Hello, I have never smoked anything before (except long time pipe/cigar smoker and cocktails occasionally)
I have been thinking about getting a smoker and decided to look into them. I thought you guys might be of help to me because as I searched, I would find one brand that looked great, oh wait, what about this other brand...and then the endless options. Here's my lifestyle and what I am shooting for.
I am fairly busy, I have a job, also a farm, multiple kids and like to run (these occupy most of my time). I don't have all day to sit around drinking beer while babysitting a smoker. I have a large family, but will probably not be cooking for 80 people at a time like some do. Hopefully I will have multiple grandchildren some day that I cold smoke for.
I have a griddle (Camp Chef) which is great and I think with a smoker and griddle I could do most of my cooking...
I would rather buy a quality smoker that lasts a long time rather than something cheap. (what brands should I look at?-I am not totally opposed to something cheap if I need to use something cheap to learn)
Looks like getting crispy chicken could be an issue with analog controlled units.
I would like a set it and forget it, would it be good to get something that has different temperature stages throughout a cook?
Would it be better to go analog and get an aftermarket controller.
I decided that an electric smoker would be less work (as opposed to pellet). My taste buds would not be able to appreciate the difference anyway.
Well insulated seems good because I might be smoking in some cold weather.
To be honest, I tend to over purchase for what I need when I look into something. My price range has increased since I have started down this rabbit hole. I was originally thinking $250-500 but now I would be willing to look at much more expensive options (especially if it is less work and I would use it more)
thank you for reading through this rambling post.
Nathaniel
I have been thinking about getting a smoker and decided to look into them. I thought you guys might be of help to me because as I searched, I would find one brand that looked great, oh wait, what about this other brand...and then the endless options. Here's my lifestyle and what I am shooting for.
I am fairly busy, I have a job, also a farm, multiple kids and like to run (these occupy most of my time). I don't have all day to sit around drinking beer while babysitting a smoker. I have a large family, but will probably not be cooking for 80 people at a time like some do. Hopefully I will have multiple grandchildren some day that I cold smoke for.
I have a griddle (Camp Chef) which is great and I think with a smoker and griddle I could do most of my cooking...
I would rather buy a quality smoker that lasts a long time rather than something cheap. (what brands should I look at?-I am not totally opposed to something cheap if I need to use something cheap to learn)
Looks like getting crispy chicken could be an issue with analog controlled units.
I would like a set it and forget it, would it be good to get something that has different temperature stages throughout a cook?
Would it be better to go analog and get an aftermarket controller.
I decided that an electric smoker would be less work (as opposed to pellet). My taste buds would not be able to appreciate the difference anyway.
Well insulated seems good because I might be smoking in some cold weather.
To be honest, I tend to over purchase for what I need when I look into something. My price range has increased since I have started down this rabbit hole. I was originally thinking $250-500 but now I would be willing to look at much more expensive options (especially if it is less work and I would use it more)
thank you for reading through this rambling post.
Nathaniel
