Electric Smoker recommendations?

[Pipecrew]

I'm thinking about buying a smoker. I see Cabela's has this one on sale for $129:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Masterbuilt-Analog-Electric-Smoker/715300.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsmoker%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D17%26y%3D5&Ntt=smoker&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

I don't have any experience with smokers so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Karpteach]

I would love to get some input on this subject myself!

[Early]

If you go with an electric smoker, the variable temperature control is a MUST! I think the Cabela's smoker you are looking at would be a good one to get.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I just bought one a couple of months ago. I looked at alot of models, and for the price, i went with the Cajun Injector brand digital smoker. It uses pellets or chips, will go up to 275, is double walled and insulated and has plenty of space. To me, the digital is a must. I wanted an electric for the convenience, and the digital controls make it just that. You just set the temp and time, let it warm up, add the food and pop in the chips or pellets and away it goes. It holds temp great too, ive even used it on snowy, windy days and it does fine outside. The only thing I will probably change one of these days, is to put some type of baffle above the stack to keep any rain or snow from going in there, but its not that big of a deal. I picked mine up for @ $200 at Gander Mountain. Its actually on sale now for $160 with a rebate.

I looked at the Badley, and it was very nice, but was more than twice the cost.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Btw, i looked at the masterbuilt, very flimsy and single walled, so dont expect it to perform in windy conditions.

[16. ga hunter]

agree with wny you will want to go with a double walled unit for ease of use and winter usability. single walled units have alot of heat loss through the wall whenn outside temps are down. i prefer wood fired myself but can be a labor intensive operation that way.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Yeah I have a small offset smoker as well. Its fun to play around with, but I dont usually have all day to babysit it. The electric makes it so easy.

It doesnt even need to be very cold out for the single walled units to be less efficient, it really is worth the extra to get a double walled unit.

[Uncle Nicky]

I did a lot of the research last year when my home made electric smoker caught fire and burned the tool shed down (don't ask).

I came across this website, lots of good info and IMO, unbiased reviews.

http://www.amazingribs.com/BBQ_buyers_guide/smokers/electric_smokers.html

I eventually settled on a Cookshack electric smoker, I've been using it pretty regularly the last 10 months and no complaints.

[landtracdeerhunter]

A little different than above units. I have a Butterball cooker smoker combo. It will cook a 14 lb turkey in 2 1/2 hrs.. Has a pull out tray to put wet wood chips in for smoking. Thermostat control to slow cooking times. Wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Edited March 14, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[Early]

I have an old, cheap Little Chief electric smoker. After being frustrated with trying to use it in cold, windy conditions, I made a "sleeve" for it out of 1" styrafoam insulation board....No more problems!

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Funny... my propane one works better in the cold. I can't keep it shut to keep the smoke in and keep the temp down in the the summer time.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Is yours a single wall Culver?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

yup...single wall and if I openn it up enough to keep he temp at 200 all my smoke rolls out...lol

[WNYBuckHunter]

Maybe try adding the insulation board to it. That will keep the warmth from outside out as well as the warmth from inside in.

[16. ga hunter]

i hear the babysitting but it is rewarding when your done ussually just make sure i have a bunch to do around the house before i fire it off. and it drives the nieghbors crzy smelling it going allday.