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Community => Butchering, Cooking, Recipes => Topic started by: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 07:11:20 AM

Title: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 07:11:20 AM: My 12 year old Bradley crapped out on my last batch of jerky. Its been a good smoker but I never liked the gravity biscuit feeder system, and it hasn't worked right for a few years anyway.

Any advice on quality stand alone smokers. I don't want a grill/smoker combo etc. Im looking single unit, insert chips/wood etc...set it and forget it. I'm kind of leaning towards Smokin Tex. Simple and stainless.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on November 26, 2021, 07:35:14 AM: Lure Jenson / Smoke House front loader from Bi-Mart. Lots of choices for wood chips for your favorite tastes. They have a great recipe book!
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: CP on November 26, 2021, 10:46:19 AM: +1 on the Lure Jenson. I rarely use my Bradley; never cared for the biscuit system either. The Lure Jenson Big/Little Chief does a great job and is easy the use/clean/store. No special biscuits or chips needed (I chip my own). I prefer the top loader.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 11:16:25 AM: I've got a chief I'll use sometimes in the summer for salmon/ tuna when temp control isn't an issue...but the non insulated aspect makes fall and winter smoking difficult... thanks for the input.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 26, 2021, 11:37:11 AM: Quote from: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 11:16:25 AM
I've got a chief I'll use sometimes in the summer for salmon/ tuna when temp control isn't an issue...but the non insulated aspect makes fall and winter smoking difficult... thanks for the input.
Keep the box it came in !
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: jrebel on November 26, 2021, 11:47:01 AM: Been looking at getting a vertical smoker myself.

Am looking at the pit boss pellet smoker so I can use the same pellets I use in my traeger. It also gets good reviews.

They make pellet, electric and Lp models.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 11:54:20 AM: Quote from: Magnum_Willys on November 26, 2021, 11:37:11 AM
Quote from: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 11:16:25 AM
I've got a chief I'll use sometimes in the summer for salmon/ tuna when temp control isn't an issue...but the non insulated aspect makes fall and winter smoking difficult... thanks for the input.
Keep the box it came in !

Box works ok..old school technique that my old man used to do... I've done it ..but I know a guy that almost burned down his shop doing it ..so it's not my preferred option :chuckle:
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Remnar on November 26, 2021, 01:09:10 PM: I have a Weston propane smoker that ive been pretty happy with .

Have done everything from fish to turkey in it . Use whatever chips you want, can adjust temp/flame . Obviously depends on ambient temps for flame controll but can get it in the low 100's to about 300 degrees

It must be durable as ive had it for about 10 years . Although it is kept inside when not in use .
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: scotsman on November 26, 2021, 01:36:42 PM: I have a Pit Boss and really like it…. Seems to be better built than my buddy’s Traegar. Very consistent temperature control.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Badhabit on November 26, 2021, 02:30:56 PM: 48" electric masterbuilt with the remote control. Don't get the one with the window. Pia to keep clean.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Katmai Guy on November 26, 2021, 02:43:43 PM: Smokin Tex is a great lil smoker. Easy to keep at temp in cold months but a little finnicky until you get using chunk wood down. Have done alot of fish, chicken and porkbutts, cant do a fullsize brisket because of the size though.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Stein on November 26, 2021, 03:02:04 PM: I had a Masterbuilt and it wasn't very masterfully built as I had to buy a new plug/controller pretty much every year. It would go out and not get up to the temp I wanted. First one was warrantied but the rest were paid until it went to the dump where it belonged.

If you are only doing fish or colder smoking the Little/Big chief is tough to beat. If you want to smoke at bbq temps then a pellet smoker is what I use. I can do anything from ambient temp to 500 degrees in my pellet grill.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: LDennis24 on November 26, 2021, 03:56:37 PM: I was under the impression all the cool people have a Traeger? :dunno: Everyone I know who gets one puts their nose in the air when they talk about it.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: jrebel on November 26, 2021, 04:09:04 PM: Quote from: LDennis24 on November 26, 2021, 03:56:37 PM
I was under the impression all the cool people have a Traeger? :dunno: Everyone I know who gets one puts their nose in the air when they talk about it.

Traeger doesn’t make box smoker and definitely doesn’t make a smoker that does pucks. I was under the impression the op was looking for a smoker only and not a grill.

For what it’s worth, I love my traeger.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: bustedoldman on November 26, 2021, 04:27:02 PM: Quote from: Badhabit on November 26, 2021, 02:30:56 PM
48" electric masterbuilt with the remote control. Don't get the one with the window. Pia to keep clean.

This is what I have ( with Bluetooth) I don’t bother with the window. Works great for everything, fish, birds, prime rib…Even cold smoking cheese.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 26, 2021, 04:30:42 PM: Quote from: bustedoldman on November 26, 2021, 04:27:02 PM
Quote from: Badhabit on November 26, 2021, 02:30:56 PM
48" electric masterbuilt with the remote control. Don't get the one with the window. Pia to keep clean.

