Ok you pork smokers, I need help again

adrock1978

adrock1978

Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
2,538
I have the grill of my dreams, but now I'd like to explore the world of smokers. I won't be making my own, so lets not go there. I dont have much of a budget so I'm interested in knowing what the most important features are whether its a $100 smoker or a $500 smoker. Suggestions, brands, models and maybe some prices would be appreciated.

As a thank you, I present you with Bacon Explosion

Bacon Explosion
 
Pricey, but great.

http://www.biggreenegg.com/


big_green_egg2.jpg


Made me kind of mad at myself for using a gas grill for years. Never, ever, ever again.

Best thing about it is that it is an grill, smoker, and brick oven...all in one. Ive made all kinds of things in it, and never been disappointed. You can even use it to cook pizza and bake bread.

They retain heat very, very well too. I can usually keep it at 225 degrees while smoking for 6 hours or more, and never have to mess with the charcoal or chips, and still have probably half the charcoal left to use while grilling or whatever next time.
 
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Tripton said:
Pricey, but great.

http://www.biggreenegg.com/


big_green_egg2.jpg


Made me kind of mad at myself for using a gas grill for years. Never, ever, ever again.

Best thing about it is that it is an grill, smoker, and brick oven...all in one. Ive made all kinds of things in it, and never been disappointed. You can even use it to cook pizza and bake bread.

They retain heat very, very well too. I can usually keep it at 225 degrees while smoking for 6 hours or more, and never have to mess with the charcoal or chips, and still have probably half the charcoal left to use while grilling or whatever next time.
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I went to their website. It looks top notch. What's "pricey" though?
 
I have a chargriller with a side firebox. It works, but I wish I had gotton something else. It had alot of gaps I had to fill with high temp RTV, especially around the lid. It was an easy fix that I'm fine with. The steel they use is a bit on the thin side, so it doesn't maintain temperature well. You really have to babysit this thing. With all that said I still use mine, ALOT! If I were doing it again I would get something that was heavier gauge steel, or go electric. You can set the temperature on the electric ones and walk away.

If money wasn't an issue, I would go for The Big Green Egg.
http://www.biggreenegg.com/
 
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I bought a $60 Brinkman to see if I liked smoking.
I didn't want to start expensive and end up not using it.
So far it's a hit:D:thumbup:
 
I know that you said you did not want to build your own, but in a couple hours you could build a UDS. Ugly Drum Smoker. Don`t let the name fool you. I built mine in about 3 hrs and man smoking is a breeze. I have owned many smokers and I like the UDS the best. When you are done smoking shut it down and have coals for the next cook.

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13224

mods if linking is not allowed please remove.
 
amflud said:
Y'all beat me to the egg.
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Thats two for the big green egg... I see a have a dealer right in my town. What do they go for?


steelnut said:
I bought a $60 Brinkman to see if I liked smoking.
I didn't want to start expensive and end up not using it.
So far it's a hit:D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Steely, which one did you get? The charcoal barrel shaped one? Home depot has several models. The have a red electric vertical one that looks decent. I'm in the same boat. I want to try it out without jumping in with both feet.
 
Big Bo said:
I know that you said you did not want to build your own, but in a couple hours you could build a UDS. Ugly Drum Smoker. Don`t let the name fool you. I built mine in about 3 hrs and man smoking is a breeze. I have owned many smokers and I like the UDS the best. When you are done smoking shut it down and have coals for the next cook.

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13224

mods if linking is not allowed please remove.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't mind building my own but sometimes my projects get abandoned if I cant get all the supplies or the time needed. Its easier to just buy one. I'd consider it though. Is your smoker one of the ones shown in that link?
 
amflud said:
I have a chargriller with a side firebox. It works, but I wish I had gotton something else. It had alot of gaps I had to fill with high temp RTV, especially around the lid. It was an easy fix that I'm fine with. The steel they use is a bit on the thin side, so it doesn't maintain temperature well. You really have to babysit this thing. With all that said I still use mine, ALOT! If I were doing it again I would get something that was heavier gauge steel, or go electric. You can set the temperature on the electric ones and walk away.

If money wasn't an issue, I would go for The Big Green Egg.
http://www.biggreenegg.com/
Click to expand...

I agree amflud but for a budget/starter smoker it is hard to beat. :thumbup: I also like to play with my Lang 84. They are expensive but a lot cheaper than some. We do a lot of customer outings and this one will feed a crowd.
http://www.pigroast.com/
 
adrock1978 said:
Thats two for the big green egg... I see a have a dealer right in my town. What do they go for?
Click to expand...



I would never get anything smaller than a large (which is what I have) and the Egg itself is around $700. Its about perfect sized for me, but I wouldnt mind having the XL for when I am smoking ribs. As soon as the word gets out on how great your ribs are...its almost like people can smell them when they are on and before you know it you are feeding a buttload of people. I have no problems getting 6 full big racks of babybacks on mine, so thats enough for 10 people or so. (or 5 people like me.) Could probably cram a few more in there too.

Of course, if you want the steel "nest" with wheels...its another $120. The shelves are around $120 as well. Of course, you can make a table (or buy one) to put it in as well, or just set it on the ground.

To smoke, you need a "plate setter" to get the indirect heat, and it runs around $35.
 
chickenplucker said:
I agree amflud but for a budget/starter smoker it is hard to beat. :thumbup: I also like to play with my Lang 84. They are expensive but a lot cheaper than some. We do a lot of customer outings and this one will feed a crowd.
http://www.pigroast.com/
Click to expand...

I was just introduced to the Lang smokers 3 weeks ago. A friend smoked a pig at his housewarming party.

MY GOD was it good. Maybe it was the pig that they killed the night before, maybe it was the southern Iowa hickory, maybe it was the guy that watched that smoker for 10 hours...I dont know...but it was unbelievable.
 
chickenplucker said:
I agree amflud but for a budget/starter smoker it is hard to beat. :thumbup: I also like to play with my Lang 84. They are expensive but a lot cheaper than some. We do a lot of customer outings and this one will feed a crowd.
http://www.pigroast.com/
Click to expand...
It IS a good starter grill/smoker. I still use mine a bunch, the RTV fixed most of my heating issues. It's just a hindsight thing. I'm gonna check out your forum link.
 
Tripton said:
I was just introduced to the Lang smokers 3 weeks ago. A friend smoked a pig at his housewarming party.

MY GOD was it good. Maybe it was the pig that they killed the night before, maybe it was the southern Iowa hickory, maybe it was the guy that watched that smoker for 10 hours...I dont know...but it was unbelievable.
Click to expand...

Pig pickins are a lot of fun especially if you have a Busse to dig out that tenderloin.:eek:
 
Hahaha. You guys are killing me. "Starts at $700" is a bit much for me. And the smallest Lang is $1500. The Chargrillers look decent for what I'm looking to get into.
 
I'm with Steelnut on the Brinkman. It's cheap and works great. I've used hickory, oak, apple, cherry, pecan & maple woods with success. Adding spices to the water pan can make a difference too.
 
mhawg said:
I'm with Steelnut on the Brinkman. It's cheap and works great. I've used hickory, oak, apple, cherry, pecan & maple woods with success. Adding spices to the water pan can make a difference too.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Excellent input. Now I'm leaning towards the brinkmann. Do you guys have a charcoal version or the electric?
 
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