Smoker Talk

[Haps]

I've been wanting to get a smoker ever since I went to a stag a few years ago. They had 6 smokers lined up and going all day. Ribs, sausage, and the best was the chicken. The ribs were ok but the chicken was awesome.

Quite honestly I don't think the "smokemaster" was skilled but ribs taste pretty awesome no matter how you cook them so it's hard to say they were awesome. But chicken can be greatly improved.

Anyways I want a smoker. Are electric smokers all that bad. And I don't mean in the snobby "electric is shit" way. But more in the diminishing returns way.

While charcoal may be a better way of grilling I can achieve 95% of the results using a propane grill. Is the same true using electric smokers?

If so anyone got some recommendations.

[bigslickwood]

I've owned both, and my last two have been electric. It's just so much easier to get consistently good results. If you like to mess around with the coals, etc. fine, if you want to put in your meat, go to bed, and get good food out, go electric. You can concentrate on rubs/mops/sauces/etc. instead of having the burn temp, etc. induce variables into the final results.

One thing to consider. A lot of electrics burn pucks or chips, etc. You won't get the same sort of defined smoke ring that you do with chunk wood or coal. The nitrates released with full-on combustion cause the pink color, smoldering pucks just don't do it. However, the importance of a smoke ring is open for debate. It's easy to fake by adding cure or tenderquick to your rub, doesn't taste any different, and so it's becoming less important in judging quality of 'cue.

I personally don't see much reason to not go electric.

[j p frog]

I grew up with a dad who used an electric smoker...good food...but not my style. I have a propane(2nd one of these) and use wood chips....easier temp control than a wood burning smoker....same smoke ring...same taste IMO...my vote is for a propane smoker.

[390kid]

i was just got a weber smokey mountain cooker a few months ago. its my first time using a smoker and couldnt be happier, the low and slow cueing is awesome for whole chickens, ribs, pork shoulder. you can even set it up so it works like a grill. my only regret is that i went with bigger one and it takes a lot of fuel for a 8+ hour smoke. there is a web site calle the virtual weber bullet where this guy has trouble shot nearly any question you my have and even goes as far as %of vent openings at varied time during the smoke process.

[CRAW]

i was just got a weber smokey mountain cooker a few months ago. its my first time using a smoker and couldnt be happier, the low and slow cueing is awesome for whole chickens, ribs, pork shoulder. you can even set it up so it works like a grill. my only regret is that i went with bigger one and it takes a lot of fuel for a 8+ hour smoke. there is a web site calle the virtual weber bullet where this guy has trouble shot nearly any question you my have and even goes as far as %of vent openings at varied time during the smoke process.

^^^ This. Seriously.

[bigslickwood]

The only thing I don't like about the Weber's (my first was a Weber), is that if you want to load it up with a lot of meat then you've got one shelf buried under another. I HATED having to try to pull out the top shelf, all hot and dripping with hot meat, in order to try to get to anything on the bottom shelf.

Most of the electrics are kind of like a mini-fridge. It's nice that you can easily access any tray of meat - and you can pack a lot of meat in there. I have 4 shelves in mine and could easily do two full briskets and 4 pork shoulders at the same time (and will be for the weekend of the 21st)...

[SniperD5]

Does it take a while to figure out a charcoal smoker or is it pretty simple? I've used propane all my life for grilling, so I've never really had any experience with charcoal. I've been thinking lately that I would really love to get a smoker, and those WSM's look awesome, just don't know if a complete n00b should be dropping the coin on something that nice or if I should start out with something cheaper.

[j p frog]

I am a semi noob and really enjoy the convenience of the propane smoker. I may go to an open pit bbq in the future to do my grilling and smoking, but for now...the weber genesis grill and the propane smoker I have elaborated on before suits my needs nicely.

[zathras]

Does it take a while to figure out a charcoal smoker or is it pretty simple? I've used propane all my life for grilling, so I've never really had any experience with charcoal. I've been thinking lately that I would really love to get a smoker, and those WSM's look awesome, just don't know if a complete n00b should be dropping the coin on something that nice or if I should start out with something cheaper.

This was exactly why I went with the Brinkmann vertical box smoker. So if I blow it full of 9mm holes in a fit of disgust after spending all day ruining dinner, I'm only out 70 bucks.
plus ribs.
plus ammo.

[j p frog]

I like how you think sir.

[390kid]

Does it take a while to figure out a charcoal smoker or is it pretty simple? I've used propane all my life for grilling, so I've never really had any experience with charcoal. I've been thinking lately that I would really love to get a smoker, and those WSM's look awesome, just don't know if a complete n00b should be dropping the coin on something that nice or if I should start out with something cheaper.


no, it takes no time at all. visit the vetual weber bullet, (sorry no link) this guy has done every bit of r&d needed to no ends. i was apprehensive at first to buy the WSM becuase i had done all my grilling on propane and now natuarl gas but after looking at that vitual bullet web site its a no brainer, this guy even has segments on you tube


The only thing I don't like about the Weber's (my first was a Weber), is that if you want to load it up with a lot of meat then you've got one shelf buried under another. I HATED having to try to pull out the top shelf, all hot and dripping with hot meat, in order to try to get to anything on the bottom shelf.

