[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Smokers? ....Like for Meat (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/11/2017 1:04:01 PM EDT
|
Been thinking about getting one for a while, but have no idea where to start.
Can anything decent be had in the $200.00 range? I'm not looking to win competitions or anything, just want to enjoy meat and beer. |
|
Quoted:
Been thinking about getting one for a while, but have no idea where to start. Can anything decent be had in the $200.00 range? I'm not looking to win competitions or anything, just want to enjoy meat and beer. Friend of mine picked this one up (or something REALLY close) for her husband last year. Works well for what it is. Paint is holding up with the exception of the bottom of the smoke box. I think she got it on sale too so she spent less than that. |
|
Quoted:
Walmart Friend of mine picked this one up (or something REALLY close) for her husband last year. Works well for what it is. Paint is holding up with the exception of the bottom of the smoke box. I think she got it on sale too so she spent less than that. Quoted:
Quoted:
Been thinking about getting one for a while, but have no idea where to start. Can anything decent be had in the $200.00 range? I'm not looking to win competitions or anything, just want to enjoy meat and beer. Friend of mine picked this one up (or something REALLY close) for her husband last year. Works well for what it is. Paint is holding up with the exception of the bottom of the smoke box. I think she got it on sale too so she spent less than that. |
|
I'm a big fan of this guy. Very versatile, and comparitively cheap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009NU5YY?tag=vglnk-c102-20 
|
|
Anything cheaper than this smoker is a total crap.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010759GGQ?tag=vglnk-c102-20 If you can spare $300 go for Webber's 18,5" WSM Or If you already own Webber kettle grill go with $75 Smokinator |
|
Quoted:
I've smoked plenty of pork shoulders and brisket on a $90 Weber kettle. I think the perfect pair for all outdoor cooking is a Traeger and a BGE. It's just 10 times your budget, no big deal. |
|
This is a bad bad machine....you just need to learn how to use it...
Weber Master Touch This is also a good deal...normally $429 at Lowes...but have to find one in stock at a store near you OKJ Longhorn |
|
Quoted:
Fucking double tap quote edit. Quoted:
Quoted:
Weber wsm. Great smoker, super easy to use. Do not get an inexpensive offset smoker unless you enjoy tending to something all day. |
|
Quoted:
I have a Weber Smokey Joe that I turned into a mini WSM with a tamale cooker. I think I have $70 in it and it's smoked a ton of stuff, but it's difficult to do long smokes (i.e. brisket). I think the perfect pair for all outdoor cooking is a Traeger and a BGE. It's just 10 times your budget, no big deal. Quoted:
Quoted:
I've smoked plenty of pork shoulders and brisket on a $90 Weber kettle. I think the perfect pair for all outdoor cooking is a Traeger and a BGE. It's just 10 times your budget, no big deal. |
|
Quoted:
I was reading the problem with inexpensive offset cookers is poor seals and uneven heat distribution. Thoughts? |
|
Looks professional and expensive, but cool.
|
|
Quoted:
Ok, that's cool. For some reason I assumed they'd be as, if not more expensive than grills. Good to know. I've upgraded to the Weber smokey mountain, and that thing is sweet. |
|
Get a knock off version of the BGE. It'll be more than $200, but money well spent. I picked up the Visions brand from Sams at the end of the season for $395. I don't think I'll ever go back to a conventional smoker.
If you have to stay within a budget, then just buy an electric Masterbuilt until you can afford something better. You can get decent BBQ from an electric smoker and they are easy to operate. |
|
Quoted:
Yep, there is definetly some technique to it, and it's certainly not "set it and forget it", but can be done without too much asspain. I've upgraded to the Weber smokey mountain, and that thing is sweet. Get a WSM, and when you have some coin saved up, get a flame boss 300. |
|
I'll try to add some details:
have to be able to do brisket I enjoy the long hours of checking, poking, fidgeting (I can stay outside, shoot at empty beer cans) I like the idea of the side box smoker, but that could just be because I'm afraid of change and new things. I see those eggs and think it's a big green grill. |
|
Quoted:
I'll try to add some details: have to be able to do brisket I enjoy the long hours of checking, poking, fidgeting (I can stay outside, shoot at empty beer cans) I like the idea of the side box smoker, but that could just be because I'm afraid of change and new things. I see those eggs and think it's a big green grill. I've got the 22.5 inch WSM. That thing is awesome and dummy proof. 2 racks for cooking. Load it up with charcoal, hardwood, set your vents, and that thing will run for hours. I think I got mine for around $400. |
|
Quoted:
I'm a big fan of this guy. Very versatile, and comparitively cheap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009NU5YY?tag=vglnk-c102-20 http://i.imgur.com/1Vrl23T.jpg A.W.D. |
