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Greg (Hillsboro, OH) 
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Hillsboro, OH
Points: 1188
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 Topic: Looking for a smoker - advice??
Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 9:03am |
I know everyone will have their favorites and ideas, but i'm looking to buy a smoker. I've never had or used one before. I don't want to spend a lot, but at the same time, I don't want to get something and then have to buy something else after I don't like the first one. Lots of options, electric, wood, pellet, etc out there. Looking for something easy to use that I won't have to stand over the whole time. It would be for family use, primarily 3-4 people, and occasionally for up to 6 or 7. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks,
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Thad in AR.
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Arkansas
Points: 9648
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 11:10am |
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Do you have good options for good solid smoker wood? If so I’d buy an Oklahoma Joe and never need another.
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plummerscarin
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Joined: 22 Jun 2015
Location: ia
Points: 3902
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 12:34pm |
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We had a Weber that worked well. Not very expensive and used LP. When smoking we could select the wood chips we wanted soak them for a half hour then lay on the lava rocks over the burner. Ran it off a 30lb cylinder. Two levels for larger gatherings. The reason we retire was because we started curing bacon and hams smoking pork butts. Those long cook times required constantly monitoring the gas regulator as the supply pressure continually changed and was difficult to keep steady heat. My plan was to hook up to the 1000 gallon tank for steady supply pressure but my accountant insisted on a Green Mountain pellet grill. Yes, more expensive but the controls on it monitor temps way better and all you have to do is set the temp and keep the pellet hopper full. Can do a cook on butt or hams on one fill. Have Bluetooth on it so you can keep watch while prepping in the kitchen and two temp probes built in. The taste of finished product is way better also.
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tadams(OH)
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Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Location: Jeromesville, O
Points: 10868
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 2:47pm |
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I have a electric one and we have enjoyed good food from it and you don't have to stand around and watch it.
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darrel in ND
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: Hebron, ND
Points: 8715
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 2:54pm |
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I bought a pit boss cabinet type pellet smoker 3 years ago. Cost 400 bucks. It's everything I wanted and more. Darrel
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Greg (Hillsboro, OH)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Hillsboro, OH
Points: 1188
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 3:36pm |
 darrel in ND wrote:
I bought a pit boss cabinet type pellet smoker 3 years ago. Cost 400 bucks. It's everything I wanted and more. Darrel |
Darrel, is yours electric or LP? I think I've seen both types on the Pit Boss. Can they be used in a car port area, or do they need to be out away from under the roof somewhere?
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WF owner
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Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Bombay NY
Points: 5010
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 8:05pm |
I recently bought a Camp Chef 24" electric pellet grill. Still pretty new and still learning, but pretty easy to use and I like it, so far.
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desertjoe
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Location: New mexico
Points: 13692
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Posted: 29 Mar 2021 at 9:01pm |
Well,,I've had several smokers including 2 small electrics but I never could get them to go to a higher temperature like I wanted. Then I was lucky to win a BIG Smoke Hollow one at a BBQ Cookoff here and that is what I been useing since. I did do some modifications to it like adding a "distribution Plate" under the grate of the smoker and now it spreads the smoke pretty evenly all over the grate,,,,  My son, who is a dedicated smoker Person and he has one of those Green Egg but man,,are they expensive but that thing has 2" thick refractory walls,,holds the heat forever,,,,but sure was expensive,,,,
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sho-man1
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Wylie, TX
Points: 193
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Posted: 30 Mar 2021 at 7:34am |
Picked up a Pit Boss 1100XL smoker/grill pellet. Going on over a year, no issues. I smoke brisket, top and bottom roasts then crank heat to 400 for steaks and burgers. I prefer hickory or oak pellets but have used all type except mesquite, don't need that tang. Stick burners are great once you get the knack for heat control, pellet smokers really are the easy-bake ovens. If your meat doesn't have your desired smoke ring/bark on it, add a smoke tube(amazon).
