Smoker Opinions and Options

eddiek2000 · 06-27-2014, 08:14 AM

I am trying to get into smoking. I had a brinkmann smoker many years ago. I never really had a good understanding of using it and which woods to use. needless to say we didn't use it much and it is long gone.

Fast forward to today and I want to try again. I want to use an electric smoker, but I really hate to drop $500+ on a Smokin-it #3 if this is not going to be something I am going to use semi-often. I like the looks, function, size of the #3. I was all set for the #2, but saw a video and it seemed VERY small.

I was looking at a Bradley, but you don't get a smoke ring. Then I saw the Masterbuilt smoker, but the reviews were really bad. Now I am just trying to figure out what to buy.

Then there is the PID option. I would like to build my own in the future out of a raspberryPi, but that is a thread for another day.

Any advice would be great.

DaveAlvarado · 06-27-2014, 08:18 AM

Are you married to electric? A WSM and a PartyQ will give you 95% automatic temperature control, and will cost you about $500. Or if you want to go more electric/automatic, consider a pellet fired smoker like a Traeger or Yoder. I think you'll end up with a better final product but still get the ease-of-use you're looking for. Plus a lot more folks use WSMs and pellet cookers than electrics.

ButtBurner · 06-27-2014, 08:20 AM

I agree with Dave

I was always a electric or gas smoker until I tried wood/charcoal.

Once you learn the basics its real easy and the flavor cant be beat.

sliding_billy · 06-27-2014, 08:26 AM

Maybe split the difference and go with a pellet pooper.

ICDEDTURKES · 06-27-2014, 08:30 AM

I agree with above something easy to manage with charcoal like a WSM or Akorn or if you do not want wood or charcoal than gas..

oldbill · 06-27-2014, 08:57 AM

Come to the dark side bro, get a stick burner and learn to make the best Q on the planet! It ain't EASY but once you get started you'll be hooked.

thesemicullen · 06-27-2014, 08:58 AM

Another vote for a WSM. I've been using mine for almost a decade with no temp controllers. It's about as set and forget as you can get using charcoal/wood.

sliding_billy · 06-27-2014, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbill

Come to the dark side bro, get a stick burner and learn to make the best Q on the planet! It ain't EASY but once you get started you'll be hooked.

Nice. Even I wouldn't try talking someone looking at an electric into using a stick burner (even though it is my weapon of choice).

Lake Dogs · 06-27-2014, 09:05 AM

I agree with oldbill, BUT honestly the elcheapo offset smokers are probably the toughest to learn fire (and subsequently smoke) control on, to the point that I think they're a waste of money, time, and effort. I'm thinking either the pellet pooper or a Weber Smokey Mountain would serve you best; my preference being the WSM.

This from a guy with 2 reverse flow smokers, the best is my Lang 84 that if I ever sell it, it will be to get another one.

eddiek2000 · 06-27-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveAlvarado

Are you married to electric? A WSM and a PartyQ will give you 95% automatic temperature control, and will cost you about $500. Or if you want to go more electric/automatic, consider a pellet fired smoker like a Traeger or Yoder. I think you'll end up with a better final product but still get the ease-of-use you're looking for. Plus a lot more folks use WSMs and pellet cookers than electrics.

As far as the WSM, I guess it could be an option. I was really trying to be pretty much set and forget, hence the ease of electric.

Had to look the PartyQ up. Guess I could get the raspberrypi to handle it. I think I saw where you have to add some pipe and ball valves to the bottom to use the PQ?

Shagdog · 06-27-2014, 09:09 AM

Since no one has said it yet (and I'm shocked they haven't)

Build a UDS

sknabnoj · 06-27-2014, 09:13 AM

I have to agree with the above... I started with a masterbuilt electric smoker. It produced what I thought was some great Q. Needless to say, once I tasted ribs off a UDS I never went back. Sold my masterbuilt and built a UDS and the rest is history. I think that people get caught up with the automation but, you can get that same result with not a lot of effort on a WSM, UDS or something like that. Also, the pellet smoker isn't a half bad idea, I just don't know if you'll get one that you'll be happy with as far as capacity with a $500 price range.

sknabnoj · 06-27-2014, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shagdog

Since no one has said it yet (and I'm shocked they haven't)

Build a UDS

YOU BEAT ME TO IT!!!

eddiek2000 · 06-27-2014, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shagdog

Since no one has said it yet (and I'm shocked they haven't)

Build a UDS

Not at the moment. I don't need another project. It doesn't seem hard, but I don't have the time.

eddiek2000 · 06-27-2014, 09:15 AM

Damn this place is busy. I really didn't expect so much traffic so quickly.

06-27-2014, 08:14 AM	#1
eddiek2000 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-25-14 Location: Maryland	Smoker Opinions and Options I am trying to get into smoking. I had a brinkmann smoker many years ago. I never really had a good understanding of using it and which woods to use. needless to say we didn't use it much and it is long gone. Fast forward to today and I want to try again. I want to use an electric smoker, but I really hate to drop $500+ on a Smokin-it #3 if this is not going to be something I am going to use semi-often. I like the looks, function, size of the #3. I was all set for the #2, but saw a video and it seemed VERY small. I was looking at a Bradley, but you don't get a smoke ring. Then I saw the Masterbuilt smoker, but the reviews were really bad. Now I am just trying to figure out what to buy. Then there is the PID option. I would like to build my own in the future out of a raspberryPi, but that is a thread for another day. Any advice would be great.

