OK folks, I need your recommendations! I have been using a Big Green Egg for almost 20 years, but it definitely has its drawbacks in the ease-of-use category. I've been following this string about Smokin-It smokers, and have been considering buying a #1. It's my birthday in a couple weeks, and I could definitely talk my family into giving me the gift of some cash. I also have a $200 gift card I got from AT&T for switching from Comcast to U-verse (more on that in a minute) so all combined, I should be able to swing this!
So, what's the verdict? Does everyone like their Smokin-It smokers? Any failures or negatives you want to share?? Anyone who bought the #1 who now wishes they had purchased the #2? This will be my first, and most likely only, electric smoker, and this sure looks like the right product at the right price, but I would really like to hear from hands-on users that are on this forum. My birthday is in two weeks, so y'all have plenty of time to think about your response!
As for Comcast vs. U-verse, in retrospect the decision was smarter than I would have thought at the time. More stations, especially in HD, and a much more stable Internet signal. While Internet speed was 25 mbs with Comcast, it would stutter and slow down when the usage in the neighborhood was the greatest, e.g., night time. We'd often have to wait for a movie to cache in the middle of watching it. With U-verse, my Internet is a bit slower (18 mps) but it is all mine, and I have no problems with streaming anything. And it's less expensive to boot, even after the promotional pricing ends.
So let me know what you think: thumbs up or thumbs down on the Smokin-It #1.
In advance, thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond! Now I'm off to smoke some freshly caught kingfish in my BGE!