Please, help me choose a smoker! Brinkmann or ProQ?

[YetiDave]

So I'm brand new to the forum, but not to smoking - I've been using a Cameron's stovetop smoker for about a year now and want to upgrade to something with a bit more wallop/actual charcoal. I'm running on a bit of a budget but I've found a few options in my range (i.e. entry level) so I'm looking at the Brinkmann Smoke 'n' Grill, the Brinkmann Gourmet or the ProQ Amigo. Now I'm guessing any of these can be used for cold smoking too with a couple of hooks and a smoke box, but as for hot smoking, who wins? Brinkmann or ProQ? Any other suggestions around the £90-£150 mark would be welcome and I'd really appreciate any advice, cheers guys!

[bencops]

My first smoker, rather than a kettle used indirect, was a brinkmann gourmet. It sucks, but like learning on a steel string accoustic guitar, will make a man of you


Get thr proq, or just face facts and get the wsm you really want.

[YetiDave]

Haha, the WSM is really all it's cracked up to be eh? I'm debating either getting an entry level or saving for something that'll really last, I've read about problems with both the Brinkmann and ProQ smokers, I was just wondering which was the lesser of the two evils. I'm a part time chef and absolute perfectionist when it comes to cooking so maybe I should save, but I want one now dammit!

Also I learned on electric

[bencops]

I went from a brinkmann to a WSM
And from a steel string accoustic to a strat

I think you know where your first purchase is.

[bencops]

Sorry I should answer your original question too - the proQ is significantly better than either cheapo brinkmann

[Eddie]

As I understand that your budget is up to £150, if you can increase it by anougher £30 I would recommend the Pro Q Frontier as it has so much more flexibility then both of the others that you originally looked at.
Please click on the link
http://www.smokingbbq.co.uk/charcoal-bbqs-1-c.asp

Regards

Eddie

[YetiDave]

Thanks for the tips guys, ProQ definitely sounds like the way to go (much as I'd like to spring for a WSM I can't quite justify it... yet) so I think I'll save a little extra and go for the Frontier. I think I'll go for this http://www.hotsmoked.co.uk/hot-cold-smo ... od_67.html and maybe tag a charcoal starter on there. Is it worthwhile adding a smoker box to the list?

[RobinC]

Don't bother with a smoker box. Save the money and put it towards a decent therm such as a maverick

[keith157]

As Robin say don't bother you have a smoker which you add wet wood chips to to create smoke, if you feel the need to add additional flavours use a foil pouch with holes in. The idea of a ProQ, WSM, UDS or offest is that you don't need smoker boxes they are designed to generate somke without one.
They are primarily designed for gas grills to be placed on top of the burner or they don't generate enough heat to work. Besides they are dangerous to try to refill and don't last much longer than 30-45 minutes tops. Save up for a temp probe like a maverick

[YetiDave]

Can the Maverick probes be calibrated? The last thermometer I bought specifically for use with a smoker thought that the inside of my freezer was a chilly 24C. I thought I'd seen the last of thermometer purchases with a Thermapen but I can definitely see the value in a Maverick