Buying a smoker - need help

[fly2cast]

I would like to buy a smoker but have little experience smoking. What would you recommend buying? I don't want something cheaply made but I don't want to spend the money on top of the line either. $150 - $400 would be about what I could spend.

 

[GSP]

Saw one at Minot WalMart last week. Was $170 I think. I prefer propane so I can get it hot no matter what time of year. What are your main uses? I use mine for weekend meals and meat processing.

 

[fly2cast]

I want to buy it to make jerky (instead of using a dehydrator) but I think I would like to also use it to make ribs or smoke fish or sausage. And if not too steep of a learning curve make other things.

 

[westwolfone]

I bought a Masterbilt electric about 3 years ago. It was under $150 at Fleet Farm.

It works good and very easy to use.

 

[RustyTackleBox]

I have heard really good things about the pit boss brand ones, they have the same controller as the traegers. I have heard they are sold at menards

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and at the top end of your price range there I think

 

[measure-it]

Cajun Injector from Scheels: digital programming and temp meat probe for ease of use, and just set it and forget it (unless you need extra wood chips- a neat side chute so you don't need to open the main door. It's an electric unit for add'l ease of use. Works good for under $200!

 

[snow]

Check out bradley electric smokers,well made,insulated,spend a few extra bucks and get the digital model.costs about $1/hr of use,never run outof fuel,no residual taste from charcoal or propane,set smoke time,temp and walk away for a few hours.Amazon has the best price.

 

[Whisky]

For your intended uses, and price range, I would pick up a Masterbuilt Electric 40" smoker for $300

https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...MI-d-7g4XI1QIVx42zCh02CAaYEAkYAiABEgJpxPD_BwE

Then i would pick up the cold smoker attachment for it for $65

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DF6WWE/?tag=nodakangler10-20

 

[deleted]

For your intended uses, and price range, I would pick up a Masterbuilt Electric 40" smoker for $300

https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...MI-d-7g4XI1QIVx42zCh02CAaYEAkYAiABEgJpxPD_BwE

Then i would pick up the cold smoker attachment for it for $65

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DF6WWE/?tag=nodakangler10-20

I really like the smoker you recommend Whisky, but as far as cold smoking rather than spend that on the attachment I just use a smoke'n tube from Owen's.............Can cold smoke cheese or whatever in any kind of grill you choose to do it on.

 

[jpv]

Thumbs Up

For your intended uses, and price range, I would pick up a Masterbuilt Electric 40" smoker for $300

https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...MI-d-7g4XI1QIVx42zCh02CAaYEAkYAiABEgJpxPD_BwE

Then i would pick up the cold smoker attachment for it for $65

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DF6WWE/?tag=nodakangler10-20

 

[Whisky]

I really like the smoker you recommend Whisky, but as far as cold smoking rather than spend that on the attachment I just use a smoke'n tube from Owen's.............Can cold smoke cheese or whatever in any kind of grill you choose to do it on.

True, those tubes work for cold smoke.

But the cold smoker attachment can also be used for hot smoking. One big downfall with the MES is the factory wood chip holder is dinky and needs to be refilled often. With the attachment you dont have to babysit the wood supply.

 

[wslayer]

What Whiskey said. Can get the sport elite (6 rack) capable,glass door, remote. Have done jerky, turkey, chicken, ribs, game hens. I think it will have a tough time if used in cold weather. Long recovery time if door is opened with electric.

 

[deleted]

True, those tubes work for cold smoke.

But the cold smoker attachment can also be used for hot smoking. One big downfall with the MES is the factory wood chip holder is dinky and needs to be refilled often. With the attachment you dont have to babysit the wood supply.

The tube works equally as well for hot smoking...... ;:;boozer

 

[Whisky]

The tube works equally as well for hot smoking...... ;:;boozer

Not without air they don't. And there is no air (or not enough) in the electric cabinet smokers to keep em burning. :;:thumbsup

 

[norm70]

WalMart on the expressway in Bismarck had all their grills and smokers on clearance. I picked up a pitboss pellet smoker for 250 there last saturday. They had several smokers there under 100 bucks. Im not sure if they still have alot in stock though.
I own a cajun injector electric also that works decent for low temp smoking picked it up for around 200 a couple years back.

 

[Ericb]

I bought a Cajun injector XL last spring threw field and stream. I paid somewhere between $200 and $250. Controls are awesome just set it and forget it. Being so wide it's nice I can do full rack of ribs full batches of jerkey or sausage all at once. I've had to do a little rigging to get the double doors to stay closer tightly, not a big deal. My biggest issue is making smoke at cooler temps 140- 200. I have to adjust the element occasionally to be close enough to the pan. I also have to be careful not to put to much wood in. It says a 1/4 at a time but I've found less more often is better. To much and no smoke. I've read about many issues with moisture and the electric so if you keep it out side use a cover. Mine came with one.

 

[eyexer]

I was new to the smoking thing a year ago. Bought a masterbuilt digital smoker and it's been awesome. You can monitor everything without opening the door. Has a very large water bowl that doesn't go dry in eight to ten hours of smoking. Meat probe and even a remote you can keep in the house so you can see where it's at during the game lol.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

There was a thread about this topic within the last year. Maybe someone else can find it and post it. I have and like my MES 40". There are a few things I'd like to change but overall it gets the nod.