Reddit reviews Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Gas Smoker
We found 5 Reddit comments about Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Gas Smoker. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
595 square inch cooking surface with 3 chrome-plated cooking grates7,566 cubic inches of cooking spaceWarming rack on top of smoker chamberGas feature allows consistent heat for better smoke experiencePorcelain wood chip and water pan
This is better than any 'guide' I found on google- thanks man! Would anything change if i were to use a gas smoker like this?
This one - a vertical propane smoker.
char-broil vertical gas smoker
I would recommend the Pit barrel Cooker ($300) if you can swing it.
Additionally, amazingribs has a great database on grills and smokers.
If you're looking for a compromise between electric and charcoal, go gas. I use a propane smoker and it's super easy to use. You don't need to baby sit it, just add more wood every 45 min-1hr. I have the Char-Broil Vertical Gas Smoker. It's the refrigerator type you're describing. Comes with 3 cooking grates.
I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Char-Broil-12701705P1-Vertical-Gas-Smoker/dp/B004J66WWG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486686832&sr=8-1&keywords=vertical+gas+smoker+charbroil
I have a Big Chief electric that I use for fish, vegetables, cheese and all non-meat items. It won't reliably maintain temp above 200F, but it's perfect for fish, which really shouldn't be smoked over 200F. And it's completely user serviceable, so if the element goes out, you can buy one at a fishing store and replace it. Unfortunately, it's unsuitable for meat, which needs to be smoked at 200F-350F, so I have a charcoal smoker for meat.
When it comes to an electric meat smoker such as you're trying to decide on, the ideas of a beginning (inexpensive) smoker and a good smoker are mutually exclusive. Both of the smokers you mention have a reputation for breaking down due to shoddy workmanship. If I had to pick between two evils, I'd go with the Masterbuilt, because Cajun Injector is basically a food company that has a reputation for a whole host of its spot-welded barbecue/grill products falling apart with normal use.
For an electric that won't break down in the first year or two, $300 is your beginning price point with the Smokin-It 1. The sweet spot, pricewise, IMO, would be the Cookshack Smokette at $675. Good electrics are pricey.
You'll get a much better beginner's value if you go propane. Char-Broil is a good choice. You might need to seal some cracks with high temp caulk and put a high temp silicone gasket around the door space to make it airtight, but this is the only issue I've heard about it. Camp Chef's Smoke Vault is another good one.
I understand the attraction of set it & forget it, but don't think propane needs a lot of skill to operate. No matter what type of smoker you get, you'll want to get a wireless dual probe thermometer (e.g., Maverick so you can monitor meat temp and smoke temp from your pocket clip-on monitor. You can't trust any thermometer that comes attached to the smoker. Anyway, the main thing to worry about with propane smokers is to keep an extra canister of propane on hand in case you use one up in the middle of a smoke. As far as insulation goes, if you live in the north and want to smoke after September, you'll need to use exterior insulation anyway, and a windbreak.