This is what I have ( with Bluetooth) I don’t bother with the window. Works great for everything, fish, birds, prime rib…Even cold smoking cheese.

I’ve had the same for 4? years. Works great, no issues yet.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: LDennis24 on November 26, 2021, 04:43:19 PM: Quote from: jrebel on November 26, 2021, 04:09:04 PM
Quote from: LDennis24 on November 26, 2021, 03:56:37 PM
I was under the impression all the cool people have a Traeger? :dunno: Everyone I know who gets one puts their nose in the air when they talk about it.

Traeger doesn’t make box smoker and definitely doesn’t make a smoker that does pucks. I was under the impression the op was looking for a smoker only and not a grill.

For what it’s worth, I love my traeger.

Definitely wasn't a dig at anyone Jrebel. I am not experienced in any commercial smokers. I just know they are popular but I question what makes them better or what the draw is as opposed to a green mountain, pit boss, or Bradley etc. I have built my own several times and recently picked up half of a 500 gallon steel propane tank to make a new one. I'm thinking vertical with a door in it and plumb the smoke in from a separate box for cold smoke. I wanna start doing my own cheese. I love smoked cheese!
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 26, 2021, 04:45:40 PM: Yes..stand alone.. I've got my preference for BBQ-in...

Still leaning smokin tex... American made..
I've looked into the masterbuilt and see mixed reviews... definitely an option. Thanks for the input.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: jrebel on November 26, 2021, 05:38:51 PM: Quote from: LDennis24 on November 26, 2021, 04:43:19 PM
Quote from: jrebel on November 26, 2021, 04:09:04 PM
Quote from: LDennis24 on November 26, 2021, 03:56:37 PM
I was under the impression all the cool people have a Traeger? :dunno: Everyone I know who gets one puts their nose in the air when they talk about it.

Traeger doesn’t make box smoker and definitely doesn’t make a smoker that does pucks. I was under the impression the op was looking for a smoker only and not a grill.

For what it’s worth, I love my traeger.

Definitely wasn't a dig at anyone Jrebel. I am not experienced in any commercial smokers. I just know they are popular but I question what makes them better or what the draw is as opposed to a green mountain, pit boss, or Bradley etc. I have built my own several times and recently picked up half of a 500 gallon steel propane tank to make a new one. I'm thinking vertical with a door in it and plumb the smoke in from a separate box for cold smoke. I wanna start doing my own cheese. I love smoked cheese!

No offense taken….I think traeger at one point was the brand to beat. As smokers gained in popularity, others got in the game. Smokers are quite simple so anyone can make one. The competition has made traeger step up their game. Most major manufacturers are competitive now.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: fowl smacker on November 26, 2021, 06:17:57 PM: I've had a masterbuilt for about 6 years now. It replaced my Big Chiefs, that used to work ok, but pain in the butt during the fall/winter. My masterbuilt has a window, I got that model because it was the one on sale black Friday. I don't use the window for looking through so I don't worry about keeping it clean. It's done a fantastic job for me. I also have a Rec Tec grill that I smoke on too and is awesome. You couldn't pay me to go back to a big or little chief smoker.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: BD1 on November 26, 2021, 06:26:14 PM: I had a master built chest style...loved it but the brain on top died and I said screw it and got a Green Mountain pellet grill/smoker. Different animals but both made everything I wanted and done perfectly and I am no expert on how to do it. I just followed the directions. The Green Mountain is nice because it serves double duty as a grill. Not a competition smoker guy but everyone loves what comes off of it...and I have never had an issue with it. FYI I did not do the WiFi model because I love to hang out on the porch and watch it from time to time...I know weird :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: jackson7 on November 26, 2021, 07:09:04 PM: luv the smokin tex. set the temp and go away. expensive, but it is a one time buy. i find i use more often due to the simpicity of it. Good luck
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Alchase on November 26, 2021, 07:42:53 PM: I have had to many smokers to count. Most were home made. All have put out great product once I did my part.
I now have two Bradley smokers. The first I bought in 2006 is an original 4-rack. The second is a 6-rack digital I bought in 2017. The old unit is setup with the smoke generator on a six ft. Hose for cold smoking. I have gotten spoiled with the set and forget it. I use I-Grill remote temp sensors I monitor on my iPhone. There is no reason to open the smoker until done.
I have many proven recipes and notes of what worked and what did not work, repeating what you like is easy.

There are so many good smokers on the market now, you really can’t go wrong as long as you have a proven recipe and the correct temp and time settings, you will get good product.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: TommyH on November 27, 2021, 08:57:38 AM: +1 for the masterbuilt. Love mine, wish it was a bit wider tho.
Title: Re: Smoker Recommendation's?
Post by: Badhabit on November 27, 2021, 08:27:08 PM: My wish list is a Cookshack Fast Eddy.