|
Quoted:
I'll try to add some details: have to be able to do brisket I enjoy the long hours of checking, poking, fidgeting (I can stay outside, shoot at empty beer cans) I like the idea of the side box smoker, but that could just be because I'm afraid of change and new things. I see those eggs and think it's a big green grill. I started with a simple Char Broil silver smoker (did some of the mods to it)...it was a bit harder to keep the temp constant, but was close to your price range. (Then I tried electric...gave it away.....tried gas...still have it stored due to the capacity (24 racks of ribs is possible)...finally went with a pellet grill/smoker (PG500) because of the convenience). Don't be afraid to start simple/cheap (the Weber Smokey Mountain is a good product and people have won competitions using them)...and learn to use it right Look for a used one on Craigslist...you can sometimes find a deal when people upgrade. Any smoker is going to have pros/cons (at the very high end...the con is often just the price.....). AFARR |
|
Quoted:
I'll try to add some details: have to be able to do brisket I enjoy the long hours of checking, poking, fidgeting (I can stay outside, shoot at empty beer cans) I like the idea of the side box smoker, but that could just be because I'm afraid of change and new things. I see those eggs and think it's a big green grill. If you want charcoal, get a WSM and you will have the best, easiest charcoal smoker you can buy at a resonable price. |
|
Quoted:
The part in bold is what I want to smoke the most. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I've smoked plenty of pork shoulders and brisket on a $90 Weber kettle. I think the perfect pair for all outdoor cooking is a Traeger and a BGE. It's just 10 times your budget, no big deal. Its been on my back patio under the eave when not in use for 10 years and it's holding up so far. Could use a coat of stove black, though. ETA: I put a piece of rolled tin in my smoke stack to lower it to just above the grate level. Seems to lower the smoke shelf and make food smokier. |
|
Quoted:
I have a Weber Smokey Joe that I turned into a mini WSM with a tamale cooker. I think I have $70 in it and it's smoked a ton of stuff, but it's difficult to do long smokes (i.e. brisket). I think the perfect pair for all outdoor cooking is a Traeger and a BGE. It's just 10 times your budget, no big deal. Quoted:
Quoted:
I've smoked plenty of pork shoulders and brisket on a $90 Weber kettle. I think the perfect pair for all outdoor cooking is a Traeger and a BGE. It's just 10 times your budget, no big deal. |
|
As others have said weber kettle grill or smoky mountain.
You can get a 18in kettle grill for around $100, spend about $60 more and you can get a nicer grill. You can grill, smoke roast bake. I have a 22in weber performer and use it for single butts, brisket flats and a couple sides of ribs, along with grilling. |
|
Quoted:
Fucking double tap quote edit. Quoted:
Quoted:
Weber wsm. Great smoker, super easy to use. Do not get an inexpensive offset smoker unless you enjoy tending to something all day. Also, do not buy crappy charcoal. Look for briquets that say 100% Hardwood. Otherwise the charcoal has weird petroleum binders in it. Tastes weird and a little like lighter fluid (NEVER USE LIGHTER FLUID.). Look up the Virtual Weber Bullet website, lots of how-tos and the like. |
|
Quoted:
Any side box smoker that doesn't come on a trailer is probably not going to work well. Smoke rises, it doesn't go sideways, and most of the reasonably priced offset smokers aren't configured properly to draw the smoke across the meat and the chimney doesn't draft well. If you want charcoal, get a WSM and you will have the best, easiest charcoal smoker you can buy at a resonable price. A couple of the mods: Firebricks in the bottom of the main chamber to act as a heat sink (got the temp back up quickly when you had to open the lid). Flashing between the firebox and the main chamber (there was a definite hot spot near the firebox because of the radiant cooking...this helped a lot). And extending the chimney tube down to the level of the cooking grate (more flashing)...this fixed the problem you mentioned above...the smoke had to move over the meat to get out that way..... Total mods were maybe $10ish? (It's been a long while) |
|
Quoted:
I'll try to add some details: have to be able to do brisket I enjoy the long hours of checking, poking, fidgeting (I can stay outside, shoot at empty beer cans) I like the idea of the side box smoker, but that could just be because I'm afraid of change and new things. I see those eggs and think it's a big green grill. I would up the ante and get the professional. Chargriller Professional |
|
Watch CL for deal to pop up on a used but not abused smoker. I started with an offset smoker and it worked great for smoking and regular grilling. I didn't have a problem with smoke escaping at the seal. Biggest issue I had was the meat closer to the fire box would cook faster than the tail end. So I would have to flip the meat mid way through the cook.
