Newbie Smoker

David0408 · Mar 20, 2019

Hi guys,
I have about $1200 to spend on a new smoker. I’ve always been just a charcoal grill guy but now I need a smoker. I don’t like people so I don’t need a large one. I really like the design of The Good One Open Range Smoker. What would you guys suggest? I don’t want gas or electric. Thanks in advance!

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Stlsportster · Mar 20, 2019

First you have to decide ‘how’ you want to smoke.

Burning just wood in a stickburner has arguably the best flavor but is labor intensive and requires you to monitor the fire closely and add wood every 30-45 minutes.

Burning charcoal with wood chunks (Barrel, vertical cabinet, Weber Smokey Mountain) will produce a strong smoke flavor but it’s different than just wood. Most of these type will run for hours on a single load and can use fans and controllers to monitor and adjust temp.

Burning pellets is a much lighter smoke flavor, but is highly controllable with WiFi and Bluetooth apps to control temp.

AWilliams · Mar 20, 2019

I don't like most people either..lol...I've heard the Open Range is very good, but a charcoal hog.

manmeatbbq · Mar 20, 2019

Since you're not needing a large smoker, the easiest to use for about $800 is a Gateway Drum Smoker. You could accessorize it with all the gadgets that come with it and be well under your 1200 budget.

Stlsportster · Mar 20, 2019

Humphreys Weekender $995 https://www.stlbbqstore.com/humphreys-weeble/
Backwoods Chubby $799 https://www.stlbbqstore.com/copy-of-backwoods-smoker-chubby/

Old Country Smokehouse $699 https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-country-bbq-pits-smokehouse#repChildCatid=3321871

Lots of choices besides Gateway drum smoker. That’s why I asked HOW

JJJBBQ · Mar 20, 2019

Pit barrel cooker is a great option. Makes great food and very easy to use. Also, well below your price point (~$300).
The vertical cabinets mentioned by manmeatbbq are great too. But careful about shipping costs, unless there’s a dealer nearby. Shipping might blow up your budget. Backwoods has a smaller model that they sell on line for under your budget. It used to be free shipping. Not sure if it still is.

JJJBBQ · Mar 20, 2019

Sorry. That was Joel with the cabinet advice...

pjtexas1 · Mar 20, 2019

Old Country Over and Under is similar to the Open Range but the price is much lower.

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SmittyJonz · Mar 20, 2019

I'd get an Old Country Smokehouse for stick burning AND Build an Ugly Drum Smoker for charcoal smoking.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC0Gud4kS1g&t=234s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqB7TxpMhU

SmittyJonz · Mar 20, 2019

OR I’d wait a month or 2 till Old Country’s Graviity Fed hits Academy...........:heh:

David0408 · Mar 20, 2019

Stlsportster said:
Humphreys Weekender $995 https://www.stlbbqstore.com/humphreys-weeble/
Backwoods Chubby $799 https://www.stlbbqstore.com/copy-of-backwoods-smoker-chubby/

Old Country Smokehouse $699 https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-country-bbq-pits-smokehouse#repChildCatid=3321871

Lots of choices besides Gateway drum smoker. That’s why I asked HOW

I figured I’d just fill up the fire box with lump charcoal and then add some chunks of wood on top of that. I’ve never thought about cooking exclusively with wood. I’m not interested in pellets.

I have so much to learn. I guess if you have some book recommendations I’ll take some of those too lol

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pharp · Mar 20, 2019

I would second the drum option or the weekender.

SmittyJonz · Mar 20, 2019

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178270

Most Popular Charcoal Smokers are Weber Smokey Mountain $299-$399

Drum Smokers $800 if you Buy One , $100-$300 if you build One

Pit Barrel Cooker (small drum smoker) $299

Insulated cabinets. $699-$5000 - there are 2 types of insulated cabinets - Firebox/charcoal basket below (can be reverse flow or not - most are reverse flow) and gravity fed that has a charcoal chute you fill with charcoal and light the bottom of the chute and as charcoal burns gravity feeds more charcoal. There are many brands of insulated cabinets.

Stare at this and all links within for 13 Days :

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186946

:mrgreen:
.

David0408 · Mar 20, 2019

Looks like the science is now pointing toward the cabinet style smokers. Very cool. I have a lot of homework to do. Thank you all for responding so quickly!

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SmittyJonz · Mar 20, 2019

I would check out a Humphrey's Long Weekender or wait on the Old Country Gravity fed Coming Soon.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee70CCMKPtI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEV_3YkpUAk

David0408 · Mar 20, 2019

SmittyJonz said:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178270

Most Popular Charcoal Smokers are Weber Smokey Mountain $299-$399

Drum Smokers $800 if you Buy One , $100-$300 if you build One

Pit Barrel Cooker (small drum smoker) $299

Insulated cabinets. $699-$5000 - there are 2 types of insulated cabinets - Firebox/charcoal basket below (can be reverse flow or not - most are reverse flow) and gravity fed that has a charcoal chute you fill with charcoal and light the bottom of the chute and as charcoal burns gravity feeds more charcoal. There are many brands of insulated cabinets.

Stare at this and all links within for 13 Days :

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186946

:mrgreen:
.

I swear my wife’s dad gave us a smoker last year. At the time I just threw it in a corner of my shed. I think it’s a Webber Smoky Mountain lol. I should go pull that out and play with it while I do my research.

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SmittyJonz · Mar 20, 2019

David0408 said:
I swear my wife’s dad gave us a smoker last year. At the time I just threw it in a corner of my shed. I think it’s a Webber Smoky Mountain lol. I should go pull that out and play with it while I do my research.

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Plenty Of Smokey Mountain Users on Here that will Help you out. Many compete with them- Most Famous is Harry Soo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOctn85Y-nk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gAXqos-aHE

Dig it out and let us know - even if it's not a WSM , someone on here has used Whatever it is and can give tips........
.
.

SmittyJonz · Mar 20, 2019

Check Out this thread:

https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216205
.
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Mikhail · Mar 21, 2019

If you are new to smoking my advice would be to save your money for a bit. Check Craigslist in your area for a while. You will eventually run across an inexpensive decent quality smoker that you can start on to get a feel for how you like to cook and if you really want tompursue this. I found an Open Range for $200. There are always Weber SMs that apparently fell off the truck. Today there was a Barrel House for $100.

Do you have a charcoal grill now? If so, what kind? I smoke on my PK, and you can on a Weber kettle as well.

In any event, if you don’t want t feed a crowd you don’t need the space of an Open Range..not yet anyway. I’d start small and learn to cook on that. Then as you get a feel for it you will have a better idea what you want.

Mikhail · Mar 21, 2019

Just saw ...if you have a WSM, get cracking. You have a great cooker to start on.

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