What tools does a beginner need after getting an offset smoker? (BUDGET minded)

[Stopsign32v]

Please do not recommend $200+ probes, thermometers, etc...

What I have is a cheap $100 Amazon offset smoker which is very thin walled. BUT I would like to emphasize on how impressed I have been so far with how it smokes!

But with that being said I don't really have anything else other than it. I have been using an oven thermometer but I have to open the lid to see where I'm at. What tools do I need to make life easier while smoking briskets and butts?

 

[Brokenhandle]

You need reliable thermometers. If you're looking you're not cooking... opening the lid to check temps will extend the time it takes to smoke anything. Best to have a dual probe thermometer... one for meat temp, one for smoker temp. I have some Inkbird ones and two Smokes from Thermoworks. The Inkbird ones are cheaper but I like the Smokes better.
Depending on where you live... a welding blanket to cover smoker if it's really cold outside.

Ryan

 

[Stopsign32v]

You need reliable thermometers. If you're looking you're not cooking... opening the lid to check temps will extend the time it takes to smoke anything. Best to have a dual probe thermometer... one for meat temp, one for smoker temp. I have some Inkbird ones and two Smokes from Thermoworks. The Inkbird ones are cheaper but I like the Smokes better.
Depending on where you live... a welding blanket to cover smoker if it's really cold outside.

Ryan

I live in South Carolina. Temp usually hovers around 40-30 on the cold side in winter when I would be smoking.

Is that too cold to smoke?

 

[Brokenhandle]

I live in South Carolina. Temp usually hovers around 40-30 on the cold side in winter when I would be smoking.

Is that too cold to smoke?

It's only too cold as you can handle or if your smoker can't maintain temperature. I've smoked in much colder temps... last Thursday our high was 18 degrees.

Ryan

 

[normanaj]

For therms I would definitely look into ThermoPro particularly the TP829 as it's on sale right now.Excellent therm for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-Wireless-Digital-Thermometer-Grilling/dp/B08KZR4F23?crid=8Y4PFW2EN4OV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4_ko8HHfs1WXsTpMuSqcA8aQY4YxIsd59_vM05uJ6BGjm6jgK3EN-YjHf3_8u8cZQUuNtqP-XZhk5rGZgLoSxwWrA-TP9it-1cq-Im9IcWu7uPW599u7hmVnxf3bKJY-q09F5lwBhNK0iYuWdM3cNbb_2FtYslAh487pMzHm6MHw4HV_J34cucFxod4rvyfV9yRvkq2XlWZbaRCGo01sXRufUJgumzBA5GIS94E0J3o4Ra31jabA5fIN0leOSE5UNpuHXuOTYgvgXNJsrTI-JrRc4H3elR_3a8-S8wxAPgE._m3szPyK3X7KyDP6cGbKidEwSSYbZa3uIkmo7bsn1DE&dib_tag=se&keywords=thermopro&qid=1733686603&sprefix=thermopro%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-5

 

[gmc2003]

I foresee a lot of pit babysitting with a thin-walled offset smoker. So without a doubt I would recommend a tel-thru type thermometer(can be had for about 30 to 40 bucks) and a good insta read therm. For the tel-thru you'd need to drill a whole in your door and slide the therm stem thru the hole. Getting it as close to the grate as possible. This will give you a good idea of how steady your smoker is running, and you can make adjustments to the fire box as needed. The insta read is easy to use and pretty self explanatory. I think this would be your cheapest way out. I did it for a few years when I first got my char griller duo.

Chris

 

[DougE]

Budget minded? Hell fire, the enablers in this forum will get into your pockets right quick!

Just get a second job, or third, if necessary

 

[Stopsign32v]

Budget minded? Hell fire, the enablers in this forum will get into your pockets right quick!

Just get a second job, or third, if necessary

I have too many hobbies, I cannot afford another full time one!

 

[Winterrider]

These enablers will get into your checkbook thats for sure.

If interested, PM me your name and address and these can be sent before Christmas .

 

[jcam222]

These enablers will get into your checkbook thats for sure.

If interested, PM me your name and address and these can be sent before Christmas . View attachment 708794

Very cool !!

 

[jcam222]

I really think they have you covered with an instant read, a wireless dual probe and a welding blanket (Harbor Freight) Looks like via this awesome community you can get 2 of the 3 free!

 

[mneeley490]

I had much the same thing when I started out. Best and cheapest mod I did was I bought a large, tapered can of Sapporo beer. Drink the beer, then remove both ends and shove the smaller end inside the bottom of the smoke stack. This will lower the smoke closer to the grate level before it escapes, giving your meat more time in the smoke.
The 2nd best mod, which was a bit more expensive, was to buy small, flat, ceramic bricks and line the bottom of the smoker with them. This absorbs heat from the firebox, and helps stabilize the inside temperature.
Third thing, as it leaked smoke like a sieve, because it was made like a sieve, was to buy a lot of nuts, bolts, and washers, and plug as much as possible.
Good luck!

