So the family misses smoked meat and since we live in a beef area that has the best tasting meat I've ever had it seems a wast to not have a smoker. In the past I have used a Big chief smoker and some cheap smoker I picked up at wal-mart. The cheap wal-mart smoker is what I did most of my smoking on I like charcoal and the cheap wal-mart one worked out great yet after a year of use during summer and winter I needed to buy another one. So now I'm looking for a smoker that will last me for more then a year and would allow me to also cook more.

Im sad to say I'm in an area now that has some of the best tasting beef and they don't know how to BBQ/Smoke meat!! I went to the local butcher yes its great you can see the cows go in the back of this place that will become your beef it's that fresh. So I asked about brisket and was told they cut ALL of it up for stew meat!!! I was shocked being that I lived in Texas for a few years to hear what they did to the brisket. Told the owner of the shop to smoke a brisket and make a mop sauce for it and a nice dry rub. After that he now sells brisket not whole but it's a start on getting these people to eat brisket! I'm wanting to smoke again so bad!

I have also looked at the Ceramic Grill's that are out there and other smokers an I'm wanting to know what would be best? I'm kind of also looking to do smoking in cold weather if that helps any. Thanks!

Do you already have a grill? The Kamado style cookers make excellent smokers, and they give you a lot of versatility since you can grill, bake, etc on the same cooker. You should be able to find several different models in the $800 price range.

If you want a dedicated smoker, there's a lot of options for much less money. I've never used a WSM, but that seems to be the most popular.

Another vote for the Weber Smokey Mountain.

For $800 you could get a 22.5" and a Ique 110 and be good to go for the long over night cooks and probably have 150 dollars left to head over for the next charcoal sale at Wally World or Home Depot..

FYI I have 4-18" and 1-22.5" WSM and just bought another 18.5" today via Craigslist for $25.00.

Looks nice but I don't want electric my first smoker was one of the big chief smokers. I like charcoal so much as it adds a lot of flavor to the meat.

Primo Large.

Made in USA.

http://www.bbqguys.com/item_item_2141304.html

build an ugly drum smoker for under $100

you build it from a new or used steel drum, expanded metal and stainless bolts
i can post pics of mine next week. I used 3/4 9# expanded metal for the grates and coal box and home depot stainless bolts to hold the grates. The lid I used a weber grill lid but you can use the drum lid
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13224

Big Green Eggs rock... But are pricy

SmokinTex

http://www.smokintex.com/ Get the model 1400 for $600. They have had special packages with accessories during the holidays in the past.

Smoke:

Texas Smoked Beef Brisket
Carolina Pulled Pork
St. Louis Smoked Ribs
West Coast Barbecue Tri-Tip
Smoked Turkey & Chicken
Alaskan Smoked Salmon
Cold Smoked Salmon
Smoked Catfish
Smoked Shrimp
Smoked Baked Potatoes
Smoked Tomatoes and Mushrooms
and smoked Cheese, of course.

Unattended smoking and slow cooking. One of the best investments I ever made. Smoke up to 38 pounds, I think, in this model. Use only 8 oz of wood per smoke. Throw in a brickette or two for that smoke ring.

I am partial to fruit woods. Particularly grape and peach from http://www.fruitawoodchunks.com/fruita-wood-chunks––-peach1.html This guy has some great wood.

Another vote for a UDS

I just bought one of these Friday. Smoked a Boston butt today. Came out awesome, and this was my first try with my first charcoal grill. Very easy to use. I am very impressed.

I use a Large "Green Egg", with natural lump charcoal.
Some of the best Meat you will ever taste if done right.
You can also use wood with the charcoal for a smoked flavor,
like barbecue. Brisket, or pork butt, or shoulder,

I know it's sacrelig to many, but the Cookshack electric smoker is the best, easiest method of cooking I have ever tried! My back yard consists of a Hastybake, Webber, Jen-aire (gas) and the Cookshack, so you can tell I spend a bit of time cooking! When it comes to pork butt's, ribs, turkey's, chicken's, brisket, pork loin, salmon, and prime rib, I have not met its equal!