I would like to buy my husband a smoker for his birthday. I only want to spend around 500$. I searched my local barbecue store and they have the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker around my price range. Do you recommend? I know I should be searching former posts but this would take me days, hours, and weeks. Thank you, Peggy
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Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker
Hi all, compete newbie here.
I would like to buy my husband a smoker for his birthday. I only want to spend around 500$. I searched my local barbecue store and they have the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker around my price range. Do you recommend? I know I should be searching former posts but this would take me days, hours, and weeks. Thank you, PeggyTags: None
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Club Member
- Sep 2015
- 7685
- Colorado
-
> Weber Genesis EP-330
> Grilla Grills Original Grilla (OG) pellet smoker with Alpha/Connect
> Pit Barrel Cooker (gone to a new home)
> WeberQ 2000 (on "loan" to a relative)
> Old Smokey Electric (for chickens mostly - when it's too nasty out
to fiddle with a more capable cooker)
> Luhr Jensen Little Chief Electric - Top Loader circa 1990 (smoked fish & jerky)
> Thermoworks Smoke
> 3 Thermoworks Chef Alarms
> Thermoworks Thermapen
> Thermoworks IR-GUN-S
> Anova sous vide circulator
> Searzall torch
> BBQ Guru Rib Ring
If your husband is already set up for grilling and you just want to add a smoker, then the WSM is a very good choice. If, on the other hand, you're looking for something for both grilling and smoking, the Weber 26" kettle would be my personal first choice for a charcoal burner.
BTW, welcome to your 1st post here in the Pit ...
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Charter Member
- Dec 2014
- 1322
- NC, The Triad
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WSM 22.5", Pitmaster IQ110, Weber 22.5" Kettle with SNS, Weber 14" Smokey Joe.
Welcome to the Pit Peggy! The Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM) is a great smoker, not just because I own one
It does a great job smoking meats and imparting some seriously delicious smoke flavor. It isn't a set it and forget it type smoker right out of the box. Takes some learning to manage the smoker temps but that really is part of the fun! It is not difficult to use and once one gets a handful of cooks under the belt it can be that set and forget cooker for the most part. You will get a LOT of opinions here and some other great questions as well which should help. Oh, and happy birthday to you husband!
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Club Member
- Mar 2020
- 3045
- Muskego, WI
-
Current cookers:
Rec Tec RT700 "Bull" pellet cooker
Smokin-It model 2 electric smoker w/ Maverick 732 temp monitor and cold smoking kit
Weber Genesis 3 burner gas grill w/ rotisserie
Charbroil Grill2Go gas grill
Weber 22" Performer Deluxe kettle grill w/ThermoPro TP-20S temp monitor
Onlyfire rotisserie kit for 22" kettle
Weber Smokey Joe
SnS Deluxe
Vortex
The Orion Cooker convection cooker/smoker (two of them)
Pit Boss 29â€, 3 burner griddle
Joule Sous Vide circulator
Favorite beer: Anything that's cold!
Favorite cocktail: Bourbon neat
The WSN smoker is certainly a good cooker. As noted above, not a set and forget cooker though. Perhaps as alternatives a Pit Barrel Cooker? (PBC)
Or an Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco?
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Club Member
- Jul 2016
- 3157
- Elizabethtown, KY
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Current line-up of cookers: Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro, Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050, Blackstone ProSeries 4 Burner 36" griddle, Weber Smokey Joe.
I think the Weber Smokey Mountain would be a fine choice in your price range. I have the 22.5" and really like it, although I am still learning the ins and outs of it.
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Founding Member - Moderator Emeritus
- Jul 2014
- 4894
- Stockholm, Sweden
-
Author of the book Barbecue, fire and smoke
Manufacturer of:
Hank's Bonafide Beef Rub
Hank's KC Royale Pork 'n Poultry Rub
Hank's Signature Steak Rub
Grills
Big Green Egg (M)
Weber 22" kettle (lime green)
PK TX
8 noname 22" kettles (black)
"Rude Boy" - my own custom built offset smoker
Thermometers
iGrill 2
Thermapen
Fireboard
Accessories
BBQ Dragon
Slow n' Sear
All my recipes, photos and information can be found at
https://hankstruebbq.com
YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/Hankstruebbq
I’m a big fan of the WSM. Easy to use, and easy to keep temps on. I don’t own one, but have used it several times.
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Club Member
- Mar 2020
- 2888
- Near Chicago, IL
-
Current Portfolio:
Joule
Akorn (Bandit)
PK300
Old (sold) Loves:
PBC
Weber 22" Premium
Masterbuilt Gravity 560
Thermometers:
Inkbird
Thermoworks POP
Combustion Inc (on the way!)
