Posted by admin | Posted in outdoor cooking | Posted on 27-10-2009
Tags: bbq, charcoal, charcoal smoker grills, charcoal smoker recipes, charcoal smoker reviews, charcoal smoker tips, charcoal smokers, cooking, food, smoker
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 Black SmokeN Grill Charcoal Smoker for Smokehouse Style BBQ Cooks up to 50 Lbs $54.49 Time Remaining: 15d 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $54.49 |
 VTG HASTY BAKE CHARCOAL BBQ PORTABLE GRILL COOKER SMOKER OVEN BLACK COVER NICE $41.56 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 19h |
 Brinkmann Split Door Wood Charcoal BBQ Meat Smoker NIB $119.99 Time Remaining: 28d 8h 34m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 PSM Big Green Egg Charcoal Grill Smoker Plate Setter for Medium Egg 12 $42.99 Time Remaining: 27d 6h 39m Buy It Now for only: $42.99 |
 BUY 2 2 550 RWB BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL WOOD SMOKER OVEN PIT TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER $14.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 1m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 2 550 RWB BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL WOOD SMOKER OVEN PIT TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER $7.55 Time Remaining: 18d 7h 34m Buy It Now for only: $7.55 |
 3 BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL PIT WOOD SMOKER TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER 25 STEM SS RWB $15.59 Time Remaining: 12d 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $15.59 |
 Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker BBQ Smoker Barbeque 225 Smoking Charcoal NEW 2012 $388.88 Time Remaining: 19d 12h 38m Buy It Now for only: $388.88 |
 Charcoal Companion New Nonstick V Shaped Smoker Box $24.61 Time Remaining: 21h 43m |
 Brinkmann SmokeN Grill Charcoal Smoker $53.99 Time Remaining: 23d 20h 27m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 |
 10 POUNDS of PECAN HICKORY OAK OUTDOOR COOKING WOOD BBQ SMOKER GRILL CHARCOAL $16.95 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 20m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 New Heavy Duty Brinkmann Charcoal Barrel Smoker Grill 427 sq in $89.99 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 47m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 77901 Weber Charcoal Grill Smoker Kettle Damper Kit $3.99 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 55m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 2 BASIC RC CHARCOAL GAS GRILL PIT SMOKER THERMOMETER BBQ THERMOSTAT GAUGE $9.85 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 33m Buy It Now for only: $9.85 |
 Charcoal Burning BBQ Grill Smoker Pit Temperature Controller 600 Remote WIFI $99.00 Time Remaining: 12d 1h 18m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Smokenator 1000 Smoker for Weber 225 Charcoal Kettle Grill $46.00 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 8h 12m |
 New Brinkmann Smoker 15 Replacement Charcoal Pan $12.95 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 36m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 BUY 2 2 475 RWB BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL WOOD SMOKER OVEN PIT TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER $14.99 Time Remaining: 20d 51m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 2 BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL PIT WOOD SMOKER TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER 25 STEM SS RWB $7.59 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 36m Buy It Now for only: $7.59 |
 3 RCT3W BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER ADJUSTABLE $16.95 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 812 3040 S Brinkmann Off set Smoker 61 Charcoal Grill Cover $25.99 Time Remaining: 8d 15h 16m Buy It Now for only: $25.99 |
 Weber 721001 Charcoal 185 Smokey Mountain Cooker BBQ Smoker 18 1 2 Inches $299.99 Time Remaining: 15d 9h 59m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 New Brinkmann Smoke N Grill Charcoal Smoker Grill Cooks 4 Ways $55.99 Time Remaining: 3d 19h 58m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 |
 charcoal smoker box $55.00 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 Char Griller Kamado Kooker Charcoal Grill and Smoker Cover 6655 $29.99 Time Remaining: 16d 4h 22m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 GrillLife Stainless Steel Upright Chicken Roaster DH703 4086 Gas Charcoal Smoker $7.99 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 22m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 Primo Grill Replacement Gasket Seal charcoal dome smoker grill bbq large komodo $15.40 Time Remaining: 26d 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $15.40 |
 New Weber 721001 Charcoal 185 Smokey Mountain Cooker BBQ Smoker 18 1 2 Inches $288.88 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 59m Buy It Now for only: $288.88 |
 Stainless Steel Convection Charcoal Cooker BBQ Smoker + Poultry Stand Cookbook $178.65 Time Remaining: 25d 20h 19m Buy It Now for only: $178.65 |
 CHAR GRILLER 5050 DUO GAS CHARCOAL GRILL SMOKER 40800 BTU + SIDE BURNER $260.00 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 Charcoal Smoker Steel Grill Smoke Barbeque Cooking Barbecue BBQ Side Firebox $275.99 Time Remaining: 19d 15h 40m Buy It Now for only: $275.99 |
