- Jan 6, 2011
- 26,255
- 4,708
The Perfect Smoker ?
I read all the time about members and newbies asking “Which smoker should I get” or “What is the best type of smoker” That’s the Million Dollar Question.
I see some want a set and forget, electric, gas, charcoal & wood, combination smoker & grill, brick and mortar, wood, patio type, trailer mounted, etc.
Some are apologizing because they have a cheap smoker and want a better, high dollar one. Some think these smokers are what make the great BBQ they are looking for. This is a very difficult question. This day and time there are so many choices out there and information available, I can see why it is hard to choose.
First you have to evaluate several things. Where you live, “an apartment, a house, a neighborhood, in the country, close to neighbors, gripy neighbors, so on and so on”.
Most apartments will not allow grills or smokers that have an open flame within so many feet of the building if at all. Some cities have an ordinance on smoke or an open flame. Neighbors who complain, all this must be considered.
How much time do you want to spend tending your smoker? Convenience? Weather? these things also need to be considered.
I think everybody wants a good smoker and to be able to turn out great smoked food. And you can with just about any type smoker. Remember it’s the person doing the smoking not the smoker that turns out great food.
I have a Reverse Flow that I use all the time, I also have an ECB that I paid $69 bucks for and did a few mods on. I can turn out the same quality of BBQ on the ECB that I can with my RF. The difference is my RF holds more and is easier to control the temp and smoke. The ECB just needs more attention. There are people that will tell you that “This is what you need”. What you need is what works best for you and is in your budget.
The key is “GET TO KNOW YOUR SMOKER” whatever kind you have. Once you get proficient and are turning out great Q every time, then decide if you want to upgrade, go bigger or a different style.
As I have said before, I have been to many BBQ cook- offs and seen Cheap-O smokers and $20,000 + smokers . I tasted food that was cooked on a cheap smoker that would knock your socks off and food from a high dollar smoker that I didn’t like at all.
Since the BBQ shows on TV and so many more competitions, smoking has really taken off. There are so many choices out there and information available I can see where it gets confusing.
I was reading the other day where someone wanted to build the perfect smoker. Pretty much a set and forget. They have them; Look at the Chain BBQ restaurants, big wood fired units on timers. I’m sure not knocking these units because they do a great job consistently. I also see where a lot of people like to eat BBQ and smoked meat but don’t want to have to mess with their smoker at all. A set and forget is great for these folks.
I’m a hand’s on guy, love tending my smoker and watching it. Now in saying that I don’t want to spend every minute doing that, but I like to smell the smoke, check my fire and peak in on what I’m smoking.
So really think about what fits your style, Buy it make it, but enjoy it.
Also another consideration is how much you will use it. I see lots of people jump in and spend a lot of money then hardly ever fire it up.
So whatever you get, learn to use it, make it fun and enjoy the heck out of it.
And BTW there is no perfect smoker. I’ve been looking, buying and building for over 40 years and I always see something new and different.
Gary
I read all the time about members and newbies asking “Which smoker should I get” or “What is the best type of smoker” That’s the Million Dollar Question.
I see some want a set and forget, electric, gas, charcoal & wood, combination smoker & grill, brick and mortar, wood, patio type, trailer mounted, etc.
Some are apologizing because they have a cheap smoker and want a better, high dollar one. Some think these smokers are what make the great BBQ they are looking for. This is a very difficult question. This day and time there are so many choices out there and information available, I can see why it is hard to choose.
First you have to evaluate several things. Where you live, “an apartment, a house, a neighborhood, in the country, close to neighbors, gripy neighbors, so on and so on”.
Most apartments will not allow grills or smokers that have an open flame within so many feet of the building if at all. Some cities have an ordinance on smoke or an open flame. Neighbors who complain, all this must be considered.
How much time do you want to spend tending your smoker? Convenience? Weather? these things also need to be considered.
I think everybody wants a good smoker and to be able to turn out great smoked food. And you can with just about any type smoker. Remember it’s the person doing the smoking not the smoker that turns out great food.
I have a Reverse Flow that I use all the time, I also have an ECB that I paid $69 bucks for and did a few mods on. I can turn out the same quality of BBQ on the ECB that I can with my RF. The difference is my RF holds more and is easier to control the temp and smoke. The ECB just needs more attention. There are people that will tell you that “This is what you need”. What you need is what works best for you and is in your budget.
The key is “GET TO KNOW YOUR SMOKER” whatever kind you have. Once you get proficient and are turning out great Q every time, then decide if you want to upgrade, go bigger or a different style.
As I have said before, I have been to many BBQ cook- offs and seen Cheap-O smokers and $20,000 + smokers . I tasted food that was cooked on a cheap smoker that would knock your socks off and food from a high dollar smoker that I didn’t like at all.
Since the BBQ shows on TV and so many more competitions, smoking has really taken off. There are so many choices out there and information available I can see where it gets confusing.
I was reading the other day where someone wanted to build the perfect smoker. Pretty much a set and forget. They have them; Look at the Chain BBQ restaurants, big wood fired units on timers. I’m sure not knocking these units because they do a great job consistently. I also see where a lot of people like to eat BBQ and smoked meat but don’t want to have to mess with their smoker at all. A set and forget is great for these folks.
I’m a hand’s on guy, love tending my smoker and watching it. Now in saying that I don’t want to spend every minute doing that, but I like to smell the smoke, check my fire and peak in on what I’m smoking.
So really think about what fits your style, Buy it make it, but enjoy it.
Also another consideration is how much you will use it. I see lots of people jump in and spend a lot of money then hardly ever fire it up.
So whatever you get, learn to use it, make it fun and enjoy the heck out of it.
And BTW there is no perfect smoker. I’ve been looking, buying and building for over 40 years and I always see something new and different.
Gary
