Propane Smoker Recommendation?

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sumognat

Newbie
Original poster
Dec 11, 2007
1
10
Hi,

Since I know relatively little, if anything, about smokers and smoking/grilling in general, this seems like a great place to get recommendations on what smoker to buy my boyfriend for Christmas.

He's tried using a metal smoking box in our rather sizeable SS grill, but he didn't care for this at all and has been lusting after a "real" smoker.

Can anyone please suggest a smoker that would be great under the following use:

- has to be propane
- will stay outside and, as such, not rust in a relatively short time, since we have no storage space to protect it from rain
- can cook things like ribs, pork, steak, and fish (don't need anything big enough to cook big turkeys)
- this will stay in the backyard and will not used for camping, so doesn't have to be ultra-portable
- performs well in a warm environment (South Florida)
- can hold enough food for about 4-6 people (although, he will mostly be smoking food for one person-himself)
- costs under or around $200

I found the Cabela website and their 7-in-1 vertical smokers look like they might work, either the stainless or porcelain, since he would like to try deep frying, too.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!
 
At the bottom of my main forums page is a little article that Tulsa Jeff put together about a pretty popular smoke that meets your needs. I use last year's model of it myself. It's called a "Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain". You can find it on Amazon, sometimes on Ebay (where I got mine) or in season at Walmart. Other places too, of course.

You, and therefore he,have come to a great site to get started. Much free, and good advice and expertise is here.
 
I have a 7 in 1.. wouldnt suggest it. Im also in south Florida.. keeping the temperature down low can be hard in the heat and the access door to add wood is way too small.

If deep frying is really a priority a separate burner can be bought for $50

I wish I would have went with something like others are suggesting.. such as the Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
 
I also have the Smoke Vault 24" ...but they do have an 18" model ...If you have a Gander Mountain in your area..check there! they have the best prices around for the Smoke Vaults..I got the 24" for what the 18" was selling for..
Podevil
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The Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain, AKA "GOSM" is hard to beat for the price. Easy to assemble, easy temperature control, easy on gas in your location. It will smoke anything.
Just don't get one too small, this smoking thing has a way of growing.
rolleyes.gif
 
I second the GOSM . Here in south Florida you can get them at almost any Wall-Mart year round. Don't get the small on. get the larger one and still under your budget.


Edit caus I can't spell
 
I have two GOSM smokers and love them dearly. My first is the 18" unit and is about 4 years old and still in perfect shape. I outgrew it very quickly though and purchased the wide body model the very next season. Since I use it almost every weekend, it lives on the block patio by my shed and stay out in the elements all from spring through early winter. A cheap grill cover is all you need to protect it from heavy rain (or in my case, snow). After 3 seasons of heavy use, she still fires right up and looks great.

Cheers,
Brian

P.S. Sounds like your boyfriend is one lucky guy!
 
Based on member feedback, you can hardly go wrong with a GOSM. I have a Big Block on order myself!
 
The GOSM or Camp Chef are great smokers. I have both of them. They both put out very decent 'Q. Your post did state that you wanted to cook steak, though. I dont know if these two will get enough to sear a steak. These smokera are meant to smoke from about 225 to 250 degrees. If you're looking to do ribs, butts, briskets, fatties, ABTS's etc. wither one of these will do you fine. I would suggest to get the bigger model right off the bat. You'll be glad you did.
 
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