OT: Smoker suggestions

[Statebully]

I've been using a charcoal pit with fire on one side and meat on the other to smoke. Its been successful, but it is a real battle to keep a consistent temperature. I also have a limited amount of food space using this method.

I've noticed the ease of pellet smokers. I've got a budget of $400.

Any recommendations? What do you most of y'all use?

 

[J-Dawg]

In that range, I would suggest the Pit Boss line you can find at Home Depot or Lowe's. I have a coworker with one and he enjoys his. Also, if space isn't an issue (or if you need mobility), the Green Mountain Grill "Davy Crockett" can be found in that range as well, I believe. I have one of the larger GMG's, and it is one of the top purchases I've ever made (along with a quality gun safe and quality toilet paper).

 

[The Peeper]

For that amount of money I would go with something like a Masterbuilt Electric smoker. Comes in a dorm sized refrigerator and has a water pan and a smoke tube that you can add chips/wood to w/out having to open the smoker itself. They come w/ digital temp and timer. Put the meat in the night before, set the temp and time and go to bed, couldn't be easier. You can monitor it via Bluetooth from your phone as needed during the night too. For the money its the way to go in my opinion.

Edited: The 40" is $360 on Amazon.

 

[JenBielema]

Pit Boss vertical pellet smoker

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

In that range, I would suggest the Pit Boss line you can find at Home Depot or Lowe's. I have a coworker with one and he enjoys his. Also, if space isn't an issue (or if you need mobility), the Green Mountain Grill "Davy Crockett" can be found in that range as well, I believe. I have one of the larger GMG's, and it is one of the top purchases I've ever made (along with a quality gun safe and quality toilet paper).

lower end mall pit boss you can get for about 400. most run between 500 and up. under 400 you are looking at a low end wood burner or electric. Recommend masterbuilt electric. you can get a pit boss 700 for 400. the 800s and up are higher. depends on how much space you need.

if you can pay 500 plus tax i would recommend the pitboss 820D series. really nice pellet grill for a good price. it's also a good medium size.

 

[J-Dawg]

lower end mall pit boss you can get for about 400. most run between 500 and up. under 400 you are looking at a low end wood burner or electric. Recommend masterbuilt electric. you can get a pit boss 700 for 400. the 800s and up are higher. depends on how much space you need.

if you can pay 500 plus tax i would recommend the pitboss 820D series. really nice pellet grill for a good price. it's also a good medium size.

I recommend the Masterbuilt Electic as well. I had the MES40 before I got my GMG and I turned out some good food.... but the pellet grill changed my life.

 

[PBRME]

If you can squeeze another 100 out of the budget you should look at the Masterbilt Gravity. Works like a pellet grill but uses charcoal.

 

[IPMdawg]

I’m really close to pulling the trigger on one of those. Only negative I can find is that the app apparently sucks.

 

[NWADawg]

lower end mall pit boss you can get for about 400. most run between 500 and up. under 400 you are looking at a low end wood burner or electric. Recommend masterbuilt electric. you can get a pit boss 700 for 400. the 800s and up are higher. depends on how much space you need.

if you can pay 500 plus tax i would recommend the pitboss 820D series. really nice pellet grill for a good price. it's also a good medium size.

I'm assuming that you have a Pit Boss. Do you get decent smoke flavor with it? I am trying to decide between a Pit Boss and an Oklahoma Joe's.

 

[Rog.sixpack]

You definitely need a good iOS app for authentic BBQ

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I’m really close to pulling the trigger on one of those. Only negative I can find is that the app apparently sucks.

 

[Go Budaw]

I've been using a charcoal pit with fire on one side and meat on the other to smoke. Its been successful, but it is a real battle to keep a consistent temperature. I also have a limited amount of food space using this method.

I've noticed the ease of pellet smokers. I've got a budget of $400.

Any recommendations? What do you most of y'all use?

Anything vertical / charcoal works great. This includes the kamado style grills if you don’t already have a good charcoal grilling option.

I use the Chargriller Akorn for everything....grilling or smoking. Can sear a steak at 650-700 degrees or hold 225 for up to 18 hours on a brisket if I need it to. I’m on year 8 of owning mine and its still going strong, albeit with a little bit of rust. You do need the aftermarket smoking stone and a cover, but you can get all 3 for under $400. If there is another kamado style you like, you should be able to do the same thing, but probably for a bit more money.

If a dedicated smoker is what you are looking for, the Weber bullet smokers work great as well. The Pit Boss, Traeger, etc. do well from what I’ve heard, but I have no experience with them. In general, anything vertical is gonna work way better than an offset / horizontal smoker.