Opinions on a Smoker/Grill

[beerco]

Howdy all,

Got a new job and want to buy a new pit for myself for a present. Currently I have a 25year old or so barrel type smoker with an electric element, no temp control. It's worked out ok but...well, I'm sure I don't need to justify my purchase with y'all.

Anyhow, I was mostly interested in something I can use to grill and smoke. I've come to a few finalists:

Shop Brinkmann

I like this one because it's got a grill and a water pan. The only thing I don't like is that there's no way to move the coals closer or farther from the grill surface. also the grill is a bit small if we have company. I've found it for $299

Nextly is this Shop Brinkmann

I really like the barrel type grills just from an aesthetic stand point but this also has the issue of not being able to move the coals when grilling. The gas burner on the side is very cool, but honestly I've already got one of those for stir frying and beer brewing. This one I've found for $550 (which would be pushing the budget for sure). From a functional standpoint, it sure looks like the other one would be easier to use.

I figure in either case I could adapt the electric element from my rust bucket smoker for when I don't feel like feeding the fire all day.

I'd briefly considered this: http://www.bbqpits.com/backyard_smok...uxe_smoker.htm but as cool as it would be to have a pit from a little outfit like that it's just way too expensive.

The final thought I had was to buy a gas smoker for like $130 and a fancy shmancy charcole grill for like.

Please coment and advise.

TIA,

[Uncle Bob]

You can't go wrong with the Klose...

[beerco]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

You can't go wrong with the Klose...

Yea, but you can buy a lot a brisket for $1000.

I'm sure it's the best but at $1000 more than the other most expensive "option" it's not really...an option.

Anything's easy if you have enough cash.

(I almost opened up: so if I muy a klose all my BBQ will come out perfect!)

[AllenOK]

Do you have a Lowe's anywhere near you? Two years ago, I bought a "Char-Griller Professional" grill for $119.00 + tax. It has an optional side-mounted firebox for $54. I don't have the firebox, yet, so I use the off-set smoking method. I build a small fire on the right side, near the air inlet. I take the grates off that side. The meat goes on the grates on the left side, with a drip pan underneath it.

The grates are cast iron. The fire pan is adjustable relative to the grates, for better heat control. There is a thermometer built-in on the lid. Spare parts are available from the manufactorer, if you want.

[cajun_1]

All of the smoker/grill's you showed looked good. But the choice is yours, as to what you really want and how much money you have to spend. I have seen great food come out of a "el cheapo" and have also seen bad food come out of an expensive cooker. Just my $0.02

[candelbc]

Originally Posted by AllenOK

Do you have a Lowe's anywhere near you? Two years ago, I bought a "Char-Griller Professional" grill for $119.00 + tax. It has an optional side-mounted firebox for $54. I don't have the firebox, yet, so I use the off-set smoking method. I build a small fire on the right side, near the air inlet. I take the grates off that side. The meat goes on the grates on the left side, with a drip pan underneath it.

The grates are cast iron. The fire pan is adjustable relative to the grates, for better heat control. There is a thermometer built-in on the lid. Spare parts are available from the manufactorer, if you want.

This is what I have as well.. I definitey love it!

-Brad

[beerco]

Thanks for the comments so far. As we're discussing, a few points are comming to mind.

Texas smoker vs. water smoker? Can you use something like the Klose or Char-Griller as a water smoker by either puting a water pan in the firebox or smoke chamber or is that not how it's done? I used my old smoker for about 3 years before I realized that the water pan was, well, a water pan and not a chip tray!

Adjustable Charcoal height - I've been eyeing those grills (not smokers) with the handles to raise and lower the charcoal from the grates. Is this a really useful feature or more of something that looks neat but isn't really all that? Is it worth sacrificing smoking ease of use just to get that feature?

[beerco]

I'm such a whack job....I'm probably going to buy a big green egg. I just watched some videos and am so sold on it. I can always buy a dedicated smoker down the road. I absolutely love the idea of not throwing away all that charcoal.

[eatsOats]

I'm very pleased with my Weber Smoky Mountain Cooker.

[Andy M.]

You can smoke on a Weber charcoal grill. Check out this thread. You can get a Weberr for less than $200.