New guy. Need help choosing new vice

dwfisk said:
^Do this to start, or maybe a 26.75 OGT if your budget will allow it! You will learn they are very versatile, obviously direct grilling but also some great slow smoking, CI cooking and even pizzas all at a good entry price point. Once addicted, you can consider anything from a UDS/WSM to a stickburner (my personal favorite).

And welcome to the forum!
Click to expand...

^this. I love my 26.75
 
600$$$$$ ????????

Amazon Free Shipping weber 26.75 $299.00
Pit Barrel Cooker Free Shipping. $269.00

They arrive at your doorstep and about as fast as you can light your lump you are cooking (I've never used Kibgsfird in my PBC)

Ok-someone will come and bash the Pit Barrel Cooker saying build it yourself,it's cheaper. Cheaper not always better.

Bottom line, if your budget is 600& buy the best that 600$ will buy.
 
^^^ I like the "both" idea. You've got a set it and forget it smoker plus a large grill that can also be used for smoking, and you are still under budget to get a couple of covers for them.
 
That being said, would it make sense to go with the 22.5 otg, so that the weber lid can substitute to the pbc? I have seen posts where the weber lid is necessary for certain applications.

Any value in going that direction?
 
Bro -

Good work on the proposal of your situation to the Brethren. I haven't been here long, but have been rewarded over and over again with great people and great suggestions. May I be so bold: look very seriously at the Big Green Egg. I started with an electric smoker myself and don't get me wrong, it was a great start to the world of slow cooking. It took about 2 posts and MANY hours of "hanging around" this forum before I realized what I was missing. I decided to commit to the art of slow cooking (because I did end up spending a good deal of $$ on the Egg) and have been rewarded over and over again with great food and very low maintenance. They are expensive, no question about that, but they are worth every penny.
 
For $600, buy a 22" WSM and build a UDS. Now you have two toys and plenty of capacity.
 
I was in the same situation a little over a year ago...bought the 22 WSM added the IQ110 temp controller....there you go....fool proof smoking for under your budget.

I started with just the WSM....but with overnight cooks I never slept very well...added the IQ....set it and forget it. Also allows for easy temp change in the middle of the cook.
 
RClark115 said:
Great question, I usually cook for 8 to 10, with seasonal spikes(holidays, Super Bowl, etc). Realistically trying to stay under 600
Click to expand...

Thanks! That helps! I hate giving recommendations without the parameters :-D

For $600 you have a few good options, and you can afford a combo of two if you want...

In no particular order...

22.5" WSM - give you plenty of capacity for you usual cooks and room to grow for those spikes. Add a controller if you want for peace of mind.

UDS - Same advantages as the WSM. You can go completely homebrew or use the Big Poppa kit as a starter.

PBC - Easy to use and can cook for 8-10, but it would be tight. May not handle the spikes as well, especially if you are cooking something that doesn't hand well.

26" Weber Kettle - Great for grilling and can be used for smoking with good results, but not as easy to use as the WSM or UDS, and the capacity is not as great.

Big Green Egg (and other Kamado type cookers) - The most versatile. Can grill at lava temps, bake and smoke. You would need a Large size at the least, so buying a new BGE is well over the $600 budget, but if you have patience you can find one on Craig's List. You could also look at one of the lower cost Kamado cookers that have come out recently. Cooking for 8-10 would be a challenge, however. You would need a second level grate at least.

So... My recommendation?

A 22.5" WSM and a 22.5" Kettle. That give you the best of both worlds and is under your budget, especially if you can find either on Craig's List.
 
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Woah...slow down here folks. This is a first-timer. Starting off with $600 is not necessary. Not even in the ballpark. You want to go cheap, cheap, cheap. This is bbq, the sweet science of turning the lowest food, with the poorest equipment, into the most desired.

I recommend doing this. Get on Craigslist and find a kettle (preferably Weber) and a smoker that looks like (or is) a Weber Smoky Mountain. Then stop. That is all you need to get you started and I would go with the cheapest you can find, and this is why.

First, you may not enjoy this vice as much as another. (I know brethren...blasphemy! blasphemy!). $600 is a lot of fun on something else.

Second, if you can consistently put out quality food on these two cookers, you will be successful on just about anything.

Third, once you reach that consistent quality you are going to be hooked and that is when the hobby turns into a vice. You are going to want to give these away to a buddy (or keep them in your arsenal, I have given away my original smokers) and upgrade and that is where you start to spend the big money. Seriously...you will start to want to enter competitions and you will dream about a custom smoker that requires a pickup truck to haul.

