New House; New Obsession in DC

[ClayJones]

Hey Homey. So I got a 22" kettle about a month or so ago and have had a couple ques at my house... This morning I woke up thinking, "I should have gotten the 26" like that guy on Amazingribs said..."

[T-bone]

ClayJones I went through 3 or 4 Weber Bullet Smokers over the years before I got the Traeger. The Traeger was amazeballs compared to them. When my Traeger dies, I'm looking at a Mak, Memphis, Yoder or Cookshack replacement pellet smoker.

[fuzzydaddy]

Welcome to The Pit!

[smokinfatties]

Dude, to me this post screams KBQ. You get the real smoke flavor as it uses 100% wood, its a cabinet style and has great capacity (up to 60 lbs meat). Most people's downside to KBQ is that they don't want to tend to the fire, but if you wanna do that then it sounds like a perfect match!

[kmhfive]

I started on a cheap pellet grill. Made great BBQ, but it didn't last. I bought a GMG for this year. Love it and it will last. They may or may not have enough smoke flavor for you, depending on what you look for. My wife likes the smoke on my GMG (light) and doesn't like when I "enhance" the smoke. YMMV.

[ClayJones]

T-bone - a pellet smoker is what helped me decide to take the plunge! I was cruisin Costco, because that's what the cool kids are doing these days, and there was a Traegar guy in there doing demos. I had never heard of a pellet smoker before and it pretty much blew my mind! I was about to pull the trigger until I calmed down, counted to ten, and considered that I might want to be a little more hands on. Did you use another type before you got yours? Anything you miss?

[T-bone]

Howdy from Lorton, VA...close, but not too close to DC. You've come to the right place for all things smokin'. Welcome to The Pit!

I've been a pellethead for the past ten years. I totally respect all the stick burners out there, but I'm definitely spoiled by the ease of use and low(er) maintenance needed to produce great que on a pellet smoker.

We're probably overdue for a DVM Meatup.

[kmhfive]

So, for the smaller cooks, I'd start with a Weber Kettle and a Slow-n-Sear. Maybe spring for the 26" and SnS XL to give expansion room. This is great for 2-zone cooking and not too expensive as you learn the ideas and try new meats. As you learn what you enjoy, then as you read the reviews on other ways to cook, you can make a more informed decision on spending big.

Don't forget to get good thermometers.

[ClayJones]

Thanks Hawker! I'm moving to DC but I'm a Virginia boy myself. VA will always be home.

[HawkerXP]

Welcome from the great of Virginia! Sterling Va, that is.

[ClayJones]

Kmhfive, I saw other threads and noticed those questions always came up quick so figured I'd get it out there early lol

I figure probably small groups of four or five most of the time, with bigger groups of about 25-30 a couple times a year.

[HouseHomey]

ClayJones Huntington Beach Welcomes your sir. I have relatives in Hyattsville and College Park. You lost me at Lang ( $$$ ) however one always needs a 26" kettle with a Slow n Sear. That's is IMHO. All the people above are like the Google of BBQ. You found the right place.

[kmhfive]

So, I'm looking at Lang, Backwoods...The Good One cookers caught my eye this morning so I'm looking into them. I like the idea of doing a little charcoal grilling when I catch the mood.

I'm trying to hover around $1500 - $2000 for something that will really last. One thing I hate doing is buying temporary starter equipment. As my friends and I have been saying since undergrad "If you're gonna go, go hard."

Now you've got the idea! With a target cooker and a price range you can get some great feedback! Now, how many you reckon on feeding? Small group 4-6 or bigger, say 15-20?

[ClayJones]

Thank you Henrik! I'm pretty sure I've done all my homework. The email address I provided is the real deal.

Henrik and Spinaker (sailor?) I'm not sure what kind of smoker I'm looking to get. It not an easy decision. I was expecting to find a pretty clear-cut pros and cons list somewhere, but the more I search the more I realize it ain't that simple lol

I think that I want an offset or a vertical cabinet type... I like the idea of an offset because I enjoy tending a grill. It's a little hard to explain but I'm pretty sure this is one place I don't have to explain that. A while back before I started living in apartments I lived in a very social house with a bunch of roomates. One of the things I loved the most was inviting a bunch of people over, filling up the chimney with charcoal (which, don't laugh, was a next level boss move in that circle) and getting down to business on the cheap little grill we could afford. Manning that flame is just a good feeling and I think I'd get my fill of that with an offset.

I like the idea of a cabinet because I think its relatively low maintenance process would mean that I'd be able to use it more often, doing things like throwing a few chickens in there on a Sunday and having lunch meat for the week... but I'd loose that hands-on feel.

So, I'm looking at Lang, Backwoods...The Good One cookers caught my eye this morning so I'm looking into them. I like the idea of doing a little charcoal grilling when I catch the mood.

I'm trying to hover around $1500 - $2000 for something that will really last. One thing I hate doing is buying temporary starter equipment. As my friends and I have been saying since undergrad "If you're gonna go, go hard."

[DWCowles]

Welcome ClayJones