First time smoker!

BradM · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject: First time smoker!

Hi guys and gals I suppose. I am 23 years old, just bought my first house and I live in Texas. Now that I'm getting settled in, I'm trying to decide which smoker I'm going to buy. (If you have a house, you've GOT to have a smoker in Texas. Very Happy

)

Can you guys give me any advice? I don't want to spend more than 500 bucks and I'd like to spend even less than that. Would it be a good idea to try and build my own out of 55 gallon drums?

I'll mostly be smoking briskets, ribs, turkeys, and chickens.

Thanks a ton!

Brad

Alien BBQ · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

To start with..... A brinkman Smoke N Pit Professional $199 at Walmart. Set aside about $50 - $100 bucks for mods. Or a Ok joe at sams for about $499. Or if you are really strapped a SnP deluxe and check out my mod page http://www1.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1943
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BradM · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

Great mod page! What is the advantage of buying the professional over the deluxe model?

I did a search on the internet to find a deluxe model so that I could compare the two but, I couldn't find one. Thanks.

Alien BBQ · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

As far as I can tell, the end clean out door. I don't think it is worth $75 difference though. If you go to Walmart now, they may still be on clearence.
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BradM · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

Great! I'll go check it out tonight. Thanks.

1MoreFord · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

If you have an Academy Sports near you, they have another OK Joe pit worth looking at. The Longhorn @$399. 3/16" thick metal and a 20" x 40" chamber. A simple sheet metal firebox baffle and raise the fire grate a little and you'd be ready to cook.

Here's a pic of mine after a vertical chamber has been added.

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/6069/p40903933cb.jpg

Some of them carry both the standard model(like mine) and the Deluxe model. The deluxe model has two chamber doors, a cabinet below the chamber and and ash removal tray below the firebox. Trouble is the ash tray leaks air badly and makes temp control very difficult. Not worth the extra $$ IMO.

BradM · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

That does look like a good deal. They are about to build an Academy where I live, Sherman, TX.

There is one about 30 miles south. I'll have to go check it out. Thanks bud.

Jeff Hughes · Posted: Jan 24 2006 Post subject:

Brad

You live in the state of great custom smokers.

Most of the custom guys have stock units for just a little more than the price range you spec'd.

Klose, Bates, Gator, Tejas, LyfeTyme, Pitts and Spitts, Diamond Plate are a few that come to mind. Do a Google search. You may have to drive to Houston for the best deal.

For around 700-900 you should be able to get a really good offset pit made of 1/4" steel, 20"X36-48".

Save your bucks and skip the OK Joe. You can always resell a quality pit.

Regards--Jeff
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BradM · Posted: Jan 25 2006 Post subject:

I'm afraid the wife might kill me even if I spend 500 on one!

What do you guys think about this design?

sledgehammer03 · Posted: Jan 25 2006 Post subject:

Looks like a fun project. Unless you have access to steel, you will probably end up spending more than $500 for the materials to build her.

The supply houses really take you to teh cleaners if you are just buying a few pieces, and Home Depot and Lowe's are even worse, if they even have anything.

JimH · Posted: Jan 25 2006 Post subject:

I used to work with a pretty brunette from Sherman. Brad, take a hard look at the OKie Joe's Longhorn(gag Wink

) at Academy, it's worth every penny.

BradM · Posted: Jan 25 2006 Post subject:

I should be getting down in the Plano area soon. That's our closest Academy. I plan on checking them out. Cool

BBQ Nut · Posted: Jan 25 2006 Post subject:

A lot of the guys here use the Chargriller Pro, myself included. With the firebox it should run you about $160. You can check them out at any Lowes store.

http://chargriller.com/
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Georgiaboy78 · Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 47

One option I haven't seen mentioned, that is WELL within your price range is the Bar-B-Ques Galore Bar-B-Chef. I got one for Christmas and have done about 5 sessions on it, and I love it. Its got all the "mods" done to it already, good, thick steel and its under $300. That one gets my vote. I just added an Afterburner gas burner to it a few days ago, have yet to do a smoking session with it but it worked VERY well to roast some chicken last night (350-380 deg chamber temps).

BradM · Posted: Jan 26 2006 Post subject:

Looks pretty good!

http://www.bbqgalore.com/store/item.bbq?invky=4089929

mding38926 · Posted: Jan 26 2006 Post subject:

boss284 · Posted: Jan 27 2006 Post subject:

I bought my first backyard smoker at Home Depot. Charbroil off set! Best $149 I ever spent. Then I went to Ben Lang's (pigroast.com) place to pick up my 84 Deluxe. 10th in ribs first time out!
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BradM · Posted: Jan 27 2006 Post subject:

Check this out guys.

http://www.vogelzang.com/barrel_stoves.htm

There is even a double barrel kit. I would add a second flue, the grill grates, and the chimney with dampers...

Looks like it's getting closer to 500 for that kit. Not to mention the blood sweat and tears to make it. But hell, that's half the fun right?

The Bar-b-chef smoker is looking more appealling to me.

The double barrel may end up being a project that I can do over a few months...

sledgehammer03 · Posted: Jan 27 2006 Post subject:

I would say that would not be what you are looking for. You could probably do better just buying the barrels from them. Really more of a stove, designed to be used indoors.

JSH · Newbie Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 26