 NEW Masterbuilt Charcoal Barrel Barbeque Grill With Prep Shelf Temp Smoker $79.97 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 22m Buy It Now for only: $79.97 |
 Char Broil Offset Smoker American Gourmet Deluxe Charcoal Grill $190.99 Time Remaining: 5d 16h 52m Buy It Now for only: $190.99 |
 CHARGRILLER 16619 KAMADO KOOKER CHARCOAL GRILL AND SMOKER 306 SQ IN AUTH DEALER $481.99 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $481.99 |
 63024 Weber Charcoal Smoker Water Pan 18 1 2 Smokey Mountain new $29.99 Time Remaining: 18d 14h 25m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Weber Charcoal Large Smoker Cover for 22 1 2 99915 new $21.99 Time Remaining: 9d 12h 57m Buy It Now for only: $21.99 |
 charcoal bbq smoker uses chips Smoke fish pork chickenbeef jerky new $109.00 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 34m |
 Viking Charcoal Ceramic Smoker and 20 Wide Cart $3,199.99 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3,199.99 |
 BUY 2 3 475 RWB BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL WOOD SMOKER OVEN PIT TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER $29.79 Time Remaining: 12d 20h 47m Buy It Now for only: $29.79 |
 Hickory Grilling Smoking BBQ Wood charcoal 88 pcs for Smoker chunks roast cook $14.95 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 40m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 New Portable 185 Barrel CHARCOAL GRILL Table Top BBQ Smoker Fire Box $99.89 Time Remaining: 8d 12h 17m Buy It Now for only: $99.89 |
 Brinkmann American Gourmet Steel Offset Wood Charcoal BBQ Meat Smoker NIB 0 SH $164.99 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 57m Buy It Now for only: $164.99 |
 CHARCOAL CABINET SMOKER HEAVY DUTY UPRIGHT SLOW COOKER 4 SHELVES MEAT GAME FISH $159.99 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 21m Buy It Now for only: $159.99 |
 Charcoal Companion New Nonstick V Shaped Smoker Box $25.65 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 14h 29m |
 Charcoal Basket for UDS 55 gallon barrel barrels Ugly drum smoker grill $23.00 Time Remaining: 7d 20h 37m Buy It Now for only: $23.00 |
 6 BBQ SPRING HANDLE GRILL PIT SMOKER CHARCOAL BARBECUE COOKER WOOD STOVE $8.99 Time Remaining: 18d 17h 35m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 charcoal bbq smoker uses chips Smoke fish pork chickenbeef jerky new $139.00 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 14m Buy It Now for only: $139.00 |
 NEW smoker box GREAT GAS CHARCOAL GRILL BARBECUE SMOKY WOOD CHERRY SMOKING BBQ $22.65 Time Remaining: 27d 2h 7m Buy It Now for only: $22.65 |
 Large Black Charcoal and Water Smoker Smoke Barbeque Cooking Barbecue BBQ Grill $113.99 Time Remaining: 16d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $113.99 |
 Brinkmann 810 5301 6 SmokeN Grill Charcoal Smoker and Grill Black $86.65 Time Remaining: 26d 6h 46m Buy It Now for only: $86.65 |
 3 RCT3 BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER ADJUSTABLE $16.50 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 31m Buy It Now for only: $16.50 |
 Smoky Mountain 36 Wood Charcoal Smoker Grill NEW open for photo only Heavy $100.00 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 25m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 |
 Brinkmann SmokeN Grill Charcoal Smoker $54.95 Time Remaining: 20d 11h 55m Buy It Now for only: $54.95 |
 Brinkmann Replacement Charcoal Pan Lava Rock Pan for All In One Series Smokers $18.95 Time Remaining: 16d 21h 50m Buy It Now for only: $18.95 |
 Marsh Allen Charcoal Smoker Grill 20530 $105.00 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 11m Buy It Now for only: $105.00 |
 Landmann 3495CLA 34 Charcoal EASY ACCESS 2 Drawer Vertical Smoker CSA Certifed $299.95 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 43m Buy It Now for only: $299.95 |
 2 RIVER COUNTRY BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER 50 550 $13.95 Time Remaining: 21h 34m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 3 BASIC RCFC CHARCOAL GAS GRILL PIT SMOKER THERMOMETER BBQ THERMOSTAT GAUGE $15.95 Time Remaining: 21h 45m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 Charcoal All in one Grill and Smoker $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 28m |
 DELUXE CHARCOAL SMOKER AND GRILL 16 200 SQ IN COOKING AREA DOME BBQ BARBEQUE $69.99 Time Remaining: 15d 16h 35m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 97201 Weber Smokey Mountain 185 Charcoal Smoker Grill Cover $21.99 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 39m Buy It Now for only: $21.99 |
 Brinkmann Vertical Smoker Cover Charcoal or Electric $14.95 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 5m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Cedar Wood Chips for Gas Charcoal Grills Smokers 275 $5.49 Time Remaining: 8d 14h 54m Buy It Now for only: $5.49 |
 70701 Weber Charcoal Smoker 185 Smokey Mountain Cooking Grid Grate $11.99 Time Remaining: 24d 7h 14m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Grill Pro Commerical Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box 00185 gas or charcoal $11.99 Time Remaining: 28d 11h 55m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Outdoor Yard Picnic Smoke N Pit Charcoal Grill and Smoker with Shelves $375.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 53m |
