Suggestion on New Smoker

[david r]

Guys, I think it has come time for me to purchase something new for my smoking needs. I have a cheaper charbroil cabinet style electric smoker and I have made some great meals with it. But the temp is becoming very hard to control and it is getting beat up. For the level of what I cook, this smoker is not cutting it.

How much does it end up costing in propane with a propane smoker? Are we talking a full tank for every Pork Shoulder? I'd like to move on from the electric.

I am "ok" with electric, but I want digital temp controls. currently I have a high-low dial and it is a bit of pain.

Do you guys have any budget friendly suggestions south of $400? I like to make pastrami, pulled pork and ribs, for the most part. I don't need anything to big. I typically smoke for 6-10

 

[Will Smoke]

Pit Boss Homie

 

[TomKnollRFV]

I run a MES 40 and love it if that helps. Alot of info on here though for all kinds....all I know is, dead to rights an electric is the cheapest to run. I do agree though, digital is the way to go.

 

[gmc2003]

I like the WSM. However your looking for digital controls. The WSM has manually controlled vents and is a charcoal smoker that is very popular and within your price range.

Chris

 

[jbellard]

I get about 25-30 hrs on low setting with one propane tank for pork butts. Not sure on your exact smoker

 

[shoebe]

I really like my WSM, easy to use and it does not cost that much to run

 

[dwdunlap]

I have a MES30 gen 21/2 I know just what you are going through with temp control. I was put onto adding a PID controller ($150) and now I really have a "set and forget" smoker. Holds to +/- 3 degrees of the setting throughout. I found a friend to do the simple wiring changes to bypass the worthless OEM controller and you will find the how-to directions on this site. From a smoker I wanted to shoot full of holes with deer slugs I now have just what I was looking for in a smoker! I set the cook temp I want and the PID delivers that temp.

I use a digital thermometer ($70) that tells me the box temp is at the meat grate and another probe inserted in the meat to know the internal temp. The OEM thermometers are notoriously inaccurate if you want to relly know what's going on in the smoker.

I use a smoke generator tube http://www.amazenproducts.com/category_s/12.htm which solved my smoke issues. Lots of smoke and runs for 8+ hours.

I hope this helps... dwd

 

[ravenclan]

I think first you need to figure out what type of smoker you want. electric, pellet, propane or stick burner. I have one of each for different cooking weather. the electric is a Masterbuilt 20070210 30-Inch Black Electric Analog Smoker, the pellet smoker is a PitBoss 700FB, my propane is a Masterbuilt 40" XL propane smoker and my stick burner is a
Offset Smoker 40" from walmart. the stick burner produces the best tasting meat but requires a lot of effort and i use it during the warm months. the propane not as much tending to, I use it during the fall" cooler days around 50 degree weather" and my pellet also during the fall and summer time, no need to baby sit this as long as you have pellets in the hopper. and my electric i use during the winter months and also if I need a "set and forget" for running errands.

the propane smoker i can use a regular grill bottle will last for about thirty hours of smoke time on medium with some difference with wind and outside temp.

Pellet grill a forty pound bag of pellets last me about 65-70 hours of smoking but there again outside temp and wind can and will change how much you use.

i like all of the smokers i have but like i said i use each one depending on weather, outside temp and the time i have.

Hope this helps

 

[jcam222]

I am guessing the issue isn’t whether it’s electric or gas. It’s more an issue of insulation and quality of the PID. I have an MES40 and overall the temp control is good although I’ve had to replace it. You are trending in the same direction as me as you out grow your smoker. I decided to save a bit more and shop the used smokers on Facebook groups and Craigslist. Id suggest the ticket is a good charcoal smoker with one of the add on temp control units. Buy the best charcoal smoker you can and add the controller later as funds permit.