Beginner Smoker needs help

[everchris]

Hey everyone,

I am a year into smoking meat and I love it!

My wife and kids bought me a beginner New Braunfels smoker  for Father's Day last year and I'm so hooked! My wife asked me if I would like a "better" smoker for Father's Day this year and I'm trying to do research on it.

I like the offset smoker, but I'm finding them to be really expensive. I have a cousin who recommended the Webber Bullet, but it's not offset.

Help please :)

 

[venture]

Short term decision on a long term project.  Opt for a gift certificate until you have spent more time on SMF with all these wonderful people.

Happy Fathers Day.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[adiochiro3]

Venture X2.

Get good with what you have and spend some time around here before spending more. Is your current NB an offset? They do burn fuel, but if you are creative, you can find fruit and nut wood prunings & firewood cheap or even free. And them there's accessories and modifications which will make your rig more efficient and effective.

And welcome to the SMF family!

 

[everchris]

And them there's accessories and modifications which will make your rig more efficient and effective.
 

I'm really happy with my 79.00 smoker, it's just that I want more surface area. Academy Sports has a Char-Broil Wild West Tradition Offset Smoker. That is about $300.00.

Any thought s on this smoker?

 

[ecto1]

I think you will be happy with what ever you get.  Two questions are you dead set against the Weber Smoky Mountain?  How much food do you anticipate cooking?  I personaly like cooking on UDS smokers and the Weber Bullets are the same concept.  I have cooked on offsets before so can give you pros and cons of each.  What is your budget as well I don't know it that charBroil is that much better than your New Bransfuls you currently have.  Well I know it is better constructed and bigger but that may be it. Confused yet?

 

[everchris]

Yep :)

Like I said, I've only been doing this for about a year. I have heard good things about the Weber Smoky Mountain, but I really like having the firebox on the side.

What is a UDS smoker?

I really am just looking for something with a bigger surface area to cook with.  In the near future I'm looking to do some gathering events and would like to have more food then what I can do with my New Bransfuls.

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I would suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Then use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/basic-pulled-pork-smoke
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/finishing-sauce-for-pulled-pork-by-soflaquer
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?736-Curing-Salts

 

[ecto1]

Yep :)

Like I said, I've only been doing this for about a year. I have heard good things about the Weber Smoky Mountain, but I really like having the firebox on the side.

What is a UDS smoker?

I really am just looking for something with a bigger surface area to cook with.  In the near future I'm looking to do some gathering events and would like to have more food then what I can do with my New Bransfuls.

UDS stands for Ugly Drum Smoker they are vertical Drum Smokers made out of 55 gallon Steel Barrels cost a little over 100 to build and run like a champ  They are the same size as a Large Webber Smokey Mountain Smoker. 

They can cook a lot of Que

I have cooked two 12 pound turkeys on one smoker.  I think the weber is even bigger.  You might not like it though once you get to temp you don't have to do anything to keep the heat where you want it.  It just runs like a dream.