Smoker grills! Which one!

[FedoraDave]

The Char-griller is the exact same one I had. It's very good, but bigger than I needed. YMMV. It also gets very hot, so it's not as efficient as the Akorn. It's unreal how little fuel the Akorn needs.

[berryman]

Time to flip a coin and I need the BORGS help.
Looking at two smokers, an electric and a conventional charcoal.
The Char-Griller has been the apple of my eye for a long time. It's a conventional smoker, (charcoal) and has excellent reviews on many websites. Did I mention it's almost $100 cheaper than last month at this time?
The Masterbuilt Electric is probably the highest rated smoker I've seen. Little to no maintenance while it's working makes it an ideal cooker, just not "old school" smoking!
Only $22 difference in price!
Preferences please!
http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070 ... ref=sr_1_4…

http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-1224 ... ef=sr_1_21

TT, I have resisted to reply to your thread because I have no experience with electric smokers and the ones you are shopping for, but I couldn't hold back any longer. I have been cooking meat on a smoker for a long time, I use a vertical charcoal/wood smoker, have 2 of them. The results can come out excellent, but it is a lot of work and trial and error. A lot of guys I work with cook on electric smokers and I've tried some of their cooks and it has been very good and with a lot less work. So I would say a good electric smoker will give you good results.

Last Forth-of-July Brisket, came out Mmm...

[FedoraDave]

Berryman's reply puts me in mind of this other hobby I've heard about: homebrewing.

You can use kits and HMEs, or extracts, or you can grind your own grains, do full-on mashes, etc. The right method is the method that's right for you. I kind of like putting in the time and fussing with the intake to control the temperature. I also prefer my original AG recipes, too. That's why I brew, and that's why I barbecue. Some others prefer kits, or electrically controlled smokers. I think all the results can be outstanding, regardless of the method.

What's important is how it fits your lifestyle.

[teutonic terror]

I just wanna say Thanks to all of you that took the time to respond and give your opinions, especially Dave, you gave me
alot of sage advice and much to think about!

The links are great guys, and I think I/we have settled on the electric Brinkman.
Again, I'm going to keep my vertical charcoal smoker for a while, until I decide if the is the product for me,
and to give me some thing to measure the electric by.

It's a little late in the year for smoking, but I have been known to stand in the pouring down snow to make some smoked ribs
and/or brew!

The rocks, and thanks again!

[FedoraDave]

The ultimate judge of what's best for you is, of course, YOU!

No different from what we say about beer. There's a style for everyone. There are methods for homebrewing that will suit everyone. What matters is that you're working with something that's best for you, and, of course, that you're pleased with the results. My Akorn is just right for me, and I'm making kickin' baby back ribs! And my gas grill is my fave for quick-cooking some burgers or chicken breasts, or a piece of fish.

Good luck with what you get, Terror. And smoke 'em low and slow!

[DaYooper]

It's a little late in the year for smoking, but I have been known to stand in the pouring down snow to make some smoked ribs
and/or brew!

Strangely enough, I usually don't even start smoking until around this time of the year. My smoker doesn't have a temperature controller so I've found it goes a lot slower when it is colder outside (duh) and gives me the flavor and - uh, for lack of a better word - "meat feel" that I am looking for. So the smoker will be out in the corner where the house meets the back room while I sit in the garage in my parka brewing up a batch.

[Bluejaye]

Strangely enough, I usually don't even start smoking until around this time of the year.

This is true with my family, as well. But that is largely in part because now is the time of year when we have fresh duck, venison, and other wild game available to us during hunting season.

[FedoraDave]

I have found myself smoking at various times of the year. Memorial Day, definitely, to kick off the season. Once or twice during the summer, just because I feel like it. Labor Day, definitely, to close out the season. But I've made ribs on New Year's Day, and I smoked last Thanksgiving's turkey. I'm not going to shovel a pathway to my smoker through 2 feet of snow, but there's no set time of year for me to barbecue.