Smokers, charcoal, gas electric

[MOPanfisher]

Sitting in my wife's stand this morning, thinking about a new smoker.  I started out many years ago with a cheap charcoal kettle smoker, make a lot of good food in it, moved up to a big charcoal/wood smoker a buddy had given me, one with the big pipe main body and attached fire box and made a ton of stuff with it, finally instead of building a new firebox for it I gave it to another friend and bought a rope smoker.  was perfect for most of my smoking, briskets, pork, turkeys and of course summer sausage.  last year or so it filly gave up when the whole gas supply system from the regulator to the burner quit.  I have decided I must have a smoker again, now whether to buy parts and fix up he old gas one or buy new is the question.  Bass Pro and Academy both have a nice 40 inch electric on sale for black Friday, but have never owned an electric one.   reviews on them ranged from Awesome to piece of junk.  thoughts, opinions, reccomendations on smokers?

[snagged in outlet 3]

My kids bought me that one last year.  If it's the Bradley with BPS name on it.  Shot craps on the third meal.  I had put the butt in the smoker at 3 AM.  Got up at 7 or so and it had quit heating up.  Had a house full of people coming over but no BBQ.  I took it back and I'm still using my cheap electric cylinder.

[JerryK]

I am no expert but my wife got me a Masterbuilt electric a few years ago.  It works very well.  Temperature control is great with an electric smoker, and that is very important. Window is also a nice feature.

[MOPanfisher]

It's a master built I believe that they are putting on sale.

[Old plug]

I got a big Gen Aid that I do not think is ever going to wear out. I  have neighbors though that own pellet BBQ's to me that is the only way to go. 

[Dutch]

I have been using an electric smoker for close to 20 years.  I am on my second as the burner on the first one completely burned into.  I use it at least weekly.  It is quick and easy with little or no cleanup.

[MOPanfisher]

What brand do you have Dutch?

[Gavin]

Have a big offset stick burner, but next one will be a St. Louis drum smoker. The cook quick and win allot of completions. My friend Mark makes them in Washington MO.

[WoundedOne]

I myself do not like the fact of a electric smoker due to having to have electricity wherever you would like to use it. Then the fact like you said the reviews are so all over the board of what's is good. To me that's a red flag. Yes they work when they work no temp spikes etc... I recommend a WeberSmokey Mountain this smoker flat out works time and time again, they come in 18 and 22 inch its charcoal add wood chunks as needed. I have a 22. It holds a lot of meat. I can set it to 225 to 260 and will will be steady for 12 + hours on some smokes. I have done Brisket pork shoulder no problem with a full load of charcoal and still had some fuel left if needed to go longer. The only modification I made is change out the font door. The stock oneis little flimsy 

[WoundedOne]

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