I'm thinking about getting this.

Anybody have one?

Meatball, I didn't have that particular smoker, but I had a similar one made by Dave Klose down in Texas (interesting guy who can custom-make grills.....can Google to get particulars). Anyway, it was similar in design....but it was larger.

Two downsides of that type of unit (in my mind): (1) it takes a lot of charcoal to get it heated up as there's a lot of air that needs heating, (2) temperature control is DEFINITELY not as simple as with a ceramic unit. You've gotta watch the temp pretty closely on the units with the firebox on the side.

That said, they are fun to use and do a GREAT job of smoking a lot of meat. So, if you want to watch the smoker (whilst imbibing on an adult beverage or twenty), that type of smoker is great. If you want more of a set-it-and-forget it type unit (eg. put a brisket on and get to the proper temp and leave the house to go watch your kid play a ball game), well a ceramic is the way to go. Plus, generally speaking that smoker unit is for smoking and NOT grilling. Can do both on a ceramic.

GET BOTH!!!

Good info, thanks.

this. all day. I'm not sure of the "gel". I use a white waxy-looking thing that I get at home depot. there are 24 wax cubes per pack. you take a match or lighter, light that sumbitch, and then put your chimney (full of charcoal first, son) on top of burning cube.

drink a beer.
dump chimney of white hot coals on grill.
????
profit.

seriously tho, I've seen people set chimneys on the grill and do that, me personally, like when i'm at the stadium, or in a grassy area outside the stadium, I use a 12 inch by 12 inch paver-stone to set my chimney, as I don't want to put anything non food on my actual grill area.


that reminds me I need to grill something this weekend now. kudos!!

My traeger Texas elite will be here tomorrow. So stoked!

I've never used a Traeger, but have heard they're very nice units. Keep us posted on how it works out for you......Enjoy!!!

I use a Traeger. The work great for grilling or smoking. Hardest thing is leaving them alone.

What part of the City did you decide to move to?

That was my first style of smoker...it was OK, but not close the quality I get from my "Good One"

I'll be just off Milwaukee Ave in Bucktown. I'm much more excited about it than I imagined.

I've had my BGE in a wood table on a wood deck for 6 years with no problems. I have it resting on a piece of slate in the wood. You can touch the slate even when grilling at high heat with no problem. It also isn't a problem when doing a long smoke of 15 hours at 225.

This is good to hear and likely the setup I'll go with. I do several overnight cooks and want the piece of mind that my smoker isn't going to catch the deck on fire. Nothing is worse than feeling rundown the day of the party because you were up all night paranoid about your smoker.

Hey, baby. You smell smoke?
**** off, go back to sleep.

This isn't necessary, but I think it would be a huge plus for someone who smokes overnight or isn't able to sit by the smoker all day/night. I use it for everything but high temp cooks. It works great for grilling chicken and pork as well as smoking anything.

https://www.bbqguru.com/

My first, too.

What do you have now?

Got the green light from my HOA on a charcoal smoker for the deck. There's even a gas line that runs out to the deck for grills.

Still leaning ceramic with a table. I have an attached garage 4 floors down so storing it in the winter may be a challenge. Any concern leaving a ceramic under a cover outside for a Chicago winter?