go-to for longer smokes is my Weber Smoky mountain (bullet)
I recently bought as Kettle, as recommended by others here, which I am still learning and liking very much..
It's an affordable jumping in point.
Sorry for the novel. I'll shut up now and let others provide input.
Just holler if you have questions. You came to the right spot.

John

 

[Bumppo]

Welcome!

I'm also jumping on board with suggesting a kettle. I think its the perfect first stepping stone to get into stick burners later. You'll still get a feel of managing dampers, vents, and all the outside variables, but its a more controlled environment. And if you're planning on keeping track of every little detail over your learning process, tending to a live fire could just get overwhelming.

After three years with kettles, I felt comfortable enough to graduate to a stick burner. Its definitely, trickier, but I think the basics of managing charcoal have given me a head start.

 

[912smoker]

Welcome to SMF from SE GA and you've landed at the best spot on the worldwideweb!

Keith

 

[sandyut]

Welcome to SMF from Colorado, you have arrived. this group is full of great people, I learned more here than I could list. upped my smokin and cooking game by a huge margin. jump in and enjoy!

You have some fine BBQ joints in TX

 

[Astralogics]

Welcome from Hawaii!

To start, and to not blow a hole in your wallet, another vote for a Weber Kettle. They're just so reliable, and have a nice and simple learning curve.

Another one would be a mini-WSM if you want an easy build project, though they ain't as cheap as they used to be. Efficient little cookers that treat you well.

Those are my two recs before the enablers come in here lol. Oh, speaking of "recs", RecTeq is pretty well loved around here...

 

[jcam222]

Welcome from Ohio, I would have guessed you an engineer even if you hadn't identified

 

[Redicans]

Welcome from Hawaii!! All good suggestions here! I run an offset just because I wanted to learn that and I do love it! But as you can see on this site everyone makes amazing food on a huge variety of smokers none are right or wrong just personal preference!!

 

[Hijack73]

A South Carolinian here who could eat Tejas Q 5 days a week.

Welcome aboard!

Whatever rig you end up with, just learn the cooker. Every cooker is different. I moved into the city and bought a pellet machine (it's ok, does the job) but I'd rather cook with chunks of wood any day of the week. I had to learn the pellet machine and I jacked up a couple of briskets instead of doing some butts or chucks to figure it out. I knew better, but in my head I was Mr. Been Doing This Since Moses Wore Short Pants and embarrassed myself. Learn how it burns, how it consumes fuel, where the hot spots are, all that stuff.

 

[uncle eddie]

Welcome to SMF from Central Missouri.

An electric smoker is a very easy way to start.