Hi all
I have both. Purchased the ProQ about 2 years ago and the 8 inch
amaze-n-smoker sawdust version
ProQ
-More complicated design and it looks like it's built well.
-The design causes issues though - with the metal bars at the top of the mesh, it's harder to scrape out residue after a smoke. The mesh is also too small IMO, as it majorly suffers if you have sawdust with bigger bits in. I have to sieve some of my sawdust to make sure it's purely small particles. Even then, it will go out unless the device has been completely scraped clean.
-The candle method of lighting is too long and pointless if you have a blowtorch.
-It goes out far more often than the Amaze-N
-You can only fit 100g in it
-It was cheaper for me as I am based in UK.
-Came with 100g free sample of Oak (I think it was Oak) and in a nice package
-Takes about 9 hours to burn through a full load
-much smaller than the
Amaze-N-Smoker
Amaze-N-Smoker (8x8, sawdust)
-Simpler built than the ProQ
-BUT... the holes are bigger and the previously mentioned particle size is less of an issue. It also feels more resilient, it's 1mm perforated metal welded together - no mesh.
-You can light from two ends to get a heavier smoke
-Think you can fit about 300g of sawdust in it, 3x as much as ProQ - although I would say that if you only half fill it, it burns through a lot quicker
-Takes about 11-12 hours to burn through a full load (only lighting at one end).
-Only takes me a minute to clean compared to 10-15 mins for the ProQ, and I never feel like I'd puncture the mesh as there isn't one.
-Comes with a free pound of hickory sawdust. Seeing as I was shipping from US to UK I didnt think I would take this to keep the weight down...
-BUT the guy at
amaze-n-smoker is REALLYreally helpful. We worked out the 2 cheapest shipping options and I decided to take the express version which gave me enough weight allowance to take the free pound of hickory dust.
-It hasnt gone out once yet.
The Amaze-N-Smoker is a better product. I dont care about "buying british", i just want the best product for the job.
On a side note though, if you want to avoid buying one of these, just buy a circular splatter screen (like a tennis racquet made of mesh), put about 100g around the circumference and pile it evenly and light one end. You should have an even cold smoke for about 4-5 hours depending on size of screen. Costs £2 and not £30
edit: by the way, with both devices I need to microwave the sawdust for 3 minutes (stirring three times) to ensure it's dry enough to stay lit (i'm in the uk and it's always raining [outside the smoker])