Smoker Recommendations

[MikeFishes]

I asked about this earlier and got some good suggestions in the mid to higher end of the cost spectrum. I wasn't able to convince the better half that getting a smoker was a good idea. Well, saturday we went out and got some pinks and my friend smoked 2 of mine for me. Well, when he brought them over yesterday, it did what I had hoped. She asked how much a smoker is.

So, now, I'm looking for a less expensive smoker. I'm trying to keep it down as low as I can go with good results. Any suggestions? I know that Brinmann has some good ones. The barrel smokers are very inexpensive and people seem to like them. But they also have these square ones. Gasand Charcoal. I'm thinking that with the gas version, you have better control over the heat (better for the inexperienced like me). Ideas?

I've also seen some by Little Chief that look OK and but have great reviews. Although, some mention that it doesn't "cook", so leads me to believe that the temp might be a little low. Anyone have experience with these?

I'll try to update my post with what people say below, just to make this a bit more reader friendly.

Edit (here's what I have so far, if I have something wrong, please call me out on it):
Brands:
Brinkmann
Masterbuilt
Bradley
Little Chief (made by Luhr Jensen) [store link]
Traeger Grills
Great Outdoors Grill Co. [store link]

Considerations:
Temprature Management: It seems to me that you need to have good control over the air intake and venting to be able to manage the temprature properly (being able to open and close the intake/vents).

At least with Brinkman's charcoal smoker I found that I had to stay constantly on top of the unit to keep an even temperature. Imagine that over a 6-8 hour smoke.

From some of the reviews I've read, some charcoal smokers have a problem burning the fuel properly. Modifications had to be made to this Brinkmann smoker to make it get to higher temps.

Smokers that are made out of thin materials with little insulation will likely make smoking times longer in colder seasons cause of the loss of heat.

One of the things I like about this one is that its sealed and insulated. Much better temp regulation on cold and windy days.

That of course, may not matter if you don't plan on smoking in the colder months. But from what I read, temprature regulation is key for smoking.

Fuel:
3 types of fuel: gas, charcoal, electric. Each has it's benefits.

Gas: Better temprature management, but might make it tough to get to the lower temps.

I DO really like the smoker - it is a great unit, but the one issue I have with it is keeping the temp low. It has 1 vent on top, and for instance last Saturday I did a batch and with the heat on the lowest setting and the door closed it was running about 200 degrees. I ended up fine tuning it with the propane bottle itself, turning it down to just a hair above off. That seemed to give me the 160 degrees I was looking for, but what a pain!

Charcoal: Tough to manage temprature (not sure about higher level smokers, is this really the case?)

Electric: Seems to be the best in temp management

[more to come as I read through all the material in the forums]

[Rich McVey]

Both of mine are electric. I really like the Masterbuilt. Automatic temp control. 100-275 range. 4 racks. $275.

One of the things I like about this one is that its sealed and insulated. Much better temp regulation on cold and windy days.

Check out the "Smoker" threads under "Culinary Delights - Fish Recipes" section of the forum. Lots of good info on people smokers, recipes and pics.

[The Quadfather]

Mike, I have the Brinkman electric which you spoke of. I too went into this wth starting with a lower priced unit. The Brinkman in my opinion will smoke food just fine during the summer months. Remember that you don't need much heat to smoke most food. However I find that if you want to smoke food during the colder months that this unit does have a harder time getting to and maintaining a temp. Part of that is I think because it sort of flimsy in design. There are a lot of gaps between the top piece and the smoker. It's think aluminum and easily bent. If it sits in a windy location, it will be hard. I did own the same Brinkman charcoal unit 2 years ago. I would completly stay away from that personally. At least with Brinkman's charcoal smoker I found that I had to stay constantly on top of the unit to keep an even temperature. Imagine that over a 6-8 hour smoke. Just keep feeding your wife smoked salmon from your friend.... eventually she will come around to http://www.bradleysmoker.com/ :chef: :chef:

[MikeFishes]

One of the things I like about this one is that its sealed and insulated. Much better temp regulation on cold and windy days.

That's the kind of insight I'm looking for. Great input. Something that definately needs to be considered.

I've been reading the smoker threads, some great input, I'll try to summarize in the first post of this thread as well.

[Gringo Pescador]

Mike,

My wife got me this one last year for my birthday http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=3342508

It is a great unit - and comes with 3 racks with a holder for a 4th. Yu could smoke up a ton of stuff in there t once if you wanted. I was convinced I wanted a gas smoker for the same as you - better temp adjustments (and the fact that I hate having extention cords running all over the place).

I DO really like the smoker - it is a great unit, but the one issue I have with it is keeping the temp low. It has 1 vent on top, and for instance last Saturday I did a batch and with the heat on the lowest setting and the door closed it was running about 200 degrees. I ended up fine tuning it with the propane bottle itself, turning it down to just a hair above off. That seemed to give me the 160 degrees I was looking for, but what a pain!

I am thinking about making a couple additional vents in it to better be able to adjust to those lower temps, and I have no worries at all about how the thing will perform in colder temps!

Hope this info helps!

[mlrodoni]

The Little Chiefs do what they're supposed to do. No frills and inexpensive.

