If you could get any sub $1000 electric, what would you get?

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trip

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 25, 2015
17
10
I been reading a lot of old and new threads trying to decide what to get, different brands and such.  Reading about issues, troubles, positives, and negatives.  This has all left me really confused.  LOL!  Did my roll call thread, btw.

Before I started lurking this forum, I had my mind made up on a 30" MES RF Remote stainless steel, but after coming here I am envisioning maybe a 40" MES Bluetooth and getting an amnps.

So I kinda want to see what you veterans would do right now if you had a $1000 total budget, what smoker would you get and what accessories/mods would you do to it right away if you were starting from scratch as a noob.
 
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My $.02...with a $1k budget, I'm going with a Cookshack - either a SM009 or a SM025, depending on what I plan on smoking regularly. If you went with the 009 model, you'd have some room to grab a nice cover and some other accessories. Cookshack's are constructed very well and are, in my opinion, the top of the line electric smoker. No mods needed, it's pretty much set and forget. The product is made in America and all customer support comes from their home base in Oklahoma.
 
brisket, chicken, turkey, ribs, ham would be my regular smoking options
 
Since I don't know enough about the New MES Gen #2.5 yet:

With $1000 I would buy an All Stainless Steel MES 40 Gen #1, with remote control & glass window in the door, just like I have for 5 years now, and I'd buy the AMNPS to give me 11 hours of perfect smoke without touching it.

Then I would use the other $600 for a whole bunch of meat to smoke in it.

Bear
 
Without a doubt, Cookshack.  I have two, 009-02 and a 066.  Buy the best you can afford and be done with it.

 They are electrically efficient, use very little wood, no mods needed and will last a lifetime, period.

Tom
 
Cookshack. If I did not want integrated digital then Smokin-it. I have the Cookshack and no problems. All digital and worth the premium price.
 
First, admitting that I own a MES 30 Gen 1, from my research if I had $1000 to spend on a smoker I'd go with a Cookshack. It's all stainless steel, American-made, and a great smoker. I bought the MES 30 because I didn't have anywhere near a grand to spend and the MES was the best electric smoker at its price point.
 
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Hmm you guys definitely got me thinking about the sm025
 
You can always inquire about a returned/refurbished unit from CS. You might be able to get a larger unit that fits your budget, or save money on the SM025, if they have any returns . They do come with a 'new' smoker warranty. Worth asking about. 
 
Definitely will keep ya'll updated, really starting to look into the SM025.  Would like to get at least the size of the SM045 though...  Been talking to sarge some through PMs, he has been extremely helpful on some opportunities that I didn't really think to consider.  Really glad I joined up and posted, you guys have been extremely helpful and I appreciate the words of wisdom.

Kinda starting to look at the issues with running a SI3 and rigging my own PID controller.  I am an EE by trade, so this would be right up my alley for a fun project to rig it up myself, but then again I have a new child and kinda want to just smoke food instead of fiddling with the controller, which is why the CS looks great.  Kinda irks me though that they don't come with SS racks for something that pricey. 

Pretty much ruled out a MES at this point which is what I had originally intended to buy.
 
Definitely will keep ya'll updated, really starting to look into the SM025.  Would like to get at least the size of the SM045 though...  Been talking to sarge some through PMs, he has been extremely helpful on some opportunities that I didn't really think to consider.  Really glad I joined up and posted, you guys have been extremely helpful and I appreciate the words of wisdom.





Kinda starting to look at the issues with running a SI3 and rigging my own PID controller.  I am an EE by trade, so this would be right up my alley for a fun project to rig it up myself, but then again I have a new child and kinda want to just smoke food instead of fiddling with the controller, which is why the CS looks great.  Kinda irks me though that they don't come with SS racks for something that pricey. 





Pretty much ruled out a MES at this point which is what I had originally intended to buy.

Trip,

If you think about the SI 3. Look at a AUBER PID they are Plug and play with the SI 3. The MES units need to be wired . I have one on my MES30. I like the pinpoint temps I don't think it is actually needed for most smokes but for others it is nice to have 6 programmable settings. The SI 3, shipping and the AUBER will use most of your budget. You will have a great well built smoker with a 3 year warranty. Jted
 
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Glad to hear you're considering a Cookshack. I actually found mine on Craigslist. Now that I have one, I won't consider anything else - I'm looking for a larger unit, but happy with the performance of the one I have. The one thing I've learned is that Cookshack smokers are really efficient - both from an electricity standpoint and from a wood standpoint. It took me a few times to dial in the size/number of wood chunks to use, but after that, it has been a no hassle experience. 

Keep us updated on what you end up going with!
 
Yeah jted, the auber was one thing that me and sarge were discussing. I think I got it narrowed down to the si3 with either an auber or build my own pid or the sm025/sm045 if I can't get my budget increased or sneak buy it lol.
 
You really cannot go wrong with either company's smoker. It is a matter of budget and peace in the family. Generally speaking, the first meal is a trial run and the second meal erases any memory of what the smoker cost. 
 
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Yeah jted, the auber was one thing that me and sarge were discussing. I think I got it narrowed down to the si3 with either an auber or build my own pid or the sm025/sm045 if I can't get my budget increased or sneak buy it lol.
Many of us buy an entry level smoker because it's what we can afford and we also don't want to spend too much money before we find out if we really like using a smoker and are any good at it. Since, you've got the cash you can afford to go way above entry level and get a smoker that will last you years and years.

Besides, between old sarge and jted you've got two advisers who can help make sure that you set yourself up for success and, more importantly, years of smoking fun. Because at its core, home smoking should be fun.

Now, when are buying a Maverick ET-733?
 
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