need new smoker advice

bertkemtncurs · 01-20-2007, 12:23 PM

I've been using my Brinkmann water smoker for years with great success, but the family is growing and now I need more capacity, so I need something bigger. I need suggestions! I'd like to spend $300 or less (like I said, family is getting bigger!). I can get all the hickory and oak I need, so fuel isn't an issue. What do you guys suggest?

Markbb · 01-20-2007, 12:28 PM

Need a head count on the family memebers for recommend, but if maybe four try getting a WSM, or a green egg I have a offset pretty good size and I can fit a bunch of food on it!

Kevin · 01-20-2007, 12:28 PM

The BSKD or Bandera would fit your price range. I use a BSKD and it can be a fuel hog. If fuel is not an issue for you this could work. Here is a post in the roadmap to this forum with some smoker comparisons.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...3&postcount=19

Solidkick · 01-20-2007, 01:21 PM

BSKD equals Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe....a left handed version of the Bandera....nice capacity....I have 6 slabs of babybacks and a brisket in mine right now, and have plenty of room for another shelf full....

jgh1204 · 01-20-2007, 01:43 PM

There is an offset horizontal at sams right now that looks pretty good for about $230. A bandera or BSKD is good for $200 or so. I am liking the possibilities of my Ugly Drum Smoker I made which has about $30 in parts(not counting the $150 in tools I bought to make the mods to the drum, please dont tell the wife).

tumpedover · 01-20-2007, 01:47 PM

For the money I say Bandera or maybe get yoself one nem barrels an make you one nem smokers like Bigmista's got ...It;ll hold a bunch and it's the right price too !!

tony76248 · 01-20-2007, 01:48 PM

Try taking a trip to Academy and see what they are offering at this time. Then let us know what you like and we can chime in on it. The obvious is the WSM but unless you plan on having two smokers going at once, I am not sure the capacity will achieve what you are looking for.

bruno · 01-20-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony76248

The obvious is the WSM but unless you plan on having two smokers going at once, I am not sure the capacity will achieve what you are looking for.

There are a couple ways to increase the capacity of the WSM. One is to go get a 17" grate and 4-6-8" bolts (non-galvanized) and 2 nuts for each of them. Put the bolts through the extra grate, put a nut on, place the top grate on top of the nut, put the second nut on. You now have an extra grate.

The other is to get the extra grate and get 4 empty soup cans and set them on the bottom grate and put the extra on top of the cans. Not much room between them, enough for a brisket flat or some ribs laid flat.

Wayne · 01-20-2007, 10:22 PM

I can speak for either the NB Black Diamond (horizontal) or the NB Bandera (vertical) Both are great cookers. The Bandera will hold more and its firebox is easier to use as a grill. I like to toss a mix of veggies on the grill near the end of a smoke and the Bandera grill works great. You can also scald wieners or grill some burgers for the kids. Or even finish off prime rib. In your price range you should get lots of years of BBQ with either one of these. I am sure that other brands would be just as good but I have always bought NB.

Bigmista · 01-20-2007, 10:39 PM

The barrel can hold 4 briskets or 8 butts at the same time.

swamprb · 01-20-2007, 11:08 PM

Growing family? Are you handy? A lot of us are doing the UDS thing, it'll hold a lot of meat. You won't find an Egg for $300, A Silver Smoker or Char-Griiler offset and a WSM are all under $200. A Great Outdoors Smokey Mountain is a propane cooker that has 4 racks and large capacity.

Oldbob · 01-21-2007, 06:49 AM

I am New to the forum...but I really Like My BSKD....with the Modifications to it , it does a Great job for Me and the capacity is well suited also. Under $200 ...and Like Wayne said it also can be used to grill at the end of the cook...Just my $.02

Dale P · 01-21-2007, 07:11 AM

Over the years I have had many of the cheaper grills and smokers and find that you can cook good Q on all of them. The question is, how easy are they are to get the temp set and how long will the cooker hold them.
With all the cheaper stuff I have bought over the years, for under $300 I would go with

#1- Weber Kettle. $100,00. I cant live without having one of them!