06-27-2014, 08:26 AM	#4
sliding_billy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-27-13 Location: Princeton, TX Name/Nickname : )	Maybe split the difference and go with a pellet pooper. __________________ Custom Offset/GMG Davy Crockett/Vision Kamado/Blackstone 36"/Weber 22" "redhead"/WSM 14.5" X2/Jumbo Joe/Pit Boss Copperhead/KCBS

06-27-2014, 08:57 AM	#6
oldbill is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 05-30-13 Location: Kyle, TX	Come to the dark side bro, get a stick burner and learn to make the best Q on the planet! It ain't EASY but once you get started you'll be hooked. __________________ [FONT=Lucida Sans Unicode]Never Trust A Skinny Cook!!![/FONT] Lone Star Grillz Vertical Offset, New Braunfels Black Diamond Offset (Retired), Weber Kettle :grin:

06-27-2014, 08:58 AM	#7
thesemicullen Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-23-14 Location: Memphis, TN	Another vote for a WSM. I've been using mine for almost a decade with no temp controllers. It's about as set and forget as you can get using charcoal/wood. __________________ KCBS Master CBJ, 18.5" WSM, "big a** grill," other stuff, heavy appetite

06-27-2014, 09:05 AM	#9
Lake Dogs Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-09 Location: Lake Sinclair, GA Name/Nickname : Hance	I agree with oldbill, BUT honestly the elcheapo offset smokers are probably the toughest to learn fire (and subsequently smoke) control on, to the point that I think they're a waste of money, time, and effort. I'm thinking either the pellet pooper or a Weber Smokey Mountain would serve you best; my preference being the WSM. This from a guy with 2 reverse flow smokers, the best is my Lang 84 that if I ever sell it, it will be to get another one. __________________ Hance - MiM/MBN/GBA CBJ and comp cook Lake Sinclair, GA (strategically about an hour from darn near anywhere) My competition daze are probably behind me now; I pretty much cook for family, friends, and frankly the peace and solitude I get from smokin' on an offset... Was Lang 84DX, now Bubba Grills 250R and many Weber grills

06-27-2014, 08:18 AM	#2
DaveAlvarado is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-23-13 Location: DFW, TX	Are you married to electric? A WSM and a PartyQ will give you 95% automatic temperature control, and will cost you about $500. Or if you want to go more electric/automatic, consider a pellet fired smoker like a Traeger or Yoder. I think you'll end up with a better final product but still get the ease-of-use you're looking for. Plus a lot more folks use WSMs and pellet cookers than electrics.
	1 members found this post helpful.

06-27-2014, 08:20 AM	#3
ButtBurner Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-18-12 Location: Dearborn Mi, Manton Mi	I agree with Dave I was always a electric or gas smoker until I tried wood/charcoal. Once you learn the basics its real easy and the flavor cant be beat. __________________ Michigan Custom 'Que "Serving Those Who Have Served US" Shirley Fabrication Custom Smoker Member Great Lakes BBQ Assn ServSafe Food Handler Certified [URL]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Custom-Que/327994370697180?sk=timeline[/URL]

06-27-2014, 08:30 AM	#5
ICDEDTURKES Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-12-13 Location: Northern Michigan	I agree with above something easy to manage with charcoal like a WSM or Akorn or if you do not want wood or charcoal than gas..

06-27-2014, 09:09 AM	#11
Shagdog Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-01-13 Location: Grayslake, IL	Since no one has said it yet (and I'm shocked they haven't) Build a UDS __________________ [FONT=Trebuchet MS][SIZE=3][SIZE=2]Matt[/SIZE] [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS] [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=86"][SIZE=3][B]Come Join the fun in the Throwdowns![/B][/SIZE][/URL] [COLOR=Blue][SIZE=2]Shirley Fabrication 24x70 Trailer - UDS - Weber Kettle - WGA - Fire Pit Rotisserie - Shirley-Shagstone Griddle/Wok Cart - Carson Rodizio [B][SIZE=3][COLOR=Black]2016 Official BBQ Brethren Ribeye Master[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=Silver] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

06-27-2014, 09:13 AM	#12
sknabnoj Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-06-13 Location: Utah Name/Nickname : Jon	I have to agree with the above... I started with a masterbuilt electric smoker. It produced what I thought was some great Q. Needless to say, once I tasted ribs off a UDS I never went back. Sold my masterbuilt and built a UDS and the rest is history. I think that people get caught up with the automation but, you can get that same result with not a lot of effort on a WSM, UDS or something like that. Also, the pellet smoker isn't a half bad idea, I just don't know if you'll get one that you'll be happy with as far as capacity with a $500 price range. __________________ Memphis Pro Elite \| Weber 22.5 Performer \| WSM 22.5 \|

06-27-2014, 09:15 AM	#15
eddiek2000 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-25-14 Location: Maryland	Damn this place is busy. I really didn't expect so much traffic so quickly.