Smoker Question - Electric or Charcoal

[kellyindallas]

I know I can count on my male friends here to hook me up with some good smoker advice. I'm looking to buy a smoker and trying to figure out electric vs. charcoal. What I really want to know if the taste difference that different? How does it work regarding flavoring? From what I've read, you can put some kind of chips in the electric ones to add flavor? Is that right?

The comments I've read indicate two downsides to charcoal: clean-up and tending, menaning you have to check heat consistency almost hourly.

I think I'd rather go electric route IF the taste is comparable, but if it's not, then go charcoal.

Would love to hear from some guys out there that know a lot about this. Also, please advise of any pros/cons that I might not be aware of.

Thanks.:00hour

 

[MadJack]

I know I can count on my male friends here to hook me up with some good smoker advice. I'm looking to buy a smoker and trying to figure out electric vs. charcoal. What I really want to know if the taste difference that different? How does it work regarding flavoring? From what I've read, you can put some kind of chips in the electric ones to add flavor? Is that right?

The comments I've read indicate two downsides to charcoal: clean-up and tending, menaning you have to check heat consistency almost hourly.

I think I'd rather go electric route IF the taste is comparable, but if it's not, then go charcoal.

Would love to hear from some guys out there that know a lot about this. Also, please advise of any pros/cons that I might not be aware of.

Thanks.:00hour

Don't think there isn't some serious cleanup with electric. matter of fact, the coal is easier on the cleanup than the electric.

Coal tastes a lot better.

Get both.

 

[Penguinfan]

It all comes down to personal preference and budget. I love my Big Green Egg and would only ever go with charcoal, always.

Even without adding wood chunks the smoke flavor it there and I find electric to be at least a little drier, and it is noticeable.

The BGE is versatile as well. Yesterday I made pizza on it and today will be steak. No doubt, a BGE is much more expensive than an electric smoker and, like I said, to each his own. My neighbor swears by his.

 

[Morris]

I have both charcoal and electric. When I grill I always use charcoal when I smoke ribs, brisket etc. I go with electric. I've tried all combo of wood chips and prefer hickory. You still have to tend an electric smoker by adding wood chips every 30-40 mins but you won't have to worry about temp fluctuations.

 

[kellyindallas]

Thanks, everyone. I remember now reading about the Big Green Egg discusssions and that Jack loved his. It is quite expensive, but if it lasts a long time, worth it if that's good. I think I'm gonna go with Jack's idea and get one of each type.

If were to go cheaper, I know there are knockoffs of the Big Green Egg, somewhat comparable but a few hundred cheaper. I don't like to go cheapest, I usually buy mid-range or higher, I want quality and would rather pay a bit more but don't need the absolute finest with all the bells and whistles, either.

Are the other ceramic brands comparable in taste and quality to the BGE, does anyone know?

 

[Penguinfan]

Thanks, everyone. I remember now reading about the Big Green Egg discusssions and that Jack loved his. It is quite expensive, but if it lasts a long time, worth it if that's good. I think I'm gonna go with Jack's idea and get one of each type.

If were to go cheaper, I know there are knockoffs of the Big Green Egg, somewhat comparable but a few hundred cheaper. I don't like to go cheapest, I usually buy mid-range or higher, I want quality and would rather pay a bit more but don't need the absolute finest with all the bells and whistles, either.

Are the other ceramic brands comparable in taste and quality to the BGE, does anyone know?

A Big Green Egg is basically just a name brand Kamado grill. You can spend less and the walls might not be as thick and the warranty may be shorter, and temp control might be more difficult (fluctuate more) but I don't think the final product will taste much different. Just use good lump charcoal and find a good recipe on Youtube and you will be fine.

I don't think I would get the $288 one from WalMart, but the one that Costco sells is $549 and comes with the shelves and stand already in the box (not sure about the plate setter). If I had it to do again I might go that direction instead of the $900 I paid for my BGE. I don't regret it, but I also didn't know other versions existed at the time.

$549 includes shipping as well.

http://www.costco.com/Pit-Boss-24-i...&keyword=kamado+grill&langId=-1&storeId=10301

 

[kellyindallas]

A Big Green Egg is basically just a name brand Kamado grill. You can spend less and the walls might not be as thick and the warranty may be shorter, and temp control might be more difficult (fluctuate more) but I don't think the final product will taste much different. Just use good lump charcoal and find a good recipe on Youtube and you will be fine.

