Best Propane Smoker Under $200ish?

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jpdeuce

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 3, 2010
28
10
Fellas, been lurking for a bit and read through my 5 day subscription to the newsletter.  I purchased my first smoker, a $150 Char-Broil from Walmart recently and was not impressed.  The door never sealed properly (large gap allowing smoke and heat out) and I had Char-Broil ship me a new door under warranty.  The new door won't even close...at all...it's not the right size.  So I boxed it up and will be taking it back.

A buddy at work has done fine with a Brinkmann he purchased at Home Depot and is pointing me that direction.  I've seen a few others mentioned here as well.

I've got a big party to smoke for next Sunday.  I need to get a smoker soon and be ready to go.  I'd like to keep it in the $200 and under range, but could be convinced to go a touch higher if it made sense.  I was a little surprised not to see a review thread stickied at the top of this section of the forum, so I thought I would just ask in a new thread.

I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks

JP
 
I started out with the GOSM small version.  Great smoker that got me started.  I'd get the biggest version I could find/afford.  Its worth it. 
 
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I started out with the GOSM small version.  Great smoker that got me started.  I'd get the biggest version I could find/afford.  Its worth it. 
Thanks.  I would guess that most of my smoking will be one brisket at a time, or one pork shoulder/butt at a time.  I won't be doing a lot of LARGE party food supply events or anything.  It will mainly be the family and some neighbors.  I think/hope the small one will last me a while.  The Char-Broil I got seemed plenty big for anything I would be doing in the short term.

If I get more into it and find myself doing this a lot more...then I would spend the money and get something solid going forward.
 
 
Definitely go with a big version of whatever.  I have the 24" Smoke Vault and couldn't imagine what I would do with anything smaller.
 
Quote:
Just got mine a few weeks ago and I couldn't agree more

JP here is a blog that may help you make a decision.

GOSM Big Block
 
Thanks.  It looks like the Bass Pro link above is not the Big Block. 

Anyone know a good place to buy the Big Block version?
 
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I would go with the GOSM for now and if you still like smoking you can always graduate to the Smoke Vault 24". That's what I did and the gosm is a good smoker and let me tell you I almost worn one out but I smoked alot for the first year or two. Now I have slowed down and I only smoke maybe twice a week now. But I still use the gosm for my smaller stuff. I also use it for low temp smoking for bacon and sausages.
 
Thanks for all the great input.  Since I'm new, my comments keep getting held up for moderation, so I'm sure they will all post at once soon.  Now that we are focused on the GOSM...where do I find the Big Block?  In the blog above it gives a model 3605 for it, but that search doesn't come up with anything.  Everyone has the 3405 on their website, but some use a picture with the turn style ignitor and some show the push button ignitor (which the blog above says is a difference in the BB and the 3405).  So, did they change them all to push button, or how can I tell the difference in the BB and the smaller version?

Thanks again

JP
 
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The model your looking for is 3605BGD and GOSM's are now made by Landmann USA. I also think if you check the model number on the one that I linked to above you'll find thats it
 
The Big Block is much wider.............something like 24 inches wide (inside width) and can fit a full packer. The smaller version is about 16 inches wide.

I'd spend the extra money for the Big Block.
 
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The model your looking for is 3605BGD and GOSM's are now made by Landmann USA. I also think if you check the model number on the one that I linked to above you'll find thats it
The pictures they have posted with the one you linked had me confused, so I chatted with their customer support about it and it looks like you are right.  I just couldn't find anyone selling the product under that model number.  Here's the chat with Bass Pro live support:
Message.gif
 Stephen: Hi, my name is Stephen. How may I help you?
Message.gif
 JP: I need the manufacturers model number for Item #38-688-773-12, please.
Message.gif
 Stephen: This model number is 3605BGD.
Message.gif
 JP: ok good, that's what i was hoping
Message.gif
 JP: you should know that one of the pictures for this item on your website is not correct
Message.gif
 JP: it makes it confusing
Message.gif
 JP: this product has a push button ignition and it's pictured as a rotary ignition (which is the smaller model)
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 Stephen: Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention!
Message.gif
 Stephen: Is there anything else that I can assist you with today?
Message.gif
 JP: nope, thanks
Message.gif
 Stephen: Thank you for contacting Bass Pro Shops. Have a great evening!
 
The gosm on bass pro shows 2 models for the same model number, If you look closely you will see the picture with thE door closed has a push button igniter, the one with the door open has a rotary igniter.

I confirmed with Landman and Bass pro that the model is the 3605BGD, so I ordered one and it is indeed the Big Block (3605BGD)

Here are the specs for the 3605BGD

Premium features include:
  • Easy Access Door
  • Cool grip wire handles
  • 4 cooking grates
  • Push Button ignition
  • Porcelain coated steel water pan
  • Cast Iron Chip box
  • Dimension: 21" x 21" x 45.2"
  • Weight: 63 lbs. (this is wrong it is 91lbs)
  • Cooking Area: 1257 sq. inches
I had a very similar Live Chat like JP about this product.

Here is a link to some notes I put on a blog

3605BGD BLOG

I had told Landman and Bass Pro of the discrepancies and both thanked me and said they would take care of it.

Bass Pro 3605BGD

3605BGD at Landman's Site

adc400ef_3605BGDside-open%20600.jpg


5efabc17_3605BGD%20side-closed%20600.jpg


3605BGD above

Note the side vents, push button igniter bottom drip pan and deflectors, slide out chip box and the 4th rack on the above model.

not to be confused with model # 3405BGW below

Premium features include:
  • Easy Access Door
  • Cool grip wire handles
  • 3 cooking grates
  • Rotary Knob ignition
  • Porcelain coated steel water pan
  • Cast Iron Chip box
  • Dimensions: 18" x 25" x 43.2" think this is wrong also
  • Weight: 58 lbs.think this is wrong also
no drip pan, only 1 vent only 3 racks rotary igniter, no slide out chip box

bfda85eb_3405BGW%20Side-closed%20600.jpg


4743972e_3405BGW%20Side-open%20600.jpg


Bottom line is for 200.00 The 3605BGD at Bass Pro is a worthwhile investment.
 
Thanks.  I'm picking mine up tomorrow from Bass Pro.

I heard there was a version out there with 2 drawers instead of one big door...anyone know if that is true?
 
The two door model is 30405GLA and is smaller than the unit you are looking at. I'm looking forward to a trip to Bass Pro in the near future to pick up one of the 3605BGD's myself. Heres a link to Landmann's site and you can see all the different models

http://www.landmann-usa.com/dashboard/landmann-smokers.aspx
 
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