Smoker recommendations?

Nauti Natured · 09-07-2009, 05:27 PM

I have wanted to try smoking fish for a long time and Im finally ready to pull the trigger. Anyone have any recommendations on a reasonably priced smoker that they like?

Thanks in advance!

clt_capt · 09-07-2009, 07:46 PM

I've been using the Great Outdoor Propane smoker for about 5 years. I really like the smoker - Get the large one - Big enough for 3 - 4 whole turkeys or 10 Chickens - or a whole bunch of other stuff.

It is about $200. You can use any chips or wood chunks you would like - you don't need special pellets like many of the electric smokers.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st..._SearchResults

Nauti Natured · 09-07-2009, 09:34 PM

Thanks Capt. Looks like a winner.

thoffman · 09-08-2009, 12:43 PM

check out Bradley Smokers. I have one and love it.

Andaman Andy · 09-08-2009, 12:59 PM

I have a webber smokey mountain "WSM" can smoke most stuff but you really need to know what you are doing to keep a constant temp i fitted a custom temp gauge in the lid.
Also have a "Big Chief" electric smoker this is ok as it maintains a constant temp but can only do fish due to the low temp.
The Gas setup up sounds good, but i can hear the hardcore smokers rolling in there graves already....... almost like rigging a ballyhoo with wire or a rubber band

clt_capt · 09-08-2009, 02:31 PM

You are dead on Andy... Over the years I have used a Brinkman charcoal smoker, an electric version and finally the Propane smoker I have now.

Plain and simple - the propane smoker makes it easy maintain a constant temp - and can get hot enough for meat...

Simple and consistent. The purists can complain, but I'd bet they couldn't tell the difference in the finished product.

BTH284 · 09-10-2009, 09:18 PM

Luhrs-Jensen little chief electric works great for smaller needs and will not break the bank

Deep C · 09-10-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Natured

I have wanted to try smoking fish for a long time and Im finally ready to pull the trigger. Anyone have any recommendations on a reasonably priced smoker that they like?

Thanks in advance!

Roll em in the sunday paper and use fireplace tongs for the roach...

I used to use a brinkman... Did ok with birds but just wasn't up to snuff with fish. I think it was too hot...

A buddy took an old fridge... One with the metal walls... He'd put just a few coals and then lots of different woods to get the right flavor... Drilled maybe a 5/8" hole in top is all to let vent and never ran it hotter than say 85 or 90 degrees... Took longer but dayumm the stuff that came out of it was world class good.
Of course that comes in part due to good brining and spicing practices... That is an art all itself...

Capt. Terry · 09-10-2009, 10:56 PM

I HAVE A SMOKE HOLLOW GAS SMOKER.
ITS A NO. 5 MODEL#34168G.

IT HAS 3 LARGE RACKS THAT CAN EASILY BE MOVED AROUND TO DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, OR LEVELS FOR SMALL ITEMS LIKE SMOKING FISH OR LARGE ITEMS LIKE DEER ROASTS OR A TURKEY OR 2 CHICKENS IF SO DESIRED.

WORKS OFF OF GAS SO THERE IS PLENTY OF POWER AND EXCESSIVE HEAT WHEN NEEDED. KILLER TEMP GUAGE RIGHT IN THE FRONT DOOR.
THERE IS A DAMPER IN THE TOP OF THE BACK OF THE SMOKER WHICH KEEPS THE VENTILATION FOR MORE DRAFT OR LESS DRAFT DEPENDING ON HOW HOT I WANT IT.

HAS THE WOOD PAN FOR THE WOOD CHIPS OF WHATEVER FLAVOR OR TYPE THAT YOU DESIRE IN THE BOTTOM AND THEN YOUR WATER PAN DIRECTLY ABOVE THE WOOD CHIP TRAY......WHICH IS BELOW ALL OF THE FOOD TRAYS.

KILLER SET - UP.......GOT IT FROM MY IN-LAWS FOR CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR........WHAT A SUPRISE.......I THINK IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN - THEY PURCHASED IT AT GANDER MOUNTAIN.......I WOULD SAY IT GOES FOR UNDER $150.00 IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN......

