Usual story- newbie considering first smoker.

[Rathog23]

Just signed up and I am planning on doing a lot of reading before plunking down $$ on a smoker. Leaning towards a Masterbuilt electric to get started and possibly a pellet later but, we'll see.

 

[GaryHibbert]

Welcome to the forum.
I know very little about pellet poopers, but I've had a MES 30 for years and love it.
Gary

 

[newsmokerky]

Welcome. I've only been smoking for 4 years or so, but I love my Smokin It electric. I am smoking everything I can get my hands on since I bought it. A little more $ than a MES, but so easy to maintain temp. Good luck with whatever you get.

 

[dernektambura]

In no time you will hit 230 lbs on scale just by trying all good recipes stuff members of this incredible forum come up with... lol....

 

[Rathog23]

Dernek - I'll lose weight ? ;-) .
Anyway, I've thought about propane because it would be nice during a power outage but, I'm also interested in things like cheese and nuts and my understanding is that an electric is better for lower temps. Also, safety concerns with gas however, fewer moving parts and less electronics to go kerflooey is appealing.
From some things I've read I am concerned about the durability of Masterbuilt .

 

[newsmokerky]

I had a propane smoker. I had some great results with it, but had to constantly baby sit and monitor it. My new Smokin It #2 is just brain dead easy.

 

[wbf610]

Dernek - I'll lose weight ? ;-) .
Anyway, I've thought about propane because it would be nice during a power outage but, I'm also interested in things like cheese and nuts and my understanding is that an electric is better for lower temps. Also, safety concerns with gas however, fewer moving parts and less electronics to go kerflooey is appealing.
From some things I've read I am concerned about the durability of Masterbuilt .

If you want simple, the ability to hold steady temps, with minimal moving parts, and no electric needed, check out a WSM.

 

[Rathog23]

The WSM keeps popping up as an option in various threads. My understanding was that charcoal takes more babysitting but, it looks like I need to rethink that.

 

[wbf610]

The WSM keeps popping up as an option in various threads. My understanding was that charcoal takes more babysitting but, it looks like I need to rethink that.

Not in the WSM. Mine will hold steady for 12 hours or more on a full load of coal, depending on ambient temps.

 

[Rathog23]

Sorry wbf610 but, I haven't quite got the quote thingy worked out :-) . Isn't there a learning curve for the WSM compared to electric or pellet ?

 

[dernektambura]

Dernek - I'll lose weight ? ;-) .
Anyway, I've thought about propane because it would be nice during a power outage but, I'm also interested in things like cheese and nuts and my understanding is that an electric is better for lower temps. Also, safety concerns with gas however, fewer moving parts and less electronics to go kerflooey is appealing.
From some things I've read I am concerned about the durability of Masterbuilt .

I am "old world" smoker...:)...I don't use propane or electric, just an old fashion ceramic "green egg" type BBQ and DIY built cold smoker....anyway, I would personally stay away from charchoal BBQ's and smokers....Reason is: even if you buy the most expensive, natural wood charcoal, it is already burnt at high temp and wood flavor is gone....all you end up with is a lot of carbon after burn...

 

[wbf610]

Sorry wbf610 but, I haven't quite got the quote thingy worked out :-) . Isn't there a learning curve for the WSM compared to electric or pellet ?

I didn’t find it that difficult to learn it. Really simple to set up and adjust. And once its running, it’ll hold steady.

 

[wbf610]

I am "old world" smoker...:)...I don't use propane or electric, just an old fashion ceramic "green egg" type BBQ and DIY built cold smoker....anyway, I would personally stay away from charchoal BBQ's and smokers....Reason is: even if you buy the most expensive, natural wood charcoal, it is already burnt at high temp and wood flavor is gone....all you end up with is a lot of carbon after burn...

Just curious what fuel you use in the egg ?

 

[Rathog23]

I'll study the charcoal forum , as well as youtube videos , on the WSM before making a decision.
Reliable low tech is a strong selling point. The MES have many fans on here as well so there is much too think about. I will admit that the Mailbox mod appeals to my sense of humor :-)

 

[dernektambura]

Just curious what fuel you use in the egg ?

wood, old plain hard wood....If I BBQ, I make a fire like I am about to do brontosaurus steak....lol...then when flame fire goes out I have a nice pile of fresh charcoal heat to play with....

 

[Rathog23]

I am "old world" smoker...:)...I don't use propane or electric, just an old fashion ceramic "green egg" type BBQ and DIY built cold smoker....anyway, I would personally stay away from charchoal BBQ's and smokers....Reason is: even if you buy the most expensive, natural wood charcoal, it is already burnt at high temp and wood flavor is gone....all you end up with is a lot of carbon after burn...

Isn't that why you add wood chunks on top of the coals ?

 

[wbf610]

wood, old plain hard wood....If I BBQ, I make a fire like I am about to do brontosaurus steak....lol...then when flame fire goes out I have nice pile of fresh charcoal heat to play with....

I figured as much.

I love my WSM, and just add a few lumps of wood to the charcoal for flavor.

 

[SmokinAl]

I'm a big fan of the WSM!
For the money it can't be beat, both with ease of use & flavor.
Al

 

[gmc2003]

Another vote for the WSM. Simple, easy to use and there isn't any moving parts going south during a smoking session. Fuel is also readily available basically everywhere. I understand why folks are doing the electric boogaloo and popping pellets, but I'm not at that stage in life. I use my WSM for cold and hot smoking.

Chris

 

[wbf610]

I'll study the charcoal forum , as well as youtube videos , on the WSM before making a decision.
Reliable low tech is a strong selling point. The MES have many fans on here as well so there is much too think about. I will admit that the Mailbox mod appeals to my sense of humor :-)

Here’s my story and further thoughts. I was rushed into buying my first when my gas grill failed us. I was looking into several units, but had family visiting and needed something asap, and the wife wanted another gas grill as well. I saw the OK Joes 4 in 1 at the local big box store and thought at least it would serve all functions. It’s a decent smoker, great gas grill, but left me wanting for a better smoker, especially for long smokes and fuel efficiency. Found a awesome deal on the MES 40 with blue tooth, and bought it around Christmas that year to do long smokes. Wife then wanted to get a smoker for her dad. After some thought, I realized that i could just put smoke to the meat in the OK Joes, and get it to the stall, then wrap and finish in the oven. So the MES went to the father in law for Christmas.

After a few cooks, the flavor just wasn’t there on the long smokes I was looking for, and i wanted more bark than i was getting. I didn’t want something with electric at that point, so I researched here and determined the WSM was the unit I needed, since i already had a charcoal unit, with a sizesble stock pile of coal. I searched Craigslist, letgo, etc., and found an 18” for $80 and got it.

After a clean up and test burn, playing with the controls to learn it, I loaded it up for my first overnight smoke on two pork shoulders. Once stabilized, it ran all night at 225, and the pork was incredible. Flavor was excellent, and the bark was outstanding. No wrap, just let it go through the stall as i slept.

The WSM is a really efficient unit once you learn to control it. No electric, control units, mother boards, elements, fans, augers, to mess with or have fail. Coal is relatively cheap compared to pellets, and to get the best out of a MES, you almost have to buy additional smoke implements to get around using chips in it’s tray, and loading it every 1/2 hour. I’m not knocking the MES or pellet smokers, they just weren’t what I was looking for at the time. And if you want gadgets to help you control the WSM, they are available, but not needed for the most part.

Anyway, do your research and don’t be afraid to continue to ask questions.

Good luck on your search, and happy St. Patricks Day.