Combo Smokers + propane

[twiggy2164]

For about $180 I bought a masterbuilt electric smoker and it’s been fairly reliable for the last 4 years. It has a programmable thermometer and timer, I usually have to go out about every 60-90 minutes to reload the chip tray. I’ve used it at temps under 180 to make jerky and dried cured beef with success


Tattoo Travis

[jjpeanasky]

I have a Green Mountain pellet smoker and it does really well. But, as Randy points out, temperature fluctuates some when set really low and the minimum temperature of the smoke chamber is about 175 degrees F.

That would be too warm for fish or cool smoking. But, one could take a tube from the stack to another box for cool smoking. Alton Brown did something like this when Good Eats made bacon.

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Eh, I smoke salmon at 180 then bump to 200 if needed. Works fine, just gotta give the smoker a bit to settle in before adding fish. I've got a green mountain as well.

- Josh Peanasky

[carrisr]

For complete's sake I too have an older model Green Mountain. Depending on what temp you run it at and the outside temp, it can run overnight or longer unattended.

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[karl]

The electric smokers typically have a pan that holds the wood chips and needs to have the ash dumped and be refilled every couple of hours. Some may have a continuous feed, but that's rare.

Pellet smokers take this to the next level with an auger feeding wood pellets into the combustion. Because they can do this a much higher portion of the heat comes from the wood rather than the ignitor element. Temperature control is pretty good but a little loose on the lowest setting.

Given the above, I chose to get a pellet smoker and have been pleased with the results. That being said, I haven't tried smoking salmon or other fish. It does make great ribs, pork butt, brisket, etc.

Given your requirements that it have automatic temperature control and minimal attention from start to finish, I'd recommend the pellet smokers as a general type of smoker.

Many of us have Green Mountain smokers and like them. And, I would recommend them. The Grill Store in Marion is a local dealer and you can check one out there. Or, stop by my place sometime to take a look at mine. I'll be smoking something this weekend, probably brisket.

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