Smoker

[PaBeerGuy]

I'm thinking about getting into the art of smoking meats. The units run the gamut from $50 on up to a couple thousand. Don't want to get carried away, just looking for a reliable unit that will produce decent quality smoked meats and fish. Where's a good place to start?

[PAFireGuy]

I have an un-insulated electric Brinkman smoker. This is the model most department stores are selling. It does not get hot enough to fully cure the meat. I have to finish most everything in the oven. It seems to work ok in the summer to smoke small trout. I would not recommend this smoker.

[tropics]

PM sent

[deyankeeclipper]

So...... This would be considered overkill? ...LOL
1000 gallon propane tank.
15 foot boat trailer
Does 17 Turkeys at a time
100% Wood Fired....
Holds 275 degrees in 30 mile per hour winds and 17 degrees outside....
Yes will be loaded up making Christmas Dinner for many families in a couple weeks.....
Oh yeah and food for our Tog trip on Fish Stix the 27 of Dec!

I tow this every where...
Home built and works awesome!

[deyankeeclipper]

Another pic

[deyankeeclipper]

One last pic... I could not get it to load all three together?

[AquaDawg]

Originally Posted by PaBeerGuy

I'm thinking about getting into the art of smoking meats. The units run the gamut from $50 on up to a couple thousand. Don't want to get carried away, just looking for a reliable unit that will produce decent quality smoked meats and fish. Where's a good place to start?

I have 2 smokers, one of which I made based on the 18.5 Weber Bullet Smoker and 14 " I made. Have had both for about 3-4 years now. You cay but the Weber 18.5" Bullet for about $349. Thats what I paid. I built the smaller 14.5" smoker using a Weber smokey joe charcoal grill parts, a 14" soup pot from walgreens and miscellaneous items (thermometer from Ebay , nuts and bolts#. The total cost to build the 14" was $98. Either one will easily fit a small turkey #cooks in just 2.5 hours also). I like the smaller smoker to take to work, the shop or a weekend getaway.

Last year, Weber starting selling a 14" version and I belive it goes for $199. You can check home depot or online. You can make your own or buy one. They also make a 22" version but I odnt think it cooks as well as the 18" smoker. Unless you want to spend thousands on a smoker like a TRAEGER, which are very popular in the mid-west and west coast, the Weber bullet is the best choice. As far as I know it is the best smoker you can get for under $350

Attached is a photo of my 18.5 " and and 14".

[bigfishy]

Originally Posted by deyankeeclipper

So...... This would be considered overkill? ...LOL
1000 gallon propane tank.
15 foot boat trailer
Does 17 Turkeys at a time
100% Wood Fired....
Holds 275 degrees in 30 mile per hour winds and 17 degrees outside....
Yes will be loaded up making Christmas Dinner for many families in a couple weeks.....
Oh yeah and food for our Tog trip on Fish Stix the 27 of Dec!

I tow this every where...
Home built and works awesome!

That looks AWESOME!!!!
Looks like it could double as a submarine

[Almaink]

I also have an electric Brinkman smoker that I love. It gets plenty hot enough, in fact sometimes to hot. If you use an extension cord make sure it's a good one at lest 14/3, 12/3 is better. When I first got the smoker I used a regular 100' orange cord and I couldn't get the heat above 150. If you get one I recommend you also get a good digital thermometer. Knowing the internal temperatures is very important and having to open the smoker all the time to check wastes smoke and heat.

[tropics]

Originally Posted by Almaink

I also have an electric Brinkman smoker that I love. It gets plenty hot enough, in fact sometimes to hot. If you use an extension cord make sure it's a good one at lest 14/3, 12/3 is better. When I first got the smoker I used a regular 100' orange cord and I couldn't get the heat above 150. If you get one I recommend you also get a good digital thermometer. Knowing the internal temperatures is very important and having to open the smoker all the time to check wastes smoke and heat.

X2 on that but I like using 2 one for the meat the other for the smoker. I have a electric, it can be used as a cold smoker also.