Help on buying smoker....

[Rafa]

Gonna start looking to buy me a decent offset smoker. I have a cheap small vertical one, but been wanting a decent one for the longest. Budget is around $400-450 or less. New or used. I've seen pretty nice one at BassPro, but that bitch is $900. I don't know what is a good brand or which ones to stay away from. Don't need a big ass one. Just your normal size, 20'' or so.

[bcoop]

Man, you'll never say "my smoker is too fucking big". About 3 months in, you will be saying "Man, this thing is too fucking small."


Don't be afraid to look at used, to get more bang for your buck.

[Rafa]

Found this from Academy site...

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_311401_-1?Ntt=smoker&Ntk=All

[bcoop]

Found this from Academy site...

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/st...smoker&Ntk=All

Matt (Silverback) has that same smoker. It's a good deal, but it leaks a bit much for my taste (you can correct it with foil. He tried to use RTV sealant and it didn't work so well).

[Rafa]

Can't tell from picture. Doesn't say if it's 1/4 steel. Since Matt has it, is it made from 1/4 steel? Where does it leak from?



One I saw at BassPro is this one...

http://www.basspro.com/Horizon-Smoker-16-Classic-Backyard-Smoker/product/10202039/

I just can't afford that high of price for a smoker.

[bcoop]

It leaks around the lid. Iirc, it did not leak around the firebox door.

[8mpg]

Have you tried the Alton Brown method of smoking with an electric burner and a pie pan in that vertical smoker?

[bcoop]

Have you tried the Alton Brown method of smoking with an electric burner and a pie pan in that vertical smoker?

Still won't ever compare to a real, offset smoker. It's just not going to happen.

[bird_dog0347]

I'm thinking about checking out this one as it has about 100 good reviews online. I know the store in NW Plano has them according to the web.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Grills-Grill-Accessories-Smokers-Fryers/Brinkmann/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbx92Z39n/R-202252980/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

[dblack1]

Firebox is really small, you will spend a lot of time watching that one.

Try to find a used egg. $500 should find a you a large one. I'm about to try my first >12hr smoke on one.

I smoked for 10 hours with no problem without ever adding coal. Next thursday I'm doing a butt that I'll put on at 9pm and not check again until 7 am friday morning.

[Rafa]

Buddy of mine has the egg, and it's awesome. I just would like the traditional offset smoker. I'm pretty sure it smokes good, I just don't think you can get the best taste from it compared to an offset smoker. Just my opinion. I'm also more used to using an offset, which a couple friends have. Not sure where else to look besides craigslist, but not seeing many close to my price range. Gonna swing by Academy and look at one I posted.

[dblack1]

Eh, I've got them both. If I was building a competitive rig I'd go offset. I've got two offsets, one is made of 1/2 thick pipe, the other is similar to the last one you posted at home depot.

With a firebox that small/thin sheet metal you will play baby sit the fire all day. Maybe I just suck at maintaining a temperature with it, but I don't know.

I cannot tell a difference in flavor/smoke ring with my egg over a offset, but I cannot do as much weight as I can on my larger offset.

[bird_dog0347]

I went ahead and bought the one from home depot... it's pretty decent on thickness compared to ANYTHING else in the price range. To get better you'd have to spend $600-1000 from what I found. I just need to cure it and start smoking.

[dblack1]

It'll do just fine with patience. Judging by the weight, if it is correct, it is a little heavier than my small offset. That is a good sign. Keep it under a covered area if you can, they rust out quickly.

[ceyko]

I used to see some really good ones on CL. Don't be afraid to buy ones that have surface rust on them. All it takes is a wire wheel on a brush to clean it off and a can of high temp paint to make it like new - and those rough looking ones always go cheaper.

Large cook area, top accessible smoke box and thick steel is what I recommend.