 3 RCT34 BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER 4 STEM 50 550 $19.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 37m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel Gas Grill Smoker Box with Lid $20.80 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 2m Buy It Now for only: $20.80 |
 CHAR GRILLER KING GRILLER KAMADO KOOKER CHARCOAL GRILL SMOKER 16619 AUTH DEAL $400.83 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 22m Buy It Now for only: $400.83 |
 Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 1 2 Charcoal Smoker $299.00 Time Remaining: 9d 9h 17m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 Landmann 590135 Black Dog 42XT Wood Charcoal Grill Smoker Offset Fire Box $599.95 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 43m Buy It Now for only: $599.95 |
 5 RCT55 BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER 5 STEM 50 550 $35.50 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $35.50 |
 charcoal bbq smoker uses chips Smoke fish pork chickenbeef jerky new $109.00 Time Remaining: 5d 9h 19m |
 Brinkmann Gourmet Charcoal Smoker Grill +Cover Green $119.95 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 22m Buy It Now for only: $119.95 |
 GQ 260 Little Griddle Stainless Gas or Charcoal Grill and Smokers Griddle $189.99 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 10m Buy It Now for only: $189.99 |
 Weber Outdoor Smoker BBQ Charcoal Food Cooker NEW $348.99 Time Remaining: 10d 20h 7m Buy It Now for only: $348.99 |
 15 Inch Step Up Grill for Brinkmann Electric Charcoal Smokers 115 7001 0 $11.99 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 16m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 72601 Weber Charcoal Smoker 185 Smokey Mountain Rock Grate $13.99 Time Remaining: 23d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 Brinkmann 852 7080 9 Gourmet Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover Green $115.62 Time Remaining: 26d 12h 16m Buy It Now for only: $115.62 |
 Brinkman Gourmet Charcoal Smoker $100.00 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 53m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 Grill Pro Chromed Steel Wood Chip Smoker Box for Gas or Charcoal Grill 00100 $9.99 Time Remaining: 15d 13h 28m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 GrillPro Vinyl Charcoal Smoker Cover 19x31 84216 $6.49 Time Remaining: 17d 12h 16m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 Charcoal Companion New Nonstick V Shaped Smoker Box $29.15 Time Remaining: 9d 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $29.15 |
 Charcoal Companion Platinum Gas Grill Smoker Box with L $16.05 Time Remaining: 10d 9h 44m Buy It Now for only: $16.05 |
 ROCKET ROASTER Porcelain Aluminized Charcoal Cooker Smoker Grill NEW in Box $49.99 Time Remaining: 27d 16h 36m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Char Griller Charcoal Smoker Grill Smoke Barbeque Cooking Barbecue BBQ $262.99 Time Remaining: 11d 14h 31m Buy It Now for only: $262.99 |
 WEBER Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 1 2 Charcoal Smoker $143.89 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $249.99 |
 Meco Charcoal Combo Water Smoker 5031 NIB $75.00 Time Remaining: 9d 21h 42m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Black Charcoal Water Smoker and Grill Smoke Barbeque Cooking Barbecue BBQ $97.99 Time Remaining: 16d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $97.99 |
 2 RIVER COUNTRY SS DIAL BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER $15.50 Time Remaining: 22h 9m Buy It Now for only: $15.50 |
 FLAMELESS BBQ Grill Wood Chip SMOKER 20 Gauge Steel GAS ELECTRIC CHARCOAL New $75.00 Time Remaining: 4d 14m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 63025 Weber Charcoal Smoker Water Pan 22 1 2 Large Smokey Mountain new $36.99 Time Remaining: 28d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 Char Griller Charcoal Smoker Barbeque Charcoal Barbeque Grill with Side Fire Box $265.95 Time Remaining: 21d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $265.95 |
 Outdoor Yard Picnic Triple Function BBQ Charcoal and Gas Smoker and Grill $625.00 Time Remaining: 19h 33m |
 Char Griller 2222 Pro Deluxe Charcoal Grill Smoker $169.95 Time Remaining: 15d 7h 10m Buy It Now for only: $169.95 |
 Viking C4 Charcoal Ceramic Smoker Grill and 30 Wide Cart $4,299.99 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 14m Buy It Now for only: $4,299.99 |
 Brinkmann 810 5301 V SmokeN Grill Charcoal Smoker and Grill w Vinyl Cover NEW $43.54 Time Remaining: 16d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $43.54 |
 2 RC GLOW IN THE DARK BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER $19.95 Time Remaining: 21h 46m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 Cajun Injector Chicken Cooker 3 in 1 Cooking Roaster Smoker Charcoal Grill $116.95 Time Remaining: 16d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $116.95 |
 4 RCT4 BBQ CHARCOAL GAS ELECTRIC GRILL SMOKER PIT THERMOMETER 3 STEM 50 550 $26.95 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 |
Charcoal Smoker
Should You Buy A Gas Or Charcoal Smoker?
