Need a smoker recommendation

lisa b · Mar 5, 2015

Hello,

I want to get an electric smoker. I've never smoked before, although I do love eating other people's smoked meat.

At CostCo, they sell Traegers. I've also heard good things about Smokin It smokers and Cookshack smokers.

In addition to buying one for my own use, depending on what I hear, I will also contact the manufacturer and see if I can offer them on my website, http://vacuumsealersunlimited.com

I have a family of 6, so I don't need anything super huge for my personal use.

Thanks!

Lisa

aspenextreme · Mar 5, 2015

I think it all depends on your budget

frosty · Mar 5, 2015

Lisa, my Brother in law in Denver absolutely loves his Traeger. A lot of others here have Masterbuilt, and I had one for a good while, but they have had problems with wiring and overheating. Mine eventually burned up and I haven't replaced it.

Just think about what you and your family need, and then get the next size up from what you think you will need to have . I always have been to conservative and then wished for more.

Good luck with your selection!

bmaddox · Mar 5, 2015

Aspenextreme said:
I think it all depends on your budget

Yep. You can spend $200 or $2,000 so your budget will guide you.

old sarge · Mar 5, 2015

As others have said, budget will dictate what you buy. I will add that Cookshack, Smokin-it, and SmokinTex are all stainless in/out. Search them out on the SMF forums and visit their respective sites.

Rafter H BBQ · Mar 5, 2015

Hi Lisa,

Since you mentioned a pellet smoker, I have a GMG Daniel Boone pellet smoker & I really like it.

bregent · Mar 5, 2015

Lisa B said:
Hello,

I want to get an electric smoker. I've never smoked before, although I do love eating other people's smoked meat.

At CostCo, they sell Traegers. I've also heard good things about Smokin It smokers and Cookshack smokers.

In addition to buying one for my own use, depending on what I hear, I will also contact the manufacturer and see if I can offer them on my website, http://vacuumsealersunlimited.com

I have a family of 6, so I don't need anything super huge for my personal use.

Thanks!

Lisa

Hi Lisa, Traeger's are pellet smokers, not electric (they do use some electricity to run fan, controller, etc) . Essentially, all smokers use some type of wood to create smoke, but they differ in the type of fuel they use to generate heat. Most common heat sources are whole wood (sticks, logs), pellets, electric and gas. When folks talk about electric smokers, they're referring to those that use an electric element to heat the smoker. Each type has pros and cons. At this point I'd say don't pull the trigger on anything until learned a bit more about each type and figure out which fits you the best.

jted · Mar 6, 2015

Lisa B said:
Hello,

I want to get an electric smoker. I've never smoked before, although I do love eating other people's smoked meat.

At CostCo, they sell Traegers. I've also heard good things about Smokin It smokers and Cookshack smokers.

In addition to buying one for my own use, depending on what I hear, I will also contact the manufacturer and see if I can offer them on my website, http://vacuumsealersunlimited.com

I have a family of 6, so I don't need anything super huge for my personal use.

Thanks!

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

After you look around just bite the bullet and get a #3 SI It's large enough for a large family and with the 3 year warranty you are in good hands. Besides with your business you should be able to find a way to write some of it off. Sometimes treat taxes like smoked meat (creative).

Jted

aspenextreme · Mar 6, 2015

I am getting a smokin-it model 2 today and based on the reviews and quality i am going to be very happy.

jted · Mar 6, 2015

Aspenextreme said:
I am getting a smokin-it model 2 today and based on the reviews and quality i am going to be very happy.

Yes you are. Great quality, warranty and very customer oriented customer service. Jted

daricksta · Mar 6, 2015

I've seen the Traegers at Costco and I got to use one at a BBQ class I took last year. They're OK but they have some problems. You can't cold smoke with them since the electric heating element turns on with electric wood pellet loader. I'm not convinced they're that well-made either.

If you're on a budget, you couldn't go wrong with a 40-inch Masterbuilt Electric Digital Smokehouse. The original Generation One version's your best bet but I think the new Bluetooth model is also good. I own a MES 30 Gen 1 basic model and totally love it.

If you've a considerable budget for buying a smoker, you should check out the American-made Cookshack. A number of people like the Smokin-It units but if you can afford a Cookshack go with that.

Search

Search

Need a smoker recommendation

lisa b

Smoking Fanatic

aspenextreme

Newbie

frosty

Master of the Pit

bmaddox

Master of the Pit

old sarge

Master of the Pit

Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

bregent

Master of the Pit

jted

Smoking Fanatic

aspenextreme

Newbie

jted

Smoking Fanatic

daricksta

Master of the Pit

Similar threads

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Our Second piece of Heaven, Little piece on the Atlantic Ocean

How Do I Get Rid of These Armadillos?!!

Non fat dried milk

Getting to the bottom of what happens to cure in smoked sausage

Calling pity party of one….Pity party of one!