New guy looking for smoker advice

fenriswolf · Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: Ohio

Hi people.
I would like to purchase a smoker. I was hoping to find out what would be good for someone who has never had one. I made up my mind to make a clay pot smoker but I would really prefer a real one that I didn't have to source all the parts. I don't want to spend too much either, I do have a family to support. Thanks in advance. Let me know if you need more info from me.

Jarhead · Posted: Apr 09 2011 Post subject:

Welcome aboard fenriswolf,
Lots of great smokers out there.
If you have a few tools and a weekend, build an Ugly Drum Smoker (UDS).
For less than $100 you will have a fantastic smoker and the food will taste better 'cause you built it.
Check out CraigsList for a Weber WSM. I got mine (18") for $50 bucks, I think.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, we are all here to get you up and runnin'.
Take plenty of pics, 'cause we might not believe ya. Wink

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Jarhead's World Blog
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Raine · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 598 Location: Dixie

You could go with an ECB (el cheapo brinkman) which are really good fire tending teachers. Use 'em up, throw 'em away and buy another one.

WSM are well worth the money, if you can all fit into your budget. However Father's Day is right around the corner and they make great gifts Exclamation

fenriswolf · Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: Ohio

I'll hold off on making my own for a bit.
I like the idea of the ECB. I will try to find a WSM on the cheap also.

Mike Lawry · Posted: Apr 09 2011 Post subject:

I started with an electric el cheapo brinkmann. Then went to a Brinkmann offset. (I have no regrets). There both gone now.

I now have settled on a small + big WSM. There my favs for my family.

Mike Lawry.

animal · BBQ Pro Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 935 Location: Wisconsin

Build a UDS, simple cheap and efficient.
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New Braunfels Offset
Smoke Hollow #5
Lang 48 D
Acorn Komado
And a couple of Weber kettles

tim hawk · Newbie Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 46

Love my drum.
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UDS
Chargriller Outlaw Modified

feldon30 · Posted: Apr 09 2011 Post subject:

fenris,

It may help to know your rough geographic location, your budget, and any building skills you have.

A new Weber Smokey Mountain is $250-400 but you might find one cheap as others have said. An Ugly Drum Smoker could be a weekend project and for < $50 you've got something *predictable*. People set their UDS up, put the food in, go to sleep, and 8 hours later it's only off by 5 degrees. The WSM is maybe not THAT predictable, but it's it's a solid unit.

An ECB either electric or charcoal will keep you busy, constantly making adjustments. If you don't mind that, or are willing to make some modifications like drilling holes, adding vents, and adding a fiberglass rope seal around the lid, you could turn an ECB into something predictable too.
_________________
22" Weber Smokey Mountain + Weber Spirit

Ira · Posted: Apr 09 2011 Post subject:

I totally agree on the ECB as starter unit. I can still go to my vertical when needed, and although she's old and ain't so pretty any more, she does the job. Keep in mind though that I live in Florida, so holding temps in mid-February is no problem for me. (I have the one that's tall and rectangular. It's not a barrel model with a separate fire box on the side.)

They sell two vertical, square, charcoal models--one with just one door, and one with two doors...a separate little one at the bottom for the fire. I have the single-door, and I assume the double-door is better since you don't lose as much heat opening it to stoke the fire. The double-door is 65 bucks at Wal-Mart.

Also, these verticals don't require much fuel to get up to temp, although as said, they're not known for durability. Their door-latching design also leaves a lot to be desired, but for under a hundred bucks, what the heck.

J.M.W. · Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Posts: 14

Don't want to hijack Fenriswolf's thread, but I too have a question. Has anyone here had any experience with the electric Brinkman's? I have a neighbor in my building that swears by his, but I'm leary and haven't eaten off of his. I'm building a 500 gallon, but wouldn't mind having a smaller one to do a quick butt or two occasionally.

Thanks,
Justin

Ira · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

feldon30 · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

The electric is predictable, because it's basically an oven. You can get some smoke flavor, but getting a smoke ring is tricky. I ended up having to add a charcoal briquette or two and then laying some wood chips on top of that. If it's cold outside, you'll have a hard time keeping it over 225�F. I donated it to a friend who just wanted to do pulled pork.

Certainly no reason not to trust the product that comes out of an electric smoker, but it may not have the smoke flavor you're hoping for. Speaking of which I really need to change my avatar.
_________________
22" Weber Smokey Mountain + Weber Spirit

fenriswolf · Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: Ohio

Thanks for all the advice.
I am somewhat mechanically inclined, but i work a lot and I get very lazy when i get home. I think I would like a predictable unit. Does a ugly drum require welding? If so i can't do that. I actually saw the brinkman double door at wallyworld for 69 bucks today. Also I'm in Ohio, someone mentioned it was releveant.... Thanks for the help.

GeorgeH · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

An el cheapo electric CharBroil is what I started with. It beats fighting a fire to keep it going. The electric Brinkman does not have an adjustable heat control like the electric Charbroil does so I prefer the CharBroil. I have experience with both and the electric CharBroil is what I preffered. There are several now that have an adjustable heat control like the Meco that you can get on Amazon at a very good price right now ($75 + free shipping):

http://www.amazon.com/Meco-Electric-Grill-Combination-Smoker/dp/B0007XXNU4/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1302383568&sr=1-5

It is true that you won't get a smoke ring but it tastes the same so I don't worry about it.

I've just upgraded to an electric Masterbuilt model 20070710 that costs $300.

George

Ira · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

George--really? I didn't know you couldn't adjust the temps on that.

Bye-bye electric then--hello gas and coal again.

Ira · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

dmike25 · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

Jarhead · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject:

Here is the sticky for a build.
http://thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13224
I used 3/8" hog rings to build my baskets.
_________________
Gunny 3073/4044/8411

Jarhead's World Blog
KCBS CBJ & HMFIC Debbie's Q Shack

fenriswolf · Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: Ohio

I might be able to get a drum from work. I'm gonna ask tomorrow.

fenriswolf · Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 29 Location: Ohio

http://columbus.craigslist.org/for/2314913076.html
This is nearby, what do you guys think? 20$ for my first smoker?

online reviews don't look promising for this guy....