In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

need a new smoker

Discussion in 'The Smokehouse' started by rek, Feb 12, 2019.

  1. rek

    rek

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    618
    Location:
    West hartland ct
    Hi folks,
    I’ve been using a Cabelas charcoal smoker for over 30 years. It’s just a can with a cover, charcoal pan at the bottom, water pan in the middle, and grates on top. I use a lot of Apple branches and some bags of chips once in a while. I smoked wild turkeys, and a lot of fish in it, and it’s been great, but starting to rust up and getting bent up a bit. What do you recommend for a replacement? I never really looked at the different types - hot smokers, cold smokers, electric, etc., but if you were smoking mostly fish , turkeys and venison, what would you select?
    I apologize if there is already a thread on this, but if there is maybe you could point it out.

    Thanks
     
    Chvymn99, NortheastAl, leoht and 2 others like this.
  2. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,048
    Likes Received:
    95,626
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    ive been eyeing the Kamado and the Big Green Egg style smokers.
    i already have a couple big cookers. the small size wood/charcoal would be great
     
    MikeyB, Chvymn99, NortheastAl and 3 others like this.
  3. BHags

    BHags

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2016
    Messages:
    604
    Likes Received:
    3,064
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    I've said this before. I smoke everything on my Weber Kettle grill. Run a snake of charcoal, add wood, close the cover. I use it all year as either a grill or smoker.
     
  4. fox9988

    fox9988

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,703
    Likes Received:
    8,230
    Location:
    NW Arkansas 72717
    I have a big homemade wood fired smoker at home, would never be without it. Takes about an hour to get it ready to cook. Food needs covered with foil after about an hour of smoke, then it can be left for up to 12 hours, temp falls after that. Bones fall out of ribs. Roasts can be cut with a fork.
    At the fire station we us an electric smoker. Set the temp/timer/fill the water pan/fill with wood chips occasionally/use the heat probe if desired/etc. Bluetooth if you want. Very handy.
    They are two different beasts. I prefer food off the wood fired but the electric is cheap and easy.
    Google Ugly Drum Smoker. So many options.
     
    Chvymn99, NortheastAl, leoht and 2 others like this.
  5. Nick&Lissa

    Nick&Lissa

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2018
    Messages:
    217
    Likes Received:
    1,508
    Location:
    Indiana
    I’ve had my eyes on a Weber Kettle grill for a hot minute. Would love some tips!
    ~Lissa :)
     
    Chvymn99, NortheastAl, leoht and 3 others like this.
  6. BHags

    BHags

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2016
    Messages:
    604
    Likes Received:
    3,064
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Make sure it has a thermometer, and the cook top sides turn up so you can add charcoal when needed. Get a charcoal chimney for starting the charcoal with news paper, not fluid. And very important, never have so many beers you forget to check the grill and burn your supper!
     
  7. rek

    rek

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    618
    Location:
    West hartland ct
    Checking out these
    checking out these ugly drum smokers! Looks like a fun project, and my son has a welder. That might be in my future. Thanks!!
     
    Chvymn99, NortheastAl, g60gti and 4 others like this.
  8. fox9988

    fox9988

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,703
    Likes Received:
    8,230
    Location:
    NW Arkansas 72717
    If I didn’t have a smoker, I’d be all over a UDS.
     
    Chvymn99, NortheastAl, g60gti and 3 others like this.
  9. g60gti

    g60gti

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,035
    Likes Received:
    6,923
    Location:
    NY West
    I built one a few years back. It was a fun project for sure and it cooks really well. It’s amazingly efficient and holds temps much more stable than I though it would. I used ideas from a whole bunch of different places. Let me know if you have any questions. I also have a electric smoker which sees a lot of use in the cold weather as it’s pretty much set it and forget it, and I have a kamodo style which I grill on a lot but have yet to try a smoke on.

    030B709B-ED3D-4E81-A970-5C9B1278F0D6.jpeg
     
  10. Chazsbetterhalf

    Chazsbetterhalf

    Joined:
    May 18, 2018
    Messages:
    6,010
    Likes Received:
    39,583
    Location:
    Ny
    Like the paint job. :rofl: :lol:
     
  11. g60gti

    g60gti

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,035
    Likes Received:
    6,923
    Location:
    NY West
    Thanks. Thought pink would be cool because mostly pork gets cooked in there, came out pretty bright though. I have a Weber kettle lid I’ve been meaning to adapt to fit, got a cool paint idea for that too.
     
  12. rek

    rek

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    618
    Location:
    West hartland ct
    Oh yeah, that looks like a fun project. Maybe bigger than I need, though. If you were to smoke a 20 pound turkey or 3 or 4 salmon, would it be overkill.
     
    Chvymn99, NortheastAl and g60gti like this.
  13. Paul bunion

    Paul bunion

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    3,299
    Likes Received:
    12,571
    Location:
    NJ
    I've been using an 18.5" Weber Bullet for 20 years or so. No complaints at all. The Webers are a pretty solid unit. Its probably similar to what you have.
     
  14. g60gti

    g60gti

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,035
    Likes Received:
    6,923
    Location:
    NY West
    I don’t think so. I’ve fired it up for just a rack of ribs once and two smaller steelhead. My charcoal basket is a bit overkill, it’ll hold a 18 pound bag plus about 5 pounds of chunked wood no problem. Had a load like that last 30 hours. May make a smaller basket one day. Here’s a few more pictures for you.
    056F7EFF-43C7-4F80-9F22-F0F1FA9F2026.jpeg 4E4E3149-3B03-4CC2-A823-4CF0D4EFE63C.jpeg 6A33FFAB-73F6-4390-B86B-6816EA987042.jpeg
     
    BHags, Chvymn99, rek and 1 other person like this.
  15. rek

    rek

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    618
    Location:
    West hartland ct
    Thanks, now I’m getting some ideas. I think I’ll start looking for a barrel!
     
    Chvymn99 likes this.
  16. fuelrod

    fuelrod

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,340
    Likes Received:
    19,189
    Location:
    Western Maine
    I usually like to make my own, but I wanted an insulated model that I could use in the cooler temps. Got one of these coming next week. :ups: 41Xf8keDMPL.01_SL400_.jpg
    Nice little unit they say good for 2 butt's or a handfull of chicken. It's a charcoal smoker.

    While "surfing" around I came across quite a few nice UDS "kits" that have some ready to go hardware, vents - fire basket, etc. but no drum for about $130. If I didn't have my other smoker I'd build a drum using one of those kits.
     
    Chaz, SKEETER McCLUSKEY and fox9988 like this.
  17. BHags

    BHags

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2016
    Messages:
    604
    Likes Received:
    3,064
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Looks more like a refrigerator !
     
  18. fuelrod

    fuelrod

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,340
    Likes Received:
    19,189
    Location:
    Western Maine
    .....now that you mention it. :rofl: :lol:
     
    Chaz and Chazsbetterhalf like this.
  19. g60gti

    g60gti

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,035
    Likes Received:
    6,923
    Location:
    NY West
    Nice shiny red smoker fuelrod. You’ll have to post up some of the food it produces when you get it up and running.

    Any updates rek, did you decide on a new smoker? Backyard beer and bbq season is upon us!
     
    Chaz likes this.
  20. fuelrod

    fuelrod

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,340
    Likes Received:
    19,189
    Location:
    Western Maine
    Dang it, the fed ex guy needs a sig. and We missed him today. Do they run on Saturday's?
    41Xf8keDMPL.01_SL400_.jpg
    Fingers crossed that they do.
     
    Chvymn99 and Chaz like this.