Good Starter Propane Smoker

[spoofer]

I'm going to buy a propane smoker. Any suggestions on models and size would be helpful. Locally Gander mnt. and Bass pro sell them.

 

[blacklab]

GOSM!! the big block if you can find them. For the $ I couldn't be happier

 

[waysideranch]

Welcome Spoofer. You'll find good things here.

 

[cowgirl]

Welcome to the forum spoofer!

 

[pineywoods]

Spoofer welcome to SMF. I like my GOSM but also saw the Smoke Vault that was about 24" wide at Gander Mountain and was impressed by it and may still go get one. There are lots of brands out there and alot of them look the same just find one you like.

 

[spoofer]

Can you adjust the temps on these?

 

[pineywoods]

Yes every propane smoker I have seen you can adjust the temps on. Maybe I just haven't seen one you can't but just look at the knob and you should be able to tell whether it can be adjusted or not

 

[krusher]

hello and welcome to smf !! you'll learn alot here, I have the gosm wide body and could'nt be happier with it. the propane smokers are very user friendly because you basically set it and forget it. Mine is very easy to get to your desired temp and mainain it. just keep an eye on the chips and change them about every hour and a half. just follow the direction you will get here and you'll be smokin like a pro in no time.

 

[richoso1]

Welcome to the SMF. I own a GOSM big block and I'm very satisfied with it. Thee are other propane smokers that could do just as well, make sure you spend some time on researching your smoker, and try to but one that is bigger than what you think you'll need. You can always use the extra room. Good luck on your search.

 

[bill-n-jeanine_fl]

Heya Spoofer... and welcome.

I'm new here as well, but gotta put in a vote for the gosm big block too. I got mine from Bass Pro several weeks ago, and I haven't been able to botch the vittles up yet. Maybe not perfect, but still working on that part :)

Lotta information to be had around here. Hope ya have as much fun with it as we have :)

 

[meowey]

Welcome to SMF! Enjoy the forums!

Take care, have fun, and do good!

Regards,

Meowey

 

[alra195]

Spoofer,

Welcome to SMF. I'm another one who'll tell you to go for the GOSM Big Block. I've been using an ECB clone for awhile and just wanted the ease of gas. After much research and kabitzing over the many choices the Big Block was the way I went. I've not got much experience with it yet but the results have been most delightful. Very easy to assemble, use and care for. My experiance has been the controls are easy and the unit generally maintains temps well. Go through the Propane Smoker list and you'll find lots of info on the GOSM units including many modification options. If you end up with one you'll surley be happy and you can do a lot worse!

 

[smokin out the neighbors]

Welcome to SMF Spoofer. There are lots of friendly folks around here with tons of knowledge and ideas. Just browse through the threads and check out anything that catches your eye. Be sure to throw your two cents in anytime you can. I am also condidering a verticle gas and am leaning toward the GOSM Big Block.

 

[bbqgoddess]

Hello Spoofer!
I am a charcoal girl so I can't help ya! But it seems like everyone is happy with the gosm..you will see that all over in here!!
Good luck and happy smokes!

 

[fred420]

gosm baby--or the sears knockoff.. love my gosm, cheap, easy, lots of easy mods.. you will get your moneys worth.....

 

[crockadale]

Welcome aboard, GOSM and now sears has a knock off. I would go with the big block or the wide body. Get as big of one you can afford now. and you will still wish you had purchased a bigger cooker.

 

[erain]

welcome to smf!!! i like many others here have a gosm big block. has a large capacity as compared with others available. has a quality burner and ignition system. very sturdily built. i have heard some issues with body damage when arriving and broken rack brackets(both of these should be cust service issues where you purchase) also from what i read difficult to find these days. hear the smoke vault mentioned a bit as well, have never seen one but maybe you should research them both. which ever one you purchase will get you good results. make sure you season before you smoke food and dont forget the qview!!!

 

[tf bbq]

I am newb to this site too. I am a wood and charcoal guy. I have used a variety of different devices to apply smoke. You can apply heat evenly and quickly with a propane smoker. My family owns a propane gas store and propane is great. Wood takes a little time to learn to do well. I have been wood smoking for a long time and I am still learning.

I saw something on the Food Channel that looked like it would be fun to try. The segment was on "Good Eats". This is the most improvised smoker I have ever seen and I think I am going to try it.

It involved a very large ceramic garden pot, a very large matching rounded pot for a lid, a hot plate, a pie pan, a standard grill thermometer, a round grill insert and your favorite wood, mine is hickory.

The pot was set on some bricks. The hot plate was put in the bottom with the cord going out of the water hole. The pie plate (with wood in it) on top of the hot plate. Then put in the grill insert and your meat. Put the lid on and the thermometer in the water hole.

If you have seen a "Big Green Egg", this is an improvised version of that. It certainly will not cook a lot of meat, unless you make several. The egg uses charcoal or wood though.

On the show, the meat did not come out that tender. It looked like they were slightly tearing the meat apart rather than just separating it. I am wondering if the host cooked it too fast. I think with the heat turned down a little and a little more time added, it would have been better.

The show said this would cost around $50 to construct.

The disadvantage would be you can't smoke a lot of meat with it. The advantage would be the ease of replacing parts and carrying it just about any where, any time.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[ace]

seems to be a popular choice.