Smoker opinions?

Hunt'nFish · 11-22-2005, 07:35 PM

My brother called me to ask my thoughts on smokers.
Seems he's thinking about getting one for the Father-In-Law.

What are your thoughts? Pro's/con's & likes/dislikes of electric, gas, & charcoal smokers. Temperature range, rack space, also prices would be helpful.

Personally I've caught myself looking at the smaller Camp-Chef gas one. That or the gas Brinkman.
Thanks in advance,
Hunt'nFish

Limbhanger · 11-22-2005, 07:45 PM

You will probably get a different answer with every response, but I received a Brinkman Electric as a gift a few years ago and really like it. I get great results with fish, chicken, and jerky. I like the fact that you can do up a batch of fish in about 3 to 4 hrs depending on thickness. I think you can get one for around 60.00?

Hope that helps.

Hunt'nFish · 11-22-2005, 07:55 PM

Thanks Limbhanger,
BTW, welcome!

Longbeards rule!

I hope I do get a gob of differant opinions. That's what's great about Ifish.
What is the temp range on your Brinkman elec.??
Hunt'nFish

Limbhanger · 11-22-2005, 08:08 PM

Sorry, I have no idea. You could probably get the information from their website.

LimbH

spearfisher · 11-23-2005, 10:30 AM

I would check out the Green Egg - does a great job and is multi pupose. Also, tough to wrong with Traegar as well and is an Oregon product too. Brinkman is not a bad product either. A lot of it depends on how big a unit you would like to have - some have adjustable racks and some do not. As far as electric vs. anyother fuel - the electric is pretty nice if you are just doing mainly smoking of meats and fish but if you plan to bbq and cook - gas seems to me the way to go. Now that being said - that is coming from a guys that has 5 different units from smokers to bbq combinations. Love my Webber charcoal grill but it is gas fired so you don't have to wait too long for the coals and yes I still love and use my Big Chief smoker for fish - simple but effective! Anyhow - good luck with it and happy eating!

llama77 · 11-24-2005, 08:11 AM

I have a brinkman and like the prodcut I get out of it.
But the traeger is king in my mind.
It is expensive but you wouldnt believe how well it will smoke fish ,a turkey , prime rib or anything else.
Saving my pennies for one.

lilfisherboy · 11-24-2005, 10:05 AM

I have a traeger and a homemade smoker and i use both all the time like today i am doing a smoked turkey on the traeger and i'm doing jerky with my homemade smoker you can always make your own for him that is always a way to go.

BrianH · 11-24-2005, 10:42 AM

I've had good luck with my Little Chief.

Duckenfuss · 11-24-2005, 12:36 PM

Another vote for a Traeger. Although I do not own one, my pops does, my brothers does, and my bro-in-law does. I have used them and I am thoroughly impressed with all they can do. Price is going to depend on size mostly. They are locally made too. You canoot go wrong.

OuterLimits · 11-26-2005, 07:21 PM

Any reports or comments on the Bradley smoker??

Hooker · 11-26-2005, 09:04 PM

For years I ran the Big Chief and it produced some great jerkey.

I recently bought a Traeger and did a batch of deer jerkey on it and man that thing can make some top quality jerkey. The flavor is unmatched in my opinion.

Plan on spending $600-$1000 depending on the model though.

Flying Roast Beef · 11-26-2005, 09:52 PM

My little chief died a couple years back and the wife bought me an electric brinkman for x-mas. It took me a while to get the hang of using it. It ran alot hotter than the old faithful. I finaly decided that using a metal box for the chips (soaking is a must) and using the water basin works ok but I still have to keep an eye on it. I can't just load it and go to bed.

Hunt'nFish · 12-05-2005, 03:00 PM

Thanks all for the input.
Is this Traeger electric or gas?
And how important is it to have it control it's temp termostatically?
My uncle bought a SS unit at Sportsmans Warehouse and he said it regulated it's own temp so he didn't have too. Load and walk away was the way he put it.
Hunt'nFish