Starter ideas for a smoker
- Thread starter dollarbill
- Start date
-
Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The ECB is the undisputed "cheapie" king. Turns out good Q too. Also teaches fire building and maintainance. All for like $40 bux or so I think. Maybe cheaper.
I guess that would depend on your definition of cheap. Obviously, many people enjoy the ECB smokers, and although I do not own one, I hear that they do a very good job once a few minor modifications are made. If you are interested in this type of smoker, do a search for ECB and you'll find tons of happy users and tips. I believe these types can be had for $40-$90 depending on size, heat source, etc.
Once you break the $100 point, the options open up a bit, but beware that there are some tempting "looking" units out there that will make you smoking experience much less enjoyable than it could be for a few dollars more. For example... there are several offset models that can be purchased in the $125 range, and while these models will smoke food, they seem to be a little more finiky as far as maintaining temps and eliminating air leaks. Now... I'm not trying to crack on anyone here, we use what we've got. I don't have the "best" smoker by any means, but with help from some of the good folks here, and borrowing some of their ideas, it works much better than it did out of the box. But, it took a lot of trial and error, and practice to turn out what I consider to be acceptable results. Heck, ok... sometimes they are darn good.
To continue... I have the Brinkmann SnP Pitmaster Deluxe. It does not have a top rack or firebox door (a.k.a. air leak hatch) like the standard SnP, but what it does have is heavier gauge steel all over, and I mean perhaps twice as thick. It feels fairly solid compared to many I have lifted the lid on, and I think this helps to retain heat a little better, and the weight of the heavier doors probably helps to seal them better as well. Mine was a gift from my Mom, but I think she picked it up for $170 at ACE Hardware... well worth the extra $50 in my opinion.
Of course there are others that exceed the $200 range. Many of the vertical smokers look real nice, and I'd like to try one, but for some reason I feel like I'm doing it right with an offset stick burner. Probably because that is what I learned (still learning) on.
I'm sure you'll get several opinions, that is what's nice about this place... ask a question and get swampped with informative replies. I will add one of the best pieces of advice I've got here... buy a digital temp probe (or two, or three) in order to monitor your meat. I have had much better results since I've started using these things. Takes the guesswork out and you don't have to open the lid (i.e. let the heat out) to check your progress. A decent one can be had for $10 - $20 at Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.
I hope I haven't confused the matter for you. Basically, no matter what you get, there is probably a way to make it work the way you want. It seems that almost all the lower end models require some type of modifications to make them really enjoyable to use. If you don't spend much, I guess you won't be out much... and, if you get an ECB, you can use it in conjunction with whatever you might pick up later. Heck, I've thought about getting an ECB just for the heck of it. Some days I don't feel like firing up the SnP, and wish I had an ECB for a few ABTs or a fatty. Decisions.. decisions... a lot to consider.
Edit: WOW... look at Fred's post down there... I didn't know GOSMs were that cheap. A lot of people seem to like those too.
Once you break the $100 point, the options open up a bit, but beware that there are some tempting "looking" units out there that will make you smoking experience much less enjoyable than it could be for a few dollars more. For example... there are several offset models that can be purchased in the $125 range, and while these models will smoke food, they seem to be a little more finiky as far as maintaining temps and eliminating air leaks. Now... I'm not trying to crack on anyone here, we use what we've got. I don't have the "best" smoker by any means, but with help from some of the good folks here, and borrowing some of their ideas, it works much better than it did out of the box. But, it took a lot of trial and error, and practice to turn out what I consider to be acceptable results. Heck, ok... sometimes they are darn good.
To continue... I have the Brinkmann SnP Pitmaster Deluxe. It does not have a top rack or firebox door (a.k.a. air leak hatch) like the standard SnP, but what it does have is heavier gauge steel all over, and I mean perhaps twice as thick. It feels fairly solid compared to many I have lifted the lid on, and I think this helps to retain heat a little better, and the weight of the heavier doors probably helps to seal them better as well. Mine was a gift from my Mom, but I think she picked it up for $170 at ACE Hardware... well worth the extra $50 in my opinion.
Of course there are others that exceed the $200 range. Many of the vertical smokers look real nice, and I'd like to try one, but for some reason I feel like I'm doing it right with an offset stick burner. Probably because that is what I learned (still learning) on.
I'm sure you'll get several opinions, that is what's nice about this place... ask a question and get swampped with informative replies. I will add one of the best pieces of advice I've got here... buy a digital temp probe (or two, or three) in order to monitor your meat. I have had much better results since I've started using these things. Takes the guesswork out and you don't have to open the lid (i.e. let the heat out) to check your progress. A decent one can be had for $10 - $20 at Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.
