i want to start smoking

[xSauronx]

ok so i finally got a charcoal grill earlier this year, just a little weber smokey joe that i can toss in the trunk and take around to cook out. before this all ive used was gas grills, and using lump charcoal beats the bejesus out of just gas for flavor if it something that needs a little time to cook.

so i can do chicken on it, and ribs, without too much trouble, but i cant refuel it easy when im cooking and its not big enough to cook a lot of food or something large.

so i want a smoker. ive seen guys do the flower pot thing, which looks like a fun project and is something id consider for the fun of it, and i know theres a few types of stock smokers i can buy.

whats a good, budget way to get into it? what are some features to look for and whats the best way to go? charcoal seems like itd be hard to keep the temp properly, i have a gas line here at home i could have split so i could hookup a gas smoker, or should i go electric?

im open to any options or suggestions. id like to keep the price at or below $100 or so, unless theres just a great option to consider for a little more that can double as a *good* charcoal grill as well.

 

[Barfo]

:thumbsup: @ thread title.

 

[Freshgeardude]

Originally posted by: Barfo
:thumbsdown: @ thread title.

fixed

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: Barfo
:thumbsup: @ thread title.

This thread certainly didn't match my expectations after reading the title, but it's still a worthy subject. :beer:

 

[Crono]

boo

 

[GRHawk]

For a great smoker, search Craigslist for a 18" Weber Smoky Mountain (WSM). They can sometimes be found in good shape for $100 or less, but you better be fast!. These are arguably the best "bullet" type smoker available. If you choose to get a new Brinkmann, you can make it work, but expect some frustration trying to keep your temperatures right. I just used my WSM last night to smoke 2 boston butts for some pulled pork today. I put the butts on at midnight, and made 1 adjustment to the vents at 4AM. WSM's are pretty much foolproof, and will easily outlast the brinkmann smokers. Both of these options use charcoal. You could grab a 22" Weber charcoal grill (<$!00) and smoke and grill with it, but that is a much better grill than a smoker.

 

[alyarb]

inexpensive, superior DIY smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka2kpzTAL8

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: alyarb
inexpensive, superior DIY smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka2kpzTAL8

yeah, i know, im a big AB fan. a couple of posters here recently have made flower pot smokers...for about the cost of the brinkman thing, im hoping theyll chime in since i dont wanna hunt down the threads and tell me how they like what theyve done.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: GRHawk
For a great smoker, search Craigslist for a 18" Weber Smoky Mountain (WSM). They can sometimes be found in good shape for $100 or less, but you better be fast!. These are arguably the best "bullet" type smoker available. If you choose to get a new Brinkmann, you can make it work, but expect some frustration trying to keep your temperatures right. I just used my WSM last night to smoke 2 boston butts for some pulled pork today. I put the butts on at midnight, and made 1 adjustment to the vents at 4AM. WSM's are pretty much foolproof, and will easily outlast the brinkmann smokers. Both of these options use charcoal. You could grab a 22" Weber charcoal grill (<$!00) and smoke and grill with it, but that is a much better grill than a smoker.

ill keep an eye out...i just looked at CL and theres someone selling a used one touch gold for $70 or best offer....this thread may not last long

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: alyarb
inexpensive, superior DIY smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka2kpzTAL8

yeah, i know, im a big AB fan. a couple of posters here recently have made flower pot smokers...for about the cost of the brinkman thing, im hoping theyll chime in since i dont wanna hunt down the threads and tell me how they like what theyve done.

IIRC everyone was having problems using the hotplates to regulate the temps. Somebody made a custom control unit for it that seemed to work, but it's really going to depend on the hotplate you use.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: alyarb
inexpensive, superior DIY smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka2kpzTAL8

yeah, i know, im a big AB fan. a couple of posters here recently have made flower pot smokers...for about the cost of the brinkman thing, im hoping theyll chime in since i dont wanna hunt down the threads and tell me how they like what theyve done.

IIRC everyone was having problems using the hotplates to regulate the temps. Somebody made a custom control unit for it that seemed to work, but it's really going to depend on the hotplate you use.

ah

now that you mention it i remember them saying that. i dont know how to tinker with any of that shit. meh.

 

[her209]

Become employed at a software company.
Make friends with two programmers.
Hate your job.
Get hypnotized at a group therapy session resulting in you not giving a shit about your job.
Find out from some "efficiency" consultants that your friends are getting canned.
Plot with your two friends to steal money from the software company by depositing the rounded off calculations into an account that you open at a local bank.
Install the software into the company accounting software without their knowledge.
Realize that your friend majorly fucked up the programming and you have a lot of money deposited into the account after just a few days.
Get scared and close the account and wait for the cops to arrest you.

Oh, btw, did I mention you break up with your girlfriend and meet a hotter one at the local family restuarant?

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: her209
Become employed at a software company.
Make friends with two programmers.
Hate your job.
Get hypnotized at a group therapy session resulting in you not giving a shit about your job.
Find out from some "efficiency" consultants that your friends are getting canned.
Plot with your two friends to steal money from the software company by depositing the rounded off calculations into an account that you open at a local bank.
Install the software into the company accounting software without their knowledge.
Realize that your friend majorly fucked up the programming and you have a lot of money deposited into the account after just a few days.
Get scared and close the account and wait for the cops to arrest you.

Oh, btw, did I mention you break up with your girlfriend and meet a hotter one at the local family restuarant?

Didn't they do that in Superman 3?

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: her209
Become employed at a software company.
Make friends with two programmers.
Hate your job.
Get hypnotized at a group therapy session resulting in you not giving a shit about your job.
Find out from some "efficiency" consultants that your friends are getting canned.
Plot with your two friends to steal money from the software company by depositing the rounded off calculations into an account that you open at a local bank.
Install the software into the company accounting software without their knowledge.
Realize that your friend majorly fucked up the programming and you have a lot of money deposited into the account after just a few days.
Get scared and close the account and wait for the cops to arrest you.

