What do y'all think of the smokenator?

[kybluesmanluvsbbq]

http://www.smokenator.com/

It's not very expensive (under $50). I haven't read any negative reviews. I have a silver smoker but I also have a weber kettle that gats very little use. If we want grilled food I just toss it on my Duquesne gas grill.

The site is nice. If you have a question the guy will respond to any emails right away. They claim to get at least 6 hours of heat using the minion method. My worry would be refueling. I emailed them and the guy said just drop pre-lit coals through the holes on each side of the water pan. My thought is that would take too long and I'd have the lid off too much. Still, for under $50 it doesn't seem too bad. Then again for under $50 you can get an ECB and produce some top quality chow!

Anyone own one of these? What do you y'all think?

 

[smoking gun]

Looks like it should work fine. I dunno about it going 6 hrs on 1 fill. Be interesting to hear from someone who has one.

 

[smokey mtn smoker]

I got mine 2 weeks ago, this is from a previous post after my first cooking with it, this post is from about a week ago:


The first trial run was a productive one. If I can ever figure out to post pictures I will, however I am still fairly new to the forum worlds. I really loaded the cooker down for a first cook. I smoked an 8 lb Butt, 2 chicken halves, beef tenderloin and some ABTs to snack on. Here are a few observations:

• You will definitely want the grill with the side that opens; it will make adding fuel much easier.
• Temperature is easy to maintain once you get it set, mine held at 240-260, until I added fuel.
• Initial fuel supply, 60 briquettes and 6 chunks of hickory & apple lasted 5 hours, I added 20 briquettes and 4 chunks of wood, at 7 hours I added 10 more briquettes. Total cook time 9.5 hours with a temp of 225 when I removed the butt.
• When adding fuel you will want to keep your eye on the temp, it will spike on you quickly.
• The Hovergrill needs to be taller, it is only 3 inches above the grill, the butt would not fit under the Hovergrill.

With all the said, it was money well spent, it will be used frequently for smaller cooks. Hope this helps

 

[richtee]

I don't know. I have asked REPEATEDLY for info from ANYONE who's used it. No replies at all. I don't think it'll produce the kind of smoke you want... just my opinion. Not enough heat to burn off the volatile "nasties".

But I might be wrong.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...69713#poststop

 

[white cloud]

cool idea though

 

[gooose53]

I've posted a number of times about the Smokenator! I've had mine for over a year....and think it works great! I've gone 4-6 hours without a refill and keeping temps in the 235-250 range. I've done butts and ribs and think it's a best buy!!

Make sure Rich see's this......:)

 

[lcruzen]

I think Rich is thinking of a different piece of equipment. This Smokenator is a mod to a Weber Kettle to make it more of a smoker.

 

[gooose53]

Yep, that's the one. No it's not. Rich is thinking about the smoke pistol or the one that sells out of Waukegan, IL.

 

[richtee]

Ohhh crap..yeah sorry guys...DOH

 

[domn8_ion]

Is there anywhere it's sold retail? I'm not fond of buying things online.

 

[kybluesmanluvsbbq]

Great response. I appreciate the detail. To be honest I've only been using my weber kettle to put my chimney in for lighting coals. I might have to pick one of these up for when I'm smoking just one butt. Thanks again.

 

[davenh]

Rich...now you got me thinking about one of those generators in your link for my gas grill.

Do you think using pellets vs actual wood might help keep down any bad stuff? Maybe burns/smolders cleaner because they are compressed and dense?
Damn...something else to ponder now

 

[richtee]

I don't think. But I don't know. I DO know that I'm not gonna get one, at least without hearing a reputble source tell me it works, because I don't think it will.