Smokin-It User Forum!
Smokin-It Smokers => Model 2 & 2D - The Middle Kid => Topic started by: Harrytim on January 22, 2021, 05:33:03 PM
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Hi everyone. I am new to smoking. I am having a hard time choosing between #2, #2D #2 Wifi. Are there any advantages of one over the other? :-\
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It's all about control and monitoring features. The meat won't taste any different from any of the 3. The D model gives you more precise digital temperature control vs the analog model. The WiFi model gives you the digital control and lets you tie the smoker into your WiFi network and be able to monitor/control the smoker from your phone anywhere you have internet access.
I have the Model 3 analog. It has served me well over the years. The Model 3 analog can be had for less money than a Model 2 WiFi. It's great to have options on the different levels of "bells and whistles". These are great smokers. You really can't go wrong with your choice.
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First, welcome to the forum.
Will a #2 meet all your size requirements or was this model chosen because of budget? If you think you might ned a larger unit, you can get the analog 3 for a tad less than the 2 wifi. You could, at a later date get the stand alone Auber controller if you decide you want more control. The digital and wifi controllers are made by Auber.
Now to your question. Analog is simple and reliable IF you can not agonize and worry over the temperature swings which is normal. The swings do not bother most people and the food comes out just fine. Both the digital and the wifi lock in the temp to within a degree or so, no 15 -20 degree swings high and low of your set smoker temp. They also allow programming recipes for repeatability. And the wifi lets you monitor/control the smoker without being at the smoker.
It is all about what you want. All the smokers have pros and cons and the many users here on the forum will have their opinions. Some will prefer digital because it is accurate; others analog because it is simple. All the smokers have the 3 year warranty; the digital and wifi are covered for 3 years with the controller covered for just 1 year. The analog controller is 3 years.
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I bought an analog #3 intending to add an Auber PID at a later date. 2 years later, have decided I don't need the control. I'm totally satisfied with analog control.
I agree with the other posts, make sure you don't need the extra space from the #3 over the #2.
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Old Sarge brings a good point.
Size over the other options is something to consider. For me, I have a 3D, I like the digital interface and think it works well and lets me do some things with step cooks, timed cooks or temp cooks. I’ve used my Dad’s #2 analog and it works great as well.
One thing I believe the digital offers over the analog, is cooking at a hotter temp. I do smoke at a higher temp, 275, but I don’t recall what the analog’s top temp is.
But if the bells and whistles aren’t as important as cooking surface, an analog would do great. My Dad loves his #2 and I love my #3D!
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Thanks for all the comments. you all make good point and I do a lot of camping. I couldn't find any weights on any units. Does anyone know where I can find them?
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Old Sarge brings a good point.
Size over the other options is something to consider. For me, I have a 3D, I like the digital interface and think it works well and lets me do some things with step cooks, timed cooks or temp cooks. I’ve used my Dad’s #2 analog and it works great as well.
One thing I believe the digital offers over the analog, is cooking at a hotter temp. I do smoke at a higher temp, 275, but I don’t recall what the analog’s top temp is.
But if the bells and whistles aren’t as important as cooking surface, an analog would do great. My Dad loves his #2 and I love my #3D!
How important is step cooking and when is it used?
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How important is step cooking and when is it used?
It’s not - it’s just a function I use since I have it. You can step smoke using the analog as well. Myself and many others here will gently warm up the box to start, going to 150-175 for 30-45 minutes, then to final smoke temp. so I use the digital to do that. Analog smokers just do it manually.
In the past, I have done cook to temp steps, where something gets to my target temp then the digital goes to a holding temp, but I don’t use that anymore because I rely on probe tenderness.
I don’t use the functionality of the digital as much as I could, but I still like having the few aspects I do use. I’ll be smoking beef short ribs today and will be smoking at 250-275, so that’s nice to have as well.
As for the weight, I posted a link below for you to see the shipping weights (nice comparison chart of all smokers as well). The #3 is a bit awkward, heavier for one to carry. I can lift my dad’s #2 in and out of car. The casters that come with are helpful and make the units easy to move.
Hope this helps!
https://www.smokin-it.com/v/vspfiles/files/SImodelcompare.pdf
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One thing I believe the digital offers over the analog, is cooking at a hotter temp. I do smoke at a higher temp, 275, but I don’t recall what the analog’s top temp is.
This has to be the single most important advantage of the D/DW over the analogs. The analogs can only be set to 250 (with a +/- 40 degree swing this means they might hit close to 300 some of the time) where the D and DW can be set to 325 as a max safe temp. This higher temp is nice for turkey and chicken wings. :)
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Thanks for all the comments. you all make good point and I do a lot of camping. I couldn't find any weights on any units. Does anyone know where I can find them?
Do you use FaceBook? There's an SI page. This weekend SI posted a prototype of a lighter weight model. It looked like it would be aimed at the camping / tailgating market.
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I saw that little short smoker. I don't use fb so reading comments and answers is out for me. But it should do well for those with a bug out bag. Have to take the essentials!
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I definitely agree with Old Sarge. For myself size was very important. The extra depth that the 3 provides over the 2 was the deciding factor. I’m glad I spent a few extra bucks to be able to fit full slabs of ribs and packer briskets without alterations. Best wishes on your new smoker.
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I bought a #1 last spring specifically to take camping. I did 3 racks of ribs in it and it was pretty full, ribs still turned out well, camping buddies said they were the best they ever had. It is a little bit of a chore to carry around, but doable. I saw the post on FB that Steve made and he said the prototype is around 40# and has the same rack size as the #1. Height is about half of the #1.
I was happy with the #1 being able to make enough ribs to feed my camping group, not sure the new prototype would be able to do that.
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Thanks for all the advise. I ended up buying the 2D. Ordered on Sunday and it arrived on Tuesday? Super fast delivery. A little heavy for camping but I would rather have the extra room, just in case. Finally unpack just started the seasoning. I have to say that I was struggling with the directions for setting up the controller. Maybe it was just cold. Got it going and started smoking in about 10 minutes. Tomorrow I will be making venison snack stick for the big snow storm here in the Poconos.
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Congrats on the new smoker! Snack stix sound great to have around!
Enjoy!
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Congrats! Enjoy!!
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Congratulations on the new 2D. I’m sure you will enjoy many years of great smoking. Welcome aboard!