Would like opinions on a new smoker

[pokeycameron]

Christmas is coming and I have asked for a new smoker. Problem is, i need to decide which one. I have some very limited smoking experience with charcoal. I would like something versatile, that could cold and hot smoke. Meats I would like to smoke is salmon, moose, pork, chicken, etc... Looking online, I see a lot of people saying each smoker is great, which I am sure they are. I would like to hear some of the smoking veteran's opinions on which smoker you would recommend for a novice. I have read several of the forums on here and there seems like a lot of knowledgeable smokers, so I would like to hear your opinions. I am limited to about $700. When I look around, I seem to keep coming back to the Bradley and Traeger smokers. Thank you for your opinions and recommendations.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Welcome to SMF!

Weber Smokey Mountain
You can cold smoke in it with an A-Maze-N smoke generator.


~Martin

 

[linguica]

Easy for beginners and preforms well for seasoned pros also. well within your budget. There may be a newer model available.

Add an A-Maze-N smoke generator with the mailbox mod (search bar) and you have a complete smoker.


IMO

 

[chef jimmyj]

Welcome to the SMF Family...When you have time, go over to Roll Call and introduce yourself for a proper greeting from the very helpful people around here...

The Bradley is ok but the biggest complaint is the cost of the biscuits and the fact that it dumps them after 20 minutes, long before they are used up. The WSM above is good if you like using Charcoal. There are many of us here that own Masterbuilt Electric Smokers (MES) and love them. They are totally set and forget it if you add the AMNPS Pellet Smoke Generator...http://www.amazenproducts.com You light the Pellets and you get up to 10 hours of the perfect Thin Blue Smoke (TBS) we are looking for. There is a limitation, like the Bradley, in the MES will only go to 275*F. This is too low to get crispy skin on poultry but smoking the bird to an internal Temp (IT) of 150*F then popping it in a 425*F Oven to finishing the cooking to 165*F and get the skin crispy works great. A short time on the Grill will get them done too. The MES comes in 30" and the larger 40" style. There are still some of the 2011 models around, Model numbers end in 11, and the new 2012 models are out. If you are in no major hurry there should be some killer sales happening in a few weeks. Cabela's dropped $100 off the price of their MES' smokers last December. The Traegers I know very little about...JJ

Check this post out...I don't think anybody will beat this price on a New 2012 MES 40... http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/130449/2012-mes-40-now-at-sams

 

[roadkill cafe]

Welcome to SMF Pokeycameron. Glad you found us. Although I'm not an "old pro" by any means, I can speak to the attributes of the MES 40. I have a propane unit as well as the MES and have very happy with the MES. With the added width over my gasser I'm thrilled to not have to cut my racks of ribs in half anymore as well as being able to place more on the same grate, keeping them at the same height/temp zone. They're well insulated, unlike my gasser, and are very easy to use. With the addition of the AMNPS, cold and hot smoking would be a snap.

Just my .02 cents (and sometimes I get change

 )

 

[kryinggame]

It's a tough question which has been debated here numerous times. I like both the Masterbuilt smoker and I love thecWeber Smokey Mountain. However the Masterbuilt is easier to use. It's basically an oven with an electrical plug. Chef Jimmy summed up the description very well for you . Good luck

 

[jarjarchef]

Never used a Traeger but here is a thread I found here about them.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/99678/trarger-grills

Have used a MES and with the AMNPS it is set it and forget it. I would also add a Maverick to it. I have found the therms to be off.

Propane smokers are nice in the fact once you get them set correctly, basically set it and forget it. A few mods help: gaskets, needle valve, maverick and a few others that have done are more personal.

WSM very nice for a vertical charcole smoker. A couple mods have been done to improve to time and control of burn. They can be done at time of assembly. Takes a little more attention, but a great way to start with charcole. Needs a maverick as well......

COS (cheap off set) I like these. I have had a few of them. They require attention and modifications, but they are cheap. I enjoy tinkering with things so it is no issue for me. I have not cold smoked in mine, but would think you can with an AMNPS.


What really matters is how much you are going to use it and how you take care of it. You can buy a cheap one and take care of it and learn it and you will have years of great Q. Or you can do the opposite and spend a lot and not take care of it and......well you get the point. I have not seen a smoker review on this site or any other site that did not say they didn't need a bit of tweaking or modifying in the price range you are working with. But no matter what you do factor the price of a Maverick style remote therm in your package....

For me the MES at work is good for that environment. I can set it and then take care of anything that comes up and not worry about anything. At home I like to spend time and make an event out of the experience so I like my COS for that environment......

 

[ecto1]

Of you want electric you can't beat a MES very easy to use and it makes great food.  If you are handy with tools some of the best Que in the world come off a Ugly Drum Smoker.   If you are not to handy a WSM will do the job just as well.

 

[pokeycameron]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I had not looked into the MES, but will do so now. I appreciate the time you have all taken into replying. Thanks again.

 

[uc smoker]

Weber Smoky Mountain, using lump charcoal, is the only way to fly  IMHO...wife bought me mine for Fathers Day and I cook for her every weekend!  Simple to use and makes incredible food, even when blind drunk.

 

[kryinggame]

I have 2 racks of St. Louis ribs in my WSM. It's about 55 degrees and a bit windy right now. The ribs have been steady at about 275 degrees. Once the WSM get's going, it goes on and on and on and on...

 

[pokeycameron]

Thank you all for your advice and thoughts. I think I am going to go to the MES. Just need to figure out how to get it shipped now.

 

[1beezer]

Cabelas has free shipping I think.

I have an MES30 and just bought a Traeger Lil Tex Elite with the digital control. I like them both but the MES30 is for sale on Craigslist. I like the grill configuration much better on the Traeger and it puts out great smoked food. Getting real nice smoke rings and it holds temps very well.

Search Pellet Pro on eBay. Dennis a member here owns Smoke Daddy.com and sells them on his website as well. You get a big bang for the buck buying a Pellet Pro from him in either size from his eBay ads plus free (almost) pellets he offers with the deal.

 

[kryinggame]

I actually have 2 30" MES.  I was going to put one on Craigslist but due to the holiday season, the prices are dirt low.  There's no way that I can see one for a decent price--heck, I was hoping to get about $150 for it.  We'll see.