#2- WSM. $250.00 just because you can get some sleep. Holds temps very well. I use mine strictly for all nighters.

#3- Chargriller $150.00 with side firebox. Cast iron grates are a plus. Better for grilling than the WSM IMHO and a good smoker if you dont mind checking every hour. I bought one last year and find it very fun to cook with.

There are plenty out to choose from.

Nope, I dont work for Weber but I will if the pay is right!

bbqpigskin · 01-21-2007, 01:00 PM

I have a Bar-B-Chef Offset that is a good offset to startwith. I have a family of 5 and it has been great. check it out at the following link:
http://www.bbqgalore.com/smokers/

01-20-2007, 01:21 PM	#4
Solidkick somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-21-03 Location: Bandera Owner in Missouri	BSKD equals Brinkman Smoke King Deluxe....a left handed version of the Bandera....nice capacity....I have 6 slabs of babybacks and a brisket in mine right now, and have plenty of room for another shelf full.... __________________ Mr. Kick ------------------------------------------------ *Belly Brothers BBQ Team* "Sister Flame" Spicewine Trailer Smoker,Modified Bandera, Uni-Flame Chicken Cooker with a Spicewine Thermometer mod,Kingsford Barrel cooker and a super fast RED thermapen KC always said "fat cap up!!

01-20-2007, 01:43 PM	#5
jgh1204 Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-26-04 Location: Selma, TX(You better slow down when you hit town)	There is an offset horizontal at sams right now that looks pretty good for about $230. A bandera or BSKD is good for $200 or so. I am liking the possibilities of my Ugly Drum Smoker I made which has about $30 in parts(not counting the $150 in tools I bought to make the mods to the drum, please dont tell the wife). __________________ Wannabe BBQ Illuminati

01-20-2007, 01:47 PM	#6
tumpedover is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-21-06 Location: Odessa WEST TEXAS	For the money I say Bandera or maybe get yoself one nem barrels an make you one nem smokers like Bigmista's got ...It;ll hold a bunch and it's the right price too !! __________________ [B]John,[/B] [B][B]Texas Legend -Ok, At least I used to own it !![/B][/B] [B][B]SmokeMaster [/B] [/B][B]Lyfe Tyme off set trailer[/B] [B]55 gal drum/Texas Hibachi [/B] [B]55 gal drum/ offset smoker[/B] [B][I][U]Jesus Loves Barbecue[/U][/I][/B]

01-20-2007, 01:48 PM	#7
tony76248 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-10-06 Location: Fort Worth, TX	Try taking a trip to Academy and see what they are offering at this time. Then let us know what you like and we can chime in on it. The obvious is the WSM but unless you plan on having two smokers going at once, I am not sure the capacity will achieve what you are looking for. __________________ "Grilla in the Pits" "IMAGRILLA" There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the mashed potatoes. Brinkmann Model 6668 Gasser Hibachi Grill Stumps GF223 w/ Stoker assist ECB that wins the $ Weber One-Touch Gold 22-1/2" #3 Komono Large BGE w/ Stoker assist 55 gallon Drum Smoker Wood Crate Cold smoker w/ smoke injector No need for certification, I already know good BBQ!

01-20-2007, 10:22 PM	#9
Wayne is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-26-03 Location: Fall River, Kansas	I can speak for either the NB Black Diamond (horizontal) or the NB Bandera (vertical) Both are great cookers. The Bandera will hold more and its firebox is easier to use as a grill. I like to toss a mix of veggies on the grill near the end of a smoke and the Bandera grill works great. You can also scald wieners or grill some burgers for the kids. Or even finish off prime rib. In your price range you should get lots of years of BBQ with either one of these. I am sure that other brands would be just as good but I have always bought NB. __________________ Wichita Wayne Long in the tooth, Long in the tooth, I'm lookin' 'round the corner, An' I'm long in the tooth...

