what kind of smoker to buy?

[TNReb]

I'm interested in buying a smoker.. but don't know much about them yet. Any recommendations? Electric vs traditional?

Edit - I should have mentioned my budget. I'm not looking for anything high-end. $300 would be the max.. preferably less.

 

[Trapper John]

I've been using an original Bradley electric for years and have no interest in using anything else. The only downside is you use wood pucks made by Bradley, but they work great.

I got it because I like smoked food, but hate mess. The food comes out great and cleanup takes all of 5 minutes. My main goal was to make good food for family and friends, not for judges at a competition. This particular smoker works perfectly for that purpose.

 

[Bigswede3423]

I recently bought a Kamado Joe ceramic but I've also got a Weber Smoky Mountain. For your budget, the Weber is the way to go. Very high quality. I've had a Weber gas grill for 10 years and its great.

 

[yamaha200]

Go to Home Depo and buy the smoker they have. I have used mine for years, and they cook, and smoke great. It has a side fire box on it also. You can then cut your own wood for smoking, and not have to worry about buying special wood for certian smokers. They are under $200. Plus you can use them for cooking everything you normally do on a regular charcoal grill.

 

[TAFKAP]

That CharBroil one from Home Depot is the one I have. It's pretty handy for just about anything. The biggest hunk of meat I've ever smoked on it was a small brisket. One day, I'll graduate up to a pork shoulder. But it does ribs well, jerky, chickens, and brisket pretty nicely. I might graduate up to an egg shaped something or another once this one rusts through. But that might be a while. I've had it 7 years, and it's still going strong.