I hope I haven't confused the matter for you. Basically, no matter what you get, there is probably a way to make it work the way you want. It seems that almost all the lower end models require some type of modifications to make them really enjoyable to use. If you don't spend much, I guess you won't be out much... and, if you get an ECB, you can use it in conjunction with whatever you might pick up later. Heck, I've thought about getting an ECB just for the heck of it. Some days I don't feel like firing up the SnP, and wish I had an ECB for a few ABTs or a fatty. Decisions.. decisions... a lot to consider.
Edit: WOW... look at Fred's post down there... I didn't know GOSMs were that cheap. A lot of people seem to like those too.
fred420
Meat Mopper
maybe not the cheapest, but easy to use and very affordable--the gosm...got mine at wallymart about$125....propane makes it easy to use, and it us easy to transport if i want to take camping or to a friend's house..
teeotee
Smoking Fanatic
Hi DB and welcome to the smf.
I think the first question is which do you prefer, charcoal, propane or electric. That answer will help the decision some.
I'm a charcoal/ wood person so am a little biased.
For cheapness you can't beat the ecb, rich was right on the price. I saw one in homedepot last weekend for $40.00, Will need modding some but are great starters. I started on one and yes, it was frustrating and a tough learning curve. But then i didn't have the smf.
Now i have the Chargriller Super Pro and love it. As has been said, it needed modding to make it better. Think they sell at around $170 with side fire box.
You need to decide, several things, how much food you will be cooking, main fuel source, budget, vertical or horizontal. They will all turn out good q when used right.
K5 is right too ..... get a digital meat therm or two or three. Mine is wireless so i can monitor temps from the couch, pc or wherever within range.
No matter which smoker you decide on there will always be great help and advice here.
I think the first question is which do you prefer, charcoal, propane or electric. That answer will help the decision some.
I'm a charcoal/ wood person so am a little biased.
For cheapness you can't beat the ecb, rich was right on the price. I saw one in homedepot last weekend for $40.00, Will need modding some but are great starters. I started on one and yes, it was frustrating and a tough learning curve. But then i didn't have the smf.
Now i have the Chargriller Super Pro and love it. As has been said, it needed modding to make it better. Think they sell at around $170 with side fire box.
You need to decide, several things, how much food you will be cooking, main fuel source, budget, vertical or horizontal. They will all turn out good q when used right.
K5 is right too ..... get a digital meat therm or two or three. Mine is wireless so i can monitor temps from the couch, pc or wherever within range.
No matter which smoker you decide on there will always be great help and advice here.
I have one of each, A ECB clone that I gave up on after a couple of bad smokes 15 years ago before I ever heard of the smoking meat forum. Or had a clue of what I was doing. A New Braunfels offset That is my favorite At my camper I Truly enjoy tending the fire and having the whole day to cook my food. Plus I have a gas Smoke Hollow#5 which is just like a GOSM and it is good when you want to smoke but don't have a lot of time to devote to watching it. None of them cost that much for the pleasure you will get from using it, Or the food you will get off of it. Hell hobbies cost money. Buy a snowmobile and see how well that works out as a friend of mine always says. don't worry so much about $50 one way or the other and get one that will suit your lifestyle and you will save a whole lot in the long run! By not having another thing in the yard that you bought but don't use
Welcome to the site..............Lots of great cheap smokers out there.........Just need to look around............
I'm a cheap ECB proponent too!! Love mine, would buy another one in a heartbeat for friends and family, they're that affordable.
Overall, choose what's the best for you and your wallet! Have fun!
Overall, choose what's the best for you and your wallet! Have fun!
upinflames
Fire Starter
smok'nquack
Newbie
- Apr 29, 2008
- 1
- 10
Thats basicaly what I'm building now but mine is gas and i'm puting legs on the bottom. I guess we'll see how it turns out. I scavenged a grill off the side of the road that had a new burner in it.
ncdodave
Smoking Fanatic
I have a char griller pro offset with mods and spent 170 from OSH including the mods. It cooks even and i dont have any problems maintaining and controlling heat with it. I did 42 pounds of picnic roasts for pulled pork and it was perfect! all 100 people at my work want to know when I'll be smoking them lunch again
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
Our Second piece of Heaven, Little piece on the Atlantic Ocean- Latest: DRKsmoking
-
-
Hot Threads
-
Our Second piece of Heaven, Little piece on the Atlantic Ocean
- Started by DRKsmoking
- Replies: 53
- General Discussion
-
Getting to the bottom of what happens to cure in smoked sausage
- Started by hog warden
- Replies: 31
- Food Safety
-
Non fat dried milk
- Started by hog warden
- Replies: 31
- Sausage
-
How Do I Get Rid of These Armadillos?!!
- Started by seenred
- Replies: 27
- Blowing Smoke Around the Smoker.
