Grill/Smoker

[Rich777]

I need some help finding a grill/smoker combo that fits our needs. Most of the time just cooking for two. But........during the spring and summer we like to cook for family and friends. I want to retire the old basic kettle grill, and move to something more versitile. Any info would be great.

[DATsBBQ]

I need some help finding a grill/smoker combo that fits our needs. Most of the time just cooking for two. But........during the spring and summer we like to cook for family and friends. I want to retire the old basic kettle grill, and move to something more versitile. Any info would be great.

Rich,
What's the budget like? A Ceramic will run around $600. A WSM, about $220(?). And what's your preferred heat source, wood, lump, gas, electric?
Fill us in and we'll give you our biased opinions

[bonehunts]

Rich,
Let me know where in TX you are. I may know a few guys that can help depending on where you are.
I'm in Dallas.

[Rich777]

Dats and Bone,
Thanks for the quick reply. I am in Hainsville, Texas just outside of Quitman. I would like to stay in the 700-800 dollar range.
Dats I use the lump, tried gas and just could not get the hang of it. I burned alot more meat than I cooked. I have looked at creamic and wondered if it was the same as gas.
I like to cook slow-enjoy a beverage and company.
I would like a gas burner on the side for fries, beans, etc.
Let it fly guys,what should I look for?

[DATsBBQ]

A ceramic wood fit your budget. Not a gasser, it's all about lump. Makes a great smoker but your cooking space is pretty much limited to a packer, a butt, or 3 racks of ribs. It's just 2 folks here most of the time, but I've feed 25 with a briskett. Can also grill, temps between 550 and 650 easily obtainable- for steaks it's great. I use mine almost exclusively for smoking. Haven't really done any grilling for a year or more. They will hold temp with very little baby sitting.

Get one of those turkery fryer gismo's for your side burner and build it in to your set up.




I won't speak to all the others, cause I just don't know about them. I'm sure those folks will chime in

[bonehunts]

Rich, depending on how handy you are, you could always rig something together on your own.
I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy a Lifetyme offset smoker and a King Kooker table top 2-burner gas set-up and build an island or cart around it.

We've done that for several buddies in the past with excellent results. The beauty of that is you can always use charcoal in the belly of the pit if you want to grill or use lump in the firebox if you want to smoke.

[Gator]

Why not get Ratmo to fix you up with a custom job?

For store bought smokers - I have a Southern Style (the Grill Dr carries this brand) in about your price range...just depends on what suits your fancy.

Many, many offset choices, they cook a little slower than the uprights.

Lots of guys cook on Green Eggs and WSMs.

[Rich777]

Thanks for the replies. Dats, I have not seen a ceramic like the one you have. The ones I looked at were ceramic heating elements.
The setup you have is nice.. that is what Iam looking for. Never thought about the turkey fryer setup, for side dishes.
HHHHMMMMM, thinking about a home-built unit.
Wife SHAKING HER HEAD , no more cooking stuff!

[DATsBBQ]

Thanks for the replies. Dats, I have not seen a ceramic like the one you have. The ones I looked at were ceramic heating elements.
The setup you have is nice.. that is what Iam looking for. Never thought about the turkey fryer setup, for side dishes.
HHHHMMMMM, thinking about a home-built unit.
Wife SHAKING HER HEAD , no more cooking stuff!

Check out the gallery on the link in the signature line. Links to Primo, BGE and the original Kamado are under the respective pits. Links to other manufacuters can be found too.

In the end, its personal preference. I've eaten darn good Q that came off an ECB (El Cheapo Brinkman) and was less than impressed with stuff that came out of a 12K Commercial cooker. It has more to do with the pitboss than with the cooker.

[SteerCrazy]

Why not get Ratmo to fix you up with a custom job?

For store bought smokers - I have a Southern Style (the Grill Dr carries this brand) in about your price range...just depends on what suits your fancy.

Many, many offset choices, they cook a little slower than the uprights.

Lots of guys cook on Green Eggs and WSMs.

I'm sure he can put a grate inside the firebox so you can use that as a grill AND you have a smoker as well

[Ratmo]

Thanks for the props guys!
As a matter of fact, the last 5 or 6 ive built have had the grill/smoker.
Here is one I just finished.






This is a 18" dia, 1/4" wall. 3.5' main chamber w/18" firebox. Stack is 4.5"
It was pretty cold the day I took those pics, I can get some better ones, if needed. Waitin on ol boy ta come pic this one up.

[SaginawHunter]

I'm trying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in sweetwater today I had a system go belly up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ratmo]

LOL, I aint worried. Take your time, and dont wreck again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SaginawHunter]

Ratmo are you going to be around saturday.

[Ratmo]

Ratmo are you going to be around saturday.

I will make sure I am, if your wantin to pick this up. Just give me a idea on time.