The Texas BBQ Forum

Hellooo everyone !! I'm planning to gift my sister a smoker but unable to zero in on any particular smoker. There are so many kinds of smokers, propane, electric, charcoal, etc, etc. Can someone please suggest which smoker to buy?

Some questions:
What is your budget?
What is your sisters experience with outdoor cooking?
What kind of space for the cooker does she have?

I know a website review all smoker, you can see it here: Best Smokers and Grills review

if I were going to get a gift of a new smoker I would want a weber smoky mountain. if that is in the budget

Tough question......depends on budget.....I started with a 150 dollar one and now am way beyond that price wise. I would say you can put out good BBQ on darn near anything once you can control the temp and smoke. I would say the best your budget allows.....I currently avoid the big box stuff but I admit it's exactly where I started. Does she have experience? Budget?

If you can afford it I would suggest the 3 door Horizon Grizzly

My first one (that I still have and use) was the Dyno-Glow offset upright.
It's very inexpensive and while the metal is thin, it's a real smoker that works properly and can produce briskets, ribs and butts that rival anything done on a better cooker..

I am very satisfied with my Weber Smoky Mountain and recommend it as a gift.

Papa Tom wrote:Some questions:
What is your budget?
What is your sisters experience with outdoor cooking?
What kind of space for the cooker does she have?

Best questions to start with right there.
Space, experience, budget: That is the foundation for picking out a smoker.

I second T-Dragon's comment

All the anwsers above is good. But on BBQ Queens website, we have top bbq smokers reviews and user guides to help you choose the best electric smoker, best charcoal smoker, best pellet smoker, best offset smoker, best smoker thermomether ... as well as get the most of it.

bbqqueens wrote:All the anwsers above is good. But on BBQ Queens website, we have top bbq smokers reviews and user guides to help you choose the best electric smoker, best charcoal smoker, best pellet smoker, best offset smoker, best smoker thermomether ... as well as get the most of it.

I couldn't possibly disagree any more on "buyer's guides" than I do to this day. These are based on sales per unit and average user review. These guides don't take many other important factors into consideration, they show only a small selection based largely on subjective information and arguably skewed results or favored data..
/end rant. Lol

bbqqueens wrote:All the anwsers above is good. But on BBQ Queens website, we have top bbq smokers reviews and user guides to help you choose the best electric smoker, best charcoal smoker, best pellet smoker, best offset smoker, best smoker thermomether ... as well as get the most of it.

I read the pellet smoker review and find it incomplete, while it names a best and worst there is no real world cooking experience to validate the proclamations submitted. I would read the reviews with a subjective opinion then seek additional reviews and or information before making any decisions regarding a purchase. There are several makes and models omitted, also not mentioned are the types of fuel or its composition. The manufacturing process of the pellet can dramatically effect performance, from holding temperature to the flavor infused into the meat. So choose carefully.
I would refer back to post #2 what "papa tom" said....

I have the green mountain grill and it works wonders for me when I dont have time to use my offset smoker. It's one of the best budget friendly pellet smokers out there. I would say to go that route unless you know for sure your sister is going to want to keep tabs on the smoker and watch for wood/temp etc. They have the small Davy Crockett gmg smoker for about 299. Good luck.

Phat_Meats wrote:I have the green mountain grill and it works wonders for me when I dont have time to use my offset smoker. It's one of the best budget friendly pellet smokers out there. I would say to go that route unless you know for sure your sister is going to want to keep tabs on the smoker and watch for wood/temp etc. They have the small Davy Crockett gmg smoker for about 299. Good luck.

:) Green Mountain Grill is friendly budget and work great.