Looking to get a new smoker. Whatcha Got!?!

plowboy
Posts
14054
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS US
9/19/2025 10:59am

If you live where you plan on dying...you should build one that suits your needs.  It'll last 100 years and always be consistent.  Just my .02.

PNWMXer
Posts
1714
Joined
1/13/2022
Location
Washington, WA US
9/19/2025 3:01pm

I have a GMG Ledge Prime (middle size, WiFi enabled/app/etc). A few observations after owning it for a couple years.

-if you are willing to put in the work/dedicate a sizable chunk of time to smoking and only smoking, you can create a better product with a stick burner or other “real wood/charcoal” type smoker. I had an Oklahoma Joes offset for awhile. I won’t lie, when dialed in, it produces bbq that runs circles around pellet grilles. 

-if you’re like me and want bbq but have other things to do, the pellet grill is a good compromise. The bbq is still good, and you still get good smoke flavor. The bark on my brisket and pork shoulder isn’t what it was with the stick burner but it’s still good. 

-the pellet grill is nice as well in that you can use it for a lot of different cooking. We regularly do pizza on it by using a pizza stone (don’t waste the $$$ on their “pizza oven” accessory) as it goes to 525-550F+. About the only thing it won’t really do is sear a steak. Pellets are relatively inexpensive.

-the WiFi was useless on mine. Needed an update straight out of the box but the update would never complete. Turns out I was lucky as several people had the update complete only to find it bricked their controls. I guess the newest version works better.

-don’t waste the $$$ for the stainless. It’s literally only the lid. Main chassis is all still regular steel.


-honestly I’d say you can’t go wrong with a decent pellet grill. Between that and my blackstone I probably cook outside more than inside.

 

1
JRT812
Posts
2756
Joined
3/4/2014
Location
Cottontown, TN US
9/19/2025 8:09pm
Oldschool wrote:

Alright "F" the political  threads...

Smoke fest weekend !

Smoke it and post it ...

See ya Saturday

Chance1216 wrote:
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...

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 😂 

Sir…you do need a new fridge for the garage and that is a priority as well. 

2
Chance1216
Posts
8291
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Location
Carson, CA US
9/19/2025 8:13pm
Oldschool wrote:

Alright "F" the political  threads...

Smoke fest weekend !

Smoke it and post it ...

See ya Saturday

Chance1216 wrote:
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...

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 😂 

JRT812 wrote:

Sir…you do need a new fridge for the garage and that is a priority as well. 

You do understand that fishing gear is expensive as is titanium for dirt bikes right? 😂

I have someone interested in a 125 I’m getting rid of. Yes I’ll be buying both a smoker and, a fridge soon. 

Oh, look…. A squirrel (titanium)!!! 😂

The Shop

SEEMEFIRST
Posts
13503
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX US
9/19/2025 8:28pm
Chance1216 wrote:
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...

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 😂 

JRT812 wrote:

Sir…you do need a new fridge for the garage and that is a priority as well. 

Chance1216 wrote:
You do understand that fishing gear is expensive as is titanium for dirt bikes right? 😂I have someone interested in a 125 I’m getting rid of...

You do understand that fishing gear is expensive as is titanium for dirt bikes right? 😂

I have someone interested in a 125 I’m getting rid of. Yes I’ll be buying both a smoker and, a fridge soon. 

Oh, look…. A squirrel (titanium)!!! 😂

Relax Damien.  Maybe consider some lotion before you finish. Easier on the little buddy.

1
Chance1216
Posts
8291
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA US
9/19/2025 9:06pm
PNWMXer wrote:
I have a GMG Ledge Prime (middle size, WiFi enabled/app/etc). A few observations after owning it for a couple years.-if you are willing to put in...

I have a GMG Ledge Prime (middle size, WiFi enabled/app/etc). A few observations after owning it for a couple years.

-if you are willing to put in the work/dedicate a sizable chunk of time to smoking and only smoking, you can create a better product with a stick burner or other “real wood/charcoal” type smoker. I had an Oklahoma Joes offset for awhile. I won’t lie, when dialed in, it produces bbq that runs circles around pellet grilles. 

-if you’re like me and want bbq but have other things to do, the pellet grill is a good compromise. The bbq is still good, and you still get good smoke flavor. The bark on my brisket and pork shoulder isn’t what it was with the stick burner but it’s still good. 

