Looking for a smoker

[slimplmbr]

I'm looking to get a smoker and I was needing to know a good place to go check some out. Also I am wanting to know what some of our resident smokers here on INGO think is a good starter smoker. I am wanting to stay under $600 but I might spend a little more if the cost would warrant a better product. I am new to the smoking world so I will probably end up with more questions as this thread progresses. So lets hear some advice and thanks in advance!

 

[ElsiePeaRN]

I'm a smoker-- a pack a day, but I'm not for sale, sorry And $600. should buy you 11 or 12 cartons!

Sorry.. I had to do it.

 

[LotsofGlocks]

I've got the Big Green Egg and love it!!!!!!

 

[Fletch]

I'm a smoker-- a pack a day, but I'm not for sale, sorry And $600. should buy you 11 or 12 cartons!

I wonder if he'd settle for a second-hand smoker...

 

[ElsiePeaRN]

I wonder if he'd settle for a second-hand smoker...

Well maybe that would be more in his price range

 

[slimplmbr]

I'm a smoker-- a pack a day, but I'm not for sale, sorry And $600. should buy you 11 or 12 cartons!

Sorry.. I had to do it.

Something told me that this would be my first response. I think that's why I love INGO, it brings out the inner smartass in all of us No need to say sorry.

Now to clarify I am lookin for a meat smoker, pork shoulders, beef briskets and such. Yes i know they are hard to keep lit

 

[Bunnykid68]

I'm a smoker-- a pack a day, but I'm not for sale, sorry And $600. should buy you 11 or 12 cartons!

Sorry.. I had to do it.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Something told me that this would be my first response. I think that's why I love INGO, it brings out the inner smartass in all of us No need to say sorry.

Now to clarify I am lookin for a meat smoker, pork shoulders, beef briskets and such. Yes i know they are hard to keep lit

Your clarification is even funnier than Elsies statement

 

[slimplmbr]

I said meat not pole.

 

[tyler34]

depends not so much on what you want to smoke but the volume. a lot of guys here will tell you a green egg and it's good, but I personally prefer pellet smokers even over my big wood fired smokers, just for the fact I can do briskets and shoulders now and not have to babysit the smoker temp.

 

[slimplmbr]

depends not so much on what you want to smoke but the volume. a lot of guys here will tell you a green egg and it's good, but I personally prefer pellet smokers even over my big wood fired smokers, just for the fact I can do briskets and shoulders now and not have to babysit the smoker temp.

Where would be a good place around central Indiana to go check some of these out? Can you get specific species pellets i.e. cherry,hickory, etc? Can pellet smokers also use chunk wood also?

 

[Sailor]

I have gotten great q from pellet all wood and gas smokers. When I due the church bbq for 300 people I use the gas one. I can do 8 butts at a time in half trays. Small differece in taste maybe. Its the great smokey mountain propane one that is 150 bucks.

 

[tyler34]

Where would be a good place around central Indiana to go check some of these out? Can you get specific species pellets i.e. cherry,hickory, etc? Can pellet smokers also use chunk wood also?

IDK anyplace around indy as I don't live up there but elletsville has one that has green eggs and pellet smokers. and pellet smokers use only pellets because they are auger fed into the firebox so chunks would never fit. and they make pellets out of every kind of wood you can get chunks in.

 

[Suprtek]

I'm a smoker-- a pack a day, but I'm not for sale, sorry And $600. should buy you 11 or 12 cartons!

Sorry.. I had to do it.

I wonder if he'd settle for a second-hand smoker...

 

[Rookie]

There's a traeger dealer in Wabash that sells them cheaper than anywhere I've seen. If you are interested, I could get you a price and probably get the smoker to kokomo if you wanted to buy one.

 

[woundedyak]

Go with the 22.5 Weber Smokey Mountain! $399.00 I get 16-18hrs @ 225-250 on a single load(15lbs of lump) with over 60lbs in it.

 

[redneckmedic]

Build your own. PM me for Q's I have a shop here in greenfield

 

[6birds]

I built one like the Lang 48, works great, and can be used as a grill also.

Lang 48 Patio

 

[phylodog]

Another vote for a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker here. I will eventually upgrade to a Traeger but I think everyone should learn to babysit a chunk/coal fired smoker and pull at least one all nighter before buying a pellet. That way you'll understand the value of your purchase and the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing it the hard way!

 

[Naptown]

I am wanting to stay under $600 but I might spend a little more if the cost would warrant a better product. So lets hear some advice and thanks in advance!

another +1 on Big Green Egg. Your budget is in the range of a used one (they never show up because people NEVER want to get rid of them). Put a couple hundred more in and you have a new one. Regardless, they have a lifetime warranty. I cook on my weekly, almost daily. Pizzas, burgers, wings, steaks, poultry, etc. In addition, you can outsmoke any of your neighbors with great Q. It will hold temp for 12+ hours with zero adjustment. Wind and temperature have almost no effect on consistency. It's natural lump charcoal that is ready to cook in 10 - 15 minutes and horribly efficient. 15 lbs will last probably 10 cooks vs. as a previous poster listed for Weber smokey mountain. Another plus is there is basically zero cleanup compared to other smokers (google WSM cleanup). Do your research, this is a money saver!

Another vote for a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker here. I will eventually upgrade to a Traeger but I think everyone should learn to babysit a chunk/coal fired smoker and pull at least one all nighter before buying a pellet. That way you'll understand the value of your purchase and the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing it the hard way!

+1 great advice.

I started with a weber smokey mountain and ended with a Big Green Egg.