New to the Forum/First Smoker

[Jbienz]

Hey All,

Sorry for the lengthy first post. First, i've been doing a lot of reading on the forum, you all are awesome. I'm glad to be part of the community.

Second, I love to cook and want a new challenge - so I'm going to buy a smoker.

Originally, I was convinced that I wanted an offset stickburner, but talked myself out of it because I have two kids under the age of 3 and i'm 99% sure that my wife won't let me camp by the smoker for a day to get a cook done right. So i've turned my attention to GF or IVC. Something that I can use charcoal AND sticks on. (Wish there was something in between where I could cook using just sticks but didn't have to babysit every 30-45 min, but rather 3-4 hours. I could commit to that kind of babysitting for sure).

It's super intimidating and feels like a really big decision. I don't wanna end up in a situation where I buy smoker A and wish I had gone with smoker B.

So.....HELP!!!

IVC or GF? Deep South. Shirley. Humphrey. Assassin. Myron Mixon. Custom fabrication? Holy hell....HELP!!!

If there's a good fabrication shop in the Maryland Area, should I go custom? I don't wanna sink the whole budget on shipping.

Thanks in advance.

-Josh

P.s. If BadWolf (or anyone else) wants to pay a fabrication shop to build me a smoker, i'm happy to be the guinea pig....just saying.

 

[CivilTrojan]

Welcome to the brethren! I’m new here myself and can’t help too much, but Humphrey’s is located in the northeast so may not be too from you. At the very least it’s closer than Texas lol

 

[bschoen]

Howdy! I will not be of much help, but I do have a few comments:

1. In my experience with a stick burner, it ain't the camping, but the beer consumption which pisses off the missus.
2. Everyone here is a socialist, we love to spend other peoples money. Seriously, be wary of that.
3. Read up on 'fatties'.

 

[tom b]

just pick one, you will be getting the other next anyhow

 

[ronbrad62]

Welcome Bienz. I can't help but agree with those above;
We love to spend other people's money,
You will end buying the other smoker you were thinking about anyway.
I have no experience with the objects of your desire, but many people here do and will be happy to give their two cents worth.
I hope you make your decision soon and post plenty of pics.

 

[Killa J]

IVC. Ironside or Myron Mixon H2O, as long as it’s not my money. I like the idea of a GF as sort of a real smoker version of a pellet grill, but they aren’t as set-and-forget as an IVC. The Ironside and Myron Mixon H2O both can be used as a stick burner or a charcoal with wood chunk smoker. You do have to babysit while burning logs.

I’ll add in a little different option - one of the smokers made by The Good One. I have a Marshall. It’s not meant for it, but you can use it as a stick burner. But it’s primarily designed as a charcoal offset smoker. So you can burn all wood for a few hours (with babysitting), then change over to charcoal with wood chunks after you’ve gotten a bit of the real thing on the meat. Can get a bit of the best of both worlds that way.

 

[WHSmoke]

I started with a UDS and after a while upgraded to a Old Country GF. I know that there are much better and more expansive options but for my money a UDS is a great starter smoker.

 

[WilliamKY]

I would recommend a WSM. Charcoal and wood chunks (or small sticks). Once you learn to dial them in they will run steady for hours without babysitting them. Good luck and welcome to the BBQ Brethren.

 

[Jbienz]

IVC. Ironside or Myron Mixon H2O, as long as it’s not my money. I like the idea of a GF as sort of a real smoker version of a pellet grill, but they aren’t as set-and-forget as an IVC. The Ironside and Myron Mixon H2O both can be used as a stick burner or a charcoal with wood chunk smoker. You do have to babysit while burning logs.

I’ll add in a little different option - one of the smokers made by The Good One. I have a Marshall. It’s not meant for it, but you can use it as a stick burner. But it’s primarily designed as a charcoal offset smoker. So you can burn all wood for a few hours (with babysitting), then change over to charcoal with wood chunks after you’ve gotten a bit of the real thing on the meat. Can get a bit of the best of both worlds that way.

First time i'm hearing that IVC is more set it and forget it than a GF! Interesting. Thought the whole logic behind a GF is that it could go forever.

You like the H2O smokers? I've only read that the meat comes out more steamed than smoked. Also, a bit rich for my blood =) Thank you for the suggestions though!

