Smoking for Beginners

[Sizzle]

I have been smoking on my 18.5" WSM the past couple nights. First time I have used it. The first thing I noticed is it gives the food a much more smokey flavor than my Traeger. It is smaller and has less capacity, but if I am cooking just for the family it won't be a problem.

The Traeger and the WSM while both smoker, operate in a completely different way. The Traeger is a digitally controller pellet fed smoker and a WSM uses charcoal and wood chunks. Both can produce great food.


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So how much maintenance do you have with the WSM? If the Trager is a set and forget, that is appealing to me. If the WSM is close to that, for half the price or less, that becomes a much more appealing option.

TIA

[TripletDaddy]

I think the biggest difference would be the ease of use via the automated fuel feed and temp control. With the Traeger you fill the hopper with pellets, set the temp you want, and walk away (for hours if you like). No need to tend it.

Can I get an Amen from everyone on CUF that loves Jeff Lebowski for his unfaltering support of Traeger smokers? Dude has to own stock in them or something. His enthusiasm for the product is what makes me want to buy one. No kidding.

Add me to the list of fans of The Dude and His Traeger.

[Art Vandelay]

Can I get an Amen from everyone on CUF that loves Jeff Lebowski for his unfaltering support of Traeger smokers? Dude has to own stock in them or something. His enthusiasm for the product is what makes me want to buy one. No kidding.

Add me to the list of fans of The Dude and His Traeger.

I would get rid of all my TVs and computer before I would get rid of my Traeger. I love it. My signature dish is smoked salmon. I make it at least 3 times a month for Sunday dinner. Just did jerked chicken, while planning a raft trip, and watching a sister-kissin-soccer match last night for mutual.

[Sizzle]

I would get rid of all my TVs and computer before I would get rid of my Traeger. I love it. My signature dish is smoked salmon. I make it at least 3 times a month for Sunday dinner. Just did jerked chicken, while planning a raft trip, and watching a sister-kissin-soccer match last night for mutual.

And they let you be Obispo?!?

[Green Monstah]

I think the biggest difference would be the ease of use via the automated fuel feed and temp control. With the Traeger you fill the hopper with pellets, set the temp you want, and walk away (for hours if you like). No need to tend it.

Does that take some of the "art" or "fun" out of smoking?

Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but I actually enjoy using my twin chambered charcoal grill as a smoker, but it definitely takes some tending to smoke meat for several hours at a time and keep the temperature regulated. Strangely, that's half the fun for me (sitting outside while my kids play, sipping a root beer,making ribs).

Dont' get me wrong, I think I'd enjoy having a set-it-forget-it setup for when I don't have several straight hours to obsess over temperature, but just a thought.

[Drunk Tank]

So how much maintenance do you have with the WSM? If the Trager is a set and forget, that is appealing to me. If the WSM is close to that, for half the price or less, that becomes a much more appealing option.

TIA

There is a definate learning curve with the WSM, but with practice, you will learn how your smoker reacts to vent changes and setting your temp will become second nature. That said, weather, wind, and outside temp can play havoc on a WSM and you will have to keep an eye on your temps and adjust the vents as needed. Also, taking the lid off the WSM to check the fod temp can cause a spike in temperature as well.

This is where a Traeger shines. The digital controller takes care of all of that. If there is a temperature drop/spike, within a few minutes the Traeger will bring it back into check. They are not really affected by the weather (unless it is really cold or extremely hot out) and they laugh at the wind. They really are practically set it and forget it. You need to remember that the Traeger eats pellets and you cannot just go to Walmart and buy them, so you need to plan accordingly so you dont run out. Almost every market carries charcoal/wood chips.

There are automatic temperature controllers that will work on a WSM. The least expensive is from Auber Instruments. You still have to light the fire (easy) but once it is going, you set your desired temp and you are good to go! Downside is the additional cost. Add the price of the smoker and controller and you are only a few hundred away from a Traeger like the Lil' Tex, or the Lil' Tex Elite.

