Depending on your budget, and what cooking capacity you are looking for, a ceramic grill may be a viable option. You can run them hot and fast, or slow and low, and you can also add wood chunks to help get your smoke just right.
They also make those perforated metal boxes that you can soak wood chips in and set on top of a burner (available at most big box stores). However, a gasser is not very airtight (by design, so you don't blow yourself up), so any smoke flavor is going to be very mild. I use both devices for years, sometimes both at the same time.
I would start with a Weber Kettle charcoal grill. You can add wood chips to the charcoal as you see fit to impart smokiness. They are cheap and versatile, and you can make some fine BBQ on them. A 22 inch kettle is my primary smoker right now.
Welcome from SoCal. Your cooking profile is very, very close to my situation. My wife does not like smoke flavor at all on just about any food while I enjoy many foods smoked. Most of my cooks these days are using my gasser, a Napoleon Prestige Pro 500. I can do direct and indirect with it, so hot and fast through roasting. I use my pellet smoker for ribs (spares, BBs, beef), port butts, brats, jerky, and certain veggies like stuffed jalapenos (poppers or ABTs as they are named). I do have a smaller flat top griddle (2 burner Blackstone) that is great for smash burgers, fajitas, stir-fry's, etc.
I would start with the gasser as it will provide a good first step given your stated situation. Just be prepared - you WILL be bit by the dreaded disease called MCS! There is no cure.
Welcome from another Marylander. I'm still taking in all the advice from these very knowledgeable people, so I don't have anything to add that's better than their input.
Welcome from Virginia. The responses you have gotten so far are great. You will not get smoke from the gasser as mentioned. However, I will say that once you get into this hobby you will not stop with one cooker. You will have 2 or 3 or more. If it were me, I would start with the gasser and learn the ropes and then look at other cookers to add to your arsenal.
"Pellet looks nice for ribs. But do I want a smoke flavor on all my vegetables and birds every time. I don't think so. My wife is not a big smoke flavor person. And I myself like a clean, fresh flavor to my food."
It sounds like you like the taste of indoor cooking, but just don’t want to mess up the kitchen. I’d recommend eating at some really good BBQ places first and seeing what you like, before taking the plunge on a new cooker.
Last edited by Panhead John; July 14, 2021, 07:27 AM.
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