Electric or LP

[rich44]

Good morning at our Gander Mtn they have a Smoke Hollow 34inch LP smoker and a 30inch Electric Smoke Hollow smoker for around the same price. Which one would you think I would be the happiest with thank you so much

 

[rbranstner]

Do you have any experience with propane vs. electric? I have never used an electric smoker except for helping my buddy but it is pretty much a set it and forget it system. I have two propane rings and one lump/charcoal burner rig and I like them all.

 

[chisoxjim]

between those two options I'd go with propane.

Given all options Id go with charcoal or a stick burner over electric or propane by a wide margin.

good luck with your purchase.

 

[smokeguy]

I'd go electric. Cheaper and you (almost) never run out.

But the propane is 4 inches bigger which is an advantage.

 

[chainsaw]

Can't help with the brand but electric is way easier and no tanks to fill. I don't use my gas grill very much since i smoke every weekend.

 

[q dawg]

Yes electric is more of a set it and forget it type of a smoker....but....as far as recovery of temp after you open the door....you can't beat gas....I have 2 gas vertical smokers and love them.....temp has always been very stable and recovery is a mater of under a minute after openg the door to baste or whatever...and are very usable all winter long for smokes.....after reading some of the post by folks with electric smokers and read the amount of time (especially in cool or cold weather) they need to preheat the smoker before starting to smoke with it....I can almost smoke and start eating my chicken thighs before they even get started smoking....electrics are convenient and have a lot of good qualities and put out some awsome food...but ya just got to love those propane smokers...!!! Just my opinion....!!!

Q Dawg

 

[northern greenhorn]

I have gas... that just sounds wrong

I have a gosm, and I love it, works great, holds heat well, mine has separate drawers for adding wood or water, so you don't have to open up where the food is and lose heat.

 

[graybeard]

I wood have said gas until I read a post here about how much it cost to use electricity. For about 50 cents you can smoke a butt and it's easier than any other smoker. Add a few wood chips and the end product should be about the same. Not buying either one wood be your only mistake!

beard

 

[fishwrestler]

Gray Beard,

Can you point me in the direction of the post about cost of smoking using electricity vs propane. I am in the middle of designing a 3 x3 by 6 ft moke house and would find these information useful
Thank you
Robert

 

[deltadude]

Yo Rich44,
Every man has an an opinion or preference, and valid reasons for them.

I am going to give you a piece of advice based on 2 years of reading this forum. There are two very happy owner groups on this forum.

WSM (Weber Smokey Mountain) owners, its charcoal something you didn't ask about, but the fact remains the WSM is one of the best smokers made period. The WSM is used on BBQ contests all over the country, in fact the KCBS team of the year for 2009 did it with WSMs.

MES (Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse) owners. There are a lot of them here at SMF and the majority love their MES. In fact one happy owner said the taste was equal or better than his stick burner.

Price, if you want to stay under $200 then a MES 30" model. At $250 you can get the 18.5" WSM. $300 the MES 40", $400 the WSM 22".

If you want to try the WSM but can't afford it there is a copy cat and so far the reviews are very positive and the price is very attractive. About $70, there might not be any left....

 

[glgoodwin]

Youll be happy either way. PROPANE!!!!!!!

 

[matts]

I have had many electric (home built) units in the past and just got my first LP smoker last winter. I have found that my LP smoker is more consistent than any electric I have had. I can leave it alone for hours on end and never worry about the temp. Plus like mentioned before, recovery time is a lot better. Plus when the wife is yelling at your to hurry up because she is hungry, its easy to crank up the heat to finish things off.