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darrel in ND
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Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Location: Hebron, ND
Points: 8715
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Posted: 30 Mar 2021 at 3:30pm |
Greg (Hillsboro, OH) wrote:
darrel in ND wrote:
I bought a pit boss cabinet type pellet smoker 3 years ago. Cost 400 bucks. It's everything I wanted and more. Darrel |
Darrel, is yours electric or LP? I think I've seen both types on the Pit Boss. Can they be used in a car port area, or do they need to be out away from under the roof somewhere?
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It's a pellet smoker, but does require 110 plug in to run it. I have it on my patio under a roof. I don't think that I would use it on a horrible windy day but otherwise works good. And we do use it like an oven quite often. Lots of frozen pizzas get baked in there. Makes em kind of like having smoked cheese on them. YUMMY! Darrel
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john(MI)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: SE MI
Points: 9262
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Posted: 30 Mar 2021 at 7:00pm |
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I was told that an electric smoker can't get wet or it's ruined. I guess it's something about the coils.
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D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446
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Dakota Dave
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: ND
Points: 3971
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Posted: 30 Mar 2021 at 8:32pm |
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I have a brinkman charcoal smoker. Its a smoker only Ive smoked about 500 lbs of salmon on it over the years. It dosent get hot. If I want a hot smoke I use my Webber grill with the charcoal side pans. If I want it real hot I put the volcano in the center.
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Ted J
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Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: La Crosse, WI
Points: 18943
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Posted: 30 Mar 2021 at 10:44pm |
An here I was all set to sell you my ole WD45. Smokes enough for sure... 
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"Allis-Express"
19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17
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desertjoe
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Location: New mexico
Points: 13692
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Posted: 31 Mar 2021 at 9:16am |
Ted J wrote:
An here I was all set to sell you my ole WD45. Smokes enough for sure...
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Hey!!bamamabamamaHUMbamamamaboomamamamammama I hear a bid over in the back,,wha'd you bid there fellar,,,Ok, folks,,we got a startin bid of $12.95 for this UM,,well used wd45,,no extra charge for the smoke,,,,,Do I hear any more bids,,,,Hey,,mamamamababammam,,,,,,
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Bob D. (La)
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Louisiana
Points: 25529
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Posted: 31 Mar 2021 at 10:36am |
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$15.00
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When you find yourself in a hole,PUT DOWN THE SHOVEL!!!
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Greg (Hillsboro, OH)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Hillsboro, OH
Points: 1188
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Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 9:13am |
Ted, The WD sounds appealing, but probably won't result in the flavor i'm looking for. Thanks everyone for the input, as expected, everyone has their favorites, and I'm still torn on what route to go, between the cabinet or the pellet grill types. Both seem to have advantages. Guess I will keep looking and researching. It would be easier if I had friends or neighbors with one that I could watch use them, and get samples from.
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desertjoe
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Location: New mexico
Points: 13692
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Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 11:58am |
Dang, Bob,,,I'll meet you and call to $16.33.....and I don't care if it smokes a little but it gotta have GOOD ta'ars,,,,,, 
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Dakota Dave
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: ND
Points: 3971
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Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 12:32pm |
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You can rent a smoker for the weekend if you don't like it your not out a lot of money.
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desertjoe
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Location: New mexico
Points: 13692
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Posted: 01 Apr 2021 at 11:35pm |
I've never used the pellets for smoking and don't think you would get the TRUE smoke taste on your meat unless you use the Pure quill tree wood,,,,,The real secret to a succesful smoker is it's ability to be leak proof,,IN and OUT. That is what controls the temperature sustainability of any smoker. If you don't mind standing over your cook for hours,,then any kind of smoker will do the job for you. The Smoke Mountain I have does not let any combustion air into the firebox,,unless I let it do so by adjusting the air intake. Most good quality smokers also work this way. The thicker the metal,,the better the control of temperature. Let the smoking begin,,,,!!!
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Ted J
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Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: La Crosse, WI
Points: 18943
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Posted: 02 Apr 2021 at 9:34pm |
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Well Joe, I'm gonna steal part of this thread...... I'm lookin for a temp probe that I can see the temp of the stove, the temp of the meat and see it on my cell phone via Bluetooth. What's anybody using with longevity??
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"Allis-Express"
19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17
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