It was about five or six years ago now that I first got really into smoking and I have to say that that was primarily down to my purchase of a Big Green Egg. Not something that's readily supplied in the UK but after a few attempts at searching I managed to acquire one. The Big Green Egg has turned out to be a wonderful piece of kit, I love playing with charcoal and the results of my cooking (if I do say so myself) have been pretty good.
From there I started reading a lot more around the subject and I always wanted to try a gas smoker and understand the differences in the cooking techniques but buying a gas smoker really didn't appeal to me.
I bought a couple of books about smoking and they included some pretty basic diagrams about how to build and use a smoker. The diagrams weren't great and certainly not something that I would have been able to follow but the principle of a gas smoker was explained.
In order to distinguish between charcoal and gas let me first explain how the charcoal (Big Green Egg) smoker works. In the base of the unit is a firebox where the charcoal is placed and underneath is a vent to allow the air in to support combustion. The cooking grid sits in the upper area of the Egg and the two are separated by what the Green Egg manufacturers call the "plate setter" - in essence a piece of ceramic plate that ensures that no direct heat is applied to the food.
During the smoking process, wood chips are sprinkled onto the charcoal to create the smoke. This is the one disadvantage to the Big Green Egg in that in order to add more wood chips to your fire, you have to lift out the food rack and the plate setter to gain access. Funny enough, I've only ever had to add more wood chips and never charcoal because the fuel efficiency of the unit is magnificent.
A gas smoker actually in principle isn't that different in that the heat source is at the bottom, it's just simply about a different method of generating heat and smoke. The heat is generated by a gas burner and sitting on top of the burner is a sheet or tray of metal and into this tray is where you place the wood chips. Usually there's a door close to this tray to allow adjustment for the burner and the addition of fresh wood, this really is a lot more convenient than the Big Green Egg.
Technically speaking, between the food chamber in the top and where the burner is there should be a smoke spreader. This does a similar job to the plate setter in the Big Green Egg in that it disperses both heat and smoke to ensure that it spreads evenly around the food chamber. In some small gas smokers this really isn't that necessary but it is required in the larger models.
Both charcoal and gas smokers vent top and bottom to ensure that there is a continuous draft and this serves two purposes. Firstly the draft supports combustion and spreads the heat upwards into the food chamber and secondly it keeps the smoke moving – a closed environment won't produce as good a smoky flavor as one where the smoke is continually passed over the food.
So technically the differences are marginal and if you like playing with fire then there really is only one way to go. If however you're looking for practicality the gas is definitely an option worth considering.
In order to write this article, I have now built my own gas smoker but that's going to have to be a story for another day.
About the Author
Paul Yates has written gas grill reviews and a buyers guide to meat smokers. In addition he has now completed his technical drawings for building homemade meat smokers.
What type of charcoal should I use with my bbq smoker?
I'm new to BBQ smoking and any tips you have would be great. I know what type of wood I'm going to use for my pork, which will be hickory but, how about charcoal? should I use any brand at the store or whats the best to use with a bbq smoker.
Also if someone could recommend a good BBQ smoker with a price range from $50 - 150.
For the charcoal, in descending order of preference:
1. Hardwood charcoal. My favorite is the Big Green Egg kind. Whole Foods had a good line too although I haven't tried it recently.
2. Ordinary charcoal briquettes with no lighter fluid in them.
3. Those awful "instant-light" briquettes pre-dowsed in lighter fluid that make your food taste like a petroleum product.
Starting the Smoker