Time to buy a smoker

[simihorn]

So, I've been reading the posts here for a while and am now ready to buy a smoker. I have lots of experience grilling, over gas and charcoal, altho I've been strictly gas at home for the last 8 years or so.

I don't want to spend a ton of money at the outset. $150 or so, less if possible, until I can convince Mrs. simihorn that it's a good idea and go big time. We have 4 kids, all meat eaters, oldest is 11. We also have lots of friends and our get togethers tend to involve a ton of people and food, so I need to be able to cook 2 or 3 briskets, plus a ton of ribs and maybe some chicken.

I know the Weber Smoky Mountain (bullet) is very popular and has a great web site. My problem with that smoker is the transfer of skill to a bigger smoker. I look at this as a starter smoker and hope to learn from it and be able to transfer that knowledge to a big boy in a year or so. I don't think the Weber has that capability. It is it's own animal and might be sort of transferable to a BGE, but not to a regular offset smoker.

I saw this one in the parking lot of my local HEB. It's listed at $139.95, but I think I can probably get it from $100 to $120. It has a broken thermostat and it's late in the season for them to sell it.

Pics:

That last pic shows a removable ash drawer and the intake vent.

Obviously, this is one of those smoker designs that needs a metal baffle between the fire box and the smoking chamber to temper the heat and a longer smoke stack..

What say ye, combined BBQ mavens. Is this a decent starter smoker or should I continue my search. I have to go to Academy this week to get my son football cleats, so I can look there as well.

I look forward to you comments.

Thanks

 

[hornian]

Hmmm...

That's a piece of junk. I would never buy it. Metal is too thin, it's bolted together, the lid being hinged the way it is will allow ALL your heat to escape if anyone ever opens it during a cook, and that "ash drawer" is just more places for the heat to get out/air to get in and make it harder to maintain your temperature.

HOWEVER

It would probably do for a first time pit. Use it for a year or two, see if you actually use it enoug to justify getting a good one, and then go and spend some money on a real smoker.

 

[Texas007]

the legs will rust off that thing within 2 years. IMO it would be a waste. I debated this over and over when i was looking for a pit. I was unsure how much I would use it, etc. I ended up buying a really good one made of quality steel and have had it over 10 years now. It is still in great condition and will last another 10 years at least. It has a lifetime firebox rust warranty, etc. I don't know I kinda think buying a better rig that will stand the test of time is the better way to go long term . Your food will turn out better and you won't be replacing it every few years.

That said I am sure there are some very high quality ones that are not as expensive, and I know some of the guru's here can point you in the right direction on that. FWIW this is the one that I purchased, and highly recommend if you decide to go a different route.

I bought this one because my yard is tiny and it is pretty compact. They have offset models as well.

tejas smokers

 

[Brisketexan]

Hornian's thoughts are right -- you won't be happy with how that cooks. It's too thin, has too many leaks, etc.

Instead, I would recommend looking for a used smoker on Craigslist. For example, in Austin, I found this New Braunfels smoker for $80 -- The Link I found another similar one for $75. That's what I would do as a "starter" smoker, as opposed to buying a new one that's not as high quality.

I have been using the same NB smoker for 14 years now, and it's still going strong. It is a good starter smoker, and a good family smoker. I just did another brisket on it last weekend -- it will smoke two smaller briskets (12 lbs or less) quite well.

Anyway, if I were getting started today, that's the route I'd go.

 

[UTEE]

Definitely, go with heavier steel, and welds are MUCH better than bolts. Bolted pits leak. A lot. It's really difficult to maintain your temperature with a leaky pit, so do yourself a favor and go higher quaility with your first pit.

Craigslist is a great idea, there are often people looking to unload pits because they're moving, or they take too much room, or they just don't use them enough.

Good luck!

 

[GRhino]

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[simihorn]

I am definitely looking at Academy today,

The manager (thru an employee) was only willing to go down $10. I didn't push it yet b/c I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy it. I'm sure i can get it for $120, but you guys have me thinking.

Thanks for the advice. I really want to get into the game soon and stop just drooling when I see the brisket pics on here.

The craigslist idea is a good one. I started looking there last night as well.

 

[UTEE]

The Craigslist smoker linked by BT is solid, that's the route I would go. It gets you into smoking just as soon, it costs less, and is a better pit.

Grab a pick-up truck and a friend and go get her before somebody else does. She doesn't look as shiny and new as the other one, but looks aren't important, and if you REALLY care, then a wire brush and some high-heat spray paint will have her back to shining in no time.

My 4th of July wish is for you to have meats smoked by your own hands. Go make it happen.

 

[l00p]

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[UTEE]

Muchas gracias amigo.

Yes, that you will post pictures of the delicious smoked goodness is a given.

Go forth and be fruitful.

 

[GRhino]

I'm sure there are many on here who are more expert about smokers than I am, who might say this is also a piece of junk; but this is pretty much the same smoker I bought 3 years ago & I've been very happy with it. It is my first smoker. I paid $200 for mine & this one is $249 & at Academy Sports.

It has 760 sq in of cooking space, which gives me enough room to cook the kind of feast I like. Ribs is more my specialty & I usually cook anywhere from 3 to 6 racks at a time. I did cook a couple of smaller briskets & 3 racks of ribs this past weekend, but it was a little crowded.

[/IMG]

Here's another one at Academy that cost $449, has 900 sq in of cooking space & has more steel.

In case you were dead set on buying a new one, I thought I'd throw these out there.

 

[simihorn]

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