Good starter smoker

falloutrey · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 7

I think Im ready to transition from smoking on a gas grill to an actual smoker. Whats a good one to start with? Hows this: ($100 @ sportsauthority)

I'd be willing to spend 150 bucks. I could probably get my parents to pay for half so maybe even 200 bucks. What are some options?

*Sorry if this has been beat to death!
_________________
16 year old New Yorker trying to learn to cook Southern BBQ

romex2121 · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

i seen one like that at wal-mart a couple days ago,man that thing is tiny Shocked

if it were me i might check out a brinkman snp pro if you can find one
with a few mods they can cook well ,,i think with something that small
you may have more problems than what its worth, id hate to see your outlook on low and slow be ruined because of a smoker that cant perform
thats just my opinon ,,just hang lose the big guns will be able to help you
more than i can Very Happy

_________________
a dime is a dollar with the taxes taken out

zilla · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

Roxy smoked on one of those for quite a while with great success. He went with a larger Chargriller late last year. I think Chargriller is probably the nicest stamped offset on the market right now with Cast Iron grates and all. Or you could go with a WSM for $200.00 if your parental units will go for half. I think thats a great way to start out. The Chargriller Smokin Pro $180.00, or the WSM $200.00 would be my recommendation.
_________________
Zilla

GIANT BBQ

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

I agree with zilla, but if your looking for an offset, I'll also add the Bar-B-Chef into the mix. It's more expensive, but it's a much heavier steel and has most of the recommended mods already complete from the factory.

If you decide on a Char-Griller, buy the Smokin' Pro model so you get the Side Fire Box included and don't have to try to get the "knock-outs" out. They aren't really knock-outs, just a simple guide for where you need to cut them out with a jigsaw. Even the little U-shaped knock-out for the rotisserie were a bear to get out without bending the rest of the metal out of shape.

I think the WSM would be a more efficient smoker, but your limited to a 22-1/2" diameter. The Char-griller is a much more flexible unit. You can smoke, grill, and run a rotisserie in it, hence why I bought one for my first "real" smoker. Mine was $150 plus tax at a local farm supply store for the Smokin' Pro.
_________________
My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

skybob · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

I'd have to vote for the WSM. Everyone that has one of those just love'em. Seem to be very easy to use and cooks with very predictable results. Check your ACE Hardware store for sales on them.

falloutrey · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Im liking the Chargriller Smoking Pro right now. It looks more like a "smoker" then the WSM and I kinda like that.
_________________
16 year old New Yorker trying to learn to cook Southern BBQ

skybob · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

Well, good luck with it. Just look it over good, check out the mods that are for it and smoke away. Nothing like becoming one of the younger BBQ chefs going. Maybe they will have a youth challenger on the BBQ Championships.
Get to smok'n.

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

The Char-Griller looks more like a side firebox smoker... The WSM is a vertical smoker. The WSM will be easier to get consistent results with and will perform better in colder conditions.

I have a Weber kettle and I've loved it. I've added wood chips to flavor my grill sessions every time I've grilled for the past 7 years. My only complaint with the Weber is it's limited surface area. Sure, the WSM has multiple racks, but they are still limited to a piece of meat that is only 22" long or less. A big Prime Rib could be 30" long...
_________________
My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

roxy · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

They are not a bad little cooker but they do take a bit ot tweaking to get it to work properly. For the money you are spending I would suggest you go with a Chargriller or the WSM. You will find that the cooker you posted is rather small and is fine to start with but you will find that before long you will want more cooking area. My advice is to go with a larger cooker right off. For a few dollars more you can get a better cooker with way more grill space.
_________________
Chargriller Akorn
WSM
LIAR #100
_________________
Do not rely on a rabbits foot for luck, it did not work out too well for the rabbit...

BBQMAN · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

For a young guy just setting out, get the Weber. They produce great results for both pro's and novices alike. You will get frustrated with a small offset as a first smoker, unless you really want the adventure of doing ALL the mods suggested here at the forum.

If you really just have to have the offset, consider getting an afterburner or something similar to go with it. The offset does have a slightly larger capacity, and is easier to cook full sized briskets, turkeys, etc. Temp control is tricky however. I also agree with Roxy, get the bigger unit.