Preferred Charcoal:
Masterbuilt Lump
Favorite Rubs:
Homemade (mainly MMD/Just Like Katz rub)
Other Accessories:
Mercer brisket slicing knife
Rapala brisket trimming knife
SS BBQ trays
NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
LEM # 8 Meat Grinder
Lodge 5-Quart Dutch Oven + Skillet
Meat Claws
Grill Rescue Brush
Meat Fridge for dry aging
Favorite Whiskey/Beer:
Anything Peaty or anything from New Holland brewery
Yup. If your husband has something already to grill steaks, then the WSM is a good choice. Another option is the Oklahoma Joe Bronco barrel smoker, which is just $350.
The Oklahoma Joe’s® Bronco Drum Smoker has a unique airflow control system and sealed lid that deliver precise control over smoke and heat. Learn More.
if he does not have a grill already for steaks, then it is hard to go wrong with a SNS grill which is essentially a Weber kettle with a bunch of thoughtful upgrades that most Weber owners have to make to their kettles anyway.
The Most Versatile Kettle Grill on the Market! The 22" Slow 'N Sear® Kettle Grill gives you all the performance you’d expect from a kettle style charcoal grill and is customized to work with our Slow ‘N Sear® accessory for unrivaled searing power, low ‘n slow smoking, and true two-zone cooking capability. Today’s kettle-style grills, based on a decades-old design, have always offered a lot of cooking space in a compact design. The Slow ‘N Sear® Kettle Grill has all of the sought-after characteristics of a high quality kettle cooker, and then delivers MORE. When utilizing the patented Slow ‘N Sear® accessory inside the cooking chamber, this kettle focuses heat for a true two-zone cooking environment that provides the best low 'n slow smoking AND searing power of any charcoal grill on the market.“Best New Product of 2020" and “Best Value Platinum Medal Winner” – Meathead Goldwyn, amazingribs.com Grill Features Include: 304 Stainless Steel, 22" EasySpin™ Grill Grate offers superior quality and cooking capability Original Slow ‘N Sear® insert for unrivaled searing power, low ‘n slow smoking, and true two-zone cooking capability Side shelf rated for 20 pounds of brisket or pulled pork Lid cradle keeps your lid safely off to the side and out of the way 5 vent no-touch ash removal system for superior ash removal “Smoke Hole”: 1 inch circular bottom vent provides more refined airflow control or for a thermostatic controller “Probe Port”: ½ inch circular digital thermometer port for more accurate temperature readings. Top and Bottom vents with larger holes for more airflow and higher temps when needed Larger, porcelain coated charcoal grate for a larger fire when cooking without the Slow 'N Sear® accessory All port holes have covers that swing out of the way when not in use Introducing the new color, black! Previous SnS Gray is no longer available. 30-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee! Options: Already have a Slow 'N Sear® insert? This Slow 'N Sear® Kettle is for you! Want a Slow 'N Sear® Deluxe insert with your new kettle grill? We've bundled them together in the Slow 'N Sear® Deluxe Kettle! The aramid fiber gasket kit for better air control when cooking low and slow is sold separately. We've found that the Slow 'N Sear® Kettle has a great seal, so the gasket is not necessary but can be added if you choose. *We DO NOT ship the Kettle Internationally nor to PO Boxes Grill Specifications: Total Height: 41⅔ inches Height (without lid): 31½ inches Width (with shelf extended): 41¾ inches Width (without shelf): 30⅝ inches Weight: 38 pounds Cooking Grate: 22 inches Color: Black (Porcelain Enamel) Previous SnS Gray is no longer available. Shipping Dimensions: 26x26x15 inches Designed in U.S.A.; Manufactured in China Recommended Accessories (sold separately): Drip 'N Griddle Pan - Deluxe Drip 'N Griddle Pan - Cast Iron Drip 'N Roast Pan - Porcelain Elevated Cooking Grate Kettle Grill Cover
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Club Member
- Mar 2021
- 493
- 5,280 feet away from Chicago
-
Cookers:
WSM 18.5
Weber Genesis NG
Grilla Silverbac
Traeger 575
SNS Kettle
Accessories:
Thermapen
Signals X4
I love mine. It took some time to figure it out but that’s part of the fun. I added a pellet grill to compliment it and still use it.
Comment
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Club Member
- Mar 2020
- 2888
- Near Chicago, IL
-
Current Portfolio:
Joule
Akorn (Bandit)
PK300
Old (sold) Loves:
PBC
Weber 22" Premium
Masterbuilt Gravity 560
Thermometers:
Inkbird
Thermoworks POP
Combustion Inc (on the way!)
