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Best cheapo smoker?

20stone
20stone Posts: 1,961
in EggHead Forum
Howdy -

I am running into the boonies for the 4th with my mom. I don't have capacity to haul my LBGE, and am looking for advice for a cheapie for doing a brisket and leaving behind.

Weber kettle?

TIA


(now only 16 stone)

Joule SV
GE induction stove
Gasser by the community pool (currently unavailable)
Scale (which one of my friends refuses to use)
Friends with BGEs and myriad other fired devices (currently unavail IRL)
Occasional access to a KBQ and Webber Kettle
Charcuterie and sourdough enthusiast
Prosciuttos in an undisclosed location

Austin, TX
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Comments

  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,649
    This sounds sketchy.  Any more details on your plans?

    I generally frown on leaving trash in the wilderness.  If you bring it in then you best bring it out.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • ksmyrl
    ksmyrl Posts: 1,050
    I think he means (I hope) leave it at Mom's house?? If so, then a Weber Kettle should be fine. I'm no brisket expert but I know before I got my eggs the Weber Kettle was working hard most every weekend for me and did great. Good luck.
    Fish, Hunt, Cook....anything else?

    1LBGE, 1MMBGE, somewhere near Athens GA
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    There are probably better smokers out there than the kettle, but for a good versatile cooker at a good price I think that would be a good choice.  It might take a little more baby sitting than something like a WSM...but the WSM aren't that cheap any more.  Also for a brisky the size of a kettle will be nice.  Many cheapo smokers are on the small side. 

    Here is the first thing I found on smoking on a kettle.  You will probably have to fiddle with the dampers to keep the temp up and likely reload on coals. 
    http://www.weber.com/weber-nation/blog/smoking-on-a-kettle

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,528
    If rarely used, the silver without the ash catcher is good, if used more often, the Gold, 18.5" will do for most cooks and you have choice of Jumbo Joe or regular kettle for under $100. 
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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  • TexanOfTheNorth
    TexanOfTheNorth Posts: 3,951
    You can do the Travis method in an oven. Just substitute a bottle of liquid smoke for the real thing.  =)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, "spa-Peggy" is kind of like spaghetti. I'm not sure what Peggy does different, if anything. But it's the one dish she's kind of made her own.
    ____________________
    Aurora, Ontario, Canada
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,573
    why brisket, i used to do a leg of lamb with just a fire and a flat rock next to it to place the roast (sear roast caveman style then use flat rock as an indirect setup)   =) no way would i do brisket. most i ever camped with was a cooking grid and a piece of plate that i kept in the back of the truck
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,226
    edited July 2015
    I used a Weber kettle plus a Smokenator for a couple of years. It can produce some excellent Q but it is a lot of work. The 22.5 does have a lot of grilling surface and it would be a great option if you just want to grill. However, because you specifically mentioned brisket, for my money the CharGriller Kamado (Akorn) would be the choice. It only costs a little more than a kettle plus a Smokenator and it will hold temps for long times like an egg. You can't get it as hot as an egg for searing because some of the plastic parts start to melt at about 600 degrees but it comes with side shelves, a filling nest, and a swing grate for $299. You'll need to buy a Chargiller platesetter equivalent for $40 to do a proper indirect low and slow. 

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • 20stone
    20stone Posts: 1,961
    fishlessman said:
    why brisket, i used to do a leg of lamb with just a fire and a flat rock next to it to place the roast (sear roast caveman style then use flat rock as an indirect setup)   =) no way would i do brisket. most i ever camped with was a cooking grid and a piece of plate that i kept in the back of the truck
    For the record, I will be cooking in my mom's backyard, not in the wilderness. It does happen to be an 8 hour drive from Houston, though. 

