Food and Drink Smoker Options - Wood Deck - Page 2

KCUnited · 04-02-2015, 05:35 PM

As some may know, I'm relocating from KC to Chicago in May. I bought a condo in the city and my unit is on the top floor with a giant private wood deck on the roof which will be my primary outdoor space.

I'd like to be able to smoke, but have always set up on concrete. The building is brick, but the deck and railing is wood. The guy I'm buying it from had a Big Green Egg up there that he smoked on so I assume the HOA approved. He had it flat on a heat mat, no nest or anything. I currently have a Weber Smokey Mountain and definitely don't feel comfortable lighting my coals with a chimney near wood. I see the BGE can utilize an electric heating element to ignite the coals, so that seems safer.

CP smokers, any thoughts on smoking options on a wood deck? Opinions seem pretty mixed in my initial Google search. Anyone have experience with a BGE? Does it contain the heat/embers enough for a wood deck?

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-02-2015, 07:17 PM

I'm thinking about getting this.

Anybody have one?

**Meatloaf** · 04-02-2015, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

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!!!

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-02-2015, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatloaf

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.

**cabletech94** · 04-02-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

Chimney and lighter gel

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!!

Reerun_KC · 04-02-2015, 08:29 PM

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

**Meatloaf** · 04-02-2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

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!!!

**ExtremeChief** · 04-03-2015, 06:47 AM

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

**ChiTown** · 04-03-2015, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

It's mine. Penthouse, playa.

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

Mojo Jojo · 04-03-2015, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I'm thinking about getting this.

Anybody have one?

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

KCUnited · 04-03-2015, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

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

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

Great Expectations · 04-03-2015, 07:44 AM

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.

KCUnited · 04-03-2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

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.

Great Expectations · 04-03-2015, 08:39 AM

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/

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-03-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo Jojo

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

My first, too.

What do you have now?

KCUnited · 04-05-2015, 08:05 AM

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?

04-02-2015, 05:35 PM
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1391756	Smoker Options - Wood Deck As some may know, I'm relocating from KC to Chicago in May. I bought a condo in the city and my unit is on the top floor with a giant private wood deck on the roof which will be my primary outdoor space. I'd like to be able to smoke, but have always set up on concrete. The building is brick, but the deck and railing is wood. The guy I'm buying it from had a Big Green Egg up there that he smoked on so I assume the HOA approved. He had it flat on a heat mat, no nest or anything. I currently have a Weber Smokey Mountain and definitely don't feel comfortable lighting my coals with a chimney near wood. I see the BGE can utilize an electric heating element to ignite the coals, so that seems safer. CP smokers, any thoughts on smoking options on a wood deck? Opinions seem pretty mixed in my initial Google search. Anyone have experience with a BGE? Does it contain the heat/embers enough for a wood deck?
Posts: 36,842

04-02-2015, 07:17 PM	#16
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	I'm thinking about getting this. Anybody have one? Attached Thumbnails
Posts: 59,997

04-02-2015, 08:29 PM	#20
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	My traeger Texas elite will be here tomorrow. So stoked!
Posts: 1,529

04-03-2015, 06:47 AM	#22
ExtremeChief Poser Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: BFE, MO Casino cash: $9991344	I use a Traeger. The work great for grilling or smoking. Hardest thing is leaving them alone. __________________ When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Posts: 2,354

04-03-2015, 07:44 AM	#26
Great Expectations MVP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Joplin, MO Casino cash: $10892338	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. __________________
Posts: 7,302

04-03-2015, 08:39 AM	#28
Great Expectations MVP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Joplin, MO Casino cash: $10892338	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/ __________________
Posts: 7,302

04-05-2015, 08:05 AM	#30
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1391756	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?
Posts: 36,842