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  • Whats the best smoker?

    Last night I was asked by my aunt what smoker I recommend cause they want to get one. I asked what she wanted to do and she said chickens, butts, and sausages. So I'm thinking vertical. I told her not to get a bradley, I have one but hate it. It doesn't sound like she liked the idea of pellets would rather use chunks. She also gave me the impression they would prefer electric but I don't think that's a deal breaker. Beings I'm not familiar with them what to you all recommend not sure of their price budget. Thanks in advance.
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  • #2
    Well..heck... there's a few. If they are set on electric...The Cookshack's a good unit. Me..I'd buy a Lang. Cooking just for them... the 48. Klose is a great pit too. They have a "Patio" model.
    In God I trust- All others pay cash...
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    • #3
      I have a 40" MES. I like that they made the size of the wood chip tray larger. I've been happy with. I love to cook ribs in it. I also made homemade hot dogs and took the grates out to hang them. They were awesome. I like that it uses wood chips as there is a great variety of flavors available or you can make your own.

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      • #4
        (insert here, icon of can opener opening can with worms hanging out)

        Like Rich said, for ease of use, I like my cookshack, but it just aint as good as cooking with real wood!
        Kevin
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        GSM upright gasser,
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        • #5
          I have owned a MES & besides it deciding to quit working 6-7 times while I was smoking something, I enjoyed it & smoked a lot of stuff on it. They had wiring issues a while back when I had mine, not sure if they fixed the problems or not. They are still made in China I believe.

          I now have a Cookshack & love it. Built like a fricken tank. Made in Oklahoma.


          IMO if price is an issue, I would get the MES 40, if price is not the Cookshack.
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          • #6
            If cost is not a factor they can get a backwoods or another vertical. Get a BBQ guru and the smoker is basically a set and forget it cooking machine.
            Unless they can find a used one, expect to pay over $1000.
            Not familiar with the cookshsck but have heard they are nice.


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            • #7
              Originally posted by ktdavis View Post
              (insert here, icon of can opener opening can with worms hanging out)
              DONE!!

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              • #8
                Thanks for the advice. Beings this would be their first I'm thinking the mes would be the way to go. Probably tell them bout the gosm to, they look good. Although I think the best smoker for the money is their nephew
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                • #9
                  might be worth looking at also.

                  http://www.smokintex.com/?gclid=CNPf...FWQ0QgodYiejnw

                  can not say what is best. ever one has differnces. but most others you are looking at seem to need MODS to make them cook/ smoke better. this one does not seem to need any MODS just smoke with it. a lang patio would be nice are the next one up. but then they needa diet of split wood or easy stuff like lump coal. lots..
                  good luck.

                  yes, I have the Pro model st and love it. no mods need by me.
                  sigpicWal-Mart shopping cart undergoing heavy mods.
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                  need a larger spatula for early morning road kill removal.

                  As the venomous south American hissing skunk rat is growing fast and needs larger portions.

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                  • #10
                    A couple of things. Does she have any meat smoking experience atall and whats the budget here?

                    If she is a beginner and on a lean budget and electric is what she is after I would say a Brinkman Gourmet Electric. Its a great beginner model, just the electric version of the ECB. You can put some flakes or small chunks right in there.

                    But honestly, even though she is leaning electric, if you could edge her into the lump or even regular charcoal direction, a UDS is fantastic for chicken once you learn the learning curve.

                    But overall, it will boil down to what she is comfortable with in maintaining the temp/air flow combo, how much time and money she has and patience. If she isn't comfortable with the smoker, then it will never be the perfect smoker for her.
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                    • #11
                      David, they would be beginners. I was goimg to recommend an uds until she said sausage. She was really interested in my fridge which I know her husband could make one. I'm just helping her with this cause she's getting me my grandpas bbq sauce recipe. I can't tell you what their budget is. I'm thinking something reasonable and easy to control.
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                      • #12
                        I would like to throw my 0.02 $ in as I can offer the perspective of a novice. My thoughts are don't spend a lot until you know you really like it. Then go full bore. What is easy to sell if I decide this aint for me ? So easy to use, popular and not too expensive. If I was leaning towards electric I would say buy a 40" MES. Easy to use, nice features and from what I have found the bugs have been pretty much been squished.

                        I am a charcoal guy so a 22.5" WSM is my choice. Right after the wedding...yeah.
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                        • #13
                          best advice would be to start with a decent sized kettle (one of the cheap chinesse knockofss - weber are just too bloody pricey).
                          I actually saw one the other day with a warming rack built into the lid.


                          If I had anywhere to put it i'd have bought it.
                          But I've managed to claim a permanent space on the patio for the outlaw, anything else would just result in severe nagging

                          That way they can learn the craft of smoking on something simple and cheap to use while looking round and deciding how they'd like to proceed.

                          And of course the most important thing you can tell them is to start reading through Smoked-meat.com Where all life is to be found, eating, drinking and generally showing that bbq improves your whole existence :-)
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                          • #14
                            Sounds like a GOSM or reasonable facsimile might be up their ally. Some here frown upon the propane but they are great units and easy to use.
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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by curious aardvark View Post
                              best advice would be to start with a decent sized kettle (one of the cheap Chinese knockoffs - Webers are just too bloody pricey).

                              Why bother supporting the Chinese economy when there are so many good used Weber kettles on Craigslist Kettles in excellent condition can be had for 50% or less than retail.




                              That way they can learn the craft of smoking on something simple and cheap to use while looking round and deciding how they'd like to proceed.

                              When describing a used Weber kettle, I prefer the word inexpensive, but that's just me.
                              .
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