Preferred Charcoal:
Masterbuilt Lump
Favorite Rubs:
Homemade (mainly MMD/Just Like Katz rub)
Other Accessories:
Mercer brisket slicing knife
Rapala brisket trimming knife
SS BBQ trays
NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
LEM # 8 Meat Grinder
Lodge 5-Quart Dutch Oven + Skillet
Meat Claws
Grill Rescue Brush
Meat Fridge for dry aging
Favorite Whiskey/Beer:
Anything Peaty or anything from New Holland brewery
Another option is the Masterbuilt Gravity smoker. Mine is pretty awesome.
Masterbuilt® Gravity Series® Charcoal Grill + Smokers. The next evolution in charcoal grilling and smoking is here. Smoke and sear capability. WiFi Bluetooth connectivity. The GravityFed™ Charcoal Hopper holds up to 15 hours of fuel and the DigitalFan™ Control maintains desired temperature. Set it and go.
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Club Member
- Aug 2017
- 6925
-
Primo XL
Weber 26"
Weber 22"
Weber 22"
Weber 18"
Weber Jumbo Joe
Weber Green Smokey Joe (Thanks, Mr. Bones!)
Weber Smokey Joe
Orion Smoker
DigiQ DX2
Slow 'N Sear XL
Arteflame 26.75" Insert
Blaze BLZ-4-NG 32-Inch 4-Burner Built-In
- With Rear Infrared Burner
- With Infrared Sear Burner
- With Rotisserie
Empava 2 Burner Gas Cooktop
Weber Spirit 210
- With Grillgrates
​​​​​​​ - With Rotisserie
Weber Q2200
Blackstone Pizza Oven
Portable propane burners (3)
Propane turkey Fryer
Fire pit grill
With a $500 budget, you could purchase an 18" WSM and a fan and controller. That would deliver a set it and forget it smoking experience.
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Founding Member
- Jul 2014
- 4821
- Maple Valley, WA
-
Grill/Smoke/Roast = SnS Grills Kettle + SnS Deluxe
Grill/Smoke/Roast = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"
Pizza = Blackstone Propane Pizza Oven (Stacy's, but she let's me use it sometimes)
Indoor Cooking = LG Studio 30" gas range
Camp Cooking = Coleman 2 burner white gas stove
Thermometer = FireBoard FBX2 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Mk IV = Black
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 1 fan)
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Fireboard 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 2 fan)
Favorite wine = whatever is currently in the wine rack
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 16 year old single malt
Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"
Cookbooks to check out - Raichlen's "Brisket Chronicles" and anything by Adam Perry Lang.
Current fanboy cookbook - "Chasing Smoke: Cooking Over Fire Around the Levant"
Some Posts in Pitmaster to check out:
Eric's Brisket Method
Eric's Method for Drunken Texas Beans
Stacy's Bouef Bourguignon
Eric's Smoked Texas Chili
Rancho Gordo Beans and Bean Club
Troutman's Ribs - Step By Step Primer
Eric
Hi Peggy and welcome to Pitmaster! It’s a very friendly place, for sure. No flame wars happen here. Except over what we put in our chili, but that’s another story ;-) …. Anyhow, I have a Weber Smokey Mountain 22†and think it is outstanding. I would highly recommend getting the 22†just because of the amount of food it can cook. It has two racks and each can handle a full brisket or 3 racks of ribs laid flat. Two weeks ago, I cooked 2 pork shoulders and 3 racks of ribs in mine and it handled it like a champ.
The WSM 22 costs about $400. Plus you could buy him a box of wood chunks from Fruitawood for adding to the fire for smoke. And you will be right there, price wise. And he will think you are amazing!
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Club Member
- Nov 2017
- 4247
- Virginia
-
Grilla Silverbac
Grilla Primate
Weber Summit S-670
Camp Chef Escape
Old Hickory Knives
More Cast Iron than I care to admit
Welcome Peggy. You came to the right place. I do not have an WSM now but have in the past. Great smoker. You have already gotten great advice. Does he have other cookers? Depending upon the rest of his lineup, I would also echo the SNS Kettle.
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I too would suggest the 22" WSM. Why it's a good choice has been well explained above. There is another benefit to the WSM however. You will have a couple of years of Birthday and Christmas presents covered as well by getting the mods and toys that go with the WSM. The one thing I would strongly recommend getting at the same time is a good leave in digital thermometer. One with ability to handle at least two probes is best. The one that comes preinstalled On the WSM is really only good for plugging up the hole Weber drilled in the lid. There are a lot of reviews over on the free side, with prices ranging from "that's not bad" to "Oh Boy!" Having an accurate reading of both pit and meat temperature is very important to making good BBQ. You're husband is a very lucky man to have a wife that equates "Birthday" with "new cooker". Next year, when he has mastered the WSM and is looking to upgrade, we'll introduce to to a great little company we call LSG.
Last edited by willxfmr; August 20, 2021, 09:06 PM.
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