I don't think I would get the $288 one from WalMart, but the one that Costco sells is $549 and comes with the shelves and stand already in the box (not sure about the plate setter). If I had it to do again I might go that direction instead of the $900 I paid for my BGE. I don't regret it, but I also didn't know other versions existed at the time.

$549 includes shipping as well.

http://www.costco.com/Pit-Boss-24-i...&keyword=kamado+grill&langId=-1&storeId=10301

Awesome info. Thank you!

 

[MadJack]

I didn't read this but it looks like it might help you make a decision.

http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/06/...mail&utm_term=0_f166ad0e5c-9d40c3d061-3673529

 

[MadJack]

I bet this is bad ass!

http://www.weber.com/grills/series/summit-charcoal/summit-charcoal-grill

 

[Cricket]

I have a small electric,works great. It has a water tray that can also hold fruit juices for more flavors and moisture.I learned the hard way that with these babies you need to cook with a thermometer and go by your internal temps not just time and oven temp. I find mine to be fun but like Morris said you can't walk away all day. The chip tray has to be filled every hour( to keep good smoke in there) .

 

[vinnie]

http://www.traegergrills.com/ :0008

 

[saint]

I just got a BGE myself after years of debating whether it's worth it. I definitely think the taste is far better than gas or electric. It's also plain old fun to use- half the reason to do it is so you can waste away the day drinking beers in the sunshine and tweaking the vents to keep things where you want. We still use our gas grill a lot for the ease. With that said, using an electric starter with the coals really makes the BGE easy for start up.

Just keep in mind- in addition to the actual egg and nest (stand) being super expensive, so is everything else. A must-have accessory is the plate setter for indirect heat. Other items that are nice but not necessary at the pizza stone, a rib rack to stand them up for more volume- there are a ton out there. I would say if you've got the cash to burn, the BGE is great. But it's definitely a luxury for the cost.

 

[Penguinfan]

half the reason to do it is so you can waste away the day drinking beers in the sunshine and tweaking the vents to keep things where you want.

Not to ruin the fun, but you can avoid ever tweaking the vents:





https://www.bbqguru.com/storenav/gurucookerguide?DeviceModelId=21&kitId=18


I have one and it works great.

 

[saint]

Not to ruin the fun, but you can avoid ever tweaking the vents:

View attachment 5559



https://www.bbqguru.com/storenav/gurucookerguide?DeviceModelId=21&kitId=18


I have one and it works great.

Yeah I gave myself a 6 month waiting period before I would purchase to force myself to "earn it" :142smilie Glad to hear it works well- definitely will be necessary for the brisket length smokes.

 

[theGibber1]

I just got a BGE myself after years of debating whether it's worth it. I definitely think the taste is far better than gas or electric. It's also plain old fun to use- half the reason to do it is so you can waste away the day drinking beers in the sunshine and tweaking the vents to keep things where you want. We still use our gas grill a lot for the ease. With that said, using an electric starter with the coals really makes the BGE easy for start up.

Just keep in mind- in addition to the actual egg and nest (stand) being super expensive, so is everything else. A must-have accessory is the plate setter for indirect heat. Other items that are nice but not necessary at the pizza stone, a rib rack to stand them up for more volume- there are a ton out there. I would say if you've got the cash to burn, the BGE is great. But it's definitely a luxury for the cost.

Agreed

Spring for the Egg.. Its the best purchase you will make.. We use it at least 4 or 5 days a week... It does everything. I love smoking various meats on the weekend. The pizzas on it are also very good

You can even bake in it.. Which I have not tried yet

GL

 

[CryBoy]

$399 now for the Pit Boss at Costco.

 

[Penguinfan]

Y Glad to hear it works well- definitely will be necessary for the brisket length smokes.

Yea, that's really all you're mostly gonna use it for. I've done pork shoulders for 20 hours and never had to touch a vent or open the dome. For higher heat cooks like pizza or steak it's not useful.

Ribs, chicken, pulled pork, stuff like that I really find it useful because once it gets to temp I can do something else and not worry about the temp. The separate probes are great because with one in the food you don't have to open the dome to check internal temp.

Best part is the "ramp down" feature, once the food hits the target internal temp it allows the temp of the BGE to lower to that point as kind of a "keep warm" feature so if the chicken (or whatever) happens to be done before your side dishes you won't over cook whatever is on the egg while waiting for the other stuff to finish.

Great product.

 

[MadJack]

 

[homedog]

That's nice.

 

[hammer1]

$10/lb Smoked Brisket $6 /lb Pulled Pork No muss ..No Fuss.. No clean up.... And just up the street !!!. Bout the best i've ever had !!! Only in "Gods Country"