Best of luck with whatever you decide on! Very Happy

As Roxy would say Luck= Laboring Under Correct Knowledge
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

mding38926 · Posted: Jan 23 2007 Post subject:

My 2 cents:

I prefer the Bar-B-Chef over the Chargriller because as Boilermaker Fan stated, it is a heavier steel and the modifications were made in the factory. I own one and have found the temperatures very easy to control. It is more expensive than you were looking at in your high zone so.....that being said I would seriously consider the Weber. It is alot more portable than an off-set and is used by everyone from pros to beginners. Another huge plus for the Weber is the fact that you can get 10-12+ hours at temperature from one load of charcoal.
_________________
Dinger

Mark H · BBQ Fan Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 200

I have one of those little American Gourmets like the one pictured. I still use it quite a bit when I only cook for the family.
I have to say I got my moneys worth out of it, and it's still going.

The nice thing about it is it doesn't require a lot of charcoal to cook, because it's so small. Lately, I've been trying to learn fire management with it, (it's cold here in Wisconsin right now) using hickory. From my experience, you will probably buy a bigger cooker eventually, but if you have your eye on an offset years from now, this is a good way to start. It seems what I learned on this cooker I can use on my bigger pit.

The other guys are right about the WSM's, but I've always fancied myself a stick burner in training. I still have a long way to go, but I am having the time of my life.
Mark H

adolpho · Posted: Jan 24 2007 Post subject:

If you want to be a stick burner or don't mind tending the pit every 30 minutes to 2 hours, than an offset is fine. I have the Charbroil American which is like the small one pictured. It was an ok smoker and does use less charcoal. I also have a WSM and it is awesome. Once you have the temp set, you don't have to mess with it for hours. I crack up when posters say it has limited space. With inovation, it has plenty of space. Someone showed a way to make a large brisket fit by putting it on top of a can. Also, I once made a large 16lb brisket snug into the top of the cooker and half way through the cook it had shrunk to where it wasn't snugged anymore. I've cooked 5 pork butts in it and 8 whole chickens on another occasion. It has plenty of room. It is a very user-friendly smoker and a good investment.
_________________
"Tag line? We don't need no stinkin' tag line!"

bigabyte · Posted: Jan 24 2007 Post subject:

Right on with the WSM or a $150 offset (Brinkmann, Charbroil, Chargriller, etc...). You can find a WSM on sale for around $200 no problem. It all comes down to what you want to spend really. You can do good with any of those units. I will say the WSM is easier to use, but I also own a Brinkmann SNP offset that I still love to this day. More mods are needed on the offsets than the WSM. The water pan that comes with the WSM is NOT RIGHT and NEEDS to be replaced by a Brinkmann pan. This is non-negotiable. Once you get that $5 pan however (and maybe some sand) you are good to go. For the offsets...lots of mods available, find the one(s) that work best for you.
_________________
--Chris Baker
--Mad BBQ Scientist
--When my lab fills with smoke, that means it's working!

robd · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 4

Hey!!! I'm getting a little offended here with everyone calling my WSM a "starter" smoker!!! LOL I love that thing. If you're making pulled pork or doing other long cooks it's great.

Also, if/when you replace the water pan be sure to buy the Brinkman Charcoal pan NOT the Brinkman water pan. I bought a BBQ guru so the pan became a non-issue.

bigabyte · Posted: Jan 24 2007 Post subject:

About the pan...what rob said! I guess I forgot that it was the charcoal pan and not the water pan. BIG difference! Embarassed

_________________
--Chris Baker
--Mad BBQ Scientist
--When my lab fills with smoke, that means it's working!

BBQMAN · Posted: Jan 24 2007 Post subject:

Underdog · Newbie Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 57

falloutrey · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 7

After much consideration, Im gonna go with a WSM. I've never cooked with charcoal before and it'll probably be easier for me to learn to control temps with something like this. And hey, if competition cooks use it it must be great!
_________________
16 year old New Yorker trying to learn to cook Southern BBQ

romex2121 · Posted: Jan 24 2007 Post subject:

your gonna do just fine Very Happy

!!!!!
_________________
a dime is a dollar with the taxes taken out