jbrown11352
New member
Does anyone know of a site that reviews smokers or can anyone tell me your experiences with particular brands, models, etc?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
OT: BBQ Smokers
- Thread starter jbrown11352
- Start date
Bradley Smoker all the way.
http://bbq.about.com/od/smokerreviews/gr/aapr042505d.htm
I tried tending a fire ALL day.......... not happening again, nor do I have the diligence to learn how to either.
I set the Bradley up, and check on it from time to time, usually to give it a misting of apple juice.
Some complain about the cost of the wood chips, I don't think it is that bad. I can cook and get things done around the house at the same time. Nothing makes paperwork go quick than knowing something tasty is in the smoker.
http://bbq.about.com/od/smokerreviews/gr/aapr042505d.htm
I tried tending a fire ALL day.......... not happening again, nor do I have the diligence to learn how to either.
I set the Bradley up, and check on it from time to time, usually to give it a misting of apple juice.
Some complain about the cost of the wood chips, I don't think it is that bad. I can cook and get things done around the house at the same time. Nothing makes paperwork go quick than knowing something tasty is in the smoker.
goodtimes2
New member
I would check out the cabelas' website under smokers, they have a good selection to choose at pretty good prices.
dodgerblew
Team RC
I agree that the Bradley smoker is very good. The one I bought though was from Costco. Stainless steel, 3 shelves and runs on propane. Awesome unit for the cost and it can cook so much food. They usually have them in the warehouse in the spring/summer but you can probably find it online. Its called the Grand Cafe.
jbrown11352
New member
There is 1 review and it is bad, states it only slow smokes (overnight, doesn't reach 320 as advertised) and you have to use bradley fuel which is about $10 per session. Is this what you have experienced?
jbrown11352
New member
I read the one review under compare pricing. The others are mostly negative as well, any thoughts on this?
golfish
Team RC
I've used one of these for years...
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-G...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-G...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
gcarroll
Active member
The Bradley smoker is a great idea. It either has great reviews or horrible reviews. Nothing in between. I looked into one but the negative reviews made me decide not to.
Positives: Set it and forget it. Perfect cooking every time.
Negatives: you have to use their own smoke wafers and they can be very costly in the long run. Auto-feeder for smoke wafers has a reputation of jamming/breaking.
I have the Grand Cafe and it is the best slow cooker I have ever owned. Problem is that I was looking to buy a smoker not a slow cooker. It just does not smoke. there is obviously a design flaw with the smoke tray.
If you want to see a large selection of smokers, I would suggest a trip to Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga. They have everything from home consumer to large professional/commercial smokers in stock. They also have a good selection of the smaller smokers on their website. I have found it's hard to judge a smoker without seeing it's build quality in person.
I will soon replace my Gran Cafe with the SmokinTex Pro Series Electric Smoker - Model 1400
Positives: Set it and forget it. Perfect cooking every time.
Negatives: you have to use their own smoke wafers and they can be very costly in the long run. Auto-feeder for smoke wafers has a reputation of jamming/breaking.
I have the Grand Cafe and it is the best slow cooker I have ever owned. Problem is that I was looking to buy a smoker not a slow cooker. It just does not smoke. there is obviously a design flaw with the smoke tray.
If you want to see a large selection of smokers, I would suggest a trip to Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga. They have everything from home consumer to large professional/commercial smokers in stock. They also have a good selection of the smaller smokers on their website. I have found it's hard to judge a smoker without seeing it's build quality in person.
I will soon replace my Gran Cafe with the SmokinTex Pro Series Electric Smoker - Model 1400
dodgerblew
Team RC
you don't think the grand cafe imparts a good smoke flavor Greg?
badbones
Premium Member
I just bought this one for like 170 at lowes. It works fine but u do have to watch the smoke/chips to make sure when time to refill. I like the refrig style door on it. Also to add chips, yoou dont have to open the door. They just drop in the side.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=298004-58355-20070106&lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=298004-58355-20070106&lpage=none
gcarroll
Active member
personally no, I like more than a hint of smoke. Just my preference.
jbrown11352
New member
What are the pros and cons of the simpler smokers like the one pictured in the link above that is attached to the charcoal BBQ?
Hey Greg, I have the same grand cafe smoker and I removed the sliding tray and put the wet wood chips directly on the tray support. I use a bbq cleaning wand to push the chips back. This gets them hot enough to smoke. The tray is just too big and the heat gets drawn out by all of the connecting steel. Once I figured this out, I've been happy. Defenitely the best smoker I've had.
Jeff
Jeff
gcarroll
Active member
Looks to have a history of heating element troubles.
Overall Rating: 1 out of 5
Died After About 10 Smokes, October 19, 2009
By OzarkKid (read all my reviews)
Disadvantages: Durability, Quality, 90 day warranty
"I've had mine for about 18 months. I used it about 10 times. I would have rated it 5 stars before it died this weekend. You will be upset when you have your ribs all ready to go and this smoker quits on you."
Overall Rating: 1 out of 5
Pile of junk, October 14, 2009
By Tarpondawg from Venice, Fl (read all my reviews)
Disadvantages: Durability, Quality
"Bought smoker in Nov. 08. Used twice element went out. Only has 90 day warranty and manufacturer wants $89.99 to replace. Has history of element problems...read other reviews. Bass Pro should pull this item from their stores. Manufacturer will not stand behind thier product full knowing the element is an issue!!!!! Buy anything but this smoker!!!"
