Time for a new smoker!

[bakerman]

Hey everyone,
I went to smoke some Tri Tip last weekend to celebrate my 62nd trip around the sun, and was displeased to see my Masterbuilt propane smoker was not functioning correctly (no blue fire). I managed to get the meat about 95% finished and had to switch to the grill to finalize it. Turned out okay.
My smoker started to burn out the bottom so I killed the gas and let it cool. The insides are now done. I can still probably use the grates but that is about all. The burner has gone to dust. Corrosion is eating all the burner elements, the burner itself is flaking like crazy. Little shards of rusted metal all over the deck. Oh well time for a replacement.
I am now looking into a similar build but different maker: the Smoke Hollow 38 in gasser. It runs a little higher price wise but I am reading reviews and it sounds like it is of a more robust build. Any thoughts or opinions?
This will be my 3rd smoker, I am done with Masterbuilt. They only last 2-3 years then they start to develop issues. I hope to get this pretty soon. Home Depot has them and are running a 0% finance deal, so that is the way my better half wants to go.
I know some of you probably have the one I am looking at and wanted to know what your thought were. Hope to hear from you.
Bakerman

 

[buzzy]

I’ve been running a 38” Smoke Hollow since 07. It gets used quite hard. Several times a month. The wood pan & water pan are both burnt through. Replaced wood pan with a CI pot. For the water pan I sacrificed a shelf to go where the water pan was. Then bought a cheap cake pan an filled with gravel ( or u can use playsand) then cover with foil. Acts as a heat sink. Mine has the single door & this helps alot. New ones have 2 doors which is the way to go. They also have a cast brass burner so no rusting out. Don’t trust door thermometer. Got the needle valve mod which is a must to get lower temps. No problems until this last fall when couldn’t get temps up. Took valve control off then disassembled. Blowed out with air compressor. Good to go. Must of been spider web. Have mine in a designated smoke shack because being so windy here at times. Don’t know if new ones are as thin walled as old one but might cause fluctuations in steady temps if outside in the cold. Let me know if you have other questions. I’m not up on the new ones but happy with my old one. Good luck & happy smoking.

 

[bakerman]

I’ve been running a 38” Smoke Hollow since 07. It gets used quite hard. Several times a month. The wood pan & water pan are both burnt through. Replaced wood pan with a CI pot. For the water pan I sacrificed a shelf to go where the water pan was. Then bought a cheap cake pan an filled with gravel ( or u can use playsand) then cover with foil. Acts as a heat sink. Mine has the single door & this helps alot. New ones have 2 doors which is the way to go. They also have a cast brass burner so no rusting out. Don’t trust door thermometer. Got the needle valve mod which is a must to get lower temps. No problems until this last fall when couldn’t get temps up. Took valve control off then disassembled. Blowed out with air compressor. Good to go. Must of been spider web. Have mine in a designated smoke shack because being so windy here at times. Don’t know if new ones are as thin walled as old one but might cause fluctuations in steady temps if outside in the cold. Let me know if you have other questions. I’m not up on the new ones but happy with my old one. Good luck & happy smoking.

Buzzy ,

Thanks a lot. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I appreciate you taking the time.

Bakerman

 

[buzzy]

Always glad to help a fellow smoker!

 

[bakerman]

Goin to pick it up today after work. I will be smoking this weekend. Friday is a holiday for me but we are due for a torrential rain all day so I will put it together then. I will be on it Saturday, season my new baby and probably do some ribs to break it's cherry.

 

[seanysmokes]

bakerman I love my SH 38”, no issues over two years even with keeping outside all winter with a cover. Did you get the ribs going and if so, how did they turn out?!

 

[bakerman]

seanysmokes, yes I got the smoker going. 4 racks of ribs turned out real good. FWIW I used the water pan and hickory chunks. 3 hours @200 2 hours wrapped @ 200, about 30 minutes unwrapped to finished. Only one fell apart the other 3 held up well. So nice to get a smoker wide enough to lay my ribs down flat. Real nice bark and smoke ring.Tender and juicy. Very pleased with this smoker.
Thanks for all the input you guys.

 

[bakerman]

Still going strong! Smoked some NY Strips and some Brats. I am loving this smoker.

 

[solman]

congrats on the new smoker! are you noticing any difference in quality between masterbuilt and smoke hollow? if you're up for a little modding, you could do add a PID and valve to automatically control propane flow to maintain temperature. see my signature for the link.

 

[bakerman]

Solman,
Thanks! As far as a comparison I am still getting used to the Smoke Hollow. I am having issues with getting the temp stabilized. It does not want to go low (200 or lower). This is the reverse of the problems I had with the MB. So I need to do something to help with that. The only other thing is the door seal is not that great. I am planning on getting some Fireblock gasket and apply that. Now forgive my ignorance but what is "PID"?
I am thinking some needle valve for the propane line, would this be difficult to put on? Any recommendations as to what make or model?

Bakerman

 

[solman]

a PID is an electrical device that monitors something, in this case, the smoker temperature, and turns on or off another device, in this case, a solenoid valve that controls propane flow. put it all together, and it helps maintain a set smoker temperature. the diy link in my signature looks more daunting than it actually is, it's actually very easy to do once you figure out all the pieces.

if you want to do only a needle valve, keep in mind that a lot of the suggestions here are for a needle valve that's already in line with a regulator so it's just a plug and play operation. but the problem with that is that those are usually high pressure regulators and your smoker is likely a low pressure burner. the better way is to splice a needle valve in line with your existing propane hose. if you look at some of the user photos on this product page, you'll see what i mean: https://tinyurl.com/y2ko5yys

 

[bakerman]

Yep that is what I was thinking. I will probably hold off since I just got this 2 weeks ago. I will gasket the door anyway. I am a wee bit concerned about splicing the hose but I know I can do it.

Thanks for the ideas! I don't think the PID route is what I need. As long as I can get to 200 steady I will be fine. I may have to wait for retirement before I start cold smoking sausages and cheese. FWIW that needle valve looks like it will do the trick nicely.