A used kettle, and a used WSM (or knockoff). Those are the only tools you need to begin. These will be your sensei (Master Splinter). Once you learn from them you can (and will) go bigger.
 
don't kill me guys but in my very limited experience in smoking im glad I started with a propane smoker. it allowed me to concentrate on the meat and the techniques needed and not worry about a constant temp or conditions. plus you can get a half way decent starter at wally world for under a 150 bucks. if you like smoking after a while your gonna be happy you saved a bit to buy, vac sealer ,brining tubs, meat slicer, injector, and if you happen to think about sausage. add grinder, stuffer, casings. save a few bucks at first and see if its really up your ally many beginners believe its a good idea to start smoking only to find it takes more time than they expected
 
I can only tell you my experience, and take it as you wish.

I started smoking on a 22.5 Weber kettle. I then moved to an 18.5 WSM. If I were to start over, I would still want a Kettle for grilling, because they are awesome grills, but would move my smoking to a WSM as soon as I could afford it.

CD
 
Oh My

Go Cheap ??????
Go Propane from Walmart????

Egads
 
I started ages ago with my WSM, and I still use the same one today...have added a few toys in the interim
 
You could get a 22.5" a Weber Kettle Silver for. $99 , DIY SmokyNador for it for $16, Order Big Poppa Drum kit for $140 and get a $30 drum and a Charcoal Chimney for $15 --So $300ish with tax and little stuff then have $300ish to spend on Charcoal, Wood Chunks, Butcher Paper and Meats! :wink:

Or a Weber Kettle and PBC or a Kettle and this:
http://stores.barbequejunction.com/-strse-Maverick-Competition-Drum-Smoker/Categories.bok
http://www.firecraft.com/product/maverick-competition-smoker/maverick-thermometers
 
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Hello RClark115 I am new here as well. I read and read the forums until I was blue in the face and decided on a UDS. The reason I chose a UDS is simple, if I decided I did not have the skills to smoke or did not like it, I wouldn't feel bad about abandoning (selling) it. I think I have about 130-$140 tied up in it all together. Now if I would have spent major cash and decided against it, well SWMBO might not have taken it so well.

Anyhow, that is just me. These guys and gals here are awesome and know their stuff! I am sure what ever you choose to go with, all you have to do is come in here and ask and they will help you all that you need. I have looked at several Q forums and NONE compare to the great folks here at the Brethren!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Ray
 
the key is not to over spend when starting out. Many have suggested the WSM and OTG combo to start. That is what I did. I realized quickly that the WSM was not what I was looking for and got really lucky selling it without losing my shirt.

Start with a kettle, learn how to Q with the basics. The OTG is the most versatile tool out there as far as I am concerned. The 22.5 is great but the 26.75 would be cool as well.

If you hate it you only have a few hundred invested.

One poster already stated about the egg. I wish that I would have saved a bit more and then purchased. I am saving for the kamado Joe Big Joe. it is exactly what my cooking needs require.

Remember many here on the brethren have been at this a long time. The only thing better than spending on this hobby, is telling others what to buy. Dont get wrapped up in the hype. Start small and see what you think before purchasing something that you will wonder how the hell you can sell it later.
 
dwfisk said:
^Do this to start, or maybe a 26.75 OGT if your budget will allow it! You will learn they are very versatile, obviously direct grilling but also some great slow smoking, CI cooking and even pizzas all at a good entry price point. Once addicted, you can consider anything from a UDS/WSM to a stickburner (my personal favorite).

And welcome to the forum!
Click to expand...
^^^took the words right out of my mouth^^^:thumb:
 
bosco0633 said:
the key is not to over spend when starting out. Many have suggested the WSM and OTG combo to start. That is what I did. I realized quickly that the WSM was not what I was looking for and got really lucky selling it without losing my shirt.

Start with a kettle, learn how to Q with the basics. The OTG is the most versatile tool out there as far as I am concerned. The 22.5 is great but the 26.75 would be cool as well.

If you hate it you only have a few hundred invested.
Click to expand...

Can't agree with this more. I jumped up to a BWS, and although I don't regret it at all, it was a big investment. Like Bosco said, start with a kettle and go on from there. If you get hooked (like all of us!) you'll already have money in the bank for something bigger and better! And you'll always have that kettle as well. Good luck, and welcome!
 
Like you I am new to this whole smoking thing. I started with a uds because someone I knew had one and wasn't using it.

The first time I used it I was amazed at how easily the temp was to control and how great the food was. The second time was even better because by the I had found this forum and studied it a little more than the wife would have liked.(that is until she tasted the food).

The uds I have is a simple version with only magnets over holes for control. Works so well I am now working on a second with more features just for fun.

I have virtually no experience compared to so many here and so much to learn but wanted to share my experience.

Good luck!
 
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