Most of the electrics are kind of like a mini-fridge. It's nice that you can easily access any tray of meat - and you can pack a lot of meat in there. I have 4 shelves in mine and could easily do two full briskets and 4 pork shoulders at the same time (and will be for the weekend of the 21st)...

i got some old welding gloves and just set the rack on top of my chimney starter. dosent really account for the drips. the electric ones do look more convenient in that reguards

[Blake]

Does it take a while to figure out a charcoal smoker or is it pretty simple? I've used propane all my life for grilling, so I've never really had any experience with charcoal. I've been thinking lately that I would really love to get a smoker, and those WSM's look awesome, just don't know if a complete n00b should be dropping the coin on something that nice or if I should start out with something cheaper.
The only thing to really learn is air flow control which leads to temp control. This is all in adjusting the intake vents and watching your temp. Trial and error but doesn't take much time really to figure out how your smoker behaves.

[Haps]

Almost got tempted to pick up an electric smoker on Kijiji(think craigslist). Looks pretty shitty. usually runs 130 and they want $40.

http://www.lenthompson.com/images/smokeronwhitebg.jpg

But I decided to pass and wait to find a good deal on a better smoker.

[Zemo]

I'm partial to the ceramic cookers like the Big Green Egg (Probably most popular) or the Primo Kamado or Oval (I have an Oval), but they are costly. My grill/smoker goes for around $1200 currently (I paid around $800). Versatile, practical and economical to run. I can do an overnight smoke at 225 for 18 hours and never add more coal, hell I even have some left. You gotta really like grilling and smoking to shell out the dough though. Phenominal smoker and grill all in one. Also has stacked grills where you can have two levels of food smoking and still get to eac level without having to remove one grill.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:suFNTsN1093uBM:http://www.rollinghillsfarmstore.com/bp/images/big_green_egg/big_green_egg_all5_461x307.jpg http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:S_VllPjywRwWjM:http://www.barbecue-party.com/images/primo-grills-and-smokers/xl%252520teak1.gif

[VvvJRvvV]

Google UDS or ugly drum smoker. 30+ hours at 225 on 10 pounds of lump charcoal. These things are awesome.

Chicken at 300 degrees - no problem
Pork at 225-275 (depending on your preference) - no problem
Brisket at 210-225 - no problem

I am currently working on a way to do pizza on mine, which requires a much higher temperature.

There are many options out there for smokers. I built mine myself and when people look at it, they kind of snicker, until they taste the food off of it, then they start asking questions. This thing achieves rock solid temps for long periods of time and I could not be happier with my choice.

JR

[SniperD5]

The more time I spend on thevirtual weber bullet (http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/index.html) site, the more I want to break down and buy a WSM. I think an 18.5" would be plenty big enough for me, would be a bit cheaper, and use less fuel during the smoke. I think it may be a bit annoying to have to remove the top shelf of food in order to get to the bottom shelf, but I think that will be a problem that is easily overcome.

Where would be the best place to pick one up though? As far as I can tell, there really aren't any stores around my area that sell them. Home Depot has them listed on their website for $100 less than Sears.ca, so I was thinking of just going down to the local HD and seeing if they can have it shipped to the store for free.

[drewfus]

I've been a Traeger owner for quite a while - got mine from Texas Star Pellet Grill Co. Traeger grills, BBQ Accessories, Badia Spices (http://texasstarfoods.com/) - they have packages that include a bunch of free stuff (including free shipping). Just recently upgraded to the BBQ 075 (Traeger Texas).

A lot of people bitch about Traegers, calling them the E-Z Bake Oven of the smoking world since temperature control is all automatic thanks to the auger & digital temp control, but who cares? I like being able to set it at 225, throw on a pork shoulder and come back in 8 hours and know everything is where it should be.

[390kid]

. I think an 18.5" would be plenty big enough for me, problem that is easily overcome.



the 18.5 is the way to go. i got mine from amazon. thats about the cheapest price around. you could always print out the price on amazon and take it over to sears and negotiate

[SniperD5]

the 18.5 is the way to go. i got mine from amazon. thats about the cheapest price around. you could always print out the price on amazon and take it over to sears and negotiate

Problem is Amazon.ca doesn't have the WSM. The price on the HD webstie is $329, which isn't bad when you factor in what shipping, taxes, and conversion rates would be to order it from the states.

[Screw]

Is there such a thing as a "quality" electric smoker in the $200.00-$300.00 range? I've looked around a bit (online), and there seems to be few but there is no telling the quality.

Any suggestions?

-Screw