Btw, I just got a good deal on a used Stoker temp control system. I will soon be able to control both my WSM and Big Green Egg from the comfort of my living room/store/church via my iPhone or iPad(if I ever get one). It has real time food and pit temperature plotting. I am geeked!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Can I get an Amen from everyone on CUF that loves Jeff Lebowski for his unfaltering support of Traeger smokers? Dude has to own stock in them or something. His enthusiasm for the product is what makes me want to buy one. No kidding.

Add me to the list of fans of The Dude and His Traeger.

Sorry. I know how annoying fanboys can be.

Drunk Tank is my idol. He owns one of everything and is an expert with all of them. I am an amateur.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Does that take some of the "art" or "fun" out of smoking?

Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but I actually enjoy using my twin chambered charcoal grill as a smoker, but it definitely takes some tending to smoke meat for several hours at a time and keep the temperature regulated. Strangely, that's half the fun for me (sitting outside while my kids play, sipping a root beer,making ribs).

Dont' get me wrong, I think I'd enjoy having a set-it-forget-it setup for when I don't have several straight hours to obsess over temperature, but just a thought.

Sure, that makes sense.

I would get rid of all my TVs and computer before I would get rid of my Traeger. I love it. My signature dish is smoked salmon. I make it at least 3 times a month for Sunday dinner. Just did jerked chicken, while planning a raft trip, and watching a sister-kissin-soccer match last night for mutual.

I would like to see your salmon recipe. We are salmon lovers too and that might be my favorite thing to cook on the Traeger. I have a recipe for stuffed salmon with blueberry chipotle sauce that is divine. I should post it sometime. I took a bunch of photos of preparation process last year so they are on my computer somewhere.

[Drunk Tank]

Drunk Tank is my idol. He owns one of everything and is an expert with all of them. I am an amateur.

I wouldnt call myself an expert, just an enthusiast.

As of this Sunday, I will be Traegerless... I am excited and sad at the same time. My wife is excited to see 2 of my 4 smokers gone. She really likes that I am starting to use the WSM more, as it takes up hardly any room compared to the 2 Traegers and the BGE.

[Moliere]

Btw, I just got a good deal on a used Stoker temp control system. I will soon be able to control both my WSM and Big Green Egg from the comfort of my living room/store/church via my iPhone or iPad(if I ever get one). It has real time food and pit temperature plotting. I am geeked!

Wow!!!!! :drooling:

The WSM is my smoker. I've done up to 4 briskets on it at once but it will usually only hold two. I'd recommend it highly but it's not a set it and forget machine. It usually takes me 1 to 1.5 hours to get the temperature steady and then I can leave it for up to 8 hours and it'll stay within about a 10 degree range. Depending on the weather I can also keep it burning for up to 16 hours with a full fire ring of briquets.

A traeger is easier, but I side with Redsox that I just like smoking with real wood and briquets. It's an art form, and you honestly get more smoke with the Weber than you do a Traeger. Plus I live in Texas so I'm not even sure if they sell Traegers down here since everyone has either a WSM or a drum/pipe smoker.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Question for those who have used an electric smoker like the Brinkman, etc... Is the food produced in one on par with the food smoked in a traditional wood/charcoal smoker? I have never personally used one, but have eaten food smoked in one. To me, the food was not as good, but it could have been the person smoking the food.

I though the food was fine. I was quite happy with my electric smoker. I used it for 3-4 years until the heating unit wore out. By then I was ready for something with more capacity and better temp control. It was especially good for smoked chicken, but that is tough to mess up.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I always liked smoking cigs when I was drunk. Outside of that, didn't much care for them. Also had a penchant for smoking swisher sweets in the mountains. Though I'm not sure I could recommend either one to you at this juncture in your life, Sizz.

I'm with you on the smoking cigs, I only smoked when I was drunk.

[The_Tick]

Ordered my wireless temp controller and my Thermapen.

Doing a trial run with pork butt on Saturday.

[Drunk Tank]

Ordered my wireless temp controller and my Thermapen.

Doing a trial run with pork butt on Saturday.

temp controller or wireless remote thermometer?

[The_Tick]

temp controller or wireless remote thermometer?

My bad....didn't do the other one. Didn't want to destroy your birthday plans!