Newbie at site! Have numerous questions!!!

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farqart

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 7, 2007
6
10
Hello all. I am new to this site and smoking therefore I have numerous questions. Can you help me out?

I've done homework on smoking equipment (I'm still dangerous!). Wife says I can spend $200 for equipment (geesh...ok...maybe I can fudge a lil' more from the milk can fund..).

I've determined that I want a gas vertical box smoker that I'll convert to natural gas (I can do it myself). I'm presently looking at the GOSM big block or the Smoke Hollow unit. Are there anymore I should look at in my price range?

Does anyone on this site sell smokers where as I might get a good deal or is that taboo? If not what brick and mortar stores or other sites may assist me?

Another thing... It gets kind of cold up here in Northern Indiana. These smokers I don't believe are that well insulated. What is a good recommendation on how to insulate one of these units? Will I really need to insulate it though?

I also signed up for Jeff's 5 - day course. I'm positive I'll have more questions from you "experts" in the future. Thanks in advance for everyones cooperation.

FARQART
 
at the price range you stated.....given the little lady will not budge....I'd also sway you to looking at an electric unit, such as the masterbuilt electric one ( mes ) I have one, great unit, well insulated and at the price range.........
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I have been smokin for about 20 years and am learning. Jeffs 5 dayer is very helpfull and you ll learn alot.
As far as the cold goes, just keep out of the wind mostly, the temp will definetly increase cooking times.
As per the cash/wife prob. I suggest just shopping around. I got a killer deal from Bass Pro on a Brinkmann Cimarron deluve charcoal/ wood smoker for $550. other places wanted 1000 to 1350.
Also whimpering works pretty good too.
John C.
 
Welcome to the SMF farqart!

Can't help you much with a vertical choice, I'm a charcoal and stick guy with an offset...

Have fun!
 
I am not a gasser, so can't help you much there. For $200 I would go with a WSM personally........but it isn't gas.....

Anyhow, mostly just wanted to say welcome to the forum and good luck with your search.
 
I don't run a gasser now, but I'm building a hybrid gas/stick unit. See "The Beast" thread. I don't know yet the effects of weather on it, as it's not done, but I find a small windscreen around my ECB <About 3 foot high on 3 sides, 1/4 plywood> really helps up here in MI.
 
Welcome. I have a gas verticle that I use for small items, but mostly I use my CharGriller Pro with the Side Fire Box which is stick and charcoal. You may want to do a google search. Anyway, welcome.
 
Hello and welcome to the SMF. Plenty of good advise here, and some laughs too. Take your time in selecting a smoker, and don't be shy asking any questions. good luck on the road to Great tasting Q.
 
Welcome to SMF farqart, I have the GOSM big block gasser, and I love it. The coldest temperature I have smoked in around here was the lower twenties. I had no trouble maintaining temps, you just have to turn the dial a little higher though. The wind will effect you more than anything though. A breezy day at 50° is more of a problem than a calm 20° day in my opinion.

If you decide on the GOSM you will not be dissapointed, just buy the big one. If you get the small one, you will wish you had the big one before long. Because you are going to want to fill it with food once you see how it tastes.
 
Welcome to SMF farqart. You're gonna love it here. Bring us some pics when you smoke.. we love those pics. Now on to your questions.

Sounds like you have thought about what you want. Since you say you want a gas model, I believe either unit will be a good choice. I think the Smoke Hollow is probably a little heavier unit, but either one will give you good service. Also, going from memory here, I think Smoke Hollow has high or low pressure units. You may be able to get one pretty much set up for natural gas, I'm not certain on that.

I don't believe anyone here actually sells smokers, that I'm aware of anyway. Jeff has a link to Amazon.com from here that will kick back some funds to the forum if you choose to purchase through the link ... http://astore.amazon.com/smokingmeat-20 You can look for the smoking meat store symbol if you like.

There are a number of ways to insulate your smokers. Most will use a wind block put up around the smoker. One or two have attached insulation directly to the unit. We have some from MI that smoke year around and they just use the wind block. There are people here from Canada that smoke in winter too. So it shouldn't be too hard to protect against the cold. What ever you do I would make it so that it can be removed or taken down to allow for summer's heat too.

Let us know what you go with farqart.

Keep Smokin
 
i've heard good things about the camp chef smoke vault smoker for around $200. being fall there might be clearance sales @ a cabela's or bass pro or elsewhere- but w/ as popular as cable tv just made smoking meats- i doubt it. whatever you choose - i highly recommend getting it from a store & not shipped as dents/dings etc. have been a big problem lately for some folks & i don't know about you but i want to rip the box open,set it up, & start breaking it in. kinda like that x-mas present & no batteries to go w/ it when all the stores are closed... just my 2cents worth.
welcome to smf & good smoking.
 
Welcome to the SMF.

I have a Camp Chef Smoke Vault, the 24" and while it is a great smoker, I think it is out of your stated price range. I got mine back in May from Amazon and it was over $300 then. The 18" version is less money but still over 200 and I think you'll wish you had the bigger one before too long.

I have heard good things about the GOSM with just a few modification like replacing the in the door thermometer and I think I have heard good things about the one they sell at Lowe's but I can't remember the brand or price.

Whatever you decide, almost any smoker is capable of prducing great Q as long as you are willing to spend the time in learning how.

Good luck with your purchase and let us know what you decide.
 
Hey what part of the state are you from I live 46544 Mishawaka,just started myself looking foward to doing some winter smokes should be interesting.
Good Luck and good Smoking
Redbrinkman1955
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welcome........i have a bastard wsm.........a gourmet ecb..........only round 65 bux.......buts it a charchol.........but i have a link round here somewhere on a porpane conversion kit for bout 40-45 bux........


dude
 
Welcome to the forum. As you can see there are plenty of friendly folks here and a wealth of knowledge. Glad you decided to join us.
 
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