Propane Smoker
 

I'm looking to purchase a smoker, and for a few reasons, felt that a propane smoker would work best for my situation. Looking for one you can set and forget. Also like the fact that they're portable. I can take it to the Rose Bowl when I go to watch my Bruins on Saturday's. Also want one with a large capacity. My concern is having one that can maintain low temps since most of what I will be using it for is fish. Does anyone have any experience with propane smokers. I have looked at the home depot models (link below) and have done quite a bit of research, but I was hoping someone had some experience with a propane smoker that they might be able to pass along. Thanks in advance!

http://www.homedepot.com/s/propane%2520smoker?NCNI-5

I have a portable smoker from Green Mountain. It's a pellet smoker and works great. It is on the small side, but like i said it works great. I can smoke two 8 pound pork butts in it. I can also smoke 5 rack of ribs using a rack. I'm in the process of buying a rack to smoke more fish. Look into it!!!

The smaller smokers from HD or Lowes work just fine, except they heat up. Not exactly what you want for smoking fish. Heat cooks fish....cold smoke....smokes fish.
The small set ups will work for both fish and other meats. Use the burner set up for smoking butts/racks/brisket etc, then use a cold smoke generator to smoke the fish.
Youtube has great example of how to make a cold smoker. Pretty much its an aquarium pump, and a metal container using the venturi effect to push the smoke from the tinder box to the smoker while keeping the heat to a minimum.
AS far as set and forget.......you will be spending some coin for that luxury.
There are a few auto pellet feeders out there, which are tied to 110v outlets, and have heat/burner control built in. I think they start out around $600 for just the burner.

My next smoker will be something like this

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Masterbuilt-JM...d-8926ca7f6de5

I use a Weber Smokey Mountain right now with GREAT results. You can get accessories for it that make it set & forget, or control from your smartphone. I have not gone that route yet. Yet. Consist of a blower & temp probe.

My next addition will either be a Traeger from Costco or a Cookshack.

I have a propane smoker and you most definitely don't set it and forget it. You need lower consistent temperatures over long periods of time with lots of smoke. The problem is, smoke and lower temperatures don't usually go hand in hand. It's a balancing act, that you'll have to figure out for your particular smoker. I'm sure its different for every model smoker out there...but once you find a good balance you'll have amazing results!

And if you don't have one of these...get one! even if you don't have a smoker...just get it!

A-maze-n Tube smoker

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps8969bb45.jpg

Not a propane smoker but I highly recommend the Traeger.
I got mine from Costco.
Got the smaller one with the temp control for mainly smoking fish.
I love this thing so much that I wish I got the bigger model.
They may cost a bit more, but well worth it.
JMHO.
-JJ-

Same. Use mine for EVERYTHING!!

X3

How did I know this would make it tougher...Thanks for the advice.

smoker
 

I have a Traeger - expensive but worth every penny!!

I have the Masterbuilt Propane Cookmaster. Not really all that portable, though it does have wheels. It does a good enough job on smoking just about anything, I have no complaints except that for some reason I can't ever get it to cook lower than 200 degrees. So things tend to cook a little faster than I might otherwise want them to. But it could be that I need to open the vents up a little more. But that then lets out the smoke and that's the whole point of having a smoker.

But I cook some killer smoked salmon in it and it turns out perfect every time.

Freakin Traegers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ExJrfgJ8zU

Yeah those traegers are pretty cool, a bit expensive...but in this case I would say it's totally worth it...cause It's for cooking MEAT! Looks like the cheapest model is about $429.00, not bad.

That being said the ol' propane cabinet smokers are good as well too. I just did a batch of yellowfin tuna on monday and it was insane! You'll probably have more capacity vs the traeger, having multiple racks and all. You also need one of these....

http://cdn.smokingmeatforums.com/c/c...de_et-732.jpeg

Have you checked out the Green Mountain Grills?

About to pull the trigger on a Traeger, but I'll check them out.

If you are going to get a Traeger then keep an eye on your Costco. Best pricing and unbeatable, no questions asked returns. Plus the extra rebate if you are exec member

I love my Green Mountin Grill. 150 to 550 degrees, set it and walk away!!! Ribs, fish, pulled pork, beef, chicken, turkey. It can do it all. Fresh bread, pies, you name it , great temp control.