Best smoker for the money?

georgiasmoke · 02-11-2013, 08:31 PM

The headline says it all, I want a nice pit that will hold temp and cook evenly for the money I have to spend. I would love to get a Jambo but unfortunately my budget at this time is only about $1000. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

southernstyle · 02-11-2013, 08:37 PM

Onyx oven

Alexa RnQ · 02-11-2013, 08:42 PM

We've done very well with 18.5" WSMs. Reliable, lightweight and easily portable.

JD McGee · 02-11-2013, 09:26 PM

WSM's are the best bang for your buck...

jketron · 02-11-2013, 09:46 PM

WSM all the way

porkingINpublic · 02-11-2013, 10:14 PM

Backwoods would be up there on my list

dmprantz · 02-11-2013, 10:26 PM

You asked this in the comp forum, so a suggestion: There are things to consider beyond the quality of BBQ produced relative to the money spent. Some of these can/will be dictated by the cooker that you buy, but see if you can answer any of these before you buy a cooker and it may push you in one direction or another:

Do you have a cooking style re hot-n-fast or low-n-slow?

Do you have a target timeline that you want to follow? The previous question will help you with this some, but when do you plan to take meats out? This leads into...

Which meats do you plan to have in the cooker at the same time?

How much of each meat do you plan to cook?

What is your logistical situation? How do you plan to transport your cooker(s) to and from competitions?

How do you plan to load and unload your cookers(s)?

There are lots of different cookers that can be purchased for < $1,000. Some are easier to transport than others, some are more capable of loading up with meat than others, and some are so cheap that you can buy (or build) 2-3. If you know what you are stepping into, I think you'll be a lot happier with whatever you buy. Also, don't forget that a lot of cookers work "better" with ADCs. That can add to your overall cost, and some ADCs can run multiple cookers, some can't. Just some things to ponder.

dmp

$billBBQ · 02-12-2013, 07:16 AM

we were in the same position as you and we ended up making 3 UDS (double racks w heat shield) & bought a stoker unit to control them with a total under $1,000. so each UDS each self can hold 4 butts or 2 brisket and we have 6 racks so it nice we can just fire up one smoker or all 3 depending on how much we need to cook and now with the stoker unit we can get a little sleep (hopefully) at the competitions

SCSmoke · 02-12-2013, 07:34 AM

I agree the WSM with a Stoker fan system. Easy to transport and when used right they make some great Q

tnjimbob · 02-12-2013, 07:41 AM

I must add another vote for WSM's. Hard to beat for the $$$. You can buy them and have enough left over for some sort of ADC - (automatic draft control), like a Stoker or BBQ Guru. You might get lucky on Craigslist and find a used one in good condition that will save you even more $$$.

Shiz-Nit · 02-12-2013, 08:28 AM

22.5 WSM with guru or stocker or very high for me would be the backwoods.
I have both and they both rock!

ibrisky · 02-12-2013, 09:20 AM

We use 2 22" WSM's and started with a stoker set-up but don't use it now, once you learn them, no need for the stoker.

I've got a Stumps Plat3 in the garage for sale. I'd like to cook on it this year but don't want to haul it around....transporting the WSM's is easy on the fuel tank.

MNmoose · 02-12-2013, 09:34 AM

Bang for the buck? WSM.

Muzzlebrake · 02-12-2013, 12:48 PM

OK so I'll be that guy, I'm not a fan of the WSM, it has too many moving parts, the ergonomics absolutely suck and its made out of cheap sheet metal. For $1,000 you can find a quality small offset like the Yoder Cheyenne that will do what you are looking for. Dramatic leaps in quality, ergo's and versatility.

georgiasmoke · 02-12-2013, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibrisky

We use 2 22" WSM's and started with a stoker set-up but don't use it now, once you learn them, no need for the stoker.

I've got a Stumps Plat3 in the garage for sale. I'd like to cook on it this year but don't want to haul it around....transporting the WSM's is easy on the fuel tank.

How much for the Stumps?

02-11-2013, 08:31 PM	#1
georgiasmoke Found some matches. Join Date: 07-18-11 Location: Denton, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Best smoker for the money? The headline says it all, I want a nice pit that will hold temp and cook evenly for the money I have to spend. I would love to get a Jambo but unfortunately my budget at this time is only about $1000. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

02-11-2013, 08:37 PM	#2
southernstyle is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-26-11 Location: okeechobee, fl. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Onyx oven __________________ roger. Sponsored by oakridge bbq. stumps baby with digi q 2. doublebarrel 250 gallon offset

02-11-2013, 08:42 PM	#3
Alexa RnQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-12-07 Location: the Ninth Ring of Hell, cleverly disguised as Phoenix Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We've done very well with 18.5" WSMs. Reliable, lightweight and easily portable. __________________ . . Don't practice until you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong. Don't overthink or undercook. Rhythm 'n QUE

