a Newbies First Smoker

[Bigbo]

Being from Montana, especially Northwest Montana....there are a few things to consider as I am purchasing my first Grill/Smoker.


It's cold here.....alot.

It's socked in here a lot (Think inversion) lots of low clouds, not really fog...but it socks in for days on end.


I know that type of thing affects burning a wood fire in your fireplace.... it affects the roasting profile(s) when I roast coffee....

So I gotta believe it will affect a charcoal/wood smoker. Remember, it's cold...I worry about ambiaent temps...and being out there all day trying to keep a smoker fire going.




I have always used a gas grill for BBQ, so this "Smoking" is all new too me.



I am going to start out I think with an "Off the shelf" type roaster...just to get into this thing as soon as possible.

I am thinking an off-set firebox type smoker, but maybe I should just get one of these Brinkman/weber vertical smokers?


again- considering the cold, and the inversions of our geography...should I even, still start with charcoal, or should I go with a electric/gas type smoker?


thanks

Bigbo
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Smoke em if you got one! (a BBQ Smoker)

[CHRIS 1237]

I would look at a char-griller it will run you about 150-200 at lows. Another good starter smoker is a wsm it is not an offset it is a bullet smoker. I have never used a wsm but from what I hear they are very easy to keep your temps stable where with the char-griller it will take a little more work.


here is a link dealing with the wsm
http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/

here is one dealing with the char-griller
http://www.chargriller.com/
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"Gonna ramble on, sing my song. Gotta keep-a-searchin' for my baby...
Gonna work my way, round the world. I can't stop this feelin' in my heart
Gotta keep searchin' for my baby. I can't find my bluebird!"--Led Zeppelin

[Rocky]

If you need more cooking space and like direct smoking, try the Big Drum Smoker. I also build a jumbo 110 gallon model. No water pan needed. Cooks briskets and pork butts in only 8 hours.
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Rocky Richmond - Big Drum Smokers

http://www.bigdrumsmokers.com

[followingariver]

Bigbo,

I live in New England, right on the coast, and get a lot of fog off the ocean, we don't get as cold as you, but it gets pretty chilly here in the winter. That being said, I use a bullet smoker similar to the WSM for ribs and pork shoulder and have had good results, I have to keep my eye on the temp and feed the fire more than most to keep it even. Get a good digital read thermometer and experiment with the fire. I made a few racks of ribs in a light cold rain a few weekends ago and they turned out great, just had to tend the fire pretty closely.

- Dave
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Smoking and Queing in Beverly Mass.

[Alien BBQ]

Normally I would recommend an offset, but in your case I believe the WSM should make your life easier.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeloberry

[kickassbbq]

I moved from Colorado to MN and I don't see any difference at all in the smoking process. It's very cold here, also, but my smokers work just like they did in Colorado where there was no humidity and a mild climate. 10 below in Colorado seems to be the same to my smokers when it's 10 below here.
Weather and all that stuff will affect any smoker the same as another. Buy what you want and learn to smoke with it!!!! And, I don't know much about nothing.
Smoke On!!!!!
ed
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Smoke On!!!!!!
www.kickassbbq.com

[JamesB]

I'd also vote for the WSM. Very easy to learn and use. Simple to maintain temps in all climates so long as you keep it out of the wind...

James.