Upgrading on a Budget: Suggestions?

[wyojay]

Howdy Yall,

I have been smoking meat with a little Brinkman Smoke N Grill for 4 years now. After much trial and error, I am at the point where everything from chickens to brisket comes out magical.

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• wyojay
• Jun 24, 2017

We are moving to a new house in August with an awesome deck and it's time for an upgrade to my smoking equipment. My only issue is that we'll be on a tight budget for a while with the move. I've been perusing around Amazon and have my eye on a couple of smokers that I can afford. One of them is a Dyna-Glo vertical charcoal smoker:

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• wyojay
• Jun 24, 2017

My only issue is that most of the reviews on Amazon are for the propane version. I may have just not looked deep enough, but I haven't seen any reviews for this model here.

My budget is only $250 for a smoker and I want to get the most bang for my buck. Any suggestions would be most welcome! Thanks in advance!

Jason

 

[kam59]

If you can squeeze a bit more you could grab a 18" WSM.


I have never used this one but I am on another forum and this cooker is getting some decent reviews from the users.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/trail-embers-triple-function-smoker

 

[wyojay]

Thanks kam! I was looking hard at the 18" WSM, but that Trail Embers looks like it might be the ticket!

 

[kam59]

Glad to help Jay. :)

 

[shoebe]

I would also vote for the WSM, the customer service is well worth the extra. It is well proven product with lots for folks using it, so you can get advice when need.  

 

[wyojay]

Thanks for the advice Shoebe! The WSM would be my first choice. Now it's just a matter of convincing my wife. ;)

 

[b-one]

Thanks for the advice Shoebe! The WSM would be my first choice. Now it's just a matter of convincing my wife. ;)

I'd say WSM as well,I'm looking at upgrading to the 22, make sure your happy with the size you can get a lot on a 18 I want the 22 to work with my rotisserie.

 

[wyojay]

I'd say WSM as well,I'm looking at upgrading to the 22, make sure your happy with the size you can get a lot on a 18 I want the 22 to work with my rotisserie.

Aside from the fact that I have virtually no temp control with my old $50 Brinkman, I'd like a larger capacity. If I can smoke a couple of 10 lb pork butts or at least 4 racks of baby backs, I'll be good to go.

 

[SmokinAl]

I'm a big fan of Weber, but I have to say that, that trail embers looks pretty interesting.

Although the Weber will last you for many years, not sure about the other one.

Al

 

[kam59]

 
I'm a big fan of Weber, but I have to say that, that trail embers looks pretty interesting.

Although the Weber will last you for many years, not sure about the other one.

Al

When I read the posts on it Al I had the same feeling because it is painted and not porcelain enamel coated. But I guess if it is kept clean between cooks it could last a good while.

 

[wyojay]

I'm a big fan of Weber, but I have to say that, that trail embers looks pretty interesting.

Although the Weber will last you for many years, not sure about the other one.

Al

Thanks Al! Any thoughts on the Dyna-Glo? I haven't seen any feedback on that one yet.

Jason

 

[daveomak]

Masterbuilt charcoal...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masterbuilt-Charcoal-Smoker-20060516/300687431?&cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|B|0|B-BASE-D28I+Grills|&mid=JOEYnLFP|dc_mtid_8903vry57826_pcrid_73873450790550_pkw__pmt__

 

[wyojay]

Masterbuilt charcoal...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masterbu...id_8903vry57826_pcrid_73873450790550_pkw__pmt__

Thanks Dave! That's definitely in my price range. The reviews didn't look very promising though. Problems with holding heat. The biggest issue with my current unit is maintaining temp. I go through an entire 15 lb bag of Kingsford with every smoke. Plus I have to babysit it all day.

Jason

 

[wyojay]

I just found this YouTube video on the Trail Embers. Looks pretty sweet!

 

[daveomak]

Jay....  Have you thought about an UDS....    Check out a few of ECTO1's video's he made...  

ECTO has had some great success with UDS's so I put together a few of his threads.... 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/109486/just-another-uds

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/97172/seasoned-uds-now-with-video

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/100910/my-uds-great-story

 

[wyojay]

Thanks for the links Dave! I am moving into a house with a large, heated garage/shop in August. That looks like an AWESOME project for this winter! Thanks again!

Jason

 

[cavman]

Hi,I have a mini WSM and have done a full packer brisket cut in half. I have 2 porkbutts totaling over 17 pounds that fit easy. I just ordered a Brinkman rib rack that will hold 2 racks of baby backs cut in half. I have read multiple forums you can do 4 racks of babybacks in the Mini using the Brinkman racks and believe it. WalMart sells the Mini for $200, i got mine on closeout for $99. Uses less charcoal than the bigger WSM's. Just an Idea for you. Easy temp control.

 

[wyojay]

Hi,I have a mini WSM and have done a full packer brisket cut in half. I have 2 porkbutts totaling over 17 pounds that fit easy. I just ordered a Brinkman rib rack that will hold 2 racks of baby backs cut in half. I have read multiple forums you can do 4 racks of babybacks in the Mini using the Brinkman racks and believe it. WalMart sells the Mini for $200, i got mine on closeout for $99. Uses less charcoal than the bigger WSM's. Just an Idea for you. Easy temp control.

Hi Cavman,

Thanks for the tip! I have been giving the 14" WSM a hard look, but was a bit nervous about going with something even smaller than I have now, especially since my wife wants to host her office party at our new place. I've never used rib racks before, but I imagine they would increase capacity for sure. Thanks again!

Jason

 

[cavman]

 

[cavman]

My rack won't be here for a few days, so I can't personally say it fits, but everything i have read says it will fit on both racks in the mini. I actually was looking for 10lbs+ pork butts but the biggest i found was the pair from Cash & Carry.i will be feeding around 20 people on the 4th. 1 rib rack is all I am planning on as Cash & Carry Babybacks come 3 to a pack. Pork butt is my go to for a crowd. I have had big smokers and prefer maxing my mini out for occasional more people to running a big smoker for 2 people.