Time to order, input WELCOME!

[beltcutter]

Okay guys, now that the welcoming is taken care of it's time to order a smoker.  The extended family gets together on occasions during the year with several different meats brought so at the most probably 15 is all I will be accommodating with what I prepare (at one time).  Can the #1 take care of that with no problem?  I'm thinking it will. I'm not a wealthy guy so dropping that extra $100+ on the next size up has to be considered.  Thoughts?

The temperature control method seems to be leaning toward the Maverick Et-733.  Opinions?

I also realize there are other things that I will need as well so thanks for that info!

I've read much already on this forum and I don't think you guys realize how much it is helping me as a newbie.  Gonna order very soon and thanks for all your responses in advance!

 

[RG 2.0]

Buy more than you think you need is my suggestion. Look at it this way, it's cheaper to spend the extra $100.00 now versus getting the #1 and wishing you had the #2 and then selling the #1 at a loss in order to buy the #2. If you plan on doing briskets (whole packers) or ribs, go with the #3 as it has the depth you'll need. You can still do ribs on the #1 and #2 but you'll have to cut them for them to fit.

So, I'd say if your budget allows a #2 then go for it versus the #1 and if you can swing a #3, that gets my vote due to the depth.

As for a remote thermometer, ET-733 is a great unit and affordable. Their probes aren't the best and you'll want to seal the area where the wire meets the probe with food grade silicone to prolong it's life. If moisture gets in there, the probe is toast at that point.

 

[SuperDave]

I don't think that  #1 will routinely accommodate 15 people unless you make more than one smoke.  The #1 will likely fail you by volume before it fails you by weight of meat. 

 

[NDKoze]

I would try to get at least a #2 if not a #3.

I had the same dilemma when I started between whether to get a #2 or a #3. I decided to just wait a couple of months and scrape the extra money saved up.

I figured that this is a 10-20 year smoker, so what is the problem with waiting a couple extra months to get exactly what I wanted. I just spent that extra time reading every single thread on this forum.

Good luck with which ever you choose and welcome from ND!

 

[swthorpe]

I have the #2 and would recommend that size unit, at a minimum.  I can accommodate about 4 racks of BB ribs at one time, which would feed 10-15 people.  I have also smoked two Boston butts (8# each) at the same time, which more than accommodates 10-15 people.  I don't the #1 would be able to handle this kind of load, which would mean you would be smoking food in two sessions rather than one to get to the desired amount of food.

The Maverick is a good therm...I have the 732, but the 733 is fine.  I would also recommend a scale for weighing your wood chunks as you typically will only need about 5oz of wood for any smoke.  If you want to over smoke and freeze, then I recommend planning for a foodsaver as well.

 

[kz0m]

Hi Brian, I opt for the #2 or #3. I figured it as #1 will do one nice pork butt, #2 will do two nice pork butts and take a look at what the #3 will give you ;-O
That is 24 lbs there.  I could do even more than this with the #3!  All of the SI smokers will work, just what size you need.  My family consists of 18 for dinner, no sweat with the #3!  Let us know your decision! ;-)

Carl

 

[DivotMaker]

Brian, having started with the #1, then going to the #2, and eventually the #3, I think I can help.

#1:  I bought this unit because SI was pretty new, and I'd never heard of them until I literally stumbled upon them, while hard-researching electric smokers (thought I was going Bradley or MES).  The cost was a LOT more than those, and I really didn't know what I was in for.  The forum, then, had 126 members and, I think, a total of about 600 posts!  Everything I read was really positive, though, and I thought "Wow, these things must be worth it!"  So, I ordered a #1, because I only routinely smoke for 3.

After using the #1 a while, I developed a love/hate relationship.  Loved the smoker, and what I could make in it!  Hated the size!  I felt so limited, especially for briskets.  Also, if I wanted to smoke 2 whole chickens, or 2 pork butts, they were separate smokes.   It just doesn't have the volume (in height, width and depth). 