    (now only 16 stone)

    Joule SV
    GE induction stove
    Gasser by the community pool (currently unavailable)
    Scale (which one of my friends refuses to use)
    Friends with BGEs and myriad other fired devices (currently unavail IRL)
    Occasional access to a KBQ and Webber Kettle
    Charcuterie and sourdough enthusiast
    Prosciuttos in an undisclosed location

    Austin, TX
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    @280pounds - look at those cheap New Braunfels stick burners.  They're cheaper than WSMs and you can grill huge amounts on them as well as smoke.  Get lots of fuel.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • luckyboy
    luckyboy Posts: 284
    Cook it before you go and warm it up when ready to eat.
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Be more specific on where you are going. Another Member might be able to help you out that lives near your Mom.
    This can be a very friendly/helpful place at times.lol
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • Grillin_beers
    Grillin_beers Posts: 1,345
    Webber smokey mountain. 
    1 large BGE, Spartanburg SC

    My dog thinks I'm a grilling god. 
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,649
    Ah ok, Grill for moms place.  That makes more sense.

    I would get a jumbo joe.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 23,179
    nolaegghead said:
    @280pounds - look at those cheap New Braunfels stick burners.  They're cheaper than WSMs and you can grill huge amounts on them as well as smoke.  Get lots of fuel.
    he's either in a mini cooper or a vintage BMW 2002. That smoker is bigger than his car.


    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 23,179
    The WSM is a good idea. That's what I would do if you can fit it.




    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • cazzy
    cazzy Posts: 9,136
    Pull it off before you leave and hold it in a Yeti or Cambro!

    Good advice above.  The New Braunsfels Smokers are good options...they run a couple hundo tho.  In that price range, you can get a WSM.
    Just a hack that makes some $hitty BBQ....
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    If it's just for a one time use, there are several WSM knockoffs out there for less than 100 bucks. Some of them around 50 bucks. I wouldn't pay for a WSM if I was going to abandon it. Go with one of these elcheapos. They will work fine for limited use.  
     

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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  • 20stone
    20stone Posts: 1,961
    Photo Egg said:
    Be more specific on where you are going. Another Member might be able to help you out that lives near your Mom.
    This can be a very friendly/helpful place at times.lol
    Mom is in Haskell, TX, about an hour N of Abilene. 

    I'd be surprised if that is around the corner from anyone, and wouldn't want to hog someone's smoker on the 4th (unless an @SGH or @caliking wannabe with 5 smokers is out there)  
    (now only 16 stone)

    Joule SV
    GE induction stove
    Gasser by the community pool (currently unavailable)
    Scale (which one of my friends refuses to use)
    Friends with BGEs and myriad other fired devices (currently unavail IRL)
    Occasional access to a KBQ and Webber Kettle
    Charcuterie and sourdough enthusiast
    Prosciuttos in an undisclosed location

    Austin, TX
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,988
    20stone said:
    I'd be surprised if that is around the corner from anyone, and wouldn't want to hog someone's smoker on the 4th (unless an @SGH or @caliking wannabe with 5 smokers is out there)  
    I would sure loan you one my friend if you were in my area. 

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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  • 20stone
    20stone Posts: 1,961

    cazzy said:
    Pull it off before you leave and hold it in a Yeti or Cambro!
    Now that would have taken some planning. The 44 Farms brisket (minus the uncovered flat portion that we turned into tandoori flat) is still frozen.  I was thawing it in a Yeti in the back of the car, and realized it wouldn't thaw until Labor day in there and pulled it out. 

    I also just picked up three racks of Berkie short ribs at Revival Market, just because, and will put some of my goodies from @shucker on them. 

    Should be fun.... if I can find a way to cook it all.  
    (now only 16 stone)

    Joule SV
    GE induction stove
    Gasser by the community pool (currently unavailable)
    Scale (which one of my friends refuses to use)
    Friends with BGEs and myriad other fired devices (currently unavail IRL)
    Occasional access to a KBQ and Webber Kettle
    Charcuterie and sourdough enthusiast
    Prosciuttos in an undisclosed location

    Austin, TX
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,226
    Yeah, if you're passing through San Antonio you can have my ProQ. It's like a WSM and travels well. You can take one section out of it and stand it up in a van or SUV. Leave the section at my house or take it with you for multilevel cooking. 

