Help me choose the right smoker

[mkindc]

Hi all,

I've decided to purchase a smoker, and after some research, I've settled on a Bradley. However, I'm not sure which model is best for me and am hoping for some advice. It's for home use only and I'm not a hunter, so I'll never have huge quantities to smoke. It will live outside, in an area with access to power. The climate here in Southern California is mild near the coast. I'm a good cook, but a novice smoker. Budget isn't my primary driver, but there's no sense in paying for bells and whistles I'll never use.

What do you think? Any and all advice appreciated.

--Matt

[hal4uk]

What do you want to smoke?  You can smoke all sorts of stuff...
How many do you plan on feeding at one time?
Smoking now and then?  Or often?

[mkindc]

To quote you, I plan to smoke "all sorts of stuff" -- everything from meats to fish to mayonnaise. I can't imagine I'll have too much at once. I can envisions batches like a couple of chickens or a side of salmon...things like that. Realistically, every now and then. I can't imagine smoking becoming a weeknight dinner thing.

[muebe]

If you do not plan on smoking sausage or smoking huge loads of meat then a Original Bradley 4-rack with a Auberins dual probe PID would be the ticket instead of the digital. If you plan on smoking cheese or anything else cold then the cold smoke adapter is a must. You can make your own cold smoke adapter to save some money.

[La Quinta]

mkindc...I have a four rack OBS for the last number of years...I love it...and we probably smoke like you do (meaning the size of loads you're thinking about) the unit is a trooper...I did buy the cold smoke adaptor because of where I live in So Cal...our cold smoking window is pretty short so...it was a well worth it investment...but...I know people who love the digital too..but I like the original...

Just my 2 cents...Where do you live? Lots of us in SoCal... ;D

[Hopefull Romantic]

Hi mkindc and welcome aboard

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".

Hady

[KyNola]

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".
Hady

Especially when you got a bunch of angry women standing over you demanding that you go out in the middle of the night in Jordan to buy more cheese to smoke, right Hady? :D (I remembered that little situation ;) HR)

[OU812]

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".
Hady

Especially when you got a bunch of angry women standing over you demanding that you go out in the middle of the night in Jordan to buy more cheese to smoke, right Hady? :D (I remembered that little situation ;) HR)

Me too.  :D



mkindc;

I got the 6 rack mainly for the taller cabnet, made it easer to hang summer sausage.

[Hopefull Romantic]

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".
Hady

Especially when you got a bunch of angry women standing over you demanding that you go out in the middle of the night in Jordan to buy more cheese to smoke, right Hady? :D (I remembered that little situation ;) HR)

Me too.  :D



mkindc;

I got the 6 rack mainly for the taller cabnet, made it easer to hang summer sausage.

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".
Hady

Especially when you got a bunch of angry women standing over you demanding that you go out in the middle of the night in Jordan to buy more cheese to smoke, right Hady? :D (I remembered that little situation ;) HR)

You guys remember that!....... IT STILL HAUNTS ME.

Hady

[OU812]

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".
Hady

Especially when you got a bunch of angry women standing over you demanding that you go out in the middle of the night in Jordan to buy more cheese to smoke, right Hady? :D (I remembered that little situation ;) HR)

Me too.  :D



mkindc;

I got the 6 rack mainly for the taller cabnet, made it easer to hang summer sausage.

I have the 6 rack digital along with the cold soke adaptor and the single probe PID. Some times I would some some cheese but others I had to smoke in two loads. Always believed in; "its better to have it and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it".
Hady

Especially when you got a bunch of angry women standing over you demanding that you go out in the middle of the night in Jordan to buy more cheese to smoke, right Hady? :D (I remembered that little situation ;) HR)

You guys remember that!....... IT STILL HAUNTS ME.

Hady

And you havent ran out sence then.  :D

[Hopefull Romantic]

Curt right before I left, I smoked around 8-9 pounds of different cheeses that my wife picked. Now I am entering my 6th week on my business trip and will on skype with my wife, she showed the only two vacuum packed pieces left.

HR

[Shasta bob]

welcome aboard, YES another west coaster, we are gaining more and more all the time. But yes we are a long way from the following going on the East coast.

[OU812]

Curt right before I left, I smoked around 8-9 pounds of different cheeses that my wife picked. Now I am entering my 6th week on my business trip and will on skype with my wife, she showed the only two vacuum packed pieces left.

HR

I know what you gotta do when you get home.  :D  ;D

[Hopefull Romantic]

Curt right before I left, I smoked around 8-9 pounds of different cheeses that my wife picked. Now I am entering my 6th week on my business trip and will on skype with my wife, she showed the only two vacuum packed pieces left.

HR

I know what you gotta do when you get home.  :D  ;D

Not only cheese I am afraid. There are two whole atlantic salmons pending, a stuffed leg of lamb and a small surprise to all that I believe has not been done here before.

Hady

[OU812]

Curt right before I left, I smoked around 8-9 pounds of different cheeses that my wife picked. Now I am entering my 6th week on my business trip and will on skype with my wife, she showed the only two vacuum packed pieces left.

HR

I know what you gotta do when you get home.  :D  ;D

Not only cheese I am afraid. There are two whole atlantic salmons pending, a stuffed leg of lamb and a small surprise to all that I believe has not been done here before.

Hady

Oh Oh,,,,,I love suprises,,,, cant wait.  ;D