Overall Rating: 1 out of 5
Disposable Unit, October 7, 2009
By tbare from Tampa, FL (read all my reviews)
Advantages: Functional/Useful
Disadvantages: Durability, Quality, no replacement burner
"Masterbuilt will not sell you a burner unit. If the burner unit fails your only option is to buy a new body for $89.99 plus shipping as they will not sell you parts for "Liability Reasons" Most of the other manufactures will happily sell you parts. At this time, replacement bodies are on backorder for at least 70 days.
Buyer-Beware,
t_bare"
Overall Rating: 1 out of 5
low quality, September 27, 2009
By Anonymous
Advantages: Functional/Useful
Disadvantages: Quality
"Smokes meats well, easy to use. I've returned one for a gasket that wouldn't stay on right out of the box. The paint peeled of the door after one use (not from heat or direct exposure to elements). Nine months and about 10 uses and the heating element is bad. Glad I paid doorbuster price and not full price."
There were the most recent reviews from here:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...10151_-1_10001_97894____SearchResults#reviews
gcarroll
Active member
I'll try that because the cook quality on the smoker is awesome.
I have used mine 3 times now with no probs....now im bummed lolMy experience is limited to only a simple electric one from HD, which seemed to be more of a steamer. Used it a few times and started modifying it. I get irritated if I have to upgrade a thing I paid for, and especially irritated if I have to come up with a mod myself just to get it to do what I thought I was paying for.... cough /skimmers/ cough. I had better results with a pie tin full of wood chips covered in foil that I tossed on the grill.
If you just want to add smoke flavor to grilled food, then I would do just that. If you want to smoke food -and to me that means s l o w, an auto feeder is it.
I buy my chips/pucks online. I got the combo pack to try everything out and it lasted me 4 times. Worked out to about $8.00 each time. Even at ten bux it would still be worth it because to slow cook you have to be really good at managing your heat and smoke to keep it on target for HOURS. I have better things to do than poke a smoldering pile of wood with a stick. And I wasn't that good at it, honestly. I'd get distracted and forget about it.
I got my Bradley from Cabellas during a sale.
There are a tone of sites dedicated to the Bradley, surf around.
Mine did jam, but I made some minor adjustments and lubricated it with some vegetable oil / Pam. No problems since. The Racks are a bit flimsy.
Perfect and consistent smoking. I've cooked ribs, a brisket, more ribs, and ribs again. Low and slow. 220 is the hottest I like to go with ribs, pig, and cow. Chicken needs to be cooked to a higher temp though. I usually smoke ribs for 4 hours and then finish off in the oven or FTC the sucker (Foil, Towel, Cooler). I have set it up with five hours worth of pucks and let it run out of chips and just let it cook in the smoker. The unit burns 3 pucks an hour.
Waiting for somebody to catch a bunch of Bonita so I can try it on fish.
Good luck!
If you just want to add smoke flavor to grilled food, then I would do just that. If you want to smoke food -and to me that means s l o w, an auto feeder is it.
I buy my chips/pucks online. I got the combo pack to try everything out and it lasted me 4 times. Worked out to about $8.00 each time. Even at ten bux it would still be worth it because to slow cook you have to be really good at managing your heat and smoke to keep it on target for HOURS. I have better things to do than poke a smoldering pile of wood with a stick. And I wasn't that good at it, honestly. I'd get distracted and forget about it.
I got my Bradley from Cabellas during a sale.
There are a tone of sites dedicated to the Bradley, surf around.
Mine did jam, but I made some minor adjustments and lubricated it with some vegetable oil / Pam. No problems since. The Racks are a bit flimsy.
Perfect and consistent smoking. I've cooked ribs, a brisket, more ribs, and ribs again. Low and slow. 220 is the hottest I like to go with ribs, pig, and cow. Chicken needs to be cooked to a higher temp though. I usually smoke ribs for 4 hours and then finish off in the oven or FTC the sucker (Foil, Towel, Cooler). I have set it up with five hours worth of pucks and let it run out of chips and just let it cook in the smoker. The unit burns 3 pucks an hour.
Waiting for somebody to catch a bunch of Bonita so I can try it on fish.
Good luck!
golfish
Team RC
If your asking about the one I linked..
The pros are you can use it as a grill and smoker. Its more what I would call a true BBQ rather then a smoker or grill.
The con is that it takes a lot of wood (I use both) and charcoal to cook with. If I'm doing ribs, chicken and or Tri Tip I can get by with about 10 pounds of charcoal and wood. If I'm doing a big pork roast or Turkey that takes maybe 6-8 hours it might take a whole bag of charcoal plus the wood.
If you want a smoker I'd go with the smaller upright models. The few that I've used work much better for just smoking.
FWIW, I have the one I linked above (mine is an old Char Coal model) plus a standard Weber, a Smoky Joe Webber and a propane grill. There all in the backyard and I use em all.
jbrown11352
New member
I currently have the drum type BBQ and a propane grill as well. Im really looking for something to add to the collection strictly for smoking but they all seem to have mostly negative reviews!!
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