#2:  I got the #2 as our first test unit for a digital smoker (prototype).  I couldn't believe the difference in the volume, from the #1!  Much more flexible.  Multiple items worked!  Plus, I could fit a 11-12 lb packer brisket in there uncut!  Bigger element, so it heated much faster.  All good, but..... :-\

...enter, #3!

#3:  I just couldn't get over not being able to smoke big, whole briskets, or full racks of ribs!  I gnawed at me.  I was still only cooking for 3, but do the occasional big cooks for work, or friends and family.  So, the #3 finally joined the family!

All I can say, about the #3, is I wish I had done it from the start!  It is an exceptional unit.  The element is strong (1200 watts), and the capacity (in volume, not weight) just can't be beat!  The first smoke I did in it was a 17 lb packer brisket, which took up almost an entire shelf, but turned out to be one of the best briskets I have ever made! 


So, bottom line is get the biggest size you can afford.  But, if there's any way to spring for a 3, do it!  You will NOT regret it, at all, and it will last you a lifetime, so it only hurts once!

 

[SuperDave]

Another way to rationalize the cost is that one can literally smoke a couple times a month and spend more money for meat in a year than the cost of the smoker, which will last easily a decade or more. 

 

[DivotMaker]

Another way to rationalize the cost is that one can literally smoke a couple times a month and spend more money for meat in a year than the cost of the smoker, which will last easily a decade or more.

Great point, Dave!  Never thought of it that way!  Cared for, this smoker should last much longer than a decade.

 

[beltcutter]

Ya'll just made me grab my billfold!  I'm gonna have to talk to the better half about this.  Looks like #1 is out.  Can I swing #3???? 

More on that later.....

Thanks for the input.

 

[DivotMaker]

Go Brian, Go!  You can do it, brother! 8)

 

[Grampy]

Brian, I am with everybody else. Minimum get the #2, if you can swing it go with the #3. I bought the #2 and it has worked great for me. However, I WISH I had the #3.

 

[darreldbeck]

As long as it is a Smokin-it you can't go wrong. However, I would agree with most. The #2 is a minimum for your requirements. I recently purchased a #2 and have smoked 18# of butts at one time.
I would go w/3 if you expect large groups.
There isn't a bad choice; only good vs better!!!!
Congrats in advanced from Doug in Southern Indiana.

 

[Texan in Tulsa]

Brian.........I was in the same predicament as you are now. After months of checking out the competition, I stumbled on to the SI site and this forum. After a few more weeks of reading the forum and thinking what is the right size, I decided to go all in and purchased the 3D.

I'm usually more on the conservative side when making purchases like this and typically would have gone for the #2, but after reading the comments about how often people regretted not going for the larger smoker, it made my decision much easier.

I received my smoker yesterday afternoon. It was like Christmas morning! I just had to tear into to the package to check it out. It really is everything that the forum members have discussed. This thing is ruggedly built and will last for years. I'm glad I made the decision to go larger and if you can afford it, I'm sure you won't regret it. Either way, good luck in your decision.

 

[drains]

Without a doubt the #3 is the best value available. If you can swing it you wont regret it. My #3 is the only smoker I use anymore. My offset hasn't been used in over a year. The things you read about here about these smokers are not hype. Good luck with your choice, you really can't lose with an SI.

 

[DivotMaker]

Without a doubt the #3 is the best value available. If you can swing it you wont regret it. My #3 is the only smoker I use anymore. My offset hasn't been used in over a year. The things you read about here about these smokers are not hype. Good luck with your choice, you really can't lose with an SI.

Pretty strong endorsement from a die-hard, brisket-smokin,' Texas BBQ machine! 8)

 

[old sarge]

Maybe your tax return can help make the SI 3 a reality.

 

[DivotMaker]

Maybe your tax return can help make the SI 3 a reality.

+1!  Always a good use of money the gov't used for free all year!