Sorry Tallbald....

[Kevin]

But I just bought an electric smoker.

I know, I know.... I didn't think the state of Texas allowed the sale of electric smokers, but apparently they do.

It has been a wet weekend here in DFW and I guess I was tired of hauling my Weber Smokey Mountain out of the garage and setting it up. Then the clean up when I'm done cooking something. I won't give up on the Weber all together, and I do want an offset smoker one of these days....

But for now, while I'm working, I need the time saving convenience of the electric. Plus, I've eaten a lot of different bbq, and I've come to the conclusion I don't like heavily smoked meat. My wife's boss has us over occasionally. His brisket is top notch, I mean truly great stuff. But it's got such a heavy smoky flavor; I can only eat just a little of it.

The one I bought is the Masterbuilt 30 inch model with Bluetooth. With this and the location under our back covered patio, I will be able to monitor the smoker from my bedroom.

I'm sorry to say It was made in China, but the build quality seems very nice. I'm seasoning it right now. I did find a company in Ponca City, "Cookshack" , they sell electric smokers, but they are several thousand dollars. I couldn't justify the price to sweetie....

I'll post again with some pictures next weekend when I have time to smoke something. I'm thinking ribs and turkey.

 

[Jeepnik]

Not sure what is worse an electric smoker or a gas one. Smoking and BBQing is meant to be done with wood and charcoal. All other methods inferior and not worth pursuing.

My current one is a the type with a large main grill and a smaller side compartment. With air registers and a stack damper one can control the temperature and get a really good smoke going.

Then if you have a huge crowd you can grill up a storm to feed all the hungry mouths. Thanksgiving dinner is a breeze on this monster.

 

[Gator89]

Go Green Egg or Go Home!

 

[Kevin]

When I want to grill something like a steak or chicken. I have both a charcoal grill and a wood burning fire pit with a grill on top. I also have a gas grill that doesn't get used very much at all.

I'm not afraid to build and tend a fire for grilling. I just don't have the amount of time involved necessary to have a fire for smoking foods. That's what I don't have.

And yes, I thought about one of those Green Eggs. They are just so expensive! Maybe this summer. My Weber charcoal grill is really looking shabby. It's about 8 years old....

 

[Conservative]

Honestly, the tool you use for bbq-ing/cooking/smoking is elective.

There is no one best bbq/grill/smoker as there is no one best gun.

It's the results (and fun) you have doing so....

Purist about this sort of thing is what I once was...and have since learned being a purist is kinda restrictive and frankly un-American.

You like: Hickory, or Pecan or Oak or propane or electric. They all work. Aren't we glad there's no politician telling us we have to do the cooking/bbq-ing/smoking the way 'they' insist...?

 

[Jeepnik]

Honestly, the tool you use for bbq-ing/cooking/smoking is elective.

There is no one best bbq/grill/smoker as there is no one best gun.

It's the results (and fun) you have doing so....

Purist about this sort of thing is what I once was...and have since learned being a purist is kinda restrictive and frankly un-American.

You like: Hickory, or Pecan or Oak or propane or electric. They all work. Aren't we glad there's no politician telling us we have to do the cooking/bbq-ing/smoking the way 'they' insist...?

Ah, but we do. Some places have days when burning, including smoking meats is prohibited. Talk about in American.

 

[Conservative]

Jeepnik,

Wow!

Where I live in the free state of Texas no such bs laws (at least that I know of) exist.

 

[wolfsong]

Time, temperature, type of meat, type of wood for smoke, and seasonings are what matter, time and temperature control being the most important. Nothing else.

Season your favorite cut the way you like it, control the heat, give it the correct amount of time and add the smoke. Nothing else matters. Makes no difference how much you spend on a smoker or if you build one out of a large piece of cowhide teepee style.

That being said, I really want a Traeger...

 

[Kevin]

Jeepnik:
Are you talking about Arizona? My parents live outside of Phoenix and my dad mentioned Phoenix had a city wide ban on outdoor fires. Was that true? Did it include bbq grills or anything else?

It was for air quality, is that correct?

I got through pre-seasoning the electric smoker. It's insulated very, very well. The internal temp was set to 275 and the cabinet on the outside was only slightly warm around the base. The glass door did get somewhat warm, but I could still put my hand on it.

When I added the wood chips, they did smoke, and any smoke only came out through the circular vent on top of the cabinet.

I'm very pleased.

 

[bogus bill]

My dad made a smoker out of a old 50 gallon drum. He smoked the best tasting carp in the country with it for years.

 

[arfmel]

I have a friend who made one out of an old washing machine cabinet. It's out at his hunting lease. We've had some darn good meals out of that old thing.

 

[Kevin]

Bogus bill:

Smokers made out of steel drums are all the rage now. Search google for UDS (ugly drum smoker)

 

[Wyandot Jim]

THIS is Texas only a Yankee would have an ELECTRIC SMOKER.

 

[Jeepnik]

Jeepnik:
Are you talking about Arizona? My parents live outside of Phoenix and my dad mentioned Phoenix had a city wide ban on outdoor fires. Was that true? Did it include bbq grills or anything else?

It was for air quality, is that correct?

I got through pre-seasoning the electric smoker. It's insulated very, very well. The internal temp was set to 275 and the cabinet on the outside was only slightly warm around the base. The glass door did get somewhat warm, but I could still put my hand on it.

When I added the wood chips, they did smoke, and any smoke only came out through the circular vent on top of the cabinet.

I'm very pleased.

Quite a few places have such bans. Usually in and around cities. Basically the fools that run air quality organizations would like us all to go back to walking, kill all the cows, and heaven forbid we ride a horse.

 

[Tallbald]

Kevin:
"Shoot what ya brung" and "Don't matter whatcha ride, just that ya ride..." comes to my mind. If I wasn't retired, I'd likely have an electric smoker myself. It's because of a love for the art, the mystique of the prep, the food and flavor that we smoke. In my case, there's the added love of fiddling with a fire. But it takes time, which I myself have a lot of these days.
Me? I love the heat and A/C in my truck. Yeah, there's an aura to riding in an old truck windows 55 wide on a hot summer day. But there's lots of advantage and allure to modern adaptations. Electric smoker with little waste of fuel or time versus a stick burner like I have and love? Both will get a craftscook where they need to be.
Yes!! Brother's in arms we are! Let us sally forth (who's Sally? And why is she fourth instead of first?) and together slay the dragon of boring food and tasteless entrees! Bring together your brown sugar and cumin! Mix your rations of fresh ground pepper and powdered garlic my loyal comrades! Fire up your hickory and insert your three prong weather resistant plugs and together, with determination and culinary love we shall create a world of tender goodness!!....Sorry folks I got carried away.
Hey Kevin. Glad you'll get to smoke on YOUR schedule instead of the weatherman's!
Don.