Smoker advice

[gunlovingirl]

No, not cigars or cigarettes. Back years ago, we had a small electric smoker that I made jerky and smoked salmon in. I'd like to get another smoker. But the one I had didn't get hot enough to actually cook things like chicken, turkey, pork butt, etc. I grill with charcoal, because of the better taste, but I want either an electric or gas smoker so I can use it in the winter without having to add charcoal. I also don't have hundreds of dollars to spend. I'd like to keep the cost under $250. I've read some reviews on different brands, but I'd like to hear from any smokers here on the forum. Remember, electric or gas only. Thanks!

 

[JayCeeNC]

Brinkmann makes a pretty good electric smoker. They're available at most Home Depot, Lowe's Home Improvement, etc., type stores.

Electric Smokers & Grills | Brinkmann

 

[Bob R]

I have the Cabelas electric smoker, looks like it is made by Brinkman. Cabela's: Cabela's Premium Electric Smoker . I like the way it is set up so I don't have to bend over as much to load it. This is my 3rd electric smoker, the only issue I have with this one is when it is cold outside (below freezing) it is hard to get it up to 200 degrees. I wrap it with an old moving blanket and it works well. It will hold (barely) a whole brisket. Pork butts, chickens, ribs aren't a problem.

bob

 

[Jst1mr]

Misty, I have had great luck with a Smoke Hollow electric smoker by Outdoor Leisure Products, and I have used it outside in Wisconsin winters where it did great maintaining temperature. Great features - check it out, should be in your $$ range.

 

[Pete99004]

My friend has a Masterbuilt 30" electric he raves about and I'm looking at purchasing one myself - you can see it here if you are interested - it is in your price range and currently on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070910-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse/product-reviews/B00104WRCY

Regards,
Pete

PS - if it's just salmon/fish or small tenderloin pork, chicken or turkey breast fillets, you can look at Cameron's stove top smoker - runs about $50 and works great. I have one I use on the RV and in the house for smaller meals/items as stated above. Pete

 

[joeintexas]

I too have used the Brinkmann electric smoker for about 20 years now, have had to replace the heating element a couple of times but all in all it gets the job done very well. I smoke a 20 plus pound turkey every christmas and thanksgiving and brisket and ribs during the year with no problems. A mixture of mesquite and hickory wood gives meat a really nice flavor on the smoker. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Brian41]

I've had charcoal, gas and electric smokers. The problem as already mentioned with electric models is getting them hot enough in cold temps. My gas model can bake at 350 degrees if I need to speed things up as I once did with a 20 pound plus turkey after 8 hours of smoking.
They're lots of fun and smoked foods are some of my favorite. Good luck.

 

[Jst1mr]

My friend has a Masterbuilt 30" electric he raves about and I'm looking at purchasing one myself - you can see it here if you are interested - it is in your price range and currently on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070910-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse/product-reviews/B00104WRCY

Regards,
Pete

Read customer reviews carefully before going the Masterbuilt route...much complaining about defective wiring and short-lived heating elements, and poor customer service

 

[DeadAye]

We used to smoke a turkey on Christmas, but Big Bamboo albums are getting REALLY hard to find

 

[Class III]

It's Big Bambu. SHUUUTTTT UUUUPPPP (Sister Mary Elephant)

Class III

 

[jkc]

Misty,

Take a look at the Cameron Smoker/Cooker, which I'm happy to endorse, and may fit some of your needs...

 

[Doug M.]

Wow. Those are some arcane Cheech and Chong references. I still have that album with its paper.

 

[DeadAye]

It's Big Bambu. SHUUUTTTT UUUUPPPP (Sister Mary Elephant)

Class III

HOLY COW!
I just looked thru the stack and low and behold - I've been spelling it WRONG like forever
No wonder I can't find a copy

 

[thndrchiken]

I picked up a Brinkman charcoal smoker for cheap at Home Depot and converted it to gas by mounting a single burner propane stove bought from Walmart and drilling a hole in the side of the smoker for the gas pipe. You'll also need the adapter hose. Going that route was actually cheaper than buying the gas model.

 

[mica53]

I would go with the Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker. It's a charcoal smoker though. If you load the charcoal correctly using the Minion method it will cook for 18 hours on one load. Get the 18 1/2" model.

Learn how to use it here. They also explain the Minion method for loading the charcoal.

The Virtual Weber Bullet - For the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker smoker enthusiast

 

[Marshwheeling]

Do you have any Norwegians where you live? Talk to one of them. Around here, we have a lot of old-school Norwegians, and they are mad for smokers. A lot of times they will make a smoker out of a refrigerator.
How to build a fridge smoker
You can smoke a lot of fish in one of those.