I'm interested in this because I haven't bought a smoker yet. I've done a lot of research on it, though. I've looked at the Bradleys. Here's what I've learned about smokers so far:
a. Source of heat must match your needs. If you are smoking at the catch lake, you will likely want a propane or charcoal briquette model. For home models, propane, natural gas and electricity are the usual heat sources.
b. The cost of flavor chips is relatively high. It costs no more to produce smoke for a 5-rack smoker than a 2-rack smoker. Therefore, a tall smoker is more cost effective on chip usage, assuming you can put enough meat on all the racks to fill it.
c. Some "smokers" are really combination smokers and cookers. A smoker usually creates smoke at a cool temperature, usually 200 degrees or lower. (Edit: I just read a book on this, and "cold smoking" is done at 85 degrees F.) A cooker can cook while it smokes because it operates at higher temperatures.
d. A good smoker allows you to control the temperature at which you smoke your catch.
I haven't decided on a smoker yet. I'm still looking. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Last edited by Full_Monte; 05-09-2009 at 09:28 AM.
Age 65.
20 ft. Jetcraft. 90hp Evinrude Etec, 8hp Yamaha kicker, Minn Kota electric troller. Electric 1106 Scotty downriggers, Lowrance HDS7 Fish Finder/GPS. Airmar P66.
Also have a 15 ft. Gregor. 25hp Yamaha electric 2-stroke. Two electric 1106 Scotty downriggers. Lowrance HDS7 Fish Finder/GPS.
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