Info on small smokers?

[jjw]

thanks for the post.
how much better is this than the ecb, will it be easier to maintain a 250 degree temp? because i do not know too much about these things, could you perhaps explain the difference? this one seems like a very good option

also i see from the other thread that it may be discontinued? how long do you think i have to buy this?

 

[wmarkw]

I'm not sure how to compare as I've never smoked on an ECB charcoal. But the price I think of the double chef is very close to that of a Brinkman but it is better made. I've done my fair shares of smokes on it, did my first comp a couple of weeks back on it and it works really good. Yes the WSM is the king of bullet smokers but I didn't have the $$$ to spend but so far a lot of people say this is a close comparison. Obviously if you have $300+ to spend then get a WSM.

I think though for the price its a heck of a bargain. easy to cook on and maintain temps. This is my first charcoal smoker and I'm glad I went with it. here is another thread on it.

http://sizzleonthegrill.com/user-for...php?board=77.0

 

[dman1101]

for that money unless you find a great deal on a used smoker I don't think this one can be beat. You can do a search for a coupon online and get another 5-10 off http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net....aspx?a=395511

 

[jjw]

yes, this looks great, especially compared to the ecb. sounds like the only mod needed is to simply make the charcoal holder bigger.

do any of you know any type of retail stores that may carry this? i dont mind buying it online, but i prefer to buy it in person

also, ive read that they are discontinuing it? how long do you think i have to buy it. id prefer to purchase it a month from now, but i can do so earlier if necessary

 

[dman1101]

I'd say give bargain outfitters a call and see how many they have in stock. They are discontinued so whatever they have in stock is what's out there. I don't know any stores that have them, sorry.

 

[jjw]

good idea, ill do that

also, as far as using the thing. can i expect it functions pretty much like a weber smokey mountain? will what i read about the wsm apply to usage of this grill, or does it have kinks of its own.

from understand if i stack hot coals over unlit coals (minion method), an ecb will stay around 250 for 4 hours before having to refill. will this grill be able to do so longer?

 

[dman1101]

It is very similar to the wsm. The minion method is what I use, before I did the mod to my charcoal basket I could get about 4-7 depending on weather, after I did the mods I can get 8-10 hour.

 

[bbqhead]

best choice: big green egg, well insulated and fuel friendly.

 

[badfrog]

JJW... to me the really obvious choice would be a UDS. I just built my first one...maybe a total of 3-4 hrs of actual work (the flame paint job was extra!), plus a trip to the hardware store to get in functional.
Advantages;
you get to build it yourself
it is EASY to cook with
it will easily fit your budget if you can find a deal on the barrel.

 

[jclind1966]

I just bought my Brinkmann a few weeks ago and I love it.
I went with the gourmet over the smoke and grill bucause it had a larger charcoal pan and easier acess to the pan. With the mods I did I still have less than 100 invested I can get long burn times and have great temp control. I guess I would say take a look at the gourmet and some of the mods.

 

[wmarkw]

same here, modified my basket and put a new thermo on and I was all set.

now I might mod the racks and move them up. just read about that and looks easy enough to do.

 

[daddyzaring]

Have you checked the craigslist yet? If not let me know what area you live in and I'd be happy to check for you and or watch for something for you. I am a CL junky, I am on there 24/7 especially on the free stuff section. I have seen and found alot of stuff on there. I got my first smoker on there free, it was just a Brinkmann bullet style, but it got me started.

 

[soafung]

i think i'm with Jclind1966. i don't have one yet, but i've done HEAVY research on the ECB Gourmet and it's like a mini UDS when you do the mods. i WILL be purchasing one as soon as the boss (the wife) says it's ok. here's a few links:

The ECB
http://www.lowes.com/pd_95542-447-852-7080-E_4294857758_4294937087?productId=3047892&Ns=p_pro duct_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Smokers_4294857758_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_pri ce|0

ECB Gourmet mods (can be done in an easier manner, but this should give you some ideas)
http://home.comcast.net/~day_trippr/smoker_mods.htm

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for such a GREAT tutorial !!! ---->>

Into my files it goes.

Bearcarver

 

[jjw]

well that sounds like just what i need. from what i understand, this thing will hold that temp stable for that time period, i can can just get it started , throw the smaller meats on and just wait

 

[jjw]

well see the problem with that is that may be too much handyman type work for me.all types of drilling and sawing and things i probably cant do right. perhaps you could link me to a walkthrough?

 

[jjw]

well i wont be able get it until early may. i can order things online before that, but because im am not currently where i will be for the summer and want to buy it there, ill have to wait on craiglist.

 

[daddyzaring]

You can't get it where you are now, and take it with you?

 

[jclind1966]

Here are the mods I did to my gourmet
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=91073

 

[jjw]

no, because im takin a plane out there. i can order something online to there though