I now have an upright smoker I found on CL for 50 bucks. Works great! I also still have my first offset that I use for grilling and sometime still smoking if I am doing a lot of meat. |
|
Quoted:
Weber wsm. Great smoker, super easy to use. https://www.bbqguys.com/weber/18-inch-smokey-mountain-cooker-charcoal-smoker?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=shopping-campaign&utm_term=432&adbrand=Weber&kpid=432&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7pHLBRDqARIsAFyKPa6ASWdXUgE4y5JYHSRb1F9lsBdHuNbbRDEoyvEXDjVFZQZtL6cAh4saAsWuEALw_wcB |
For cheapness, I have something very similar to this one:
WalMart Cons: Thin metal, check. Gaps around door, check. Takes a little bit of fiddling with the gas knob to get the temperature set just where you want it, and extreme changes in weather will affect the temperature. Pros: Propane, really easy to use, extremely quick to get up to temp. Once you get the temp set where you want it, it takes a really drastic change (like sudden rain, or sudden drop in outdoor temperature) to affect it. Not being electric, you can take it places where there are no outlets. Not being charcoal, you don't have to stoke it during cooking. You do have to change out the wood chips when they're gone (if you want it to keep smoking) but that's the same with all smokers. I'm sure a quality ceramic cooker like a Big Green Egg will hold the temps longer and through more different types of inclement weather, but you can't get them for $125 (on sale) either. This is a great unit to learn on. The flavor can be just as intense as charcoal smoking - it all just depends on how you do it. |
|
Academy Sports near you? Go shopping. They have some great lower end smoker options.
Best advice is buy once cry once. A couple of smaller, well insulated, long burning topshelf options are a: Humphrey's Weekender for $995 Weekender Backwoods 3400 Chubby for $699 3400 Chubby I'd recommend a Chubby- it has a stainless steel interior and is only 200-300 more than cheaper offsets that have no insulation and require you to babysit them every hour. Size is compact but they can cook a hell of a lot at once with minimal tending: "Meat: (approx.) 8 slabs of baby back ribs (trimmed), 2 to 3 brisket flats, 2 to 4 Boston butts" Most cheaper cookers will require you to sit next to them for 12-15 hours. Char Broil or Char Griller smokers will last 2-3 years then the bottom will rot out or the firebox will rot. |
|
Quoted:
I'll try to add some details: have to be able to do brisket I enjoy the long hours of checking, poking, fidgeting (I can stay outside, shoot at empty beer cans) I like the idea of the side box smoker, but that could just be because I'm afraid of change and new things. I see those eggs and think it's a big green grill. If you want to cook whole packer briskets and multiple slabs of St. Louis cut ribs you will be constrained by the smaller cookers. I cooked 5 ten pound pork butts for a birthday party Saturday. Won't be doing that on a small cooker. |
. Find a drum on Craigslist for a few bucks, clean/blast/paint, you're under $200
|
Quoted:
I'm a big fan of this guy. Very versatile, and comparitively cheap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009NU5YY?tag=vglnk-c102-20 http://i.imgur.com/1Vrl23T.jpg I've had mine for over 20 years and it has been a great smoker. I do have to repaint it every couple of years but other than that it's been no problems. |
| If you have $10 cash I guarantee you can find a charcoal El Cheapo Brinkmann on Craigslist before the weekend. It's like a ghetto WSM. I have an electric ECB, a Weber kettle, gas grill, and an Oklahoma Joe stickburner. The EBC will get you started. Or if you want "set and forget" smoking, my buddy really likes his Masterbuilt digital. It's like a mini fridge with an electric heating element. Set smoke temp, meat finish temp, walk away. Within your budget. |
|
This thread has my attention.
I have been considering the 18" WSM but my concerns are mostly about outside temperatures in my area in the non-summer months and if the 18" version will work for me for what I want to cook. Yes, maybe you can cook shit in the cold but how much fuel and constant attention am I going to need to be involved with when it is under 25°? ...or under 15° at night time while trying to do an overnight brisket? I probably will just do one thing at a time and not monstrous sized briskets so maybe the 18" will be OK for me. We do get wind of the ocean so that could be a problem but it may be solvable with some sort of shelter or shield. |
| I have enjoyed my old country pit. I like the side firebox. I burn wood exclusively in it. I have had it three years now. Whatever you get just be aware that the fire box area is going to start rusting. I spray paint mine usually in the spring and fall to help but the heat does a number on the steel. |
|
Quoted:
This thread has my attention. I have been considering the 18" WSM but my concerns are mostly about outside temperatures in my area in the non-summer months and if the 18" version will work for me for what I want to cook. Yes, maybe you can cook shit in the cold but how much fuel and constant attention am I going to need to be involved with when it is under 25°? ...or under 15° at night time while trying to do an overnight brisket? I probably will just do one thing at a time and not monstrous sized briskets so maybe the 18" will be OK for me. We do get wind of the ocean so that could be a problem but it may be solvable with some sort of shelter or shield. I can go anywhere from 9 - 12 hours without adding fuel. |
|
Quoted:
I'm a big fan of this guy. Very versatile, and comparitively cheap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009NU5YY?tag=vglnk-c102-20 http://i.imgur.com/1Vrl23T.jpg |
|
Quoted:
I was reading the problem with inexpensive offset cookers is poor seals and uneven heat distribution. Thoughts? |