Time to get serious about a new smoker.

[smokymountainrain]

Damn. I was pretty well convinced about the WSM, but for about the same price as the WSM - Costco's $399 - the ceramic kamado is sounding attractive.

[Jeff Lebowski]

If I were to buy a smoker I would jump on that kamado. Not many parts and pieces to maintain and worry about mechanical/electrical problems. The pellet grills are awesome until you are set up for a smoke and your hot rod/auger/controller does not work.

Which has happened to me once in about 5 years.

[FN Phat]

Which has happened to me once in about 5 years.

It has happened to me (using my dad's) 3x/18 mo. Once we replaced the controller, things got much more reliable.

[ERCougar]

Damn. I was pretty well convinced about the WSM, but for about the same price as the WSM - Costco's $399 - the ceramic kamado is sounding attractive.

Just keep in mind/budget that you may have a $100+ more to spend in accessories on top of that. You'd need these with a wsm too though (except for a diffuser set up, but you can get that done for $20-30 or so). You'll want a maverick ($70) but there's a knockoff that's much cheaper, but works just as well--I'll look it up if you want. Coach posted a link to a thermapen sale ($70) which is nice, but not essential. And then if you really want traeger style set it and completely forget it, a temp controller ($140)--this is not essential at all,especially with a ceramic, but I got one because it makes it SO easy.

I don't mean to set myself up as any sort of expert here. I'm not--at all--but I did just go through this whole research and decision process a couple of months ago. I too was about to buy a wsm when surfah mentioned the akorn.

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[Coach McGuirk]

Just keep in mind/budget that you may have a $100+ more to spend in accessories on top of that. You'd need these with a wsm too though (except for a diffuser set up, but you can get that done for $20-30 or so). You'll want a maverick ($70) but there's a knockoff that's much cheaper, but works just as well--I'll look it up if you want. Coach posted a link to a thermapen sale ($70) which is nice, but not essential. And then if you really want traeger style set it and completely forget it, a temp controller ($140)--this is not essential at all,especially with a ceramic, but I got one because it makes it SO easy.

I don't mean to set myself up as any sort of expert here. I'm not--at all--but I did just go through this whole research and decision process a couple of months ago. I too was about to buy a wsm when surfah mentioned the akorn.

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A thermapen is essential.

[Surfah]

Just keep in mind/budget that you may have a $100+ more to spend in accessories on top of that. You'd need these with a wsm too though (except for a diffuser set up, but you can get that done for $20-30 or so). You'll want a maverick ($70) but there's a knockoff that's much cheaper, but works just as well--I'll look it up if you want. Coach posted a link to a thermapen sale ($70) which is nice, but not essential. And then if you really want traeger style set it and completely forget it, a temp controller ($140)--this is not essential at all,especially with a ceramic, but I got one because it makes it SO easy.

I don't mean to set myself up as any sort of expert here. I'm not--at all--but I did just go through this whole research and decision process a couple of months ago. I too was about to buy a wsm when surfah mentioned the akorn.

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Seriously for the same price between the large WSM and Vision Kamado (even if it isn't on par with the BGE or other kamado grills) is your best option. I wish ours dropped to $399. They had two left a couple weeks ago at my local Co and I was waiting to see if they'd drop in price but they never did and then they were gone.

[Surfah]

A thermapen is essential.

I agree. Thanks again for suggesting it to Gidget. I love that thing.

[Joe Public]

An instant-read thermometer is independent of any particular smoker, so factor the cost into your yes/no decision and not on your a vs. b decision.

This year's Costco kamado comes with a ceramic diffuser plate included, so no additional cost there.

I purchased a spider and drip pan from ceramicgrillstore.com, but those are not essential. Before those arrived, I used the bottom rack of the two racks to hold a disposable aluminum drip tray filled with water; that was my diffuser. The spider is really nice, though; I recommend it.

I also purchased an ash tool ($20?) for ease in removing the ash from the bottom of the cooker. However, some people pull the leftover lump and the steel plate that holds the lump and just Shop Vac the bottom of the fire pit every so often.

If you are going to fire a pizza or do anything else at high temperatures with the lid down, you will want to replace the stock wool gasket with a high-temp gasket. The wool one burns off above about 500F degrees or so. If you're smoking at 225F and grilling with the lid open, the stock gasket should last a long time.

[ERCougar]

That gasket replacement is super easy and cheap, by the way. Think $15 and about 15 minutes.

I still wouldn't discount the akorn. It's a little larger, more durable (your dog won't knock it over and break it), and much more portable (the ability to easily take it camping was the winner for me). And still $100+ cheaper than even the Costco price. I'm told temps are easier to control on ceramic, but I just haven't had that problem anyway. And for the difference, you can get a temp controller. Find a way to check them both out.

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[smokymountainrain]

That gasket replacement is super easy and cheap, by the way. Think $15 and about 15 minutes.

I still wouldn't discount the akorn. It's a little larger, more durable (your dog won't knock it over and break it), and much more portable (the ability to easily take it camping was the winner for me). And still $100+ cheaper than even the Costco price. I'm told temps are easier to control on ceramic, but I just haven't had that problem anyway. And for the difference, you can get a temp controller. Find a way to check them both out.

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WTH? Do you know me?

Where did you get your akorn?

[ERCougar]

WTH? Do you know me?

Where did you get your akorn?

Amazon for $299 shipped. I'm pretty sure Lowe's has them if you want to check one out.

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[smokymountainrain]

Amazon for $299 shipped. I'm pretty sure Lowe's has them if you want to check one out.

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Good to know. $299 seems like a great price. Thanks for the info.

[ERCougar]

Good to know. $299 seems like a great price. Thanks for the info.

Eh...watch for a little bit. $349 isn't a good price, $299 should be pretty easy to get. I've heard of people getting them for $249.

[Moliere]

The Kamado is 200 pounds?

I'm not dissing on it, but it sounds like it's a tough thing to move around. It's nice to be able to take the WSM camping or to be able to easily move it around the patio/yard if needed. The Kamado does seem like a nice smoker and the ceramic would definitely help in temp control, especially in colder weather. I've done overnight smokes in January in Houston and it burns through the fuel much quicker. I can usually get 12 hours of 250 degrees in January with a full fire ring whereas in August I can around 16-18 hours.

When I buy my next smoker, I'll likely get something a bit more traditional with the room to really do some smoking (not Cowboy level smoking, but something on my way there). Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.gatorpit.net/backyard_pits/party_edition.htm

[ERCougar]

Anyone have any experience with the Pit Barrel Cooker?
http://pitbarrelcooker.com/

Can hold a ton of meat, super easy to use, and I've read a few places about really good results--even with brisket. And for $269? I'm curious.

Yeah, smr, you need to pick up one of these..and return and report.

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