New Smoker Help?!

[OliverTroy]

I'm looking to get a smoker/grill that's easy and with not much learning curve. I've researched and saw a few reviews, but those could be 'placed'. I found one that I think may work (please see link) but I'm open to any suggestions and personal reviews.

http://gfbbq.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=7

Thanks,
Oliver

 

[hillbillybob]

That isn't a smoker, it's a grill. There is a big difference in a smoker and grill for what you are wanting to do. I would suggest to google "meat smokers" and see there are many brands and price ranges that will do the job for you. I would bite the bullet and purchase a quality one and not a cheap thin metal one. If you are a welder you can also fab one yourself.

Good Smoking

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

The Traeger is a smoker and a grill...

AmazingRibs review here: http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment_reviews_ratings/smoker/traeger-select

I've heard nothing but GREAT things about Traeger. And the pellet smoker/grills like these are very versatile, so one can cover both smoking and grilling for just about anything you want to prepare.

I assume you're very serious about smoking meat? B/C $1300 is a pretty sizable investment for a hobby. For MUCH less (<$200) you can get a simple electric or propane smoker, make sure you really want to stick with it, and sell it on Craigslist and recoup enough of the cost that you won't be out that much coin. If you're thinking of spending $1300 today, I'm guessing that the loss of $100 in value on an interim smoker won't kill you...

Just a thought.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

One more point... Where are you located? My boss keeps wanting me to go Traeger and gave me the name of a guy here in SoCal who says he can get pretty good deals.

 

[Rockn_M]

I secon what bwarbiany said. Check out electric smokers. I got one over Christmas and I love it. You set the temp, time and that's it. Every once in a while I'll had some smoke chips and a little bit of water.

 

[Mdsutton]

I use a Bubba Keg for both grilling and smoking. It is awesome. At the current price of them, I would probably look at a Green Egg. I do not know of anyone with a Traeger or pellet type grill/smoker, so I can be of no help there.

Martin

 

[DrunkleJon]

I must say that with no experience with smokers, very little with charcoal, and a Weber Smokey Mountain I have had much luck and made some amazing smoked meats.

 

[NTXBrauer]

I love my MES (Masterbuilt Electric Smoker). I grew up using an off-set smoker and cooking solely with wood, but must say that an electric smoker simplifies the process significantly. I can get a decent smoke ring on any type of meat, and enjoy the fact that you can turn it on let it roll with little involvement. Just add wood chips periodically to get the amount of smoke you desire.

There are many good choices out there within your price point, so take your time and make the decision that is right for you. Smoking meats is like brewing beer. Once you get into it, there is no turning back.

 

[BrewerBear]

I have the Weber Smokey mountain and highly recommend it.

 

[Rockn_M]

I love my MES (Masterbuilt Electric Smoker). I grew up using an off-set smoker and cooking solely with wood, but must say that an electric smoker simplifies the process significantly. I can get a decent smoke ring on any type of meat, and enjoy the fact that you can turn it on let it roll with little involvement. Just add wood chips periodically to get the amount of smoke you desire.

There are many good choices out there within your price point, so take your time and make the decision that is right for you. Smoking meats is like brewing beer. Once you get into it, there is no turning back.

+1 on the electric smoker. I love mine. I use it almost every weekend.

 

[blizzard]

I also use a master built electric smoker and really like it. Easy to use and good results. Don't overstuff the chip tray. I wanted to do some longer smokes without babysitting the wood so I bought an amazen tube smoker. That makes the system pretty much set it and forget it. The customer service I got from Amazen smokers http://www.amazenproducts.com/mobile/default.aspx was hands down the best I have ever had for anything.

 

[stpug]

I've used a charcoal smoker, a propane smoker, and my buddies Traeger/pellet smoker. They all have their advantages and disadvantages as is expected when comparing like products/implementations.

