Wanting to get a smoker soon, need advice...

[Ruger-9mm]

My wife and I are set on getting a smoker soon, and want to get one big enough for some serious cuts of meat like ribs/brisket/pork shoulder etc. I've looked around the usual spots at them, and knew that the fine folks of INGO would help steer me in the right direction. I'm not above paying a few hundred for a good one as long as it lasts. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[EvilElmo]

It might be helpful if you provide some more information about what you're looking for, such as what type of heat source you want (wood, charcoal, propane, electric) and so on.

Having said that I went the electric route last year. It may not satisfy smoker purists but the set-it-and-forget-it aspect was too convenient to pass up:

Amazon.com: Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Electric Digital Smokehouse Smoker, Black: Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Mark-DuCo]

This is the one I have Masterbuilt Vertical Charcoal/Propane Gas Smoker-20050412 at The Home Depot and I love it. It is set and forget just like electric, but I can take it places like camping and places that don't have electricity. The dual doors allow me to add wood chips to the pan without losing all my heat in the cooking chamber. I have turned out some great que on it over the years.

For bigger cooks or competition, I use this bad boy

 

[Ruger-9mm]

It might be helpful if you provide some more information about what you're looking for, such as what type of heat source you want (wood, charcoal, propane, electric) and so on.

Having said that I went the electric route last year. It may not satisfy smoker purists but the set-it-and-forget-it aspect was too convenient to pass up:

Amazon.com: Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Electric Digital Smokehouse Smoker, Black: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I'm open to anything. I'm not afraid of offending any purists either, as long as my food comes out smokey! But I've seen Masterbuilt named twice so far, so I am thinking that their stuff is fairly reliable.

 

[steveh_131]

I built a drum smoker from a 55-gallon barrel.

Drum Smoker

I can't say enough good things about it.

If I hadn't built one, I would have gone with a 22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain. I like the price, size, portability, and charcoal efficiency. One basket of charcoal lasts around 30 hours or so for me.

 

[baddyna96]

This is what I use. Not too costly and does a great job.

Cabela's Premium Electric Smoker : Cabela's

 

[forgop]

I'm a weber smokey mountain fan for beginners.

 

[chezuki]

I built a drum smoker from a 55-gallon barrel.

Drum Smoker

I can't say enough good things about it.

If I hadn't built one, I would have gone with a 22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain. I like the price, size, portability, and charcoal efficiency. One basket of charcoal lasts around 30 hours or so for me.

It's no secret that Steve inspired my UDS build as well. That think pumped out a ton of great BBQ last summer and I have no doubt its about to do the same this year!

Brace yourselves for UDS porn...

 

[bobbittle]

Electric is the way to go. LP if you think you'll take it camping/etc.

 

[chezuki]

Electric is the way to go. LP if you think you'll take it camping/etc.

BLASPHEMY... on both counts!!!

Charcoal/hardwood is the way to go!

 

[Dudley]

First smoke on my new Weber 18.5" Smokey Mountain.... Did a bacon wrapped meatloaf and mushroom, onion and green pepper meat loaf.

 

[indyblue]

I've got a Meco electric water smoker similar to the Weber. Just plug it in, throw some wood chunks on the element and fill up the water pan.
I like mesquite for ribs/brisket, hickory for chicken, and apple for fish.

Just have to add a chunk or two throughout the day,otherwise it's plug-n-play.

Mmmmm...

View attachment 27412

 

[femurphy77]

BLASPHEMY... on both counts!!!

Charcoal/hardwood is the way to go!

Well played sir! Well played!

For the aspiring smoker: BBQ-BootcampCharcoal and More

Well worth the money and you get to eat GREAT bbq all weekend!

 

[bobbittle]

BLASPHEMY... on both counts!!!

Charcoal/hardwood is the way to go!

Too bad electric is easier and produces the same dang result. I'm not mad at anyone who prefers wood/charcoal, I'll just work smarter, not harder.

 

[chezuki]

Too bad electric is easier and produces the same dang result. I'm not mad at anyone who prefers wood/charcoal, I'll just work smarter, not harder.

If YOU can't tell the difference, then I guess it works for YOU. Carry on.

Me, I'll continue to to put out a little more effort and take pride in superior results.

 

[snapping turtle]

If you are a good weather 6-9 month a year smoker then any of the above will do for you. I use the same old one from a sale at bass pro shop many years ago slightly modified.

if you want to go 12 months a year then the "big green egg" comes to play. I do not own one but know a few who do.
Insulated shell holds in the heat when it is -6 and windy. Cook times always the same and holds at temp as well as any made but they should they are 4 times the price. My boss at work has two and smoked this winter on the coldest windy day we had just had to adjust the temp up a bit from normal setting. I have seen him do pork buts in the big one and bread in the
little one.

Tips i I did not know when I started. Meat does not take smoke when the temp (meat itself) rises over 130 degrees. Misquette wood is nasty for your health don't use it to smoke with. Hickory and apple cherry works best. Chunks work better than chips and quality coal is no cheap but works so much better u end up saving money over the cheap coals.

 

[jdmack79]

The Bradley digital smoker is a really nice electric smoker. It takes bisquettes that automatically feed and extinguish themselves. It is probably the easiest smoker to use that will provide such good results. Smokers, Meat Smokers, BBQ Smokers, Electric Smokers | Bradley Smoker

 

[Rookie]

Mesquite is all I use! Why is it bad for you?

OP, what's your budget?

 

[chezuki]

Mesquite is all I use! Why is it bad for you?

OP, what's your budget?

Supposedly there are some nasty chemicals in mesquite smoke, I'm not sure I buy it. I don't use it simply because I don't care for the flavor. I prefer Hickory or Oak.

 

[mrjarrell]

I use mesquite for smoking steaks, (so do a number of steakhouses). That's about the only meat I use it on. Never have heard anywhere that it's bad for you.

OP, as for smokers, all the ones mentioned are good. Surprised that none of the BGE crew have been in here to say you need a Big Green Egg (or one of the knockoffs).