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entry level smoker

Posted: 26 May 2012, 04:10
by padvw
Hi everyone,
Im new to all of this, only really used to burning some cheap burgers over red hot coals, though after a recent trip to the states realised what i had been missing. I have been looking at smokers and was thinking about getting the brinkmann gourmet smoker, i would be wanting to do some long smoking of big hunks of meat as well as chicken, ribs, wings etc, also would want to grill homemade burgers and steaks. What do you think? would this be a good entry level smoker for me? i am a little concerned that there are some comments about the cheaper smokers being a false economy. i wouldnt want to spend too much until i know if i really am going to be bitten by the BBQ bug.

any help, advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Paddy

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 26 May 2012, 06:30
by JEC
Hello

This has been covered several times and the consensus is buy yourself a Weber Kettle, this will grill and smoke straight out of the box. The Brinkmann aka the ECB (El Cheapo Brinkmann) will require modification to get it to work anywhere as well as the kettle. Once you know if you like smoking you can then buy yourself a Weber Smokey Mountain.

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 26 May 2012, 08:17
by KamadoSimon
What he said... ;-)

I'll just add that the kettle + WSM gives you more flexibility if you go down that route.

The brinkmann (and others like it) can be used as a BBQ - but do you really want to be down on the ground with it?

It's a little more expensive, but worth the extra.

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 26 May 2012, 14:25
by padvw
Thanks for the replies, sorry its taken me a little while to reply but im on nights and have just woken up. I had looked at the kettle ones but (and excuse my ignorance here) i thought they were just for grilling, obviosly i have alot to learn


http://www.bbqworld.co.uk/bbqworld/prod ... ame=135500


is this the sort of thing i should be looking at and would it be a good price?

thanks again for your help

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 26 May 2012, 18:20
by JEC
That will work but this will be better, you can save yourself some money and buy the standard one but it won't have the hinged grate and thermometer and ash catcher

http://www.bbqworld.co.uk/bbqworld/prod ... me=1351004

There are cheaper deals to be had too

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 26 May 2012, 20:26
by thebarbecuemaster
Hi I thought about what yu wrote and I can tell you I started out with a cheaper smoker and I will not mention the brand but it was lousy and rusted on me to quick and I ended of with the weber smoker and grill which are still going strong after a decade of use.Itd better to invest in something good I am sure you will love barbecueing

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 27 May 2012, 03:30
by padvw
oops dont know what went wrong with my link there. I am going to get the one touch premium later today. thanks for the advice and i will be back for some advice on how to get the most out of it.

Thanks again

Paddy

Re: entry level smoker

Posted: 27 May 2012, 07:33
by JEC
Excellent you won't regret it I had mine for years and used it loads and loads all year round.