Charcoal smokers who has them and what brand?

I'm looking at getting a smoker but something not crazy expensive post what you have and what your thoughts about quality and if any air gaps?

 

If you are getting a "smoker" and not a "grill", I would look at getting a Pellet Grill (Green Mountain, Traeger) or something like them

 

You get what you pay for. Expect to spend a fair chunk of change for a good smoker that will last for years. A pellet smoker is the only kind of smoker I'd recommend at this point.

Pellet smoker: Rec Tec, Green Mountain Grills, I hear Big Poppa is really good, but they're really expensive.
Inexpensive charcoal grill: Any Weber Kettle grill
Expensive charcoal grill: Hasty-Bake, Big Green Egg
Gas: Any Weber

 

BGEs actually use lump coal vs charcoal and yes their marketed bags are expensive but any old lump coal will do.

 

I have an Oklahoma Joe
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Oklahoma-Joe-Highland-879-sq-in-Smoker/33605961

I use it all summer or about 3 months

If you seal it up and look for some heat distrib hacks on line for the price it works very well.

I paid 289.00 for it and then added another 25.00 for the seal and have had it for I think three years now.

Small grill on the side is for cooking a couple steaks or a couple burgers while smoking

 

I have a Primo Oval XL. I've cooked on a lot of different smokers and grills.

If I had to do it over again, I'd buy a Primo Oval XL. Not cheap, but you can find pretty great deals on used ones.

 

It's all charcoal. I'm referring to the cost of the grill, not the actual charcoal. Clarified my previous post a little.

 

Love my Portable Kitchen.
https://www.pkgrills.com/the-pk-grill-smoker-classic-silver/

Very simple. Going on 9 years old and I've only ever hosed it off/out.
Excellent control over heat with top and bottom slides. Cast aluminum is obviously a lifetime material and does an amazing job regulating temperature.
I use it about once a week. I admittedly use my Weber gas grill multiple times per week, limited time for meal prep.

 

2nd the gas grill for backup, quick meals. Mine has never had any meat on the grates. I only use it for skillet meals.

 

I was looking at there horizontal and vertical set ups and look pretty good for the money

 

Should have posted this here https://www.tundras.com/forums/food-talk.80/

 

Not talking food.....lol.....talking smokers only

 

You can turn pretty much any grill into a smoker. I used a char-griller grill that I modified as a smoker for years. As I got more into it, I decided to invest some money into a good charcoal smoker. I have a Humphrey's weekender. Like a previous poster said - you get what you pay for. It is light years better than any cheap smoker that I have used, or grill I have modified.

 

I have a Weber Smokey mountain and have been very happy with it. I also am thinking about buying a pellet smoker/ grill so I could smoke some pork butt a little easier when it's super cold out.

 

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker hands down...Amazing resources online and runs steady for 12 hours with little attention. Pellet grills are nice and can be equipped with WiFi for convenience if that's your thing. Purists would say they aren't authentic and the pellets are expensive.

 

If you have a tight budget you can get a Weber kettle and use it as a smoker.
I cut my teeth on a 18 inch Weber kettle

The Weber smoky mountain is a great choice as well

Currently have a big green egg and it’s proving itself to be great


Looking at getting a of set stick burner for larger cooks

 

I have to agree with the guys on the Weber Smokey Mountain. The coals last all day in my 14" Smokey Mountain and it handles anything I want to smoke for the wife and myself.

A 22.5" Weber kettle works great to smoke too. I like using the snake method or setting it up to smoke with fire bricks. Lots of videos and info out there on how to do it.

https://tvwbb.com/forum.php

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php

 

A neighbor (1/2 mile away) has an interesting setup. A big wooden plywood box, about the size of an outhouse, connected by a duct to a grill about the size of a Weber Smoky Joe (14"). If you are looking for cheap, I would try something like that. Not cheap, I have a Stumps "Z" channel.

Try amazingribs.com for their suggestions. It is a great site for recipes, techniques, and equipment.

For charcoal, red bag of Royal Oak (made in US version) is about as good as you are going to get from anyone - available at Walmart, Home Depot, etc.

 

Charbroil is the brand. I use it to grill and smoke. Works great for me. Only picture I have right now.

 

2nd vote on the primo, I've had one for 10 years and just had to replace the fire box in it, customer service was great and it was covered under warranty. I think the oval shape is far superior to the round ceramics as you can use the grill space better and separate direct and indirect heat zones. Tragers are sweet too, neither one is cheap though.

 

I have a 14" and 18" Weber Smokey Mountain along with a 22" Kettle and 26" Kettle. I have the Slow n Sear for the 26 which makes it very versatile.

 

I have the large deluxe Weber kettle that smokes meat quite well and I have a Little Chief smoker that I've been using for about 13 years now. Two good options that won't break the bank.

 

I have a webber kettle premium 22" and use the smokenator insert for slow cooking. Works well for me.

$75 Smokenator 1000 – Transform Your 22" Weber Kettle

https://www.amazon.com/Smokenator-1000-Transform-Weber-Kettle/dp/B00L9JCN8S

 

Way kuul! Just put one in my Amazon cart.

 

It reduces the amount of charcoal burned and allows you to cook at lower temps. I refuel every two hours adding just a few briquettes, but you could go longer. I do it that often to maintain consistent temps. I've had the insert for a few years and I'm certainly a fan.

I'm going to try the vortex next, heard good things about using them for wings.

 

I've used Weber 22" for decades. Have a charcoal brinkman smoker. Works decent, cheap. Have a big green egg now.

I'd go 22 Weberfor reasonableprice. You can add coals as needed for long smokes through the handle space in the grate. I found lump in my cheap brinkman worked better than briquettes. Burn longer and not get too hot.

 

Thank you for that reply kind sir, putting this on the list now!

 

The Amazon reviews sold me. Over priced?? Maybe but a great accessory. I have the 22" and primarily use good lump charcoal and various wood chips depending on what I'm smoking. Haven't used a gas grill for years. I've got the burner to start the charcoal so no need for a chimney. It smokes quite well already but will even be better

 

Premium lump charcoal will slowly burn evenly for hours. Much longer than your average briquettes, although pricey Weber briquettes are the best I'd use in any grill.

 

Still have the same grill, although since I picked up the BGE the weber sits un used....