 

[choochooman442]

These enablers will get into your checkbook thats for sure.

If interested, PM me your name and address and these can be sent before Christmas . View attachment 708794

If you need Thermostat(s) to install in the walls of your smoker I have always used Weber ones that I salvage at my dump. If you don't have that option I have a few hanging out in my shop and would be glad to send you one or two. I have four on my 500 gallon counterflow all salvaged ones.
PM me if you are interested. I'm just north of you in beautiful NH.

 

[tallbm]

Please do not recommend $200+ probes, thermometers, etc...

What I have is a cheap $100 Amazon offset smoker which is very thin walled. BUT I would like to emphasize on how impressed I have been so far with how it smokes!

But with that being said I don't really have anything else other than it. I have been using an oven thermometer but I have to open the lid to see where I'm at. What tools do I need to make life easier while smoking briskets and butts?

Hi there and welcome!

I too am on the wagon for getting a 4 probe wireless thermometer. Hell this has over 4 stars and is super cheap with 35% coupon too. Cheap enough to roll the dice for being under $12!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Thermometer-Accurate-Instant-Presets/dp/B0CH8MX9ZS/ref=sr_1_102?crid=1NBJR8KDA4WQ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QAfrQja2CF5Skr3o3-JlZ1i3XvWOW-fuzG4KZ_GtUqtQFUBLmdyYdK0sLbe4SrawS7yE-wGD9ewA3EyYhufAzS2bCW_1FEap1E4z_WYon4jnKbCEd9pRXZygJr8xzAS3voO_xlKjY4rhyHyDdQ_C01p4XottxoGm-5MfHBo7SI30YRWqo4C5KYnEgxmjGp8EenDjPufcMqoZSYB8mRau9g.n7QpU98xfa72wpI1I6kkBbE4-Adb-1AZWn4RGVFgdbY&dib_tag=se&keywords=4%2Bprobe%2BRF%2Bthermometer%2Bmeat&qid=1733721889&refinements=p_72%3A1248915011&rnid=1248913011&s=home-garden&sprefix=4%2Bprobe%2Brf%2Bthermometer%2Bmea%2Caps%2C111&sr=1-102&th=1

I also think the welding blanket would be a good choice. Whether it's cold or not, more insulation will never hurt and only lead to more consistent and longer lasting temps.

Outside those 2 items, some heavy duty real metal, no bendy, tongs. So you can pick up a big giant pork butt with it. I got some really heavy duty ones and they are wonderful to use to flip a whole brisket or pork butt or pick up a whole chicken/turkey.

Final thing. Get some Salt, Pepper, Onion (minced or dehydrated), Garlic (granulated), and Paprika.
You get those seasonings and you can make SPOG (salt, pepper, onion, & garlic) and SPOG+Paprika seasonings for smoking just about any meat you can think of and it being AMAZING with the seasoned flavor.

 

[Flatrate]

This thread got me thinking and the best advice I got for you is actually free, its educate yourself. Take time to learn your cooker, and take time to learn about what your cooking. Yeah you might not have the best cooker, fancy toys will not help you if you don't have the knowledge. Your in a great place here with a vast knowledge base. Look elsewhere, Youtube has a ton out there, some of the best cooks on the planet put their knowledge out there for free on a daily basis.

For the record if I decided to cook a brisket or a butt I could break out my Smoke Hollow or my Yoder and end up with the same results with a Taylor dial thermometer, honestly would probably turn out better with the SH as I have more time invested in learning with it. Yeah you might have to put more effort in. To me like any hobby and trust me I have many, you have to put in the effort there are no magical shortcuts!

Hope I didn't come across as negative.

Dave

 

[DougE]

Hope I didn't come across as negative.

Nah, no fancy addons are going to be a short cut to knowing your cooker(s). I mostly just use an instant read therm these days.

 

[ThaKaptone]

This had been a very interesting read. I am pretty new at this and will definitely look into the welding blanket. Although here in Aus we dont get super cold but anything that helps with temps control will be good

 

[DougE]

This had been a very interesting read. I am pretty new at this and will definitely look into the welding blanket. Although here in Aus we dont get super cold but anything that helps with temps control will be good

I don't blanket until temps get below 60°F (16C).

 

[Newglide]

Looks like everybody has a given you great advice so far.
Only advice I have is don't go to crazy getting gadgets yet.
Get a good thermometer, some fire management toos and a set of tongs. Then start cookin, after a couple of cooks you'll start to figure things out and then you'll have a better idea of what will make your life on the smoker easier.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Welding blanket and thermometer's like others have stated. I have had pretty decent luck with cheap thermometer's from Amazon, Inkbird in particular I have not had any major issues as long as I take care of them like not letting them sit in the rain for long periods of time. An instant read for probing temp and tenderness and a multi with either its own remote or a Bluetooth to your phone for leaving in meat and monitoring chamber temp.