Shopping for a smoker

I had this whole long thing typed out and thought it might just be simpler to say,  look for something like the below just near your home location.  I don't knwo where you are, otherwise I would have tried to find something in that area.

http://pittsandspitts.com/SmokerPits.htm

Otherwise, it seems to me that Home Depot will have something suitable for you.  It sounds kind of like your friend is talking about a little higher quality than most people need or want, just my 2c.

I've been through many smokers in my day.  There is one that stands out above the rest.

Cookshack.  Built in the USA in OK.

www.cookshack.com

Yes, they are a bit pricey, but well worth every $ in my opinion.

Features that I like the best 1) electric with very good temperature control, 2) on casters for easy mobility, 3) built in drip tray, and 4) they are completely insulated (good for smoking in cold weather and not dangerous if little kids touch it while it's on)

Wendell

Ha, me too.  I was getting ready to ask why you'd want to encourage the habit.

JG is right: the Pitts and spitts link will show you some of the biggest and best. He also linked a nice one from HD. But for just a rack of ribs or a slab of salmon, this one will get 'er done:

Brinkmann Smoke 'n' Grill

Nothing wrong with spending hundreds or thousands, but you don't have to. I have had people rave about stuff that came off my Brinkmann. Now, it won't handle a whole brisket AND a rack of ribs (properly) but you can turn out a pretty good mixed grill with it, certainly enough to feed 8-10 people. Neither is the quality stellar, but it works and lasts as well as any other $40 product out there. My current one is only the 2nd I've had in 17 years. By comparison, I am on my 4th gas grill in less time than that.

I can't think of one friend of mine who smokes*. Probably why I didn't think to use the word in any other manner.

*Forgot, my neighbor smokes.

Thanks for that. I looked at the others and there's no way I'd spend $2k on a smoker. I don't eat that many ribs - and won't in the next 10 years - to justify that kind of spendiness. It's something I'd use maybe once or twice a month.

I just want something I can throw a rack of ribs on, just for me. Or, as I said, to smoke a pound of salmon.

I've been very happy with my Char-Griller.  Granted it is only a grill, but I can add an optional smoke box to the side and use it as a smoker. 

http://www.chargriller.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=9&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

I bought a propane-fired GOSM several years ago and love it. It's not fancy or high-end, but it gets the job done efficiently and without a lot of hassle. Meat comes out perfect every time. Should be a good low-priced entry-level smoker to cut your teeth on.

This site is the BT.com of the smoker world. Lots of recommendations and reviews as well as recipes and how-tos.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/

I have looked at the offset smokers, but it seemed like way more hardware than I need.

Good to know about the Green Egg.

Seconded.  Cookshacks flat out rock!

That's what I thought.

We have Brinkman electric.  Nothing fancy about it but it produces consistently good results.

TW

I've got the green brinkman smoker and it works ok for what I want it to do, but for more hard core Q'ers out there it has too many issues:

Lousy "thermometer", Temperature regulation is no existant since there aren't any vents in the lid/charcoal box, doesn't hold temp well in cold temps.

If I were looking to buy a new at home smoker I would get the big green egg or a webber bullet.