My 40” Masterbuilt is rusting out on the bottom and, it’s time to get a new one. I like the cabinet style, propane type and, have been looking at the Pit Boss line up.
I’m not interested in pellet style, electric smokers. I smoke most of my fish in the winter so, cracking a door to run an extension cord outside isn’t exactly ideal.
Traeger, though nice and, well built doesn’t give me the volume I need for their price point. I tend to smoke up 5-6 chinook at a time and, $1,500 isn’t worth the little ass set ups they have in their line up to me. I’m trying to work with a $800 budget.
I kinda have an idea of what I want but, if any of you guys know of a decent sized, well built, propane smoker or have one, this thread is for you.
Thanks for your time fellas.
Chance1
I thought you were referring to a new two stroke...
Since you are coming from a cabinet style, would a Smokey mountain work for you? Oops, just noticed you are partial to propane.
That would’ve been moto related 😂
Let me put it this way….I grew up making coal and shoveling it…cooking everything including whole hog on a pit. Fast forward my big smoker was outside of my restaurant in the front so people could see me or whoever cooking. It would draw people in like flies to honey. I’ll never forget this day. It was cold, snowing and miserable outside. I was hating life when my dad called. He asked if I was watching the game. I said no I was cooking. He said he was cooking as well from his phone in the living room watching the game. My mom gifted him a new pellet smoker. Then called me an idiot for still cooking like that.
Most people can’t tell the difference in taste between a pellet & wood burner. The ones who say you can are the ones that are jealous of of the people who can set meat on the smoker and go hit the tree stand then come home to a finished product.
I can’t recommend any propane cabinet smokers as I never cooked on them. For a wood burner Lang is pretty good for the price and can find used ones in that price point. Spend a little more and look at Shirley Fab. Better build quality. You can find them used as well
even though I still only use wood…it’s hard to beat the convenience of a pellet smoker
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Man, I’ve just got a plain bullet smoker and it does really well. Simple though
Well, I was going to caution you against the cheapo electric type like mine, but it sounds like you're way ahead of me. 😁
I had a propane style cabinet one years back. Could never maintain a set temp. Neighbor suggested looking at Recteq pellet grills. Stainless steel construction, better build quality, etc. I bought the smallest one in 2020 and love it! Have used it hundreds of hours without any issues. I can smoke a brisket or pork butt overnight while I sleep without worrying about it. Plenty of smoke flavor and holds temp like a champ, even in sub-zero temps. My only regret is not getting a bigger unit with more space.
I agree that running a pellet smoker does not make anyone a "pitmaster" but surely evens the playing field. Many top chefs and BBQ competition people use pellet grills.
I have the 24" Camp Chef Smoke Vault (they also make an 18") and it does a great job on everything from pork shoulder to chicken wings. I've not smoked fish in it but I'd expect it would do well. It comes as a propane smoker but you can change it over to natural gas quite simply which is what I have done. Camp Chef Smoke Vault
I too thought this should have been in Moto until I clicked on it LOL
Char griller looks like two barrels with smoke stacks..
Scratch and dent $ 100. Off and free delivery. ( Home depot )
I keep it covered adds a few years to em
There’s also a nice pellet smoker with the same setup
https://www.campchef.com/shop-vertical-pellet-smokers/
Close to what I have
I would also recommend dealing with a cord and trying a pellet smoker. I'm on my second one. My first go around was 15 years ago, pellets were a bit expensive unless you found them on sale, now most stores carry them and price per bag is not bad. They also kick ass for grilling, especially for pork and chicken.
Started looking at pellet grills today. Though I hate having to run an extension cord, I’m starting to lean towards the Pit Boss Copperhead. It has the capacity I need. It’s almost the exact same as the Master Built one I had.
I’ve always like having a glass door so I’m not having to open the door, lose heat to check the progress of my fish.
I bought a used traeger pellet grill years ago. Still works perfect.
Got one of those.not sure what the deal is about running a extension cord out side.if you have a place that you can use the smoker under cover use it during the winter.
Smoking salmon during the winter will give it almost a cold smoke if you set a low smoke temperature.
If you want it warmer get a old blanket and cut a hole in the middle for the chimney and let it drape over the smoker to,keep,the heat in if you want more heat during colder weather.
Pellets are easier to regulate the smoke
Really should look into one of these.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrGZ1rgO6Jh/?igsh=MW41NG50ejZkaDF2cQ==
Galvanized seasoning is the best 😂
I inherited an electric Master Built wood chip smoker that I have come to really like. I rigged a stand away smoke box to prevent any extra heat coming into the smoker, as that helps keep a more consistent temperature.
The electric is the way to go IMO. It's like cheating. I'm sure you know an electrician that can put an exterior outlet on your patio so that you don't have to fight with an extension cord and keep the door slightly open. Good luck, and you need to post some smoked salmon pics in the "home cooking" thread if you haven't already.
Pit Row
Smoked sockeye salmon from last week.thats 6 fish
Next pic
Smoked pork ribs long bones
Really good point! 😂
I’ll raise your sockeye two spring chinook. 😉
Last batch I made before deciding my Master Built had to go.
Alright "F" the political threads...
Smoke fest weekend !
Smoke it and post it ...
See ya Saturday
Start a thread!! I’m diving Saturday but, I’ll throw some chinook in the old smoker before kicking it off a cliff.
I’ll selling a few things and, might take a couple weeks before I get a new one. Kinda hard to convince the wife I need a new smoker since I’ve been hearing about us needing a new fridge for the garage the last three years 😂
Awesome that you’re smoking some chinooks, coolest shit ever, I’m too green to truly know a good smoker but I have heard a lot of good about the copperhead, if you do have to settle for electric that’s not a bad way to go whatsoever
The biggest things for me was finding a decent brine, keeping the smoker hovering at around 170* . Best thing I ever discovered was a wet brine that has apple juice in it. Not only can I do several fish at once, it’s delicious.
Your thread is perfect here..
Pick up a Smoker and this is what you can do !
I'm looking for something as well. I have an Oklahoma Joes that works great, but the bottom rusted out. I need something that can sear (grill), and smoke. The pellet grill looks nice and easy, but I'm not sure you can grill on it. I mainly cook tri-tips, steaks, pork chops, and carne asada. The thicker meats are grilled, then smoked, and the thinner stuff is just grilled. I'm 90% sold on buying another Oklahoma Joes, just wondering what others recommend.
Fry fish , Sear and Smoke...
# 1 complaint they Rust out..
I cover mine with a better cover off amazon
I bought the larger Traeger from Home Depot a few months ago. I also picked up some nice temp probes too, that I can read on my phone. So far I have smoked ribeye's, pork ribs, brisket, chicken wings/drums, whole chicken, and a pork butt. You just have to figure out how to pace the beer intake or things go south fast. 😂
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