Little Cheif Top Load

[mrwizardgi]

Anyone out there have experience with one of these? I found a used one and thought it might be a good starter smoker for my father. What opinions do you have of this smoker? Is it a good 'first' smoker? Thanks in advance!

J-

 

[richtee]

Dunno about the 'topper" but the LC has been the fish/cheese lower temp champ for a few decades... would not try a brisket...but yeah, a good start I'd say.

 

[pitrow]

yep, I've had both the lil chief and big chief top loaders. I prefer the top load to the front load. Great first smoker, but keep in mind, especially with the lil chief, it's really hard to get higher temps. You may need to build an insulated box around it, especially in cold or windy weather.

However, that said, it's a great little smoker and I have many fond memories of smoking salmon and jerky as a kid with my dad.

 

[mrwizardgi]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I appreciate greatly.

J-

 

[mrwizardgi]

Would a butt or fatty or chicken be good? Don't know pops would do a brisket anyway! He loved the chicken and fatty I made and wants to make his own now too. He bought a smoke box for his gas grill, but I thibk he might like using something like this a bit better. Thanks again everyone!

J-

 

[fishawn]

I have "smoked" Brisket & Pulled pork on my Big Chief & Little Chief, I just
had to finish it on the BBQ, or in the oven.

 

[richtee]

A butt or fatty machine it could be. No chicken for me anyway. #1, it lacks the temps- typically- to give me the crispy skin I like, and #2 I worry about enough BTU's to get a yardbird outta the danger zone quick enough. But again..this is conjecture on my part, based on the parameters I know of the unit.

 

[bassman]

I had the Little Chief for years. It was great for smoking fish or smoke flavoring a turkey to finish in the oven. Never could get it hot enough for anything else.