    They are now sold under the Naploeon brand. 

    http://www.napoleongrills.com/grills/product-details/productid/23/ccd/en-ca/apollo-300-charcoal-grill-and-water-smoker


    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,351
    SGH said:
    If it's just for a one time use, there are several WSM knockoffs out there for less than 100 bucks. Some of them around 50 bucks. I wouldn't pay for a WSM if I was going to abandon it. Go with one of these elcheapos. They will work fine for limited use.  
     
    I used one of the above, electric for $50, for many years and many briskets, they work fine.  They DO make a noticeable dent in your electric bill.   

    “I'll have what she's having."  

        -Rob Reiner's mother!   

    Ogden, UT, USA

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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    edited July 2015
    20stone said:
    Photo Egg said:
    Be more specific on where you are going. Another Member might be able to help you out that lives near your Mom.
    This can be a very friendly/helpful place at times.lol
    Mom is in Haskell, TX, about an hour N of Abilene. 

    I'd be surprised if that is around the corner from anyone, and wouldn't want to hog someone's smoker on the 4th (unless an @SGH or @caliking wannabe with 5 smokers is out there)  
    You never know. Even if I only had one Egg you could still borrow one of the 2 WSM grill in my garage that I have not used in almost 10 years.lol
    Or my Weber 26" kettle. There are lots of us multi grill BBQ freaks out there.Ha...Ha
    Check the closest city on Craigs List...
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    @Botch 1 pound of charcoal is 9000 btu.  3400 btu of electric heat is about $0.10.  You are hard pressed to find lump for $0.25/lb. 
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • The Cen-Tex Smoker
    The Cen-Tex Smoker Posts: 23,179
    cazzy said:
    Pull it off before you leave and hold it in a Yeti or Cambro!

    Good advice above.  The New Braunsfels Smokers are good options...they run a couple hundo tho.  In that price range, you can get a WSM.
    he's on the road.. This deal is being put together on the fly. Can't wait.


    Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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  • 20stone
    20stone Posts: 1,961
    Foghorn said:
    Yeah, if you're passing through San Antonio you can have my ProQ. It's like a WSM and travels well. 


    Thanks, but SA is not on the flight path. 

    Thanks all for the good advice 
    (now only 16 stone)

    Joule SV
    GE induction stove
    Gasser by the community pool (currently unavailable)
    Scale (which one of my friends refuses to use)
    Friends with BGEs and myriad other fired devices (currently unavail IRL)
    Occasional access to a KBQ and Webber Kettle
    Charcuterie and sourdough enthusiast
    Prosciuttos in an undisclosed location

    Austin, TX
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,226
    20stone said:
    Foghorn said:
    Yeah, if you're passing through San Antonio you can have my ProQ. It's like a WSM and travels well. 


    Thanks, but SA is not on the flight path. 

    Thanks all for the good advice 
    Any time. 

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • cazzy
    cazzy Posts: 9,136
    The Cen-Tex Smoker said:
    cazzy said:
    Pull it off before you leave and hold it in a Yeti or Cambro!

    Good advice above.  The New Braunsfels Smokers are good options...they run a couple hundo tho.  In that price range, you can get a WSM.
    he's on the road.. This deal is being put together on the fly. Can't wait.


    Ahh...I missed that.
    Just a hack that makes some $hitty BBQ....
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    @20stone. Get a weber OTG. You can smoke for several hours by setting the lump up in a ring along the circumference and cracking top and bottom vents just a smidge. After the weekend, your may still find the grill useful. The OTG has a thermometer in the lid. You may need to reload with lump midway. Also google bludawg brisket and you'll be good to go. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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