GOOD BBQ Smoker but not to expensive

[TheCowboy]

What is a good BBQ smoker that is not very expensive? We bought this $60 one and it takes 5 hours to actually turn a color. It's pathetic. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Weber Smoky Mountain 18". Very high quality, a lot cheaper than most other options. Keep an eye out on craigslist and you should be able to score one for yourself for super cheap.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

http://www.amazon.com/OLD-OS-ES-Smo...QQLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293576579&sr=8-1

 

[Dallas]

What is a good BBQ smoker that is not very expensive? We bought this $60 one and it takes 5 hours to actually turn a color. It's pathetic. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

Smoking BBQ is a science and honestly 6 hrs isn't all that long to smoke your meat.

Hahaha...smoke your meat...

Thats funny huh bbgun?

I use this. It keeps the ruffians away.

 

[Dallas]

Weber Smoky Mountain 18". Very high quality, a lot cheaper than most other options. Keep an eye out on craigslist and you should be able to score one for yourself for super cheap.

BTW that is a very nice smoker. My buddy has one and does some of the most awesome ribs I have ever tasted.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I had a Brinkman Smoke-n-Pit that I bought from Walmart for about 8 years. I think I paid around $200.00 for it. It was the type with the side smoke box. I wore it out after about 4 years and had to cut some steel plates to line the bottom with. It was a nice roomy pit, and kept a pretty steady temperature. I've since graduated to a Life Tyme pit made in Boerne TX., but there is nothing inexpensive about them.

 

[tomson75]

If you're smoking a pork butt or shoulder you should be entertaining the idea of a 12-15 hour smoke time. Smokers aren't intended to be fast...quite the contrary. The idea is to cook at as low a temperature as will make the food safe to eat, while using extended cooking times to break down the connective tissue in the meat, thus producing an extremely tender product. The 'smoke' is actually a method of flavoring while this process occurs.

There are numerous cheap smokers on the market that will work just fine....most are very similar to one another. There is more technique than science when it comes to smoking meat IMO.

I like my Char-Griller Duo 3 in 1.

 

[rynochop]

I had a Brinkman Smoke-n-Pit that I bought from Walmart for about 8 years. I think I paid around $200.00 for it. It was the type with the side smoke box. I wore it out after about 4 years and had to cut some steel plates to line the bottom with. It was a nice roomy pit, and kept a pretty steady temperature. I've since graduated to a Life Tyme pit made in Boerne TX., but there is nothing inexpensive about them.

Yep, mine is about 20 years old and have only needed to switch out the grills.

old smoky makes a pretty good smoker. does chicken really well.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I had a Brinkman Smoke-n-Pit that I bought from Walmart for about 8 years. I think I paid around $200.00 for it. It was the type with the side smoke box. I wore it out after about 4 years and had to cut some steel plates to line the bottom with. It was a nice roomy pit, and kept a pretty steady temperature. I've since graduated to a Life Tyme pit made in Boerne TX., but there is nothing inexpensive about them.

I was gonna buy my Mom a Brinkman Smoke-n-Pit, but I had to redirect the cash elsewhere. How'd you wear it out in 4 years, if I may ask?

She typically only BBQs for holidays...and the occasional grill session when someone asks her to Que up some meat for them. I don't want to spend that kinda money for her if it gets worn out after 4 years.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I was gonna buy my Mom a Brinkman Smoke-n-Pit, but I had to redirect the cash elsewhere. How'd you wear it out in 4 years, if I may ask?

She typically only BBQs for holidays...and the occasional grill session when someone asks her to Que up some meat for them. I don't want to spend that kinda money for her if it gets worn out after 4 years.

I used it for direct grilling as well, and it doesn't have an adjustable grate. The fire was a little too close to the meat and would burn quickly. To give it a little more room I took out the coal grates and burned coal directly on the pit bottom. After a while of burning and cooling + being out in the weather it finally wore a hole in the bottom. I cut two steel plates to cover the hole and kept right on cooking.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I loved smoked foods, but smoking takes way to freaking long! Maybe when I retire I will start smoking things.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

Weber Smoky Mountain 18". Very high quality, a lot cheaper than most other options. Keep an eye out on craigslist and you should be able to score one for yourself for super cheap.

This :signmast: !!

WSM's are a great product, especially for those that are a "weekend warrior" type BBQ'er. Plus, they're good for grilling too.

Check the CL in your area religiously, and you might stumble on one if you're patient. Otherwise, this being off-season for outdoor cooking, especially in your area, you can likely negotiate a discount on a new 1 at your local home improvement or hardware store.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I used it for direct grilling as well, and it doesn't have an adjustable grate. The fire was a little too close to the meat and would burn quickly. To give it a little more room I took out the coal grates and burned coal directly on the pit bottom. After a while of burning and cooling + being out in the weather it finally wore a hole in the bottom. I cut two steel plates to cover the hole and kept right on cooking.

Ok, gotcha...

I'm gonna keep that one in my backpocket, because she really likes smoking her meat versus grilling. I may just focus on a smoker, even tho she needs both.

 

[DIAF]

If you aren't doing it with a Big Green Egg, you are doing it wrong.