With regard to WSM, I know that they're great starter smokers and turn out GREAT product, and I haven't entirely ruled them out, but there's something about some of the beautiful pieces of machinery that you see on this site. The things dreams are made of.

 

[jzadski]

Sorry not much help on stick burner but, would the Masterbuilt 560 is a nice smoker to get you going. You can add wood to the chute and or the ash pan (like I do). It's very set and forget. Very good for your situation too. Plus you can get it very hot very fast. You can find them really cheap at some Walmarts now too. Saving money so you can get a 4 burner Blackstone too :-D

 

[Killa J]

First time i'm hearing that IVC is more set it and forget it than a GF! Interesting. Thought the whole logic behind a GF is that it could go forever.

You like the H2O smokers? I've only read that the meat comes out more steamed than smoked. Also, a bit rich for my blood =) Thank you for the suggestions though!

With regard to WSM, I know that they're great starter smokers and turn out GREAT product, and I haven't entirely ruled them out, but there's something about some of the beautiful pieces of machinery that you see on this site. The things dreams are made of.

I’m more of an armchair quarterback here. I haven’t cooked on either. But I know a few guys with GF. You can load it up with charcoal, but none of the ones I’ve seen have had enough cook time on a single load to do a large brisket. I’ve had big ones take 18-19 hours. And I think you can add wood to the charcoal chute, but it seems like a lot of people add wood to the bottom where it burns to prevent it from getting jammed up. So you have to periodically add wood chunks. Some IVC smokers can load 24 hours worth of charcoal, so you can really just get the temp right and let it ride.

I don’t like using water in my smoker unless I’m smoking 300F or above. I think that’s the design of the Myron Mixon water smokers - smoke hot and fast with a lot of humidity. I doubt people are paying his prices if the results aren’t good. Maybe it’s an Emperor’s New Clothes thing though.

 

[cclinard1]

Assassin 17 is a nice rig with good capacity for a family and good value. Also checkout smokerbuildermfg.com, their UDS setups are top notch.

 

[eric21]

Because of kids and family, I got a pellet smoker. Very happy with it, I would consider it. It allows me to smoke much more often.

 

[TC Smoke & Que]

Bienz, Welcome to the best Que site ever! There are some great people here and a fantastic community that enjoys the Art of The Que.

Getting the "right" first smoker is a challenge because there are so many options out there, and sometimes the price is the determining factor.
I would start out with the WSM 22. And no, the water does not just "steam" the meat, although it does help with moisture. It is easy to learn and has the area where you can cook some larger cuts; plus it does not need a lot of attention, just charcoal and wood chunks. You can add a air control fan and it becomes a "Set it and forget it".
Also, if you are interested in the IVC, I would check out the Meadow Creek line, the BX 25, or 50. They too are water smokers but are built in Lancaster Penn, and are great quality. They also are charcoal and wood chunks, and easy to learn. Being close shipping should not be that expensive if you decide to go that route.

Both will give you years of use and cooking enjoyment. I hope this helps some

 

[Big George's BBQ]

Check out Meadowcreek They are not that far away and may have a dealer near you They make offsets and cabinet smokers and very good quality

 

[cowgirl]

just pick one, you will be getting the other next anyhow

Yep! :grin:

Welcome to the forum Bienz!

 

[Jbienz]

Bienz, Welcome to the best Que site ever! There are some great people here and a fantastic community that enjoys the Art of The Que.

Getting the "right" first smoker is a challenge because there are so many options out there, and sometimes the price is the determining factor.
I would start out with the WSM 22. And no, the water does not just "steam" the meat, although it does help with moisture. It is easy to learn and has the area where you can cook some larger cuts; plus it does not need a lot of attention, just charcoal and wood chunks. You can add a air control fan and it becomes a "Set it and forget it".
Also, if you are interested in the IVC, I would check out the Meadow Creek line, the BX 25, or 50. They too are water smokers but are built in Lancaster Penn, and are great quality. They also are charcoal and wood chunks, and easy to learn. Being close shipping should not be that expensive if you decide to go that route.

Both will give you years of use and cooking enjoyment. I hope this helps some

Thanks everyone.

You agree IVC over gravity?

I guess Badwolf won't be buying me a smoker to test his design on?

 

[aks801]

I'm biased since I use a 22" Weber Smokey Mountain, but: you should strongly consider one. It won't cost a lot of money, you can turn out great Q, you don't have to babysit it.