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View Full Version : What kind of smoker do you use?



Full_Monte
03-23-2009, 10:12 AM
From what I've read, the Luhr-Jensen Little Chief and Big Chief are used by some of you. Does anyone use something else? Do they all use electric heating elements? How about natural gas or propane? Do any of you smoke kokes while camping, using propane?

SuperD
03-23-2009, 10:40 AM
I've got 2. One is a GOSM or Great Outdoor Smokey Mountain propane smoker shown below:

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8443/smoke1hg8.jpg

And the second is a Cabela's electric that I tore the element out of after a couple seasons and converted to propane as well.

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6154/chick1xo3.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5248/burner1wz4.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2977/burner2xa6.jpg

Fallriverguy
03-23-2009, 01:38 PM
I just plug along with my little chief. I do have propane envy though.

SuperD
03-23-2009, 04:50 PM
I just plug along with my little chief. I do have propane envy though.

Is your Little Chief a charcoal model or an electric?

Fallriverguy
03-23-2009, 04:55 PM
Is your Little Chief a charcoal model or an electric?


Electric. I have started to do more of my smoking in the winter because is it too hard to control the temp in the summer.

Kokanee Killer
03-23-2009, 10:30 PM
brinkman electric, got it as a wedding present 12 years ago and it still does the job!!

MackPrince
03-23-2009, 10:44 PM
I use a Little Chief. We tried a charcoal from another brand a few years back and it was tough to keep the temp consistent. Love the little chief for the price and simplicity.

redmanjr1
03-23-2009, 11:27 PM
I'm still using charcoal right now and it works great but I've been thinking of going to electric or propane. I could probably convert my charcoal smoker to propane If I could find a decent burner for it. I'm sure they're out there just need to start looking I guess. So many projects and so little time to do them. violin

Bob

SuperD
03-24-2009, 01:12 AM
Bob, I can give you the link to where I got my burner if you'd like. Under $20.

bobco
03-24-2009, 08:59 AM
home made but copied the big chief model, electric hot plate on the bottom with a alum pan on top of it with chips, works great , sometimes would like some more capacity though. allot of guys use old refrigerators but they look a little tacky if ya live in a nice neighborhood.......

SuperD
03-24-2009, 09:33 AM
Here are the burners and you also have to order the orifice from the accessories.

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/propane_cast_iron_burner.htm

Kokanee Killer
03-24-2009, 10:27 AM
home made but copied the big chief model, electric hot plate on the bottom with a alum pan on top of it with chips, works great , sometimes would like some more capacity though. allot of guys use old refrigerators but they look a little tacky if ya live in a nice neighborhood.......
aww heck bobco when couches get wore out they burn them in the yard here and tes some of my neighbors used even old converted hot water heaters for smokers here yyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwww

bobco
03-24-2009, 11:21 AM
aww heck bobco when couches get wore out they burn them in the yard here and tes some of my neighbors used even old converted hot water heaters for smokers here yyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwww
only in the hills of PA ! out west were a little more civilized :) ,,,hee haw.....

SilverBullets
03-24-2009, 12:00 PM
Depending on the amount of koks, I either use the little chief or the big chief. Planning on making a insulated box for the smoker's this year... cooking time takes longer when it's cold out.

Full_Monte
03-24-2009, 12:22 PM
Does any company make a smoker that folds up flat to make it easier to haul around? I'm thinking of doing some smoking at the lake. It might not be a great idea...there are bears in the neighborhood. Do bears like smoked kokanee ?laugh hyst tongue2

SuperD
03-24-2009, 01:01 PM
This is a Coleman camp oven that folds / collapses. It sits on a hot plate or camp stove burner.

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/07/65/01/00/0007650100031_215X215.jpg

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/07/65/01/00/0007650100031_AV_500X500.jpg

SuperD
03-24-2009, 01:13 PM
The dimensions on this mini chief also look pretty compact.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_516685_imageset_02?$main-Large$


Do you love the rich flavor of smoked meats but don't do it yourself because there seems to be too much hassle, equipment and space involved? The 250-watt electric Mini-Chief smokes up to 15 pounds of meat, comes ready to use right out of the box and is compact enough to stash out of the way at home or stow in your motor home or camper for your travels. Three grill racks within keep everything separate, and the exterior is vented for flawless dehydration every time. With your Mini-Chief you receive a recipe book that makes it simple to prepare a wide range of smoked delicacies, a bag of Chips `n Chunks™ wood flavor chips and an instruction manual. This is the quickest, easiest and most-affordable way to do your own smoking.
Dimensions: 11-1/2" x 11-1/2" x 14".

Kokaholic
03-24-2009, 01:52 PM
I have a MAstercraft Propand seven in one smoker that has done well for me. I am however going down this weekend and buying me a new Louisiana Grill. ITs just like the Traeger smokers that use the pelletts however this one is just a little nicer and on sale.

Full_Monte
03-25-2009, 10:47 AM
This is a Coleman camp oven that folds / collapses. It sits on a hot plate or camp stove burner.

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/07/65/01/00/0007650100031_215X215.jpg

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/07/65/01/00/0007650100031_AV_500X500.jpg

That coleman looks interesting. It is listed as an oven attachment for a camp stove. I suppose you could put a heating element in the bottom and a small "chip" pan. I don't think it's designed as a smoker. It comes with only one rack.
Nicely made, though, and I like the built-in thermometer.

Full_Monte
03-25-2009, 11:13 AM
I notice that some of the Big Chief and Little Chief smokers are top-loading rather than front loading. Is there a reason to buy a top-loading smoker instead of a front-loading one? I guess for the mini-chief, it wouldn't matter much....

