British BBQ Society Forums

Hello,
Hoping someone can help me. I'm completely new to smoking and want to buy my first smoker was hoping to get some advice on which ones are good, easy to use and value for money. Would like a charcoal hot smoker and looking to spend £100-£200. Thanks for your help

Hi Jimmie

For that budget you will struggle to buy a brand new quality smoker. Your options are to buy cheap, buy second hand, save up more money, or build your own.

I am a big advocate of building your own, I did so, and I have zilch in the way of DIY expertise. It was very easy and I have a huge, fantastic cooker for less than £100.

Robs right and the worst thing that you can do is buy cheap. Stretch your budget to a WSM 47 or take a look at the UDS route.

Thanks for your replays,
I don't think building my own is a very good idea though I struggle with flat pack let alone making something from scratch.

I did look at the wsm but was a bit pricey to what I originally thought I wanted to spend I'm gonna have to up the budget I think.
Just a couple of questions.
Do you think I need wsm 47? is the 37 just to small? I don't cater for loads of people normally 2adults 2kids.
And what's a good website to buy from?

Was looking at gourmet Brickmann would I just be wasting money with this one?

Thanks again

Jimmie13 wrote:Thanks for your replays,
I don't think building my own is a very good idea though I struggle with flat pack let alone making something from scratch.

I did look at the wsm but was a bit pricey to what I originally thought I wanted to spend I'm gonna have to up the budget I think.
Just a couple of questions.
Do you think I need wsm 47? is the 37 just to small? I don't cater for loads of people normally 2adults 2kids.
And what's a good website to buy from?

Was looking at gourmet Brickmann would I just be wasting money with this one?

Thanks again

I hear you on the build front, i'm not a diy or flat pack kind of guy

I know someone who's got a 37cm, 47cm & 57cm WSM and the 37cm is the one he uses most.

You might also want to think about the ProQ frontier as that will also fit in your price range.

Personally i would stay away from the Brinkmann as most people who get them have issues with temperatures and have to make mod's to them.

I had a brinkmann. It was pants.

Don't be afraid of building your own, I am terrible at diy but it really is a piece of cake! You will wind up with a smoker that performs like the 400 quid jobbies

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Dont go brinkman, its where we all started, a good learning experience but truly a waste of money. Based on the budget, I strongly suggest - ProQ, WSM 37cm, WSM47cm in that order.

Good luck, the UDS self builds are good value but you need to understand the the complexities of the build, air flow and what you want to achieve out of it. You could end up with an awesome piece of kit for sub £50 or a paper weight.

Thanks people,
Think I'm gonna wait a month and get the wsm 47 from what you guys are saying and what I've seen on the net looks like the best option.
What's a good website that you guys could recommend?
And what essentials do I need to get started? Chimney, thermometer etc
Thanks

A quick look at Google will get you something between £225-245 for the 47" and I would buy the chimney starter, a cover and some decent coals to start (Heat beads are awesome as burn is solid and reliable).

As I got more into it I bought the Maverick wireless thermometer and then a BBQ Guru PartyQ.

I haven't got a smoker as yet but definitely on my shopping list. Almost certain that I will go for WSM47. I am led to believe they are giving away free covers with them now.


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