Best charcoal smoker for a newbie besides a WSM?

[Lazysmokin']

I owned a WSM a few years ago, but it just wasn't for me. I'm fairly tall so adding water or tending the coals was always amusing. The fact that you either had to roll or butcher ribs to get them to fit didn't sit well with me either.

Anyway, the WSM is long gone now and I've come to the conclusion that electric smokers aren't worth the packaging materials their shipped in. With that said, I'm looking for a new charcoal smoker that's pretty dang forgiving for a newbie. I read up on the Smokenator gadget that makes it easier to smoke in a Weber kettle, but it still sounds like you need to replenish the coals every 45 minutes and babysit the cooker. Any ideas?

[bluesman250]

[OKBBQEA]

Yeah, what he said....

And height shouldn't be a problem either.... Just set it up on some cinder blocks or some other platform if need be.

I've been using mine for 3 years now and I can only remember one cook where I ever had to add more charcoal and that was before I learned the minion method.

I rarely ever add water to mine, even on 12+ hour cooks. Usually by the time the water pan is empty the charcoal is at a point where the water pan isn't needed as a heat sink any longer.
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[Lazysmokin']

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll think about giving the WSM another whirl, but I'm really shooting for an off-set style cooker that doesn't need tending every hour or so. So far it doesn't sound like one exists.

[Alien BBQ]

I love my new Chargriller Duo with the optional side fire box. It has a fire box for wood, a charcoal grill, a gas grill, and a side gas burner. I get the best of all the worlds and it can run for a few hours unattended using lump and wood in the fire box.





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[monty]

The problem with inexpensive off-sets is that the thickness of the metal simply does not allow for long cooking times without adding fuel. If you are going to but a Lowe's Brinkmann variety off-set you simply cannot avoid tending the fire often. But hey, that can be a lot of fun!
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If there's a new way - I'll be the first in line. But it better work this time!

[Big Daddy Woo Woo]

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/stretdr/2008_0525BackwoodsChubby0016.jpg

In my opinion, these are the best smokers on the market. Quite pricey, but worth every penny. You CANNOT burn up anything on here. Set it and forget it. So insulated that when it is going, you can touch it and not feel any heat. Keeps all the heat inside! This is a stand that I made at my friend's shop to get it up off the ground. I LOVE THIS COOKER!!
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Big Daddy Woo Woo's Championship BBQ & Catering

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[tnbarbq]

One thing I noticed while looking for a smoker, unless you're willing to spend $500-$1000, you're pretty much limited to what is available at Wal-Mart or Lowes. There is not much in between. That means a Char-Broil or Chargrill or something like it. I have a Char-Broil Silver with a few mods. More to do. It does use it's fair share of fuel, but my fmily and friends like the results.
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Brinkman Bullet

[GaryC]

Just a minor correction to what Alien said about the WSM. If you do stick with the WSM, get the Brinkmann ECB CHARCOAL PAN, not the water pan. I almost made that mistake myself. It's the charcoal pan that fits in the WSM.
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Charbroil Commercial Series Grill
Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker
Remote Chek Thermometer

[Elancer]

I have the Char-Griller Smokin' Pro and have to add lump charcoal every 90 minutes or so. Tending the fuel is half the fun for me.

[SectorB]

It seems that there are a lot of Bar-B Chef owners on here that get good burn times with them. Where do you live? If Barbeque Galores doesn't work how about Academy sports so you can look at different smokers.
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[Mike Lawry]

I have a WSM + a Brinkmann offset.

I most always use the Brinkmann offset with my WSM charcoal basket(ring) with it when I smoke ribs.

(It does burn twice the fuel though vs the WSM).

It lasts 5-6 hours without adding any charcoal. Just right for ribs.



Mike Lawry.

[Alien BBQ]

[GaryC]

[Jeff_From_VA]

What is your budget on this?

[Doc1680]

[rcubed3r]

Hope this isn't too far off base, but I LOVE my Traeger.
It is absolutely set it and forget it. Anybody that says otherwise ain't doin' something right.
The pellets create a very nice (not overpowering) flavor.

If you are looking for something to 'learn' the ins and outs of charcoal, sticks, and lumps, then this is not what you are looking for.

If the new ones are too much, check Craigslist for a used one.

Ron
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Traeger 075

[lantern]

What electric smokers have you used to come to your conclusion?

[hyperslug]

I understand your frustration with a WSM or any smoker. I think the WSM is a solid smoker but I have just ordered an Automatic Temperature Control System (BBQ Guru) and based on the many reviews believe it will fix most of my WSM’s shortcomings. With the ATCS the WSM will use less charcoal (reports of 16+ hours), no longer needs water, and the temperature is set and forget. You still get the wood smoke flavor but the ease of an electric smoker. It still is odd shaped for fitting meat and you have to remove the top grate to get to the food on the lower grate but for a total of less than $500 including the ATCS it is hard to buy a better or easier to use smoker. Stoker is another brand of ATCS!

Some purist will snuff at these contraptions but you do get the same or more conistent results with less effort and they are used in competions.

I have looked at the Oklahoma Joe Longhorn at Academy for $450. This offset cooker is pretty heavy duty but I saw no baffle between the fire pit and grill area meaning without modification it will probably have some hot spots close to the fire pit. Your next step up will be about $800 with most quality smokers being well over $1000. Not sure how much tending these will need but I think they all require some.

Good Luck!

[mpwildy]

I will be the first to admit that I am new and I was always taught that the only stupid question was the one not asked.... What is the minion method?