Sort of H&G: recommend your outdoor smoker

[Deleted]

Anybody got a recommendation for a good quality outdoor meat smoker at a reasonable price?  I want to get one for DH as a surprise - he's wanted one for years.  I was thinking maybe for our anniversary next spring so he can use it right away, but I don't know where to start....vertical, offset, drum, etc., I just don't have a clue about this kind if thing.  Also, does anybody have a Big Green Egg? Are they worth the hype and the money?  

[bunnymendelbaum]

MY DH is a bit of a purist. He uses a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker even for competitions.
He doesn't think the green egg is worth the hype. He has the 18.5", but would have wanted the 22.5".

I can ask him more details if you want. How much are you looking to spend?

[mrs.jacinthe]

Our neighbor smoked our TG turkey last year. She has a Traeger Lil Tex: www.traegergrills.com/shop/detail/BBQ070#.U_5Aw_nD6Uk

I was doubtful about pellet smoke, but it was amazing. Probably the second best smoked turkey I've EVER had.

[InBetweenDays]

H has the Pit Barrel cooker/smoker and loves it. Wasn't outrageously expensive, and according to anyone who has eaten anything off of it cooks up some amazing food (I don't eat meat )

pitbarrelcooker.com/

[nomad100]

I just got this Masterbuilt propane one for DH last weekend for our anniversary.  We haven't used it yet but will be firing it up this weekend.  

Will let you know how it goes.

ETA:  Not sure if you have a Meijer near you but I got the smoker from Meijer for around $110.  It was on end of season clearance.  Which is why I gave him his anniversary present 2 months early.  

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2014 15:04:32 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

MY DH is a bit of a purist. He uses a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker even for competitions.
He doesn't think the green egg is worth the hype. He has the 18.5", but would have wanted the 22.5".

I can ask him more details if you want. How much are you looking to spend?

Thanks ladies!

Bunny, I would love your DH's thoughts if he doesn't mind. Our charcoal grill is a Weber so I would definitely consider a smoker from Weber. I'd be willing to spend $300. If I can hold out until I get my annual bonus, maybe a bit more. DH has really taken to grilling ever since my family gifted us the Weber grill as a housewarming gift 5 years ago, so I really think he will love using a smoker and want to get the best I can afford. Thanks lady!

[savan]

DH got this one for Christmas last year and has been very happy with it:

www.lowes.com/pd_411019-49769-9020_0__?productId=4437209

[lmbml]

We have a Green Mountain Grill- Daniel Boone, it uses wood pellets but it's way more than $300.

Before this we had a small Smoke Hollow one that used wood chips and a propane tank. We bought it at Gander Mountain.

[wawa]

Aug 27, 2014 15:04:32 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

MY DH is a bit of a purist. He uses a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker even for competitions.
He doesn't think the green egg is worth the hype. He has the 18.5", but would have wanted the 22.5".

I can ask him more details if you want. How much are you looking to spend?

this is what we have too.  Except I think we've got the monster sized 22.5".   If YH is into charcoal grilling then I think it's a good choice.  Mine considered the pellet smokers and all, and settled on this because he just wanted to be able to smoke some damn meat and have it last pretty much indefinitely.  Which it has.

One of our BF's is more of a propane guy and he has a pellet smoker - which suits him just fine.  I think MH likes the slightly more hands on approach.

[bunnymendelbaum]

My DH says his personal preference is the weber smokey mountain because it's more hands on and he likes the moisture from the water pan.

He says he likes the green egg, it's just like $800. He says he'd be curious about the knock off ones you can get at HD type places.

If your DH wants a more hands off approach, go with pellets. He said he doesn't understand the propane ones because "why not just do it in the oven then?" snob.

[mrsd2006]

We have three Big Green Eggs. They are pricey, but you can sometimes find them used on CL. They are worth the money. Bought new, they have a lifetime warranty. They are so versatile, not just a smoker. You can smoke low and slow for 20 hours or sear a steak at 700 degrees in just a couple minutes. You can bake bread, cakes, cookies etc and cold smoke.

There are a couple of BGE boards on FB, check them out and you'll get an idea of the versatility. People are always posting pics of their cooks.

We also have a Traeger pellet smoker, but never use it. I should have sold it at the beginning of summer.

[pooh8402]

we have a large Grill Dome (same type of smoker/grill as a Big Green Egg). we set it into a custom wood table/cabinet thing. DH uses it for everything, like mrsd2006 said. we smoked 3 racks of ribs yesterday, then grilled 2 beer butt chickens. it was a hit with our group.