Best smoker for a backyard beginner?

barry · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 141

Have been watching PitMasters TV show and am really looking forward to doing some home BBQ.
What brand smoker would you recommend for a newbie?
Is there such thing as "fool proof" smokers? Smile

Thanks

SoEzzy · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

There is no such thing as a fool proof cooker... as soon as you think you have a fool proof cooker, nature adapts and sends a bigger, more confused fool to thwart your efforts!

How much do you want to spend, how much room do you have, are there any restrictions because of where you live?

What does your wife or S/O think about the whole thing?
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

Mas · Joined: 29 May 2013 Posts: 6

To be a smoker of meats is to be a fool. Your question is flawed. We stay up all night, put up with horrible weather and blow our life savings on this hobby\sport\obsession. Come to grips with this and your purchase becomes easier.

I started on a Walmart cheapo off-set ($150) and regretted it after my first cook. The question is not "if" you will spend a lot of money on this venture, it is "when" you will. I have a Weber Smokey Mountain ($399) and I think it is fantastic. By itself it can do 8+ hr cooks, but if you add a temp control unit, you can go 14+ hrs.

SoEzzy · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

Or you can build your own UDS for around a $100, or buy an off set worth having for about $750 and up!
_________________
Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

necron 99 · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

You just missed the sale at DoItBest - $339 for the 22.5" WSM - they're now 'temporarily out of stock'
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Let's hope SoEzzy can ditch his heavy hand on photos in 2016!

GF · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

barry, I think SoEzzy hit the nail on the head.
Whatever cooker fits your needs and wants, you'll still have to spend some time learning how it cooks and how to run it.

Good luck with your choice, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide on. Very Happy

lokin4deer · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

I started off with a brinkman I bought off of craiglist I bought for next to nothing and quickly learned I didnt like it. So I opted to build a UDS and here I am 2 years later smoking right along. I still have a lot to learn but I feel I have a good start.
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Dave

speedbump · Joined: 27 Nov 2012 Posts: 11

The best smoker is the one you can afford, enjoy cooking on, and don't get in trouble for buying.
I started with a Weber Smoky Mountian. Awesome, easier to work with, did I say awesome? I then went to a very inexpensive offset from Home Depot. I should've ran when I starte assembly and nothing fit tight, BUT I just had to give myself a reason to kick my own butt for a couple years.
Thin metal, gaps everywhere, fire box thats too small, thin meal, huge gaps.

Currently I'm having a hybrid offset built for me. Following many guides I've seen here, lots of builds to rob ideas from, etc.

If you're cash strapped or just darting, I think the WSM is te best turnkey option.

lantern · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

The easiest thing for beginners and and easy way to get you hooked enough to really start into real bbq is an insulated electric smoker like a cookshack. SUPER easy and lets you work on your meat prep and get used to the timing or lack there of when cooking large hunks of meat at low temps.

Then later you can move on up and start cooking with fire(either charcoal or stick burners) which will add better smoke rings and change your flavors just a bit.

N8DCJ · Posted: May 31 2013 Post subject:

I would seriously look at the WSM , I have the 18.5 and love it , it is fairly "fool proof" .... If you get one you won't regret it.

Dan
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Char Griller Trio
Weber Kettle - 18.5
WSM - 18.5

Blue_Eyes_Smoke · Joined: 29 May 2013 Posts: 23

I started out with a cheap offset and I didn't like the results. For a while I "smoked" on a custom grill (set up for indirect with some rigged aluminum foil baffles). I then moved on to a Kamado style cooker (like the Big Green Egg) and now am in the process of finally buying my first higher-end smoker. In hindsight I think I should have gone with a Weber Smokey Mountain from the beginning. It's a great smoker for not a lot of money; hell a lot of competition teams use them.

Mike Lawry · Posted: Jun 01 2013 Post subject:

Dont know your budget but the Weber smokers work for me.

Im just backyard bbq.

Mike Lawry.

ts8181 · Newbie Joined: 18 Oct 2011 Posts: 33 Location: Vista,Ca.

Build a UDS, cheap, easy, and cooks awesome! I have two, one with a iq110 blower.

JoeMofknDot · Posted: Jun 02 2013 Post subject: Re: Best smoker for a backyard beginner?

It really depends on you and what kind of fuel you are going to use. I personally use a bunch of smokers depending on the volume of food and type of fuel I have on hand. I use my modified Oklahoma Joe for cooking 1 brisket or 3 racks of ribs with a wood fire. I use a modded Char-Griller offset when doing 2 briskets or 6 racks of ribs or 4 pork butts fired with charcoal and chunks. Then if I'm really cooking I fire up the big boy when I have to cook multiple briskets, ribs, pork butts, and chicken at the same time. I use different stokers to make temperature control easier. But if you build the fire correctly you don't really need the stoker.

Travis_Creek · Posted: Jun 02 2013 Post subject: Re: UDS

Tim_Abrahamson · Posted: Jun 02 2013 Post subject:

Copronymous · Newbie Joined: 01 Jan 2013 Posts: 36

My opinion:
Cheap & easy-UDS. Love mine and it cooks awesome briskets. The iQ 110 is a great addition.

Got a little cash:
Stick burner-Go with Diamond Plate. Never had one but have cooked on one several times and it turns out some great product.

Charcoal-Backwoods. Been really happy with it.

barry · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 141

Okay, I'm gonna show my ignorance and ask what is a UDS?

Nevermind, I found it.

k.a.m. · Posted: Jun 03 2013 Post subject:

jansboy · Newbie Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 31

Ugly drum is the best for the least money. Great cooker. I have built 5 for myself and family and friends.