The absolute best flavor, hands down, was the charcoal smoker. It was also the most laborious of the bunch and required constant attention. With the sh*tty little model I had, weather was a huge pain to work around. However, if you know BBQ then you know this is the only "real" way to produce top quality BBQ flavor. Your choice of fuel (coals, brickets, wood) and smoke flavor (wood) is wide open to your imagination.

The easiest of the bunch that doesn't require a whole lot of attention is the Traeger. As long as your hopper is full, it's basically a set-and-forget unit - aside from any process adjustments you give your meat. It produces consistently good BBQ everytime. The smoke flavors I've got from the traeger tend to be fairly balanced, if not a little on the light side (traeger brand pellets) - certainly nothing to complain about. Fill up the hopper, put your meat on, and go golfing for 6 hours - come home to ready ribs. You WILL be tied to pellets though and they are produced by only a few manufacturers. The traeger brand tend to be the mildest in terms of flavor but I recall reading that their pellets are 50% oak and 50% what the bag says, which would explain the subtle flavors.

What I opted for myself was a gas/propane smoker. I like to be hands-on but not to the extent of charcoal, and I wanted much more freedom than was offered by traeger. What I like about propane is that once you get your temperature stable then you only need to check on every 30-60 minutes depending on wood chunk size and weather conditions. I have the freedom of using fruit woods from nearby, or can buy chunks from HD/Lowes, or procure from other sources too. I like having the freedom that is offered by gas because it basically splits the difference between full flexibility (charcoal) and total automation (pellet).

If cost matters to you then you should consider your fuel costs for smoking prior to purchase. Charcoal smokers will require either bagged charcoal (somewhat expensive) or storing a bunch of split wood. Gas smokers will require having propane and the cost associated with the smoking time (from cheap to expensive depending on many variables). Pellet smokers will require that you have sufficient pellets available for your smoking time since the pellets provide both the heat AND smoke flavor (somewhat expensive). Electric smokers will require that you be somewhat near an electric outlet and that your power doesn't go out, and you may not be able to finish anything off at higher temperatures due to the inability of most to reach those temperatures.

Bagged hardwood charcoal was expensive and I went through a bunch (~$6-10). It was costly but it tasted great.
Propane varies by smoker and propane tank. I have one tank that I can get about 5 6-hour smokes in (~$3-4 fuel cost), and one tank that I can get about 10 6-hour smokes in (~$1-2 fuel cost). Same sized tanks so I don't get it.
Pellets (based on recollection) was a moderate fuel cost for a 6-hour smoke (~$7-10).

At least that's my take on it.

 

[hillbillybob]

NTXBrauer, Rockn M use to live in Plano / Frisco for 10 years and moved to Tenn a two years ago. What you al say is true for the electric smokers, had a Weber Smokey Mountain when I was in Frisco and does great.

I must say I am old school and use wood again ( have plenty of hickory on our property ). I grew up smking hold hogs on a concrete block pit then made a fuel oil drum on a trailer and now have a vertical insulated smoker my son made.

Great Smoking,

 

[OliverTroy]

Bwarbiany

I'm in the Oceanside area and rarely get up to your area. The link I had in my post, I THINK, is the Dealer IN So. Orange County. You may want to check them out to compare prices and see what they have for sales. I'm on their email list and it looks like they'll bundle stuff.

I saw the cold smoker option, which looks cool, but it looks like I'll have to go with the smaller version than what I previously posted. We'll see.

Lil' Tex Elite - Maybe the Cold Smoker will fit on the Texas Grill? I have to ask them.
http://gfbbq.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=5


Cold smoker add-on:
http://gfbbq.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=30

Thanks for responding and the info,
Oliver

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I'm holding out to get this:

http://www.bbqpits.com/backyard_grills/24x48swingset_grill_enclosed.htm

It's also available with a side firebox for smoking. I love the idea of a single grill/smoker, with the adjustable height grate, and loads of cooking area.

Now I just need to find that spare $5000 I had laying around!