At the moment, I don't want to spend more than about $100, give or
take on a smoker. Yeah, I realize that I'm gonna be getting a bottom
of the line model and I fully intend to upgrade at some point but
"some point" could mean a year or two, and in the meantime, I still
want barbecue! :-)

So, given that, I'm looking at two options: the "Great Outdoors Grill
Co. Smoky Mountain Gas Smoker" from WalMart or the "CharBroil Electric
Smoker". I've played with my dad's Char-Broil and while it imparts a
nice smokey taste to the food, I've never (in his attempts or mine)
seen it give a really good smoke-ring or crust...it seems to make food
taste smokey but not really "smoke" the food if you know what I mean.
I don't know if this is a flaw in the unit or the cooks! (or both!)

Is there any advantage to gas over electric or vice-versa? Any
recommendations? Compare/contrasts between the two units? Alternate
units that are gas or electric (I don't want wood/charcoal yet) and
around $100.00 or so?

Thanks in advance!

Steve

"Grizzly" > wrote in message
>
> Is there any advantage to gas over electric or vice-versa? Any
> recommendations? Compare/contrasts between the two units? Alternate
> units that are gas or electric (I don't want wood/charcoal yet) and
> around $100.00 or so?
>

GAS GAS GAS

Far superior in the ability to heat up on marginal temperature of breezy
days. While you won't get much for the money, it is still better than being
tethered to the cord and not having enough heat to cook. Do the comparisons
on Btu A 1650 watt element is only 5630 Btu.

But for $100, charcoal is the best buy.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

I have the Great Outdoors vertical, charcoal model which I believe is about
the same dimensions as their gas model. I have since moved on to a more
substantial smoker. Looking back now with the experience of using a
"quality" smoker I would say that the Great Outdoors is a very capable unit.
There were times when I had to wrap it in a blanket to keep the temp up but
it had plenty of room for meat and did an excellent job of smoking. I would
recommend either the charcoal or gas model. I almost bought their stainless
gas model at Costco for $200 but found a used Brinkman Stillwater instead.
I couldn't be happier with the Stillwater. With the thin walled smokers,
you are always going to have some temperature control problems in windy or
cooler conditions. I was impressed with the build quality of the Great
Outdoors for the $99 price. When you move on to your next smoker you can
use it for cool smoking fish and jerky.
Doug
"Grizzly" > wrote in message
...
> At the moment, I don't want to spend more than about $100, give or
> take on a smoker. Yeah, I realize that I'm gonna be getting a bottom
> of the line model and I fully intend to upgrade at some point but
> "some point" could mean a year or two, and in the meantime, I still
> want barbecue! :-)
>
> So, given that, I'm looking at two options: the "Great Outdoors Grill
> Co. Smoky Mountain Gas Smoker" from WalMart or the "CharBroil Electric
> Smoker". I've played with my dad's Char-Broil and while it imparts a
> nice smokey taste to the food, I've never (in his attempts or mine)
> seen it give a really good smoke-ring or crust...it seems to make food
> taste smokey but not really "smoke" the food if you know what I mean.
> I don't know if this is a flaw in the unit or the cooks! (or both!)
>
> Is there any advantage to gas over electric or vice-versa? Any
> recommendations? Compare/contrasts between the two units? Alternate
> units that are gas or electric (I don't want wood/charcoal yet) and
> around $100.00 or so?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Steve

"cc0112453" > wrote in message
>>
>> So, given that, I'm looking at two options: the "Great Outdoors Grill
>> Co. Smoky Mountain Gas Smoker" from WalMart or the "CharBroil Electric
>> Smoker".
>> Steve
>
>


The Wal Mart deal looks good for the money. They don't give a Btu rating on
the burner, but I'd guess it higher than the electric.


This is a bit higher in price and they don't give a Btu rating
http://www.barbque.cc/grills/kk_smoker1.html

Still higher than your budget, but it is an 18,000 Btu burner. Much more
power than the electric.
http://www.cooking.com/products/shpr...smokers%2Ehtml

Grizzly wrote:

> So, given that, I'm looking at two options: the "Great Outdoors Grill
> Co. Smoky Mountain Gas Smoker" from WalMart or the "CharBroil Electric
> Smoker". I've played with my dad's Char-Broil and while it imparts a
> nice smokey taste to the food, I've never (in his attempts or mine)
> seen it give a really good smoke-ring or crust...it seems to make food
> taste smokey but not really "smoke" the food if you know what I mean.
> I don't know if this is a flaw in the unit or the cooks! (or both!)

The smokey mountain is a good unit for the money. My only complaint
would be the capacity is a bit on the small side. You can get
indepth info on it in their yahoo group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smokeymountain/

On the low end I'd much prefer a gas over electric. The only electrics
I'd consider are the insulated ones, as in cookshack, smokintex,
bradley, etc. Those are a few hundred above your price target though.

