looking to buy/build a decent smoker-suggestions?

[patrick0685]

I love my electric smoker because you set the temp and it stays there all day, that the important part good heat

[jscwerve]

I love my electric smoker because you set the temp and it stays there all day, that the important part good heat

If I was really into smoking I would get a charcoal/fire smoker. As it is now though, i LOVE my electric. No temperature fluctuations, I can dry smoke or wet smoke. Maintains a perfect 220 degrees all day without doing anything. I've got the cheapie brinkman smoke'n'grill and I usually do about 25lbs of meat at a time. I am looking for a new smoker for next year and I think I'm definitely going to go electric again, but a higher quality one that seals better.

[BREATHER]

It does depend on how you want to smoke. I have had a Jensen Lil' Chief for years. I have smoked alot of different meats, ribs, fish and even cheese(gotta keep on eye on the cheese though). For the money and ease of uses, you might want to check these out. Jensen has a bigger one called Chief. they are electirc and compact.

[ShooterJM]

I built mine out of 1/2" cement board. Cost me about $50 worth of parts and holds anywhere from 200-400 degrees pretty easily. As a bonus it's insulated enough that the outside doesn't get hot enough to burn you if you brush up against it. Have used it every weekend for the last month and a half. Quite happy with it.

[rondog]

A lot of smokers have been built out of old refrigerators or freezers, but they have to be really old ones with steel interior walls, not plastic. I have a propane smoker that I bought at Bass Pro Shop and built a plywood cabinet to put it in. That elevates it up to a working level, keeps the wind from molesting the fire, and gives me storage space underneath. I'll put some photos up later.

OK, photos. I like the two-door design, so I can mess with the fire, wood chunks and water pan without opening the cooking area. There's 8 pork shoulders in there, so it has good capacity. I just set the fire as low as it'll go and let it cook. Gotta soak the wood chunks or they'll catch on fire and make it too hot and the meat sooty. Gotta keep the water pan full too.

Oh ya, that meat was good....damn good! But another guy mixed up the spice rub for it, I don't know what was in it.

[oinco]

Rondog......that is beautiful! I like the vertical treatment.

ShooterJM....I like the cement board idea.

I may have to do a couple now-

[funkfool]

Rondog... I hate you.


That said... the last pic is worth another post....

[rondog]

Rondog......that is beautiful! I like the vertical treatment.

ShooterJM....I like the cement board idea.

I may have to do a couple now-

I'm old, fat and lazy, and my back doesn't like bending over all the time. Putting it up high like that works great for me, and with the wheels I can roll the contraption out where I need it, and roll it back in the corner of the patio out of the way. I still need to finish it with some doors to enclose it completely, then paint it to match the house so it'll blend in when I have it pushed in the corner.

I also prefer propane because I don't have to dink with the temp control all the time. I set the burner as low as it'll go and it stays right at 220-225* as long as the wood chunks don't catch fire.

Oh, I also screwed the legs to the platform to keep the smoker from moving around.

Pulled pork sammich, anyone?

[mcantar18c]

On my list of projects to get around to...

http://jmillerid.com/wordpress/2009/...n-drum-smoker/

[colorider]

I have a Kingfisher Kombo Kooker. It is a propane grill, smoker. You can use it just as you would a propane grill, or fill the wood box with coal and woodchips. Or fill the box with logs. It is an awesome unit.
Just recently I bought a Traeger Pellet grill/smoker. It is a kick in the pants to cook on. Slow smoke, or just grill. You choose what you want to do. Fill the hopper with cooking (not pellet stove) pellets and turn the temp knob. Pellets come in all woods for smoking. I got it at Ruffs BBQ shop in lakewood.. By far the best place to buy an grill or smoker. Ruff knows more about BBQ then anyone in town.