Just Starting to Smoke Meat

[rcstokes]

New to the Forum. I am just starting to get into smoking meat. Wanting to buy a smoker just to start with, maybe one like at walmart with a fire box. Does the gauge of the metal make that much difference in my situation. Thanks

 

[boardpuller]

Welcome to SMF, SOOO much information here any thing you could think of its here. But your question let me ask you this first How much time do you want spend mess with the smoker if you want to spend your time tending to the fire. or do you want to start it and relax? the side fire box rigs are nice but need mods ( find all of them on this form) A vetical propane or electric rig is EZer to get going, set and forget enjoy the time relaxing kicked back with a cool one. But yes the gauge of the metal does matter .

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

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

Ask questions and 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
 
      Make bacon the easy way!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/109368/more-easy-made-bacon-with-q-view#post_666451

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf

 

[big casino]

Welcome to the forum

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF!

Why don't you swing over to roll call & introduce yourself so we can all give you a proper SMF welcome!

 

[rcstokes]

Wow thanks for all the replies. I will study all the replies when I get home from work tonight. I am sure you all have valuable information for me and will be very useful. Can't wait to start checking it all out. Once again thanks, will enjoy this forum I'm sure, Cause I Like to Eat Good Food.

Craig

 

[solaryellow]

The thicker the metal, the better it is going to be. If you can afford to stay away from the thinner gauge stuff, by all means do so. Also, if you are even the slightest bit familiar with some basic tools you could build yourself a good smoker for less than what you would pay for something at a store. Check out the UDS section for many examples.

 

[sprky]

First off 

 to SMF. You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I suggest you check out the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info. Smoking Basics 5-Day eCourse
 

But your question let me ask you this first How much time do you want spend mess with the smoker if you want to spend your time tending to the fire. or do you want to start it and relax? the side fire box rigs are nice but need mods ( find all of them on this form) A vetical propane or electric rig is EZer to get going, set and forget enjoy the time relaxing kicked back with a cool one. But yes the gauge of the metal does matter . The thicker the metal the better it will maintain heat 

 I have the Master Forge 2 door LPG smoker that Lowe's sells, as well as the single door both are under $200. I love them, I use the 2 door more then the single. Another option is a WSM  a good smoker right off the shelf, but is pricier $300 18", $400 22". 

In my own opnion the MF is a great smoker for the price. Just getting started I recomend you dont spend a bunch on a smoker till you know for sure it's for you. Just my $0.02
 

 

[jirodriguez]

Welcome to the forum!

Yes the thickness of the metal does play a part in how well the smoker can performe. Now I suggest you spend some time poking around the Equiptment forum and read about the differant types of smokers, and then make your decision on what type of smoker to buy. Like you I started with one of the horizontal offset smokers from Lowes/HD/Wallmart, and less than a year later sold it and bought a 22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM) - and have never looked back since!

So spend some time doing some homework and ask lots of questions, we will be more than happy to answer them!

Johnny

 

[venture]

As Johnny said, I would recommend a lot of research before you even decide what type of smoker you want, let alone settle on a brand.

The thicker the metal and the better insulated the better.  While at roll call, please put your location in your profile.  Unless you live in a very mild climate, thin metal will be a problem for you.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome to SMF. You'll really like this place for there are a bunch of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. Then if you have any questions you just post them here or yu can try in chat for a faster answer. If you are really new to all of this I would recommend that you look up and take the e-course. It is free and it will also give you the basics on smoking. So with all that said now go and get something to smoke.

Welcome To Your New Addiction