--
Reg email: RegForte (at) (that free MS email service) (dot) com

Thanks for all the responses everyone!

I decided to take everyone's advice and was going to pick up the gas
one. I called two Wal-Mart superstores and was told (fairly rudely,
actually) that either of the two Smoky Mountan Gas Smokers (wide body
or regular) are only available on-line. Frankly the treatement at the
second one was so obnoxious (the kid answered the phone "Yeah?"..as
opposed to "Hello, thanks for calling Wal-Mart" or similiar) that I
decided I wasn't dealing with the sharpest knives in the drawer and
actually went to one. And was told the same thing, much nicer by
someone who apparently knew his stuff.

Unfortunately, by the time you figure shipping, more than I want to
spend-approaching $150). Pus, I don't like buying stuff like this by
mail--I don't know the quality, and it bugs me not to check it out
physically in advance, so I picked up the Char-Broil electric.

What I decided is that I've got a ton of old cinderblocks which I
could stack up to make a nifty wind--break/insulator and if the
electric element doesn't meet my needs, well, it's not that hard to
get a propane turkey fryer, cut down the legs a little and stick it
in the bottom where the heating element is/was!

Thanks again for all the help!

"Grizzly" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for all the responses everyone!
>
> I decided to take everyone's advice and was going to pick up the gas
> one. I called two Wal-Mart superstores and was told (fairly rudely,
> actually) that either of the two Smoky Mountan Gas Smokers (wide body
> or regular) are only available on-line. Frankly the treatement at the
> second one was so obnoxious (the kid answered the phone "Yeah?"..as
> opposed to "Hello, thanks for calling Wal-Mart" or similiar) that I
> decided I wasn't dealing with the sharpest knives in the drawer and
> actually went to one. And was told the same thing, much nicer by
> someone who apparently knew his stuff.
>
> Unfortunately, by the time you figure shipping, more than I want to
> spend-approaching $150). Pus, I don't like buying stuff like this by
> mail--I don't know the quality, and it bugs me not to check it out
> physically in advance, so I picked up the Char-Broil electric.
>
> What I decided is that I've got a ton of old cinderblocks which I
> could stack up to make a nifty wind--break/insulator and if the
> electric element doesn't meet my needs, well, it's not that hard to
> get a propane turkey fryer, cut down the legs a little and stick it
> in the bottom where the heating element is/was!
>
> Thanks again for all the help!

Yep, internet sales only on that item. For me it was $128.50 delivered to my
door in three days. Unbelievable product and good deal. Draws attention at
events when all the smoke is seen coming from a black box with a propane
tank. The food result is outstanding. Once had a box just like it that I
used lump in. Had to get up all night every 4 hours to tend. I gave that one
to my son. Man is life easier now. :-)

Grizzly > wrote:
> Thanks for all the responses everyone!
>
> . . . so I picked up the Char-Broil electric.
>
> What I decided is that I've got a ton of old cinderblocks which I
> could stack up to make a nifty wind--break/insulator and if the
> electric element doesn't meet my needs, well, it's not that hard to
> get a propane turkey fryer, cut down the legs a little and stick it
> in the bottom where the heating element is/was!
>
> Thanks again for all the help!

With that kind of ingenuity, you're gonna be fine. Post pics of yer food
and mods on alt.binaries.food

--
Nick. To support severely wounded and disabled War on Terror Veterans and
their families go to: http://saluteheroes.org/

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !

"cc0112453" > wrote in message
...
> I have the Great Outdoors vertical, charcoal model which I believe is
about
> the same dimensions as their gas model. I have since moved on to a more
> substantial smoker. Looking back now with the experience of using a
> "quality" smoker I would say that the Great Outdoors is a very capable
unit.
> There were times when I had to wrap it in a blanket to keep the temp up
but
> it had plenty of room for meat and did an excellent job of smoking. I
would
> recommend either the charcoal or gas model. I almost bought their
stainless
> gas model at Costco for $200 but found a used Brinkman Stillwater instead.
> I couldn't be happier with the Stillwater. With the thin walled smokers,
> you are always going to have some temperature control problems in windy or
> cooler conditions. I was impressed with the build quality of the Great
> Outdoors for the $99 price. When you move on to your next smoker you can
> use it for cool smoking fish and jerky.
> Doug

Doug, you never took the plunge then and forked out for the Spitts & Pitts
unit you desired. IIRC the shipping was more than the unit itself.

Sounds like your doing just fine with what you currently have.

Graeme

Electric is the only type approved by our condo association for use on
property grounds...


--
The (new and improved) Runaway Bride...
See Bride Run... Run, Bride... Run!

Only at:
http://www.cafepress.com/dwacon/601709






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