Smoker Recommendations

Now that I've got a back yard it's time for me to buy a smoker.

I've been looking around and the most common option seems to be the Chief's.  Some of the reviews seem to say that it won't fully cook large pieces of meat all the way through and that you have to finish them off on the grill or in the oven.  Is there much truth to that?

I haven't been able to find the Cheif's locally.  I've checked a few places and haven't found it.  I know they sell them at Cabelas and in as much as I'd like to take a trip to Reno I don't know if it makes much sense.

So, I've been looking around and found the master forge double door smoker at Lowes for $169.  It's propane and charcoal...not gas.  Is it hard to control the temp of a propane smoker?  The reviews don't look too bad on this one...some people say to add sealers around the doors.

What do you guys think?  Do you have any suggestions or tips on what brand to buy? Something here local is preferred.

I don't think I'd use it more than a few times a year so I don't need something that's going to break the bank.

Sports Authority in Daly City have the Chiefs, Possibly Mel Cottons in SJ.

When using the big chief, if you have large pieces of meat, and the ambient temperature is not warm (70+), then you may have a problem.  They sell an insulation blanket for it, but you can fab one yourself pretty easily.

The chiefs run at about 150-170F.  I haven't tested it myself, but thats what it claims.  I have to stick a thermometer in there and verify.

They sell an insulation blanket for it, but you can fab one yourself pretty easily

We always used the box it came in

So if used with an insulator (or the box it came in) will it cook a larger piece of meat all the way through or is it normal to have to finish it off on the grill or in the oven?

Does it put out a whole lot of smoke? I don't want to smoke my neighbors out of their houses.

Mel Cottons has the chiefs. PM me homie!

If you're not in a hurry, look at garage sales.  I've had two given to me!  Smokers are one of those things many people have, but few really use them.

I wouldn't be too picky on the brand.  You can easily add a hot plate under a charcoal one, (like the BRinkmans) to help keep the temp more even.

I just use charcoal and woodchips, but it's a little fussier.

If you're not in a hurry, look at garage sales.  I've had two given to me!  Smokers are one of those things many people have, but few really use them.

I wouldn't be too picky on the brand.  You can easily add a hot plate under a charcoal one, (like the BRinkmans) to help keep the temp more even.

I just use charcoal and woodchips, but it's a little fussier.

yeah I use my cylinder brinkman and I got a small hotplate (like a single stove burner) and just use an old pan with the chips works great. But If I was looking I think I'd go cheif. Simple set up and use.

Don't be a wuss....go with this one.



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I have used both charcoal and electrics , perfer the electric models . Currently the Big Chief fills my needs very well , takes most of the day but  works fine on salmon chunks up to 2" thick . Trout , kokanee and FW king fillets smoke in just a few hours .

Angel you won't be happy with the Chief if you wanna do ribs,brisket,chicken no they don't put out a lot of smoke.

If you just want to have a little fun do a great job and have a weber get one of these http://www.smokenator.com/store/products.php?catID=1

Mickfish, what about it would make me not happy. I do plan on doing buts, brisket, and chicken.

This is the one I found at lowes... http://m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_156452-95393-MFW784BDP_4294857758__?productId=3603268&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__4294857758__?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

What do you all think?

I love my brinkman electric nice even temp, no hassle

I've had a Little Chief for years and love it.  I do a fair amount of fish and lots of jerky.  I don't think it gets anywhere near 150F unless it's pretty hot outside, I made a double layer box for it out of cardboard, it really needs it in the winter.  The Chiefs just don't have the power to cook butt, brisket or anything but a cut up chicken, however smoke them for most of the day and finish them in a slow cook grill and it'll be killer.

I have a Master Built which is way more caliber than I need.  My Little Chief gave up the ghost
last year and after seeing one on sale at Cabelas, I cashed in some gift certificates.
This thing goes to 600 degrees, electric, outside temp gauge and has a water tray. 
It came in a box that took up half my truck.  It stinks up the neighborhood pretty well and
I currled up the first two batches of fish pretty bad.  Tonight I used it for cuda and never let it get past
100 degrees.  This thing is working but dam, it is a industrial pig.  I miss the little Chief. 
Good luck!
 

Masterbuilt electric smoker. $169. I love it. All digital. set the desired temp for smoker, set the amount of time. Has built in meat thermometer probe with digital readout. I love it !!!!  Set it and forget it.