Oh, btw, did I mention you break up with your girlfriend and meet a hotter one at the local family restuarant?

Didn't they do that in Superman 3?

:laugh: :thumbsup:

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: alyarb
inexpensive, superior DIY smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka2kpzTAL8

Why would you want that...at all?

 

[shortylickens]

I came in expecting one thing, found another, and ended with a third.

Thread is super win.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: alyarb
inexpensive, superior DIY smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ka2kpzTAL8

Why would you want that...at all?

AB built it for less than $50....and i guess if you can do it for 50 bucks, its an interesting way to spend the afternoon. but honest to god, after watching his show and reading his book...he has WAY too much free time to come up with stuff like that.

in another episode he built one out of a cardboard box.

 

[alyarb]

ceramic > Fe/Al, custom DIY > standard, far lower achievable temperatures than with a fire box or other such heat source, far less expensive than "green egg" type cookers. just off the top of my head. don't take my word for it. just watch the last 5 minutes of part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2Uj_3v6Dw

if you bought a hotplate that is difficult to adjust/calibrate, then you obviously bought a piece of shit and should invest a little more into the primary component of the cooker.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: alyarb
ceramic > Fe/Al, custom DIY > standard, far lower achievable temperatures than with a fire box or other such heat source, far less expensive than "green egg" type cookers. just off the top of my head. don't take my word for it. just watch the last 5 minutes of part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2Uj_3v6Dw

if you bought a hotplate that is difficult to adjust/calibrate, then you obviously bought a piece of shit and should invest a little more into the primary component of the cooker.

have you built one of these yourself?

 

[quackerww]

Originally posted by: Freshgeardude

Originally posted by: Barfo
:thumbsdown: @ thread title.

fixed

Clove

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: alyarb
ceramic > Fe/Al, custom DIY > standard, far lower achievable temperatures than with a fire box or other such heat source, far less expensive than "green egg" type cookers. just off the top of my head. don't take my word for it. just watch the last 5 minutes of part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2Uj_3v6Dw

if you bought a hotplate that is difficult to adjust/calibrate, then you obviously bought a piece of shit and should invest a little more into the primary component of the cooker.

have you built one of these yourself?

I have. Temperature control isn't really that much of an issue. Many hotplates have a thermal fuse that limits maximum temps, but a little monkeying around with that fuse and you can get more temperature range. I also dismantled my hotplate's housing (it was square, didn't fit well) and ran the control dial out the bottom hole of the pot so I didn't have to reach in from the top to make adjustments.

I smoked a huge pork butt on it yesterday. 14 hours over apple and hickory. It was delicious.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: alyarb
ceramic > Fe/Al, custom DIY > standard, far lower achievable temperatures than with a fire box or other such heat source, far less expensive than "green egg" type cookers. just off the top of my head. don't take my word for it. just watch the last 5 minutes of part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2Uj_3v6Dw

if you bought a hotplate that is difficult to adjust/calibrate, then you obviously bought a piece of shit and should invest a little more into the primary component of the cooker.

have you built one of these yourself?

I have. Temperature control isn't really that much of an issue. Many hotplates have a thermal fuse that limits maximum temps, but a little monkeying around with that fuse and you can get more temperature range.

yeah i have no idea at all what that entails. i can cook food and fix computers, i dont play with electricity because im clumsy and careless

how much did you end up spending on the setup, roughly?

oh, and whats the wattage on your hot plate?

 

[Chaotic42]

Until you can make a brisket which is all burnt ends, you have not truly smoked. On an unrelated note, you should send me this brisket.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Until you can make a brisket which is all burnt ends, you have not truly smoked. On an unrelated note, you should send me this brisket.

ive made brisket before, but in the oven. so it was good....but not stellar.

anyways im from north carolina, i wanna do a pork shoulder first

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: alyarb
ceramic > Fe/Al, custom DIY > standard, far lower achievable temperatures than with a fire box or other such heat source, far less expensive than "green egg" type cookers. just off the top of my head. don't take my word for it. just watch the last 5 minutes of part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2Uj_3v6Dw

if you bought a hotplate that is difficult to adjust/calibrate, then you obviously bought a piece of shit and should invest a little more into the primary component of the cooker.

have you built one of these yourself?

I have. Temperature control isn't really that much of an issue. Many hotplates have a thermal fuse that limits maximum temps, but a little monkeying around with that fuse and you can get more temperature range.

yeah i have no idea at all what that entails. i can cook food and fix computers, i dont play with electricity because im clumsy and careless

how much did you end up spending on the setup, roughly?

oh, and whats the wattage on your hot plate?

The pots I bought were pricey, for what they are. I paid like $30 apiece for the pot and the bowl top. The bowl was really tough to find for me, so I had to go to this upscale home and garden specialty store where their pots were overpriced. I also got the largest diameter pot and bowl that matched well, which ended up being perfect for the replacement grill I got from Home Depot.

The hot plate is 1000W, but 800W would probably be adequate. Instead of trying to adjust the thermal fuse on my unit, I just cut it out. Now my plate can get hotter than I'll ever need it to. I probably would've been better off leaving it in the circuit and just physically relocating the fuse farther away from the heating element. It would've been a cinch to do after I removed the burner from the housing.

Really, the most significant temperature control issues I've had was when the wood chunks started to burn and elevate the temperature beyond the heat of the burner. It's easy enough to bring down the burner heat to keep your temps from getting too hot while the wood burns. By "too hot" I mean like up around 250-255 when ordinarily you're shooting for 215-220. That isn't that much of a problem; I just try to let it settle back into 220 by turning down the burner.