Electric smokers

I know we had a short discussion here at one time, but I can't find it. Anyhow, I'm considering getting an electric smoker (don't want charcoal because I live way out in the woods and don't want the additional fire danger), and don't think I want the hassle of another gas appliance, already have a gas grill. I'd like to hear your comments for and against, particularly from those of you who use one. I'll be using it occasionally, not several times a week, mostly for pork butts, briskets, chickens, etc. If the consensus is that electric smokers really suck, I'll consider gas, but I'm definitely interested in hearing your real-life experiences with electrics, particularly since my local ranch supply store has a killer sale on right now. It's just for my wife and me, and we don't entertain a lot for big groups, so a small unit is good.

I have the monster traeger and I use it 3 days a week really. Great little smoker for the home. If I was doing more competitions or if I was doing say more then 100+ lb's of shoulder at a time I would go with a yoder.

I thought they were called e-cigs

Jim, what's your location? I have an unused, slightly over year old electric smoker I drunkenly bought in a silent auction at a Whitetails Unlimited banquet I'd be willing to let go pretty cheap. It's a pretty big unit, easily fit 2 pork butts or a large turkey in it.

I had a Masterbuilt like this:

It worked very well until the electronic thermostat died at the two year point. I had plans to rewire it, but I'm ditching projects as fast as I can so it's already in the next load of scrap.

I have a Brinkmann that my wife got cheap at HD. I didn't think I'd like it but I have used it quite a bit. The only downside is in the winter it doesn't always get hot enough so after a few hours of smoking I sometimes finish the meat in my slow cooker on low.

I built one of the flower pot ones a year or two back. It's pretty sweet, and it seems to do better in the cold than a metal walled one. Like this:

http://cdn.smokingmeatforums.com/1/13/525x525px-LL-137efecb_vbattach13250.jpg

Could use a bit more usable capacity, but holds heat well and makes tasty food.

I have the same smoker toyman01 has. They are truly set it and forget it machines except for adding chips and even that is extremely minimal as sometimes you don't want too much smoke flavor so the first load is enough. If you are the diy type you could build a hot plate smoker.

I've made brisket, ribs, pork butt, chicken, and jerky and it all comes out delicious. I would highly recommend an electric over any other type for the superior temperature control.

Don't forget for pulled pork it must be at least 195 internal.

Dang it. Keethrax beat me to it. Totally GRM smoker build

Toyman01 wrote: I had a Masterbuilt like this: It worked very well until the electronic thermostat died at the two year point. I had plans to rewire it, but I'm ditching projects as fast as I can so it's already in the next load of scrap.

Man, I'd love to get some parts off that. Wish you were closer.

My wife picked up this Masterbuilt electric smoker at Tractor Supply for 50%-off on Black Friday. I can't believe how easy it is to use. Its very well insulated so the exterior is not hot to the touch in the summer and I can smoke just as easily in the winter.

ryanty22 wrote: I thought they were called e-cigs

You beat me to it.

Thanks, all - just bought a new Masterbuilt 30 like the one in Toyman01's post, on sale at the local ranch supply store for $145. New versions come with a meat thermometer and cover. It's really windy here right now, so it may be a week or two before I get to try it out, but looking forward to good results. Thanks for the input.