01-20-2007, 12:23 PM	#1
bertkemtncurs On the road to being a farker Join Date: 10-04-06 Location: Cardington, OH , Buckeye Country	need new smoker advice I've been using my Brinkmann water smoker for years with great success, but the family is growing and now I need more capacity, so I need something bigger. I need suggestions! I'd like to spend $300 or less (like I said, family is getting bigger!). I can get all the hickory and oak I need, so fuel isn't an issue. What do you guys suggest?

01-20-2007, 12:28 PM	#2
Markbb is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 10-17-06 Location: Oklahoma	How Many Need a head count on the family memebers for recommend, but if maybe four try getting a WSM, or a green egg I have a offset pretty good size and I can fit a bunch of food on it!

01-20-2007, 12:28 PM	#3
Kevin Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-06-05 Location: Southern Minnesota	The BSKD or Bandera would fit your price range. I use a BSKD and it can be a fuel hog. If fuel is not an issue for you this could work. Here is a post in the roadmap to this forum with some smoker comparisons. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...3&postcount=19 __________________ Kevin

01-20-2007, 10:39 PM	#10
Bigmista somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-24-04 Location: Long Beach, CA	The barrel can hold 4 briskets or 8 butts at the same time. __________________ Wait! Bigmista wrote a cookbook? Rec Tec RT-700 Bull Pitmaker Vault Remembering Scott

01-20-2007, 11:08 PM	#11
swamprb somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-27-06 Location: Bothell WA	Growing family? Are you handy? A lot of us are doing the UDS thing, it'll hold a lot of meat. You won't find an Egg for $300, A Silver Smoker or Char-Griiler offset and a WSM are all under $200. A Great Outdoors Smokey Mountain is a propane cooker that has 4 racks and large capacity.

01-21-2007, 06:49 AM	#12
Oldbob is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-24-06 Location: Kokomo,Indiana	I am New to the forum...but I really Like My BSKD....with the Modifications to it , it does a Great job for Me and the capacity is well suited also. Under $200 ...and Like Wayne said it also can be used to grill at the end of the cook...Just my $.02 __________________ Chargriller Akorn Drum Smoker " Old Smokey " Work in Progress Kingsford Premium Charcoal Grill Weber Gasser Genesis Silver A Pit Barrel Cooker Maverick ET-732 VietNam Veteran US Navy May you Sleep in Peace always...and Please....Thank a Veteran for That Privilege!!

01-21-2007, 07:11 AM	#13
Dale P is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-28-06 Location: Porkbutt Ky	Over the years I have had many of the cheaper grills and smokers and find that you can cook good Q on all of them. The question is, how easy are they are to get the temp set and how long will the cooker hold them. With all the cheaper stuff I have bought over the years, for under $300 I would go with #1- Weber Kettle. $100,00. I cant live without having one of them! #2- WSM. $250.00 just because you can get some sleep. Holds temps very well. I use mine strictly for all nighters. #3- Chargriller $150.00 with side firebox. Cast iron grates are a plus. Better for grilling than the WSM IMHO and a good smoker if you dont mind checking every hour. I bought one last year and find it very fun to cook with. There are plenty out to choose from. Nope, I dont work for Weber but I will if the pay is right! __________________ Spicewine Turbo 2007 model Perry Brothers & Sons Bar-B-Q

01-21-2007, 01:00 PM	#14
bbqpigskin Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-31-06 Location: Auburn, Ca	I have a Bar-B-Chef Offset that is a good offset to startwith. I have a family of 5 and it has been great. check it out at the following link: http://www.bbqgalore.com/smokers/ __________________ Mike Bar-B-Chef offset Ancient Weber Kettle Weber Kettle Gold Proud owner of "The Hog"

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