#1 or #2

[Meatball]

Trying to decide on the purchase of a #1 or #2 model. Is size the only difference ? Appreciate the info and thanks!!!

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[old sarge]

Bobby - Welcome to the forum. The #1 has a 400 watt element and the #2 has an 800 watt element. The elements are sized for the smoker and the capacity they can handle. My advice, and it mirrors the advice from others on the forum is to get the largest smoker you can afford as you can always cook less than the stated capacity in a large smoker but cannot cook more in a smaller smoker. Balance that with how large a group you will be smoking for (family only or large get togethers) as well as your budget.  Just be assured you are buying the best smoker at the best price and enjoy. Dave

[SmokedGouda]

I have a #2 and love it. But bigger would always be better!

[swthorpe]

I have a #2 for a family of four and it works perfectly.  I also smoke for neighborhood parties and the #2 does the trick.  The question is how much meat do you need to smoke at any one point in time.   If the budget allows, it is always better to go bigger.   You can always smoke less meat in a #2,  but you can't smoke more meat in a #1.  So, if the budget can handled it, go with the #2.

[Meatball]

#2 it will be... lol    Thanks for all the input. This is an excellent site!

[BobM]

I Have the # 1 and it's been big enough for us.  But the kids are gone so it's only the two of us.  Some people stated bigger is better but bigger also uses more energy.  That's one of the reason I got the #1.  Yesterday I did a whole rack of spare ribs which required two trays and 7 hours.  The other thing about the #1 it's easy to carry.  For me that was great because I moved it to the far corner of my house away from the windows.

You should buy the size that is required to smoke the amount you want.

[Meatball]

Does the number 2 run hotter then the 1, or do they max out about the same?

[SuperDave]

Does the number 2 run hotter then the 1, or do they max out about the same?

If you aren't running "D" models they max out at the same, approx. 250.  The "D" models can easily reach another 100 degrees. 

[NDKoze]

You will be glad you opted for the #2. I went with the #3 and am very glad I went bigger. I just wish I could have afforded the #4.

[SconnieQ]

I have a #1, and am very happy with it. It has been perfect for my needs, and is a size that fits well in the space in which I use and store it. I never even considered the #2, and I have since never wished I had gotten a larger one. That being said... I think the fact that you are even considering the #2, then you should definitely get the larger #2, or you will always wish you had.

[DivotMaker]

Hi Bobby, and Welcome to the party!

This is the "age old" question, around here!!  I started out with a #1, and almost immediately regretted not going larger.  While it's great for a single pork butt, 3 racks of ribs, or a brisket (cut in half), it left me longer for more!  I was hesitant, at the time, because I'd never heard of SI, and didn't want to sink too much money into an "unknown!"  Had I known the quality of the smoker, I would have sprung for a #3! 

So, the #2 is a fantastic unit, and I still use mine a lot.  But, if the budget allows, you just can't go wrong with the #3!  Believe me, when you want to stretch out some full racks of ribs, or that 18+lb packer brisket, you just can't replace the depth of the #3!  You can always smoke less in a bigger smoker, but can never smoke more in a smaller one.

At least, that's my nickels-worth of 2¢, from a guy who has owned them all (except the 4).

[Meatball]

Thanks for all the input...  appreciate it. This is a great site!!!!!!!!!