Small Smoker

[TampaJim]

Considering adding to the arsenal. Currently using a TEC infrared.
Shipped the standard Weber gas grill to my brother in Panama.

Itching for a smoker. There's only two of us now, small portions.
Kamado style, Bradley or Traeger style ... are of interest to me.
Prefer something built in the Americas or EU, not the Far East.

My culinary skills are fine. Any of them can be used without issue.
Priorities in order - reliability, food quality and long term cost.

Input would be appreciated. Trying to determine the best overall.

[zaprod71]

I guess it depends what you want. I had a digital masterbuilt, served me well for 10 years. Nice size easy to use. I have a Chargriller Acorn too. Tougher to use at first, great flavors and excellent results. But it's only for 2 people, it is small. I just bought a Masterbuilt gravity 800 and it is amazing, the best of the 3. They make a 560 version too, a bit smaller.

[Robby Moser]

I have the 30" Masterbuilt Stainless steel smoker as it's not too big to roll around(I store mine in the garage to keep it out of the elements) and it's perfect to me for a smaller smoker.I've done turkeys,ribs,briskets,jerky to name a few and all have come out very tasty. The only downside to me is that you're not going to get the "bark" as good as an offset,but keeping the heat within 3-4 degrees of your programmed temp it does with flying colors. I like the ease of using the remote to make time/temp changes also. I've used offset smokers before and had great results,but of course there's more work operating them too.

[fr8dog]

I have a large BGE. That’s as small as I’d go on a kamado style. I like it for slow smoking, chicken, and super hot steak grilling. I really like spatchcock turkeys on it. Little bit of a learning curve but it’s easy. For quick grilling like brats, dogs, burgers for just 2 it’s overkill in my opinion.

I have a newer MES 40. To get good smoke I had to get a smoke tube. I like the set & forget deal. Not very versatile though as it only goes from 100-275*. Puts out decent grub without much effort.

[CatFan]

Green Mountain Trek or Davy Crockett

[TampaJim]

Green Mountain Trek or Davy Crockett

They look ideal ... however, reviews are up and down.
Do you own one? How long? Any issues, other info?

[Buckeye1]

RecTeq 590 would serve you well

[CatFan]

They look ideal ... however, reviews are up and down.
Do you own one? How long? Any issues, other info?

Friends we travel with have a Davy Crockett. They’ve had no issues.

[TampaJim]

Friends we travel with have a Davy Crockett. They’ve had no issues.

Thanks. The Davy Crockett is now the Trek. Apparently, it had another name before the DC.
I'm gonna keep looking until Black Friday events. Pretty sure that's going to be the best time.

[Doorman1]

Thanks. The Davy Crockett is now the Trek. Apparently, it had another name before the DC.
I'm gonna keep looking until Black Friday events. Pretty sure that's going to be the best time.

Since GMG renamed their product lines and switched to the 12 volt power supply they have been having a lot of issues. I have a older GMG that works great but if and when it breaks I'm going to switch to a Rec Tec 590 a couple of friends have the rec Tec and the smoke flavor and temp control are much better then GMG.

[Cestratton]

I have all three sizes of the Weber Smokey Mountain and the little 14" gets the most use as I'm only feeding me and my wife, anything smoked on the other two is going to get portioned and vac sealed to freeze

[TampaJim]

I have all three sizes of the Weber Smokey Mountain and the little 14" gets the most use as I'm only feeding me and my wife, anything smoked on the other two is going to get portioned and vac sealed to freeze

I'm definitely looking to smoke, eat a couple of meals while fresh, vacuum pack the remainder.

At this point, I'm leaning toward a smaller "standard" unit, doing more vacuum packing for us.
We have a vacuum sealer and both a large side-by-side and a small chest freezer for storage.

Leaders Bradley Original Smoker & Traeger Pro 575. Both seem respected. Easy enough to use.
Both in the same price range ... $449 and $499. Bradley is much more expensive to operate.
However, operational cost isn't a huge concern. We don't smoke, or fish, to save money on food.
Leaning toward pellet due to accessibility as well. Everyone carries them, usually found on sale.

And I've decided to store it in the garage and use it in the front, make the neighbors hungry.

Commentary on this lineup are appreciated. Want to be ready to hop on one for Black Friday.
Notes ... I'm quite capable at cooking. My back/neck are junk. Cleaning no issue, lifting is bad.

[TampaJim]

Debate over ... bought a Traeger Pro. They offered to assemble for free, but I'm into jigsaw puzzles.
Actually, I'm going to ensure it's fully assembled, correctly, including all parts. And better understand it.
Looking forward to my first batch of inexpensive cuts ... chicken, pork butt, etc. Make sure I'm good.
Just have to pick up a bag of pellets plus both drip tray and collection bucket liners. Thanks all.

[BrianKF]

Congrats on the new grill/smoker. I still haven't tried anything off a pellet grill yet. No one I know has one.

[itsahog]

I’ve been off this forum for a while, but I will tell you one thing, thank you lucky stars you did not buy the Davy Crockett. I had one, returned it, and it sucked. Temperature swings of 70° constantly. Congratulations on your new smoker.