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BBQ Smokers
cbxjeff
Member Posts: 17,642 ✭✭✭✭
It was about 72 here in scenic Lizton, IN today and I'm thinking again about outdoor cooking. It's been about 10 years since I had an offset smoker. Now there are ones that have wi-fi and all kinds of things that weren't around years ago. I want to spend $500-$700 max as I'm not rich like a lot of you guys. Pellet ones seem convenient and I do have 110 available on the deck. I have plenty of cherry, apple, hickory, and oak wood here but I'm not afraid of using charcoal also along with wood. Any suggestions appreciated.
It's too late for me, save yourself.
Comments
I have a Oklahoma Joe's offset smoker that I'm pretty happy with.
Why are you afraid? I use charcoal briquettes with other wood (mostly mesquite, but also oak & pecan) all the time year round in Texas, I've even been know to do it in the snow! Go to the big box stores and get a Chargriller super pro with the side firebox for about $250.00 less when on sale. Here is their website, but I only go to them for replacement parts. https://www.chargriller.com/#
They aren't the best by any means, but for the price they do the job and I get a new one every 10-12 years or so, I use it several times (3-4) a week.
Check out Cookshack.
JimmyJack wow, Cookshack too pricey for me!
They are expensive, but perhaps worth it. Ive had one for about 15 years and love it. Can adjust temperature, and cook smoke to your desires. Moist, good for jerky or a whole chicken. Use it several times a week and Ive never had a problem. Its mostly stainless, and easy to clean.
I have a Pit Boss pellet smoker. I do ribs, brisket and pork butt. The smoker does great at holding temperature so I don't have to baby sit it, especially when doing brisket.
Very afforable smoker.
if you already have a gas grill, think about getting a smoker by itself. I had a masterbuilt that did a great job. it went out and we got a dyna-glo. I liked the masterbuilt - it prduced really thick smoke - it used the chips, the DG uses pellets although it said to use chips. the pellets smoked up a lot better. the DG has a phone app to turn it on/off, monitor & adjust time and temp and has meat temp probe you can see on your phone. so once you get the meat going you literally are cooking from your couch. all you have to do is put fresh pellets in every 3-4 hours depending on temp set.
I went electric and both smokers were in the 300-350 price range. be sure to get the insulated ones.
as for BBQing I have had very good results when I smoke meat 2-4 hours depending on thickness/bone in or out, then get the grill hot and I sear each side for 5-10 minutes to get a grill burn on, then take it off re-season/sauce it up and wrap meat tightly in foil and smoke it 2-4 more hours , again depending on meat thickness and bone.
done with my .02
My bad choice of words Ruger4me. I should have said opposed rather than afraid.
cbxjeff my bad too, I didn't see the "not" in front of "afraid" and i was like WTH why would somebody be afraid of doing that? LOL! all good and good luck on whatever type you decide to buy, the new ones are cool, I'm just an old fashion kind of guy who like to drink beer and keep an eye on the grill/smoker without using my phone.
Trager? pellet grill?
I went back and forth between smokers, pellet grills, etc. and ended up buying an upgraded version of the tried and true Weber kettle 22". It's the "Master Touch" version. I couldn't be more happy with it. Here's our ribs from tonight.
Jon
Hard to beat the old Webers. I have two sizes. I also have two Little Chief smokers that work well for something as simple as jerky. Smoke cooking at various temperatures is a whole different ball game. Some of the simple smokers like the Little Chiefs are a simple dehydrator that adds the smoke flavor. For ribs, roasts, and chickens you need a smoke cooker. Thats where the Cookshack takes over. Can smoke a salmon in four hours.