A good quality smoker

BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

I figured being new to this craft, this would be the perfect place to come to find some answers and get advice.

Anyways, my question is, I'm looking to buy a smoker, but not sure what type to get. I want something thats very affordable yet high quality. I don't want to get something that is made of cheap metal and poorly designed. I've been looking at Char Griller's Smokin Pro BBQ Smoker, because it seems like a good choice, but I wanted to get advice from people who know the best.

So all help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Smile

JamesB · Posted: Sep 15 2008 Post subject:

My standard suggestion is to look at the WSM (Weber Smokey Mountain).
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BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

You know, I've looked at that, but I just wasn't sure, I mean, it looks good and I know weber is a good product, but I thougt that the price was a little steap for now...

Jeff T · Posted: Sep 15 2008 Post subject:

Char Griller's are good smoker too. Quit a few members here have em & love em, if you need the space for bigger cooks than CG`s are it. But i do have to tell ya that if i would have spent the cash from the git go & bought a WSM i would not have all the other cheaper smokers in my back yard.
After a year or two of smelling my cookers smokin away my neighbor came to me & wanted me to show him "how to smoke meat" we talked about smokers and he finally decided to get a wsm like mine.
He told me the other day how glad he was that he bought one, "they are easy to operate, do not require a lot of tending and make BBQ as good as what you make". Rolling Eyes

I don't think you can go wrong with a wsm. The only thing i don`t like is capacity for ribs laid flat on the grates, 3 top & 3 bottom, 6 racks total. Now with rib rack you can get a lot more or even rolling the ribs up you can get at least a dozen ribs on, so really its not a big problem.
Check out the VWB site & do ya a little research.
http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/

BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

I'll look more into it, I'm just concerned about the price, I saw it on amazon.com for about $180.

tnbarbq · Posted: Sep 15 2008 Post subject:

I have a Char-Broil which cost about $150. I've put about another $50 into it doing modifications to make it more efficient. I've heard the Chargrill smokers are a good unit for the money. One thing I've learned is there is a serious lack of mid-range priced smokers. You can spend about $150 or jump up to $500 plus real easily.
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BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

Yeah I've noticed the price jump. I mean, I've looked at the Weber Smokey Mountain, but right now, I just think $300 is a lot of money for just starting out. I don't know, I'm still debating over what to get.

sterlingsmoker · Posted: Sep 16 2008 Post subject:

WSM Or Cookshack with out a doubt!!
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Smokin Meat and Drinkin beer It don't get any better!!
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BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

I looked at the cookshacks, and wow, quite expensive for me right now

Div · Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 53

Myaswel get the best of both worlds if ur going to get a char griller and go with this one

http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-5050-Duo-Gas-and-Charcoal-Grill/dp/B001CJKUO4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1221512753&sr=8-1

I havent seen one at the Lowes around here but they are supposed to be a retailer for them.
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2 Home built dual rack 55 gallon big drum smokers.

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Pit Boss · Posted: Sep 16 2008 Post subject:

You can find the WSM for as little as $160 online.

The large Char Griller is $180...but the firebox will be another $80.

A smaller Char Griller is $99...but you still need the firebox.

Jay

BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

I saw the WSM on amazon.com for about $222, and that's not used, I wouldn't want to buy a used smoker, just for the simple fact I wouldn't know how well the previous owner took care of it.

I've thought about the 55gal drum smoker, but I'm not sure where to get one and then, when it comes to setting it up, I'd be way off lol, not very crafty when it comes to metal working...

I've even looked at Brinkmann, I found some smokers from them for around $40 I believe, but I've heard mixed reviews about that company.

Pit Boss · Posted: Sep 17 2008 Post subject:

Nothing on Amazon is going to be the cheapest.

Use a product search engine like froogle.google.com to search for your internet deals.

Google returns multiple hits for a Weber Smoky Mountain...and the lowest is $168. It's new...10 year warranty and all.

Don't buy anything like this from Amazon! You're almost guaranteed to find it cheaper somewhere else.

Jay

Div · Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 53

Just roll with the char grill duo .... 3oo beans ya cant go wrong for the smoker with the firebox a gas grill and a side burner.....beer burgers and dogs go great while babysitting a long smoke
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2 Home built dual rack 55 gallon big drum smokers.

4 burner Walmart gas jobbie.

BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

I'm leaning toward a Char Griller. I went to Lowes today and saw the floor model. I have to say, I liked what I saw. It seems to be high quality.

lantern · Posted: Sep 17 2008 Post subject:

JamesB · Posted: Sep 17 2008 Post subject:

Div · Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 53

If you can get a drum from a bakery or something like I did where veg. oil was only used in it then you can build urslef an upright for less then 100 bucks... Temp control I found has been alot easier with direct heat....
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2 Home built dual rack 55 gallon big drum smokers.

4 burner Walmart gas jobbie.

monty · Posted: Sep 18 2008 Post subject:

I am on my third Smoker upgrade. I started with a Brinkman, then a WSM, now I have a trailered rig. I can promise you that the best money you will ever spend on a smoker is money paid for a WSM. You will HATE the Brinkman on long cooks - that is a promise. If you want a grill and something that looks like a smoker get that Brinkman. I'm sure your neighbors will be impressed. But if you really want to smoke meat - and you want to smoke meats like pork butt and brisket then you will have thrown your money down the drain if you buy the Brinkman.

I cooked a brisket on a WSM at the last comp I was at and it held 220 for 15 hours. Expect to attend to a Brinkman every 20-40 mins.

You may be impressed with the Brinkman - but I have never heard anyone who has experience with smokers refer to Brinkmans as "quality" items. They are cheap. That is good - but you get what you pay for.
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J0K3R-X · Posted: Sep 18 2008 Post subject:

I would have to agree with monty & JamesB! Dollar for dollar you can't get a better smoker than the WSM in that size and class of smoker! I have seen people win 1st prizes in competitions with a couple WSM's beating out others with giant trailer mounted rigs with all the bells & whistles! If you are looking to spend as little as possible and get a great smoker then I would go and buy a BBQ Pro Deluxe Dome Smoker Grill at Sears. It's a WSM clone with not quite the quality of the WSM but still very nice and cooks just about the same as the WSM. Puts out some great BBQ for sure at a fraction of the price!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07115883000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Grills&sName=Smokers+%26+Specialty+Cookers

I would never buy a new Brinkman when you can find them a dime a dozen on Craigslist and at garage sales! If you are just starting out with the smoking adventure save yourself alot of wasted dry meat, money and time and get a WSM or a BBQ Pro Deluxe! I am not sayin that it's not possible to make some good BBQ in a Brinkman but be prepaired to do some modifications to it so it works right because they have some serious flaws straight outa the box...