Electric smoker suggestions anyone?????

[Smokerjunky]

Hi everyone!  I was wondering if anyone had advice on electric smokers.  I have researched pellet grills but not electric smokers.  I know the old standby Little Chief is sufficient for salmon, steelhead, or other fish but am not aware of their capabilities beyond that. 

I am curious about the Bradley or Masterbuilt (or other suggestions) for electric smokers.  It seems that there is a lot more versatility with the Bradley or Masterbuilt puck-style auto-feed digital smokers than there is with the basic Little Chief or Big Chief.  My Sis-in-law is looking for a smoker for her hubs for his birthday and the only one he has mentioned is the Little Chief based on a suggestion.  I told her I would do some research and get back to her. 

I suspect once he starts using a smoker he is going to want more versatility than the Chief smokers are going to provide and that he will surpass their abilities quickly.  I see him wanting to possible do pork shoulders and chicken as well. He is a good cook already.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

[nepas]

My $ would go to Bradley.

Or

If you can swing $900 go with TSM 30lb smoker. This is on the horizon for me.

[Hub]

I owned a Masterbuilt about ten years ago.  On a scale of zero to ten with zero being lousy and ten being perfect I'd give it about a four.  It had good capacity and worked sort of okay providing it wasn't too cold or hot out or there wasn't much wind.  Temperature regulation was sort of a guessing game.  They may have changed the design since I had mine.  Smoke production also required finding the "sweet spot" for the chips or chunks and sometimes I'd get too much or too little smoke.  I replaced it with the gas version of the same cooker and had pretty much the same problems plus the added one of the fire being blown out occasionally.   Gave it away.

I've since moved on to more sophisticated (and more expensive) equipment, but I don't think electric smokers are inferior for home cooking.  Some of the more popular electrics get good coverage here and seem to get some good reviews.  I'd suggest a thorough read of the posts about them here along with what's probably going to be some good feedback in this thread.  Cookshack makes some high dollar electrics, even commercial models.  Good luck!

Hub

 

[TMB]

I own a Bradley and would get another but would buy a six rack instead of the four rack. 

Would also invest in a PID controller for it.

[squirtthecat]

I own a Bradley and would get another but would buy a six rack instead of the four rack. 

Would also invest in a PID controller for it.

X2

[sparky]

smokin-it, smoken tex and cookshack all make electric smokers.  smokin-it #3 is a very good smoker. 

[smoker pete]

I own a Bradley and would get another but would buy a six rack instead of the four rack. 

Would also invest in a PID controller for it.

X2

X 2.5 ...  Only 2.5 instead of 3 cause I own a 4 rack instead of a 6 rack Bradley ...

[RAD]

I have been eyeing the http://www.smokin-it.com/category_s/5.htm #3 for sometime now. Large enough for full rack of ribs.

[old sarge]

I have a Cookshack 066 (in addition to an offset stick burner).  Very good smoker and I get consistent results.  But it was not inexpensive.  They are however offering an easy pay method through paypal without interest.  Doesn't make it less expensive, just easier to afford. I think you will find the smokintex and smoking-it line pretty much similar; just read the descriptions carefully (there are differences) and compare the cost of accessories. I would add looking at smoker specific sites and read the posts there for an idea of pros and cons.  You may even want to join the forums offered by the manufacturers in order to post questions. 

Good luck!

[Saber 4]

I love my Bradley digital 4 rack with no mods and their customer service is the best. Many of the great members of their forum are also on here (I was invited to join by TMB who's on both) so getting help or advice is just a post away.

[Northshore]

6rack Bradley digital, no mods. 2 rack bradley, sausage maker 20 lb capacity electric and gas charcoal units for those times fast and hot needed.
Had a Masterbuilt for short time.

[muebe]

4 rack Bradley here that is heavily modified

Also recommend the Bradley. Get the non digital with a Auber controller

[Smokerjunky]

I have been eyeing the http://www.smokin-it.com/category_s/5.htm #3 for sometime now. Large enough for full rack of ribs.

I REALLY like the looks of the smokin-it model #1.   Their budget is $300 and the Bradley spikes well above that.  I think for just two people they could certainly do turkey breasts, ribs, and small brisket and still do a knock-up job on salmon and steelhead.  Thanks for the info.