The Texas BBQ Forum

Thinking of getting a starter smoker. I mostly grill on my 26” Weber kettle and have recently tried smoking a few briskets. Briskets come out decent enough, nobody complains. I think they could be better. The part that bothers me is the temperature control, it’s inconsistent. Yesterday was a bit windy and I was trying a bigger brisket and things didn’t go as planned, took much longer. Using the “snake” method where I make a line of charcoal around the edge of the kettle and start one side up with some lit(lighted, light??) briquettes. Keep thinking there’s a smoker out there with better temp control.

Don’t need anything huge as I usually only cook for 3 or 4. Budget is about 200, which I realize will limit my options. Been looking on CL for a used 18” WMS, no luck yet. Thought of an UDS, but that’s way more capacity than I need.
Any recommendations? Thanks.

it's better to have it and not need it than it is to need it and not have it.
always buy larger than what you need, you want to throw your wife a birthday party or have friends over.
look at old country smokers at academy. you pay a little more but they last and have a lot of features built in that others are modding their smokers with.

I was in your exact position, with the same kettle, almost five years ago. The best decision I ever made was I got me one of these:

http://www.firecraft.com/product/smoke- ... oal-grills

Now, it's not cheap, but it allowed me to use the grill I already had. It also has a larger cook space than a 22.5 WSM, but you have to also buy an additional grate to have a second tier. I was a stickler for the diameter, I just like the 27" grill space. The ideal cooker for me would be a 26.75 Weber Smokey Mountain, which isn't made, the largest is 22.5. This just kinda allowed me to make one. The best part is that when I take this off, I have my kettle grill back.

If that's not an option, I'd look for a used Weber Smokey Mountain on Craigslist, or, just buy one new if it's an option. They're great units right out of the box, and there are people who have been using theirs for 10-15 years with no end in sight.

Hope that helps...

Lots of folks swear by and win with UDS cookers. They can be had for pocket change if you are handy.

I don't know where you live but I have a UDS that I am not using if you want it I'll Pay it forward to ya all you need do id come & git it

Can't go wrong with an UDS. I love mine. CF

BluDawg wrote:I don't know where you live but I have a UDS that I am not using if you want it I'll Pay it forward to ya all you need do id come & git it

Bludawg,

PM sent.

no mail in the boxy send it again

Just tried again. I think the first time I clicked on the email button.

You can't go wrong with a WSM.

I think he is happy with his new pit it should be in his driveway just about now

Nice way to pay it forward Blu!

I'll give your brisket recipe a try. Sounds simple enough that I should be able to pull it off.

Didn't get to cook yesterday like planned, had to come in to work. Maybe on the weekend.

Took a closer look at the UDS when I got home Sunday, that's some nice detail and work!

Thanks again.

Go BluDawg,