SuperD
03-25-2009, 02:06 PM
I can tell you that top loading only works for 1 rack. I have a 2 tier top loader and the second level is a PITA to deal with.

SilverBullets
03-25-2009, 04:14 PM
I also think you'd be happier with a front loading version. Both my smoker's are front, and the racks are easy to rotate (the bottom racks get done quicker).

redmanjr1
03-26-2009, 12:15 AM
I also think you'd be happier with a front loading version. Both my smoker's are front, and the racks are easy to rotate (the bottom racks get done quicker).

I have to agree. Front loading is the way to go.

Bob

redmanjr1
03-26-2009, 12:24 AM
Here are the burners and you also have to order the orifice from the accessories.

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/propane_cast_iron_burner.htm

Thanks SuperD. I've not used a propane smoker before. Will one burner get the smoker warm enough to ensure the meat is cured properly? My charcoal smoker is about 3 1/2' tall and about 18" wide by 18" deep. Its been a while since I've smoked any meat but I think the temp should be about 200 degrees?

Thanks,
Bob

Full_Monte
03-27-2009, 07:21 PM
I have to agree. Front loading is the way to go.

Bob

That makes sense. The bottom rack is closest to the heat. I see some smokers on the market that have a smoke-generator separate from the
meat box. I suppose that makes it possible to use a colder temperature. Does anyone use one of these smokers?

SuperD
03-27-2009, 07:52 PM
redman, 1 burner will be more than enough. Look for the lowest btu rating.

Full_Monte
03-29-2009, 10:36 AM
I've been doing some research. A couple friends of mine rave about the Orion cooker/smoker. It's definitely not a straight smoker. They claim it will cook a 20 lb. turkey in 2 hours. My friends verify this, and they have three different smokers. The unit runs on charcoal, so it would work for camping. It's stainless steel and here's a photo:

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/kitchenandcompany_2046_13404518

Kokaholic
04-01-2009, 06:22 PM
My new Louisiana Grill that runs on pellets is set up with a smoke, Low, Med and High temp setting. I can run down on low/Smoke and basically cold smoke. I am going to do a pork butt roast in it tomorrow with Apple pelletts. See how it goes.

Lots of fish to do this summer. Gonna be a smokey summer. thumbsup

BorntoFish01
07-15-2009, 06:01 PM
Had a Big Chief for several years and then upgraded to a Bradley....and I love it.

Kokanee Killer
07-15-2009, 11:17 PM
i am on our 2nd brinkman electric in 15 years ... i love itthumbsup

DLM
07-16-2009, 10:20 AM
Had a Big Chief for several years and then upgraded to a Bradley....and I love it.

Same here. I am still learning how to use it but getting better. First batch was kokanee jerky, still ate every bit of it.

Packfish
07-16-2009, 05:36 PM
Camp Chef smoker vault- propane-------- does an excellent job- controls heat very well. Built solid- at least here in No Utah I always had to put a metal garbage can over my Little Chief to hold any heat in the winter- not so with the Camp Chef.

SmokeOnTheWater
07-17-2009, 01:01 AM
Hi Monte - I use a 2001 SmokerCraft, Millentia 172 and "SMOKE THEM KOKES" quite well. :)

Cariboospeed
07-19-2009, 04:36 AM
Centro. Works great except if its in the sun the element doesn't come one enough to keep the chips smoking....so I smoke at night. ;)

http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/0851447P/reviews.htm

Mojo
07-19-2009, 12:31 PM
That makes sense. The bottom rack is closest to the heat. I see some smokers on the market that have a smoke-generator separate from the
meat box. I suppose that makes it possible to use a colder temperature. Does anyone use one of these smokers?

I have a Bradley. You can shut off the smoke generator, and control the internal temperature of the box by adjusting the heater element, which is separate from the smoke generator. The temperature is infinitely adjustable, and the smoke is generated from wafers of wood chips pressed together which burn on a small heater. They feed automatically, so you can set it and forget it. It is by far the best thing I have ever used, and I have had 6 smokers in my life. I still have my big chief, but haven't used it since I got my Bradley. They have an incredible website with great recipes as well.

Mine is an electric unit, but they make a fold up portable propane unit as well.

Kokaholic
07-19-2009, 12:44 PM
+1 on the front loader smokeers. My top load is a "PITA" when you want to rotate that bottom rack that gets done sooner. I would say front load all the way.

I pretty much use my Louisiana Pellet smoker now. I use the mesquite pellets and lay out the koke fillets. and then put a tri tip or a london broil on next to it and wala, dinner ios served in about 5-6 hours.

Buck
07-19-2009, 11:04 PM
My wife and I started using our Traeger pellet burner set on smoke a few years ago and won't go back to other smokers. Set it on smoke, come back in about three hours and baste a little microwaved honey on, and a little later, you are in business.

Kokaholic
07-20-2009, 02:46 PM
I agree Buck, The traeger or the Louisiana is the way to go. Yes, they are exspensive, I am not saying they aren't but like you said, set it and forget it.

TBtoad
07-27-2009, 08:13 PM
I have a home made smoker I made from an aluminum box that was used to raise bread at a deli. It is about six feet tall three ft deep and 2 and a half feet wide. I made four racks that will hold about 60 filets depending on the size of the fish. I use a double electric hot plate for fish and keep the temp at 160 deg. For ribs, chicken or beef I use a propane burner and can get the heat from 200 and up. I tried to use The propane for fish and jerky but couldn't get the temp low enough. I use a combonation of wood to smoke with. My favorite is half mesquite and half cherry. For fish take between 7 to 9 hrs depending how thick the filets are.
TBtoad

BlueBack79
08-02-2009, 09:37 PM
the good ol' big chief for me. i dont think you can beat it for the price. makes some fine smoked kokes and jerkythumbsup