Big Chief/Little Chief question

[Fish'nDude]

Howdy all.

Got some gift certficates from santa and I wanted to get my first smoker. What can you kind folks tell me about what kind or model to get? Top loading vs. front loading, sizes, capacity, pros and cons etc. I've heard stories about how time consuming some can be and wanted to make the right choice. I would only want to smoke one or two Salmon at most at one time. Maybe a couple steelhead.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Mojo]

I recently trashed my little chief and got a big chief. It is great for what I do. I can smoke a couple of steelies or geese without any problems. If you are going to smoke anything in the winter, I'd look into getting a smoker jacket, or building some sort of insulating compartment to surround it. I saw one recently that was made of duct board, insulation with metal on one side. He had two layers with metal to the inside and the ouside, with the insulation glued together. Always leave the top open!, as well as good ventalation around the base.

[KingFisher85]

Get the big chief. In the future when you start to get as good as I do at bonking fish your gonna want a bigger smoker :grin: :wink:

Hey Mojo, how about passing that duck or goose brine over my way. I wanna try smoking some of them birds up but don't know how.

[Mack Slayer]

Get the front loading model, the bigger the better. I kept the box from my Big Chief, which I use as an insulating jacket when smoking in winter.

Also, wrap the bottom drip pan in foil -- this will keep it from becoming as stinky over the years (provided you change the foil every one in awhile)... Otherwise, you end up with years of salmon oil crusted onto the bottom pan. Racks don't really need such treatment, as oily fish don't stick to them.

[Bobby Ray]

I've bought two little Chief smokers in the past and they are great if you plan on smoking a small amount of meat, I found my self having to fire up both smokers for one fall Chinook, it's a hassle, go with the best bet get the front loading big Chief, you wont be sorry.

BnB

[reeldick]

I have had a couple of different smokers over the years.
I now have a Big Chief front loader. Plenty of capacity and easy to work with.
The only thing I could ask for would be a temperature control.

[Fish'nDude]

Great info, thanks a bunch.

You folks here are great!!!

[nooknut]

I had a top loader die on me after about 15 yrs. so I was gonna replace it with another one of the same, because I already have a front loader too. But then I noticed the new front loaders will take up to 5 racks instead of the old 3 version, so I got one of those instead. 5 racks seems to take care of a big nook just fine! One thing I do like about the front loaders is they are easier to rotate racks midway into smoking time.

[Fast Water]

Big Chief front loader. :dance:

Loaded up the one I got for Christmas today. 5 nice size racks. :grin:

[fishisabonus]

Do not, what ever you do, get the knock off brand that looks like the Big Chief. It doesn't get hot enough and only had 3 racks inside. It has an indian on it too.. but trust me, it is not what you want, not the same at all.

Bi Mart is the best price in town that I have found. I picked up a Big Chief just a couple months ago for $60 there. Front loading model is the way to go.

Now, I am almost burning my fish. The old *** model took forever to smoke and cook my fish, now this new one, I have to watch it really close or I have jerky instead of smoked fish. But I love it, it holds twice as much fish and smokes it in a third of the time!

Good luck!

[novice]

Had a little chief for years. Didn't realize what I was missing until stepping up to the big Chief.
Go BIG......

[24 on/ 48 off]

Big Chief is what I have, buddy. :smile:

--spud-- :smile:

[The Finreaper]

I have a lil chief. It's too small and doesn't get hot enough in the winter time..
The Finreaper

[Fast Water]

FIB,

I agree. If you are moving from a (old) Little Chief to a new Big Chief watch the cooking time closely! I just took out a batch and it is definitley quicker.

:bowdown: Big Chief

[Sirprize Sirprize]

I have the lil Chief and think it's too small...yet works fine. My advice would be to spend the money for the larger model. I had problems smoking two fish in the lil one....big boys though.

[dahsboard_fisherman]

big cheif all the way.smoked a whole chinook at one time. i have a top loader and i also use the box as insulation but the tin foil ill have to try. go with the big cheif.
Fishmatser