A good quality smoker

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

So I guess it's a toss up between a WSM, or something similar and a Char Griller...I still don't know yet. I've asked around other places and at stores and I keep getting mixed opinions.

J0K3R-X · Posted: Sep 18 2008 Post subject:

I still own a Char Griller and I have had to do several modifications on it to get it to work properly. The first thing I did was put a plate over the opening from the fire box to the cook chamber or anything on the right side of the grates will burn and the other side will be under cooked. The second thing is you should extend the smoke stack down to grill grate level. The third thing is replace the thermometer because the one that comes with it is way off! I have looked at the specs on the Char Griller 5050 Duo Gas\Charcoal and it looks like they addressed all of those issues but like you said $300+ is a bit high. one thing I don't like is how the Char Griller lids don't seal up well! The older Brinkman models seem to be built alot better than the new ones, I would probably snag one if I got the chance. There is one for sale here in florida on Craigslist for $40.00, I thought about getting it but my wife will KMA if I get another smoker. LOL Good Luck with the decision, what ever you choose we can probably help you if you have any questions! I know it's hard to figure out all of this stuff but we all have learned by making mistakes! Well maybe not all of us but most.

BBQMAN · Posted: Sep 18 2008 Post subject:

Good smoker and cheap don't generally come along together.

I know your fab skills are limited, but the UDS thread here (top of this section sticky) really isn't that hard to do. For under $100 you will have a great cooker of decent size.

The small offsets can be made to work (I've owned them). As is, they are a total PITA for fire management mainly do to their size.

The ECB's are IMHO boat anchor material, and they don't do that well either. Alien has a great mods thread here to make those work well too. After you spend the $40 and the time to modify it, you could have built a UDS...................

If "out of the box" functionality is what you are looking for, buy the WSM or a PROBBQ unit.

Best of luck with your search!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

J0K3R-X · Posted: Sep 18 2008 Post subject:

Right On BBQMAN! I was gonna say do the UDS/BDS thing but I didn't know if you could find a drum or if you would want to drill some holes? Like BBQMAN said they are "Very Easy" to build and they are really a great cooker, kinda like giant WSM on stardroids! I think my wife could build one without any problems! A cordless drill, couple metal bits, some nuts & bolts and you are done. The rest like round grill grates, thermometer etc.. you just pick up at Lowes/Homedepot. Plus you have the pride of making a smoker/cooker that really Rocks with your own hands! Very Happy

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

NaughtyNurse · Posted: Sep 19 2008 Post subject:

BigDaddy,
I was recently in your shoes in a sense, except I was looking for a second smoker. I looked at the WSM but was having a hard time justifying the price when it would only be used as a second unit. I also looked at the Pro-Q, then found the BBQ-PRO at Sears for $80 and took it home. It is a knock-off of the Pro-Q. I have some chicken on it right now, and will do some butts tomorrow. So far I really like it, it got up to temp quickly and is holding it well. It does have 2 faults that I have found, the waterpan is small and I had to pin down the door latches to make them fit a little tighter. Not a big deal. IMO it is well worth the money.
Gomez[/img]

monty · Posted: Sep 19 2008 Post subject:

[/quote]

I'm still up in the air with everything, but what's the PROBBQ unit your refering to?[/quote]

You are letting this get more complicated than it needs to be. You have received a lot of good advice on this thread. One cooker rises to the top - but if you are not comfortable with a WSM then just buy what your gut tells you to buy. Then be really patient. Don't expect to be making the best BBQ of your life right out of the shoot. It takes time. If you buy the Char Griller or any cheap off-set enjoy the experience - because these things will force you to learn fire management. That ain't all bad.

But dude, don't make this any more complicated than it needs to be. If a $200-300 smoker is going to break the bank then you shouldn't be buying one in the first place. If you are in this because it is a great hobby you won't make a bad choice - unless you make no choice at all.

So get you a smoker and start cooking - a remember the pics!

As far as the ProQ - a knock off of the WSM made in England.
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Pit Boss · Posted: Sep 19 2008 Post subject:

lantern · Posted: Sep 20 2008 Post subject:

PlaneSmoke · Posted: Sep 20 2008 Post subject:

J0K3R-X · Posted: Sep 20 2008 Post subject:

Big Mike · Posted: Sep 21 2008 Post subject:

Big Daddy, where in Ohio are you?
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Mike

Eagle River BBQ
CBJ
Stumps Platinum 5 Trailer
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BigDaddyBBQ · Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 22 Location: New Lexington, Ohio

I'm in Southeastern Ohio, I'm close to Zanesville, if you've ever heard of that.

-BD

aks801 · BBQ Fan Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 123 Location: Katy, TX

As a Brinkman owner, allow me to weigh in:

When people say the El Cheapo Brinkman (or ECB) takes money and time to bring up to a use-able level, believe them! Mine cost $40. Tack on the $20 temp gauge I purchased (stock unit is a joke), the $15 drill bit I needed to punch a hole for the temp gauge and to use to mod the charcoal pan, plus the $10 Weber grate I put in the base of the charcoal pan... now we're up to a total cost of $85. It works much better now, but I still have no vent control on top or underneath. For that price, you could get that Sears unit that is a WSM-clone and be turning out good Q in no time. If you want to spend more money, the other options presented to you in this thread are there.

One more thing about the ECB: it is possible to get good results on it. I have now turned out fantastic baby backs using it, and just this past weekend did a high-heat cook (see my thread in the General Discussion section) that produced the first brisket I've ever been happy with. And as others have pointed out, once I "graduate" to a better smoker I'll no doubt be ecstatic over how much easier it will be to use than the humble ECB.

Enjoy the ride!
_________________
alan
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"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."
- Pete Townshend

Weber Kettle
ECB w/ mods

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

I think I'm going to end up going with a Char Griller. I'll just perform some of the simple mods that I've read about on here and I'm sure I'll be able to work with it and turn out some good Q. I don't mind baby sitting it to keep an eye on the temp, just give me a pack of beer and a little music and I'm good.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, they were very informative and helpful, however I'm going to go with my gut feeling on this.

-BD

NaughtyNurse · Posted: Sep 24 2008 Post subject:

Well, not to throw a wrench into your plan, but the wife was just at Sears and the one here had the BBQ-PRO on clearance for $70. She offered $50 for the display model and walked out with one NIB for that price, now I have 2 Laughing

. So far I've cooked chicken and brisket on mine and am quite happy with it. But if your gut feeling tells you to go with the Char-Griller, then go for it and enjoy. As it has been said somewhere, you'll soon be turning out better BBQ than can be had in most resturaunts.
Gomez

J0K3R-X · Posted: Sep 24 2008 Post subject:

NaughtyNurse · Posted: Sep 24 2008 Post subject:

JOK3R-X,

Yea I was really proud of the Mrs. for that one! With the triple stack I can hand briskets from the hooks in the dome. Or get out my step ladder and put all 4 sections on at once LOL. Some day I would like to replace my Good-One with a larger model, but for now I think I'm set for smokers and can retire the ol' Brinkman.

Gomez

Mad Max · Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Posts: 10 Location: NJ

Horizon!
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