Newbie here...Good beginner/starter smoker?

lucky8926 · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 10

First off, WOW!! This place is a mountain of smoker knowledge!! I'm glad I stumbled across it as I was doing some research.
I'm new to smoking so please bear with me here. I cook on my charcoal grill (just a plain ol webber) quite a bit and just recently bought a kenmore gas grill off craigslist for $60. Came with 1 full and one 3/4 full tanks (worth the $60 I paid for it and then some right there) a cover and some cleanng brushes. Yesterday I attempted to smoke some pork ribs in it, but I don't think much smoking was going on, so I really just slow cooked em!! LOL I used the 321 method and they tunrned out really good. They fell off the bone, were juicy and had a good flavor but still didn't have that delicious smoked flavor. My "smoke" came from some hickory chips I bought at wal mart put in a foil bag with some holes poked in the top.
ANYWAY..... I want to buy a real smoker for future ribs n such. Keep in mind I'm probably only going to use it a few (6- 8 ) times a year so I don't want to spend a bunch of money. I was thinkng $100-150.

I also have no idea which type t get. I'm sure everyne has their prefernce but I'm going for ease of use since I'm new to this. I've seen the vertical square and round ones along with the horizontal round ones. Those I've seen were at wal mart (I'm sure you all will try and steer me away from them but if they get they will get thre job done let me know. Thanks in advance for any help you can send my way!

Teleking · Last edited by Teleking on Sep 22 2009; edited 1 time in total

seattlepitboss · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

I beg to differ - if you go down the UDS route you will probably wind up with a drum that's lined with epoxy and burn yourself out trying to remove it. I suggest looking on your local Craigslist for "New Braunfels" trying to score a Black Diamond in the $50-60 range. Those are easy to use and, once modded, cook very well. That was my first smoker and I loved it well and true, still use it sometimes.

You might consider posting your location.

seattlepitboss

NCBBQFAN · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

I would suggest you shop you local box stores, like Wally-mart, Lowe�s, Home Depot they usually have something in the $100-200 range. An offset or vertical design would be good to start with. Think of this also, I am telling you this out of experience. Once you get started cooking bbq you will want another cooker, kind of like buying the cheapest set of starter golf clubs and soon after starting you find that you really want that better set.

I would think of getting in Q cooking with this cooker: http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Grills-Accessories-Smokers-Fryers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zaq53/R-100657671/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I�m not promoting the store; this is just where I searched it online. It cost more to get into it but you won�t be wishing 6 months from now you had a better one. Unless you want to get into cooking for large groups this cooker will do a very good job for you for years to come.

mtrammel · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

Welcome!

I have 2...a Char-Griller offset and an UDS (upright drum smoker). The UDS is set and forget...I can actually go off and do other things while its smoking away and know that its alright. The offset burns more fuel and needs a little TLC in the form of checking fuel and temps, perhaps adjusting a vent, but is fun to use.
They both put out a quality product in the end. The UDS is homebuilt which makes the food taste better since you make it...(my story and sticken to it). Depending on how crazy you go with the UDS, it may be half to third the cost of the commercial made smoker.
SeattlePitBoss is right, the liner can be a pain...build a big fire or get a little $12 plumbing torch and burn it out and afterwards it will be short(er) work with a wire brush on a grinder.
Bottom line is it needs to hold 225 and produce smoke. If it meets this req...your smoken!
Good luck...trying to decide which way to go is part of the fun.
_________________
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Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

Alien BBQ · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

To answer your question and to stick within your price range I would suggest the smoker below. If you wait for about two weeks they should be on clearance and I have seen them as low as $50. Now with that being said, if you jumped up to $225 you could find a Hondo, or silver smoker. At $350 the chargriller duo. Stay away from the "New" SnP and the Americana, they are just too cheap for the money.

While this is not everyone's cup of tea. It will smoke well, is easy to use, and is just a stepping stone for something bigger later.......

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lucky8926 · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 10

QaOk, I'm leaning toward making my own UDS now... Look at me, picking up on smoker lingo already!! LOL Smile

I like th idea of buliding it myself cause I like fabbing up stuff from scratch, plus it sounds like it's gonna be chaper this way anyway.
I have a few questions though.
- it looks like some people use lids from other grills, if I don't have one is the drum lid sufficient to use??
-how do u get rid of the ashes that are going to collect over time?? Just tip it upside down??

Thanks for all the info so far guys, keep it coming!!

seattlepitboss, sorry I forgot to mention it before. I'm from central Illinois.

Teleking · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

lucky8926 · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 10

I think I'm as excited to build it as I am to cook on it!! I tend to go all out when I build something so I imagine mine is gonna end up with a lot of mods. LOL

Ocali · Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 77 Location: Florida

I did some reading here and built my own UDS with KISS (magnet covered intakes) in mind. Just smoked my first ever anything, a 8# Pork Butt. Came out great!! You'll enjoy the ease of smoking with it. I started my Pork Butt at 1130 at night and went to bed , waking up at about 8:30, still going strong, finished at 2:30 in afternoon). Pork Butt came out great. My UDS cost about about $100. with Home Depot 30x36 " cover. I used stainless bolts and Weber 22" grill grate , so cost was up a bit from other guys UDS's. Also I used existing lid. Go for it!!

Teleking · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

Smokin' Hoglegs · BBQ Pro Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 670 Location: Venice FL

One more foe a UDS! I like you was working on a limited budget and bought a square brinkmann for something like $70 ad the depot. I did turn out some good grub with that cooker,
http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31441
but wasn't quite happy with it. I just built a UDS, and am SO happy with it. Total cost to me was right at $50. My neighbor just bought the brinkmann offset, and it works pretty well but he'll spend 3x what I will on fuel this year and only cook 1/4 as often. Thats my opinion anyway Cool

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weber performer
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CI

lucky8926 · Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 10

Man, using magnets is a pretty good idea!! I've always though of magnets being kinda soft though. Do they hold up to the heat pretty well???

Ocali · Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 77 Location: Florida

Lowe's sells 1" round 6 pack hard ceramic magnets that cover my 3/4" intake holes just fine. I bought another pack to have enough to cover my 8 - 1/2"exhaust holes for shutting down my smoker when done cooking. They will hold fantastic , but I found I like a square edge magnet on intake holes so I can better tell how much of hole is covered for repeatability so I use square kitchen magnets for intake covers. Some guys use small speaker magnets and some use the smaller Harbor Freight welding magnets .

Teleking · Posted: Sep 22 2009 Post subject:

REDTRUCK28 · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Canton,MI

You said you might only use your NEW smoker only 6-8 times per year..I guess you are not aware of the addictive nature of this hobby. The first time you kick out some delicious Q. You won't be able to stop. Pork, Brisket, Yard Birds, Wings, Fatties�.it just doesn�t stop. My vote is for a Vertical electric a true set it and forget it. Good Luck
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"It is better to have burnt and lost, then never to have barbecued at all�

>Royal Oak Vertical Watt Burner
>ECB with Mods
>UDS in my future !
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