What's The Best Hot Smoker Out There

[Fallow Buck]

Hi All,

Haven't been around for ages but the other day my Dad decided he wanted to get one of the upright hot smokers. He asked me what the best one on the market was and I thought here would be the best place to ask.

I have a Brinkman and although I get good results in it I think the build quality is a little bit on the flimsy side, Especially the door.

I haven't seen aPro Q in the flesh but I like the fat that it has the air valve at the bottom to help control heat.

Dad would prefer a stainless steel one so I thought I'd see if there were any other ones out there that the expers could suggest.

Thanks,
K

[dave zac]

I was within inches of buying this one from the Sausage Maker. Your Dad may prefer the stainless steel version

I ended up just building my own and so far couldn't be happier

Good luck

[wittdog]

This is where the terminology gets a little tricky�are you looking to do BBQ type stuff�or hot smoke sausage and hams ect�.from reading your post and mentioning the Brinkman and the Pro Q I�m lead to believe that BBQ temps are what you are looking for�.if that�s the case IMHO the best bang for your buck is this http://www.amazon.com/Weber-721001-Smok ... 166&sr=8-1 the Weber Smokey Mountain�.here is a forum that will give you detailed instruction on how to use it http://tvwbb.infopop.cc/groupee.

If you are looking for one for sausage and the like�..the Sausagemaker model is a very good unit�its what I started with and would highly recommend it.

[Fallow Buck]

Yes I wasn't entirely clear.

He wants on e that runs on charcoal. does the smokey mountain have the clips on the side that hold the whole thing together like the proQ?

Rgds,
K

[wittdog]

No but the sections are made is such away that they fit tight. We've had 40 mph winds and the WSM haven't blown over.
The WSM is made of heavier gauge metal then the Pro Q, and has a porcelain coating whereas the Q is painted and more likely to rust.

[saucisson]

a good price for it here:

http://store.leisureandlifestyle.co.uk/ ... er-Smoker/

�224.99 depending on their delivery charge.

It's �249.99 with free delivery here: http://www.garden4less.co.uk/weber-smok ... r-47cm.asp

Dave

[wheels]

Don't you just hate it when they won't tell you the delivery cost 'till you register?

[saucisson]

Yes

[Dr. Sweetsmoke]

Hi All,

Haven't been around for ages but the other day my Dad decided he wanted to get one of the upright hot smokers. He asked me what the best one on the market was and I thought here would be the best place to ask.

I have a Brinkman and although I get good results in it I think the build quality is a little bit on the flimsy side, Especially the door.

I haven't seen aPro Q in the flesh but I like the fat that it has the air valve at the bottom to help control heat.

Dad would prefer a stainless steel one so I thought I'd see if there were any other ones out there that the expers could suggest.

Thanks,
K

I have several smokers and the Pro Q XL gets most of the work when I travel and do partys etc. When I'm at home I use one of the drums to smoke on or if I'm just doing a bit of indirect I shoot for the Weber or my Beer keg cooker. I would use the Pro Q for grilling but I don't have a table for it to sit on built yet.


My keg grill is stainless and while it's cool you have to get use to the color change.lol A stainless smoker will cost you double the cash so be prepared. Now it may last longer so you need to weigh the advantages.

I started out on a Brinkman years ago and if you think it cooks well then wait till you have a serious cooker.


Now there are several cabinet or upright smokers out there but if you want a unit that will do it all then go with a ceramic cooker like the Big Green Egg. If you are willing to pay the price for a stainless cooker then please look into the BGE first.

[DangerDan]

I may be biased but I think Mine is best.... J/K

It's a home made fridge job. Actually I feel the reason for the fridge being key to good smoke is the low amount of fuel needed causing less draft. Som may not agree but it seems to work well for me.

[Dr. Sweetsmoke]

I

It's a home made fridge job. Actually I feel the reason for the fridge being key to good smoke is the low amount of fuel needed causing less draft. Som may not agree but it seems to work well for me.

What amounts of fuel do you use and how long will it run at 225? I can get a good 18 plus on half a basket of charcoal at 225-230 in my 55.


As for what's the best hot smoker out there it's all down to personal preferance. I like the WSM but perfer the Pro Q XL do to ease of tending to the meat/water and fuel. It is a typical bullet smoker built on the idea of the WSM with the added extras like adding stackers, access doors on each level and the ability to hang food.

[DangerDan]

My fridge smoker averages about a pound of lump per hour at 240*F. I'd say at 225 I could run at about .75 per hour.

When you say 55, are you talking about a UDS? or an offset?

[Iamarealbigdog]

I have to go with Witdog if you are looking for a charcoal cooker get the WSM. I have three, not because they are cheap but because in a competition they are a great cooker. The new ProQ excel 20 is also a nice cooker, it has all of the options we have asked Weber for, these guys are listening.

Is the Pro Q better then the WSM, I'd not attest to that, I would prefer to get a 22 "WSM (like Dave, you lucky dog)

Likely you would be happy with either, but you have to wonder why Witdog nor I are running out to get a ProQ, however we are running out to get the big WSM....

[saucisson]

Well I can surmise from the price difference that the ProQ gives you more bangs for your buck, but the WSM might carry on banging away, earning those bucks, for a longer time?

[omnivore]

the best design i think is the stumps smokers gravity feed smoker
www.stumpssmokers.com
if your not familiar with this type of smoker this fellow explains the principle in the video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n8AjmNU9hg
should you want to try to make a clone of the stumps gravity feed smoker this site is helpful
www.phpbbserver.com/smokinjim/index.php ... =smokinjim