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Charcoal and Grillpro BBQ Smoker Buyer's Guide

Updated on January 1, 2012
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Keith Schroeder writes The Wealthy Accountant blog and has over 30 years of experience in the tax field.

Nothing tastes better than meat or fish fresh from the BBQ smoker. The meat just melts in your mouth with a full and rich smoky flavor. You can spend a hundred dollars at a fancy BBQ restaurant feeding the family or, you can make your own any time you want for nothing more than the cost of the meat.

In this article I will review several BBQ smokers in several price ranges. A quality BBQ smoker can be had for under $100. For big gatherings, a larger smoker is required. The money saved over catering with one party can pay for a large BBQ smoker. You can impress family, friends, and neighbors with professional BBQ, better than even the fanciest restaurant.

Brinkman Smoker

Brinkmann 810-5301-6 Smoke'N Grill Charcoal Smoker and Grill

The Brinkman is the perfect smoker for under $100 and can handle 50 pounds at a time with two grills. A front hinged door offers easy access to add more charcoal or water. This small cooker feeds the family fast and easy. If you are looking for your first smoker and want a low investment, the Brinkman is the place to start.

Cobb Smoker

Cobb CB042 Pro Portable BBQ Grill and Smoker

For around $100 you can move up to the Cobb. This smoker cooks up to 500°F and burns up to 3 hours on only 8 to 10 briquettes while remaining cool on the exterior, a must when children are present. It is hard to believe a 10 pound smoker can make so much delicious BBQ.

BBQ Ribs

Masterbuilt Smoker

Masterbuilt 7 in 1 Smoker and Grill

At the $150 range you can own a propane smoker with loads of added features. The Masterbuilt uses either propane or charcoal. I think a real BBQ uses charcoal, but that is just me. This smoker also has a deep fryer. Ease of use in most weather is a powerful bonus. Once the charcoal is lit, all you need to do is wait 5 hours for the best chops you ever tasted.

How to BBQ Baby Back Ribs

GrillPro Smoker

GrillPro 31840 Heavy-Duty Vertical Charcoal Smoker

At the $200 level you can own a heavy-duty. Features on the GrillPro include 543 inch cooking area, 12 hooks, cast-iron smoker box, 3 adjustable cooking racks, and a steel water bowl. You can feed the neighborhood, handle a graduation party, or serve a wedding when you own a GrillPro.

Bradley Smoker

Bradley BTIS1 Original Fully Automatic 4-Rack Outdoor Food Smoker

Now we are getting serious about our BBQ. When you need a 2288 cubic inch stainless steel interior, a 500W and 125W cooking element, and a BBQ that goes 8 hours before needing more fuel, you need the Bradley. If there is a better smoker on the planet, let me know in the comments section below. Of course, you can sing the praises of the Bradley BBQ smoker in the comments, as well.

All the smokers in this article are super. Small jobs are handled with smaller smokers. For the serious BBQ enthusiast, you need a Bradley. It will serve you for many years and handle the family dinner and family reunion with equal ease.

Hickory Wood Chips

Wood Chips

Don’t forget the hickory wood chips, ideal for smoking meats, fish, vegetables, and poultry.

Mesquite isn’t bad either. Does anything taste bad smoked with mesquite?

You Can Taste it Already

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