I only have one goal in life.
Considering Taylor is currently working with a Traeger, let’s just start right there with pellet cookers.
Recteq, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, etc.
I’d say that pellet cookers are the most user friendly smoker in the game.
It’s the definition of “set it and forget it”.
The great thing about pellet smokers is that they are automated.
There are pros and cons to all that technology, so it all comes down to personal preference.
No, not at all.
Let me just make something clear right off the bat here.
I’m not saying that any other smoker isn’t real bbq.
I’m just saying that the offset is..well…you might’t beat it.
It’s wood, it’s fire, it’s smoke, it’s meat, it’s barbecue.
So first off let’s talk about the basics here.
Now just like the pellet smokers, there are pros and cons when it comes to the offset.
you’ve got the option to sneak little 20-30 minute naps in here and there.
But if you let the fire die down and your coal bed goes out, you’re done.
Also, not every offset smoker has to be that big.
Also a company like Mill Scale makes a really great, high quality backyard offset.
That’s not to say that it’s possible for you to’t make great barbecue on a cheaper smoker.
Plenty of options to work with.
And one of those options is technically an entirely different bang out of smoker.
Reverse Flow
A reverse flow smoker is also an offset smoker.
The main idea there is the plate that goes underneath the meat to deflect the smoke gets piping hot.
Again, personal preference.
Kamado/Eggs
Before I made the switch to an offset, I was using a Kamado.
And I feel like this is for sure one of the most popular types of smokers around.
Typically the biggest names you’ll hear are Big Green Egg or your Kamado Joe.
Like this one from Kamado Joe.
Fully automated and you don’t have to do anything besides take the meat off eventually.
You still get the satisfaction of having to figure out and manage the heat yourself for a while.
I first learned how to cook bbq on a kamado cooker so maybe I’m partial to it.
you could throw wood chunks on there to add a little flavor but it’s just not the same.
So it’s got a ton of versatility to it.
So let’s just say for example you have a giant tomahawk steak you want to reverse sear.
Can’t beat that.
Little harder to maintain those temps and it’ll go through a lot more charcoal.
But as far as the price difference goes?
That’s an extremely fair trade off to make.
There are also the Weber Smokey Mountains which are super popular.
You’re controlling the heat with a vent system.
But the same thing with versatility applies here.
you could either use this as a smoker or a regular grill.
So that’s why it’s always such a popular option, especially for the price.
There are also Drum Smokers which would be very similar to a Weber Smokey Mountain.
I just have never used one before so I don’t know much about them.
He has been making these “Chud Boxes” for a while now, which are direct heat cookers.
It’s incredible for things like chicken or sausage if you’re into those sort of things.
Electric Smokers
I haven’t used an electric smoker and don’t think I ever will.
Which just so happens to be one of the best ways to cook a whole hog.
Whatever you want to do and whatever you want to use is how you should do it.
Now go outside and get to cooking.
Here are the details.