I AM PLEASED WITH IT AND WHAT ALL THAT I CAN SMOKE WITH IT......THE TASTE IS INCREDIBLE.......DEER IS AWESOME IN IT I CAN SAY THAT FOR SURE.......CAN'T WAIT TO SMOKE SOME CANADIAN GOOSE AND SOME FRESH DUCK IN IT IN THE NEXT MONTH.......

............REALLY WANT TO GET MY HOOKS INTO SOME FRESH WAHOO FOR THE SMOKER.........BUT I WILL BE PATIENT!!

I WILL INCLUDE SOME PICS OF IT HERE FOR YOU TO SEE.

clt_capt · 09-10-2009, 11:31 PM

Capt Terry - That looks very similar to mine - just a different brand label on mine. Mine was $200.00 ar Bass Pro.

and I really like the gas for big smoking jobs - it is very easy to control the heat - and to rachet it up when you need to.

09-07-2009, 05:27 PM	#1
Nauti Natured I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chapel Hill / Atlantic Beach, NC Posts: 2,180 Credits: 4,521.6 Boat: Contender 31 Open, Yamaha 225 4 strokes Home Port: Atlantic Beach, NC	Smoker recommendations? I have wanted to try smoking fish for a long time and Im finally ready to pull the trigger. Anyone have any recommendations on a reasonably priced smoker that they like? Thanks in advance!

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09-07-2009, 09:34 PM	#3
Nauti Natured I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chapel Hill / Atlantic Beach, NC Posts: 2,180 Credits: 4,521.6 Boat: Contender 31 Open, Yamaha 225 4 strokes Home Port: Atlantic Beach, NC	Thanks Capt. Looks like a winner.

09-08-2009, 12:43 PM	#4
thoffman Hide- My Wifes Logged On Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160 Credits: 832.9 Boat: 29' HydraSport Home Port: MHC	check out Bradley Smokers. I have one and love it.

09-08-2009, 12:59 PM	#5
Andaman Andy Crab mustard is good Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phuket Thailand Posts: 630 Credits: 2,126.4 Home Port: Chalong Bay, Phuket, Thailand. Occupation: Fishing Guide	I have a webber smokey mountain "WSM" can smoke most stuff but you really need to know what you are doing to keep a constant temp i fitted a custom temp gauge in the lid. Also have a "Big Chief" electric smoker this is ok as it maintains a constant temp but can only do fish due to the low temp. The Gas setup up sounds good, but i can hear the hardcore smokers rolling in there graves already....... almost like rigging a ballyhoo with wire or a rubber band

09-08-2009, 02:31 PM	#6
clt_capt If Ignorance is bliss, Why aren't more people happy? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Raleigh, MHC Posts: 5,954 Credits: 8,650.9 Boat: Luhrs 36 Home Port: MHC Occupation: Supporting my Tackle habit	You are dead on Andy... Over the years I have used a Brinkman charcoal smoker, an electric version and finally the Propane smoker I have now. Plain and simple - the propane smoker makes it easy maintain a constant temp - and can get hot enough for meat... Simple and consistent. The purists can complain, but I'd bet they couldn't tell the difference in the finished product.

09-10-2009, 09:18 PM	#7
BTH284 I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Inshore Posts: 3,041 Credits: 3,432.9 Boat: 23 shortbus Home Port: Morehead City Occupation: Your guess is as good as mine	Luhrs-Jensen little chief electric works great for smaller needs and will not break the bank

09-10-2009, 11:31 PM	#10
clt_capt If Ignorance is bliss, Why aren't more people happy? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Raleigh, MHC Posts: 5,954 Credits: 8,650.9 Boat: Luhrs 36 Home Port: MHC Occupation: Supporting my Tackle habit	Capt Terry - That looks very similar to mine - just a different brand label on mine. Mine was $200.00 ar Bass Pro. and I really like the gas for big smoking jobs - it is very easy to control the heat - and to rachet it up when you need to.