A small smoking setup?

I've been contemplating getting my husband a smoker for his birthday in June. We currently don't have any grill (long story....) and honestly aren't that interested in having grilling capabilities.

What would be a good way to smoke ribs/brisket/etc. on a small scale? I want to keep the heat down as much as possible (low/no heat). We are apartment dwellers and while we have plenty of outdoor access/garage, there is no way to run electric to the outdoors.

I'm looking to keep this cheap (still partially in the poor student phase of life, haha), but options under $300 will be considered.

Weber Smokey Mountain is great - bought it last year after the folks here on HBT recommended it (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f172/help-choosing-smoker-newbie-425119/) and have no regrets. I love it!

The 18.5" version is $299 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I8ZTJ0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Also check out the virtual weber bullet site.
http://www.virtualweberbullet.com

Also, there's now a ~14" version of the WSM smoker - this may be a good option for your size requirements.

I've seen the WSM around online ($340 up here, unfortunately) - it seems so similar to this and this ...just $250+ more. What is the difference? Quality of materials? Size?

Before moving, we had a nice little Weber charcoal grill that sat on the ground that was around $40 new in the US.

Cheap, its hard to beat the basic brink man charcoal smoker....next up would probably be , electric or propane, master built units. Or... if you want to get creative, ugly drum smokers work amazingly well.

I use an El Cheapo Brinkman with the legs out and a small charcoal grill underneath. Yeah,it's not as fancy as many smokers out there, but it does a decent job at a total cost of under $75 total.

I have been using this smoker for years. I modify the setup a bit by putting a metal pan of wood chips directly on the heating element and using the bottom rack to hold a 2 inch deep pan for water and catching the fat drippings. If the fat hist the heating element it gives harsh smoke flavor to the meat. I can do two 10 to 15 pound briskets or pork butts at once. I use an oven thermometer to calibrate the heat setting. smoke briskets and butts at 210 for 12 hrs with a couple of pans of wood chips and you will look like a bbq pro.

http://www.target.com/p/masterbuilt...sku=14418549&gclid=CKLm3P_03r0CFWZo7AodQ3gAAA

Cheers

sparkshooter said:

I've seen the WSM around online ($340 up here, unfortunately) - it seems so similar to this and this ...just $250+ more. What is the difference? Quality of materials? Size?

Before moving, we had a nice little Weber charcoal grill that sat on the ground that was around $40 new in the US.

Click to expand...

The difference is in quality of materials and I think a little bigger cooking area. I looked at one of those when I bought my Weber smokey mountain and it is made much lighter. Weber also makes the smokey mountain in 14.5 inches.

Just did 2 small shoulders and a whole turkey breast on a friends charbroil (green egg look a like) that goes for 300.00 at Menards. We went thru less then 2 lbs of lump in 5 hrs. Can't wait for mine to take a s@#$ so I can get one.

hottpeper13 said:

Just did 2 small shoulders and a whole turkey breast on a friends charbroil (green egg look a like) that goes for 300.00 at Menards. We went thru less then 2 lbs of lump in 5 hrs. Can't wait for mine to take a s@#$ so I can get one.

Click to expand...

I have one of these, love it. It can do low & slow, sear steaks, pizzas, medium heat for ABTs/burgers/chicken, etc.. Not sure how long it will hold up for, yet TBD. I'll probably pick up a Vision Kamado whenever the Char-Griller dies. Now that I've cooked with lump/hard wood on a kamado style grill, I can't imaging going back to anything else.

http://www.menards.com/main/spring-fever/grills-smokers/big-red-kamado-grill/p-1509794-c-10141.htm

if your hubby is the hands on type he might like this little smoker its a weber smokey joe converted to a smoker so can bbq or smoke I love doing ribs on this thing costs about $30-$80 depending on parts you need but is nice and small. heres a link to instructions and this things gos 7+ hours on 3lbs of natural hardwood charcoal

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/miniwsm.html