02-11-2013, 09:26 PM	#4
JD McGee somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-28-07 Location: Duvall, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WSM's are the best bang for your buck... __________________ Wine Country "Q" Competition BBQ

02-11-2013, 09:46 PM	#5
jketron Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-23-12 Location: Carlsbad, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WSM all the way __________________ ------------------------------- John, KCBS CBJ 1 x WSM 18, 1 x WSM 22 Grill of His Dreams #1 Rule of BBQ... Have fun

02-11-2013, 10:14 PM	#6
porkingINpublic is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-30-11 Location: Beebe, ar Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Backwoods would be up there on my list __________________ Jacks Old South single door unit Traeger Junior Old Country (Bandera Clone) UDS BLACK Thermapen "Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire" Exodus 12:9

02-11-2013, 10:26 PM	#7
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You asked this in the comp forum, so a suggestion: There are things to consider beyond the quality of BBQ produced relative to the money spent. Some of these can/will be dictated by the cooker that you buy, but see if you can answer any of these before you buy a cooker and it may push you in one direction or another: Do you have a cooking style re hot-n-fast or low-n-slow? Do you have a target timeline that you want to follow? The previous question will help you with this some, but when do you plan to take meats out? This leads into... Which meats do you plan to have in the cooker at the same time? How much of each meat do you plan to cook? What is your logistical situation? How do you plan to transport your cooker(s) to and from competitions? How do you plan to load and unload your cookers(s)? There are lots of different cookers that can be purchased for < $1,000. Some are easier to transport than others, some are more capable of loading up with meat than others, and some are so cheap that you can buy (or build) 2-3. If you know what you are stepping into, I think you'll be a lot happier with whatever you buy. Also, don't forget that a lot of cookers work "better" with ADCs. That can add to your overall cost, and some ADCs can run multiple cookers, some can't. Just some things to ponder. dmp __________________ The Beast - Custom Vertical Offset by Bates FEC-100 Large Big Green Egg® Weber Performer

02-12-2013, 07:16 AM	#8
$billBBQ Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-01-12 Location: Shrewsbury, MA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	we were in the same position as you and we ended up making 3 UDS (double racks w heat shield) & bought a stoker unit to control them with a total under $1,000. so each UDS each self can hold 4 butts or 2 brisket and we have 6 racks so it nice we can just fire up one smoker or all 3 depending on how much we need to cook and now with the stoker unit we can get a little sleep (hopefully) at the competitions __________________ Rub This! BBQ -- UDS (3), Stoker, Charbroil Double Chef (Aka FatBoy)

02-12-2013, 07:34 AM	#9
SCSmoke Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-30-11 Location: Chicago, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree the WSM with a Stoker fan system. Easy to transport and when used right they make some great Q __________________ Andrew --Second City Smoke --

02-12-2013, 07:41 AM	#10
tnjimbob Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-02-12 Location: Nashville, Tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I must add another vote for WSM's. Hard to beat for the $$$. You can buy them and have enough left over for some sort of ADC - (automatic draft control), like a Stoker or BBQ Guru. You might get lucky on Craigslist and find a used one in good condition that will save you even more $$$. __________________ Traeger Lil' Tex Elite, WSM, Green SS Performer, 22" OTG, hyperfast orange Thermapen. CBJ.

02-12-2013, 08:28 AM	#11
Shiz-Nit is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-06-10 Location: kentucky Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	22.5 WSM with guru or stocker or very high for me would be the backwoods. I have both and they both rock! __________________ Bluegrass Southern Smokers - Catering & Competition BBQ Team- BBQ Naked & Toast Your BunZ

02-12-2013, 09:20 AM	#12
ibrisky Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 03-07-10 Location: Bryant, Arkansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We use 2 22" WSM's and started with a stoker set-up but don't use it now, once you learn them, no need for the stoker. I've got a Stumps Plat3 in the garage for sale. I'd like to cook on it this year but don't want to haul it around....transporting the WSM's is easy on the fuel tank. __________________ Fire Dancer BBQ http://firedancerbbq.com Is this real Or am I Dreaming...

02-12-2013, 09:34 AM	#13
MNmoose Found some matches. Join Date: 02-21-11 Location: Ashby MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Bang for the buck? WSM.

02-12-2013, 12:48 PM	#14
Muzzlebrake Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-22-06 Location: Pleasant Valley NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	OK so I'll be that guy, I'm not a fan of the WSM, it has too many moving parts, the ergonomics absolutely suck and its made out of cheap sheet metal. For $1,000 you can find a quality small offset like the Yoder Cheyenne that will do what you are looking for. Dramatic leaps in quality, ergo's and versatility. __________________ Sean Keever "What sort of people are these charcoal masters? They behaved badly and were unconcerned with appearances. Their hair was long and unkempt and their clothes were wrinkled and old. They drank beer to and from the crab house and they made rude noises while we cooked." Tao of Charcoal