-the pellet grill is nice as well in that you can use it for a lot of different cooking. We regularly do pizza on it by using a pizza stone (don’t waste the $$$ on their “pizza oven” accessory) as it goes to 525-550F+. About the only thing it won’t really do is sear a steak. Pellets are relatively inexpensive.

-the WiFi was useless on mine. Needed an update straight out of the box but the update would never complete. Turns out I was lucky as several people had the update complete only to find it bricked their controls. I guess the newest version works better.

-don’t waste the $$$ for the stainless. It’s literally only the lid. Main chassis is all still regular steel.


-honestly I’d say you can’t go wrong with a decent pellet grill. Between that and my blackstone I probably cook outside more than inside.

 

Yup. I’m looking for a dedicated smoker. The only thing I smoke is fish. I had a propane smoker that worked very well and, had the capacity I needed. Unfortunately, as we know, everything rusts out here in the PNW with all the rain. Even with a cover they’ll rust out. I might have to clear some space in my shed to store the new one in once it starts raining. Though hilarious, I could imagine the fit my wife would have if I tried keeping the smoker in the garage. 
Who knows. As much as I loved the Masterbuilt, I might just end up getting another one. It held up 8 years and, I’ve put over 800 lbs of fish through it. I just like the simplicity of a propane smoker. It rains so much here, the electronics would also be a concern. I have a bad habit of sticking with what works or, has worked for me so, it’s kinda tough deciding. 

I have also a BBQ with a side burner.  It’s just a little stainless unit but, it’s only the wife and, I. Thankfully, it’s held up very well. The side burner is nice when I decide to boil up some crab. I’ve had it about 12 years without issue. 

Thank you for the insight. 🤙🏼



 

1
Chance1216
Posts
8291
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA US
9/19/2025 9:07pm
JRT812 wrote:

Sir…you do need a new fridge for the garage and that is a priority as well. 

Chance1216 wrote:
You do understand that fishing gear is expensive as is titanium for dirt bikes right? 😂I have someone interested in a 125 I’m getting rid of...

You do understand that fishing gear is expensive as is titanium for dirt bikes right? 😂

I have someone interested in a 125 I’m getting rid of. Yes I’ll be buying both a smoker and, a fridge soon. 

Oh, look…. A squirrel (titanium)!!! 😂

SEEMEFIRST wrote:

Relax Damien.  Maybe consider some lotion before you finish. Easier on the little buddy.

I beat that fucker like he owes me money!! 😂

Oldschool
Posts
1490
Joined
8/29/2006
Location
IL US
9/20/2025 5:58pm Edited Date/Time 9/20/2025 6:00pm

 Pouring rain today so the smoking / grilling wasn't very cared for or glamorous lol.... obviously the beers going down were not affected  !20250920 19044520250920 190638

1
Chance1216
Posts
8291
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA US
9/20/2025 8:16pm
Oldschool wrote:
 Pouring rain today so the smoking / grilling wasn't very cared for or glamorous lol.... obviously the beers going down were not affected  !

 Pouring rain today so the smoking / grilling wasn't very cared for or glamorous lol.... obviously the beers going down were not affected  !20250920 19044520250920 190638

Looks delicious man. I won’t be smoking anything tomorrow. I spent 4 hours swimming. I’m beat…. 

Motogoof
Posts
150
Joined
12/8/2017
Location
CA
9/22/2025 5:17am

Did this last week on my pellet grill. pork ribs, seasoned and wrapped around a pineapple. I’d love to show you the pictures of how it looked when finished, but it didn’t last long enough!!

IMG 1774.png?VersionId=92y
2
mx295
Posts
4296
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Quartz Hill, CA US
9/22/2025 8:04am Edited Date/Time 9/22/2025 8:07am

Traeger

1
zehn
Posts
7859
Joined
1/15/2013
Location
Anchorage, AK US
9/22/2025 11:11am

Hi Chance, most people up here use some sort of propane or electric cabinet style unit. Have never seen someone who is serious use a Traeger or other pellet grill to smoke salmon but it might work. Hell, I’ve had good luck with a janky old Little Chief in the past lol. I see a lot of homemade units here too. Point is many different things will work, all you need is consistency of temp. Good luck and keep rippin those lips brother

1

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