Help a Newb out with buying first Backyard smoker

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POS96GT

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Been reading the forum for about a month now and decided I want to buy a smoker. I don't need anything to Fancy. Just something that will get the job done. Something big enough for 2 briskets. Not sure if I want to use wood, lump or charcoal. Since I am a total Newb a smoker that is easy to figure out and easy to smoke on would be a plus. $400 is about the limit I am willing to spend. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
This is a no brainer. A WSM. Room for lots of meat, easy to learn, lump or bricks. Buy one any you will love it.
 
If you're gonna buy, go Weber Smokey Mountain (22.5"). You can build a UDS for about 1/8th the price, but the flavor is much different.
 
Chef Jim said:
This is a no brainer. A WSM. Room for lots of meat, easy to learn, lump or bricks. Buy one any you will love it.
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+1... If you were willing to spend more like 800 I would say go for a Big Green Egg just for the flexibility. But for the price you can't go wrong with the Weber Smoky Mountain for sure.
 
i buy something cheap make sure you going to like it. Lot of people will start a new hobby and buy a bunch of expensive stuff then nver use it again
 
jestridge said:
i buy sometime cheap make sure you going to like it. Lot of people will start a new hobby and buy a bunch of expensive stuff then nver use it again
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However, with a WSM 22.5, he could recover about 75% of his costs if he listed it on EBay.
 
Just in case someone hasn't said it already, the 22.5 Weber Smokey Mountain or a two-rack ugly drum smoker is where you want to be. Two briskets is a lot of meat and you need a larger pit to do that much at one time.
 
I was actually thinking about the WSM....what are the thougts on a Char-Griller Smokin Pro? Also was pondering the idea of smoking with wood down the road. Is there a smoker in the same price range that would be a good wood burner as well? I'm assuming that the WSM isn't designed for wood but could be totally wrong.
 
If you go with the Chargriller you'll need to modify it to cook with any type of consistancy. They're thin, leak like sieves, and difficult to maintain a steady temp IMHO. Academy sells some better quality stick burners in that price range. I would start there.
 
WSM or if you are handy a UDS.
Get your feet wet and save your pennies cause you will want another/different cooker. You wouldn't be able to help ourself.
 
POS96GT said:
I was actually thinking about the WSM....what are the thougts on a Char-Griller Smokin Pro? Also was pondering the idea of smoking with wood down the road. Is there a smoker in the same price range that would be a good wood burner as well? I'm assuming that the WSM isn't designed for wood but could be totally wrong.
Click to expand...

Pass on the char griller. Got one last spring and what it cost for it and shipping I would have been better buying a wsm from the weber store down the street. I use my char griller weekly and produce some great Q on it, it needs a lot of mods and A LOT of attention when you are cooking.
 
WSM it's so easy it's like cheating. If you have access to the supplies, go with the UDS.
 
You have plenty of good recommendations. I would be sure to buy something that youre not going to out grow in a year. When I first started I bought the little Brinkman from lowes and 3 months later I was wishing I had more room.
Im not telling you to buy a Lang 84. Just be sure that you get something big enough to fill your needs.
 
build a Uds!!
I have 3 char grillers in the back yard and a 1993 brinkmann smoke-n-pit. they take constant tending. it feels great getting it done and making great food but the UDS has pretty much replaced all of my smokers (and I have a BUNCH of el-cheapo smokers)
 
The Chargriller Kamado (Lowes) would give you a grill and a smoker... like an Egg... at less than half the price... If you already have a kettle style grill, the WSM would compliment it perfectly.
 
The WSM would be my suggestion. Only Question is size. The 18 works for me, but if you are going to go big batch the larger size is the way to go.
 
Since you're in Texas, and some of the best pit builders are in Houston and elsewhere in Texas, I'd talk with somebody like Ritch Robin at Gator Pit of Texas to see what kind of deal he could give you on a small pit. He builds a product that will last you and your kids' lifetimes. Yes it will cost you more, but you'll enjoy it for a LONG time. And if for some reason you didn't, I'm sure there are many Texans in your neighborhood that would love to buy a used Gator Pit so you could always get a big chunk of your investment back. IMHO.
 
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