Brinkmann Gourmet Smoker

willbird · Mar 21, 2013

Mo-Dave said:
I see these on Craigslist a lot, for cheap check them out, you may see something else in the process that would do you better. If you lived closer I have one or two out back I would give you.
Dave

Yea I have one I rescued from trash pickup he could have to, but the shipping would be more than buying a new one up there

. I have a UDS and grabbed a 30 gallon drum to make a mini UDS, so modding the ECB just never seems to happen.

Bill

rcbaughn · Mar 22, 2013

If I was you I'd build a mini WSM but use a barrel instead of the aluminum pot so it's taller and can fit more racks. I forget the barrel size that works for the mini WSM design but I think it's 16 gallons. They are pretty easy to find, and a whole lot of guys can help ya on cooks with the mini since so many have them.

I say this because you said your willing to mod the Brinkmann and that means you are handy enough to build stuff, so that's the route I'd take. The Smokey Joe is a solid platform to start off of and isn't as big as a UDS. But if you plan on doing larger cuts or amounts maybe the UDS is the better option. A TON TON TON of people could help you with learning to cook on a UDS no doubt, more than the mini WSM probably.

I'm just not a Brinkmann fan though since my first smoker was a Brinkmann electric. Only dry tough meats ever came off if it. I might as well have just slid the meat in the oven and threw a few sticks of wood on the floor of the oven. Same principle. I guess that's not what we're talking about here, but still I don't like Brinkmann products.

gigantor · Mar 22, 2013

El Ropo said:
The Gourmet can easily be modded to be just as functional as a wsm or uds. You just have to spend a couple hours and $20 or so to get it up to speed.

Think in terms of how a UDS works with airflow under and around the coals, adjustable intake system, and grate level thermometer. Not much else to it.

If yo

u have a Lowe's up there, they have a gourmet knockoff that is less expensive than the gourmet, but has a few nicer features, like spring handle side door, locking bottom section, etc.

It also has a larger intake hole on the bottom.

$59.00 US.

This smoker has been discont'd at Lowes. They replaced it w/ a unit that is a replica of the Brinkmann Gourmet unit. I got two d/c units for 20bux each.
I modded the bottom to improve air flow. Basically ordered two Brinkmann dampers, drilled holes at the bottom for better air flow. The new "Master Forge" smoker costs $69.

creekwalker · Mar 22, 2013

gigantor, among others, is correct about the Master Forge old and new models; the old one is 36 inches high [the Brinkman Gourmet is 35] and the new MF is 20.25 inches high (?!). The Canadian model (according to the picture posted) is the same as what is now the current model in the US (the 20.25 inch one).

rcbaughn · Mar 22, 2013

gigantor said:
This smoker has been discont'd at Lowes. They replaced it w/ a unit that is a replica of the Brinkmann Gourmet unit. I got two d/c units for 20bux each.
I modded the bottom to improve air flow. Basically ordered two Brinkmann dampers, drilled holes at the bottom for better air flow. The new "Master Forge" smoker costs $69.

$20?! I'd like to have that just for a cold smoking chamber if nothing else. That is an insane price. I gotta get to Lowe's tomorrow. Did you buy them recently? Or was that a while back?

creekwalker · Mar 22, 2013

I found the old MF listed on the Lowes site for $39 about a week ago; but when I started the ordering procedure it showed not in stock in any stores in my area. Called the central warehouse and they had none in stock, but they arranged for a Lowes in SC to sell me one at the same price if I would pay half the shipping (there was no ship to store since the it didn't come from the central warehouse). There are not supposed to be any stores here in NC that have them now, but you can check the site for stores in your area.

charrederhead · Mar 22, 2013

SmokinFatties said:
Those things in my opinion are the reason many people try their hand at smoking and quit. Those things being cheap smokers one can get readily that dont work well and dont turn out good BBQ without lots of mods and blood, sweat, and tears. I started with one of those and nearly quit.

^^^^ That would be my personal story. I bought the Gourmet many moons ago when I thought about getting into smoking. The poor build quality was disappointing. There were half-inch gaps where the lid and body met...I couldn't keep a fire going. It was nothing but a farking frustrating fiasco. Of course, I knew nothing of this place or the necessary mods, so after several failures I sold it for $7 at a yard sale and was happy to see it go!

Now I look for a cheap one on CL to buy and mod, just to get the better it. :boxing:

silverbullet · Mar 27, 2013

Wow...this is a bunch of great comments here...Thanks to all who gave their time to help a newbie. As luck would have it i am heading to Kalispell Montana the first of May for some Grayling fishing on the fly and plan on looking around there for my new smoker.. Don't want to start any arguments and appreciate all the various comments but it will most likely be the ECB Gourmet and do the mods unless i see a WSM on sale and pull the trigger (without the misses lookin of course).. Cheers to all and thanks again..

Brinkmann Gourmet Smoker

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