[Toni]

I recommend a traeger grill. I use mine as a BBQ grill and a smoker. It is electric and uses wood pellets.

[MikeFishes]

I recommend a traeger grill. I use mine as a BBQ grill and a smoker. It is electric and uses wood pellets.

I was looking at the Traegers while Joes was still in operation. Those are a bit out of my range, but definately ones that I really liked. I liked how you could set it up with a digital temprature control, so you could set the temp and let it go. Also, the pellets were nice as well. Where do you get your pellets now that Joes is out of operation?

[MikeFishes]

Mike,

My wife got me this one last year for my birthday http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=3342508

It is a great unit - and comes with 3 racks with a holder for a 4th. Yu could smoke up a ton of stuff in there t once if you wanted. I was convinced I wanted a gas smoker for the same as you - better temp adjustments (and the fact that I hate having extention cords running all over the place).

I DO really like the smoker - it is a great unit, but the one issue I have with it is keeping the temp low. It has 1 vent on top, and for instance last Saturday I did a batch and with the heat on the lowest setting and the door closed it was running about 200 degrees. I ended up fine tuning it with the propane bottle itself, turning it down to just a hair above off. That seemed to give me the 160 degrees I was looking for, but what a pain!

I am thinking about making a couple additional vents in it to better be able to adjust to those lower temps, and I have no worries at all about how the thing will perform in colder temps!

Hope this info helps!

I was reading on some of the charcoal smokers that it's difficult to get the hotter temps because the charcoal wasn't burning very well. So they had to drill holes in the bottom of the charcoal pan to get the charcoal more air to get it to burn hotter and more completely.

[curado]

big cheif smokers by luhr are great my dad has one

[MikeFishes]

big cheif smokers by luhr are great my dad has one

How do the Big/Little Cheif smokers do in cold/wind? I know that those aren't exactly insulated (not sure that it matters to me though).

[Toni]

I recommend a traeger grill. I use mine as a BBQ grill and a smoker. It is electric and uses wood pellets.

I was looking at the Traegers while Joes was still in operation. Those are a bit out of my range, but definately ones that I really liked. I liked how you could set it up with a digital temprature control, so you could set the temp and let it go. Also, the pellets were nice as well. Where do you get your pellets now that Joes is out of operation?

Sportco

[Toni]

big cheif smokers by luhr are great my dad has one

How do the Big/Little Cheif smokers do in cold/wind? I know that those aren't exactly insulated (not sure that it matters to me though).

One winter it took me 3 days to smoke some king in a little chief. I use the Traeger in the winter and it takes longer but it is still hours. 12 at the most.

[Rich McVey]

big cheif smokers by luhr are great my dad has one

How do the Big/Little Cheif smokers do in cold/wind? I know that those aren't exactly insulated (not sure that it matters to me though).

One winter it took me 3 days to smoke some king in a little chief. I use the Traeger in the winter and it takes longer but it is still hours. 12 at the most.

With my Brinkman, I had to put it in a steel shed and close the doors when the wind, rain, and temp were not being agreeable.

[Rich McVey]

Well Crap. I have to add in a note about the Masterbuilt.

I put a ham in the smoker and came to work, the heating element burn out and I went home to a barely warm smoked peice of pork. Had to put it in the oven for a couple hours to finish it off.

I hope the repair is inexpensive.

[MikeFishes]

There's an insulating cover for the Little Chief/Big Cheif at Cabelas

[MikeFishes]

Well Crap. I have to add in a note about the Masterbuilt.

I put a ham in the smoker and came to work, the heating element burn out and I went home to a barely warm smoked peice of pork. Hat to put it in the oven for a couple hours to finish it off.

I hope the repair is inexpensive.

Reading the reviews at Cabelas, you should definately call Customer Service for Masterbuilt. Let us know.

[Rich McVey]

Thanks Mike, I'll be calling them as soon as they open.

Just to clarify, I got the 930 cu/in unit with the window. Paid $305 at Sams Club.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... 261519373a



UPDATE:

Called them, they said it sounds like the element. It comes with a 1 year warantee. Since I've had it less than a year it would be free to replace BUT... the element is a permanant part of the housing so I would get a new housing minus the door, control, racks, drip tray and pan.

If I cant prove Ive had it within the warantee period, its $89 + shipping.

[Maury]

SAM'S return policy:

* Our return / refund policy:

o 100% guarantee on merchandise and Membership.
o


o We will refund purchases in full with a receipt.

* No receipt:

o We will refund the purchase(s) at the last selling price with a shopping card.

* We want you to be 100% satisfied:

o We will refund your Membership in full.
o


o On or before the expiration date, if you are not completely satisfied.



looks like you can take it back to Sam's and exchange it for one that works.

[Rich McVey]

Yea, Sams is very good at that. We had to return a TV after 4 days with out a reciept, but it was on our club account so all was good.

Ive had this unit for 9 months and use it alot. My only issue with exchanging it is that they donot carry this all of the time so I would have to do a refund then go buy another at Cabelas or something.

Im going to do the things the customer support gal told me and then have them ship me a new box if it doesnt fix the issue.

BUT... if Sams has them in on Monday, I just may go that route.