What Kind of Grill/Smoker do you use mostly?

[StPeteBBQ]

I posted this because it seems fairly obvioius that most of the posts here are about outdoor Grilling (it does say "Sharky's Grilling Forums" at the top).

I've grilled all my life, mostly with a gasser, but right around last Christmas I was introduced to the Weber Smoky Mountain Cooker Smoker, aka the WSM or the "Weber Bullet".

What an amazing cooker this is! It is made primarily for true BBQ - Lo' and Slo'. If you've ever had real pit cooked pork bbq or baby backs, you know what I mean. I'm not talking about the stuff places like Sonny's serves up, but like you'd get at a Kansas City BBQ Cookoff.

You can't imagine the taste and smell of a pork butt that's been slow cooked for 14 hours... Man 'o man... or baby backs that have cooked lo' and slo' for 5-6 hours with a couple of chunks of apple wood for smoke.

And the best thing with this cooker is: you can cook for up to 20 hours with one load of charcoal... that's right, no need to add fuel. Your family will think you're the best cook on the planet.

So, if you're thinking about a second grill, check out this little smoker. You'll be glad you did. Amazon sells them for $179 with free shipping. I'll be happy to chime in with any answers if anyone has questions about this thing. It's simply amazing...

[sharky]

StPeteBBQ -

You have really stepped up to the plate and made some great posts recently!
I use my Dynasty Gas(propane) built-in 100% of the time.

For a while I was thinking about really getting into actual smoking/BBQ, but realized it's not what I like. I love the BBQ taste, don't get me wrong -- but I LOVE grilling! I enjoy the time sitting out by the grill preparing the meals, I enjoy that it's more hands on than smoking, and most of all I enjoy that it can be QUICK if needed.

That's why I started these forums. I felt there was a lack of information out there for those of us who just like to grill and entertain others.

With that said, I am currently in the market for a charcoal grill. I'll probably buy within the next few months. I want the smell and taste of a charcoal grill. It's been so long since I've cooked on charcoal, it will be a great learning experience!

I actually bought a charcoal smoker last year. One of the cheap $29.95 brinkman(i think) jobs from home depot. I might have even got it on sale. Would you believe I used it 3 times as a grill, and never smoked anything in it? I have never smoked anything... and I didn't have the time to figure it out. I sold it a month ago at a garage sale for $3. lol

[SeanB]

Right now I have a Charbroil Big Easy gas grill. I also have a small smoker that I made out of two round table top grills. I was never able to get ti to hold a fire good enough to actually cook on. I have tossed some charcoal in the top part and used it a couple of times when I was out of gas. I have had a gas grill for the last 8 or 9 years and my parents always had a gas grill when I was a kid, but I for a year or so I have wanted to cook with fire!

I had been seriously consider getting one of the offset fire smokers. With a fire in the offset box it is a smoker, but thowing some coals in the bottom you have a grill. Seemed like the best choice for me since it could sever double duty. I have since looked at a whole lot of these cookers, and have found them to be lacking for my frugal minded self. My father-in-law has one, his second, he liked his first one but when it started falling apart he had to get a new one. The heat control is another problem, most of them are made out of relativly thin metal and do not hold the temp very well. So....

Then I heard about the Komodo style cookers. They can be used for smoking or grilling. They are made out of ceramic type materials so they do not rust and will maintain their temp for a very long time. The basic design has been around for ceturies. The only downside that I have found so far is that I havn't had the money to get one. :) This weekend however I think I will be getting a Big Green Egg. There is a store in the area that is having a sale and my wife said I could get one the next time they went on sale. I will still use my gas grill for the three or four weeknights that we grill dinner, but on the weekends I will be cooking with wood. From what I hear though this thing will reach cooking temp in 10 minutes so it may see a few weeknights also. ;)

http://www.biggreenegg.com/

[Deuce]

I use all of them to try and get the best out of what I am cooking. IMHO gas grills are great for quick meals and rotissing. Charcoal adds great flavor to the food and smoking creates an event.
When we have a gathering and the smoker is going our guests love to gather around when I check the meat (which isn't very often) and the smell throughout the day is awesome.
I have a brinkmann barrel smoker with the firebox on one end. It is very versatile as I can fire up charcoal in the main chamber and use it as a very large charcoal grill.
I have cooked turkeys by smoking, deep frying and grilling and all three taste great.
I guess my point is that I like to have options and the type of food and party dictates what apparatus I use.

[StPeteBBQ]

Sharky,

I know what you mean about "hands-on". With smoking/bbq'ing the hands-on part comes in the prep. Making the rub, the mop, preping the meat. This weekend I'm doing pastrami from a brisket. Been curing in the fridge for 3 days. I'll smoke it for about 6 hours tomorrow.

I like grilling too. That's why I ordered a Weber kettle. Should have paid the shipping instead of taking Amazon's free shipping. Free shipping means they ship it when they want... :mad:

Sean,

Good choice on the BGE (Big Green Egg). I've never cooked on one, but I lusted for one in a past life. You'll enjoy it. :)

Deuce,

I agree that variety is good. When you have a choice you can always use the right tool for the job.

[Deuce]

Tonight was a quick shrimp scampi and steak on the gasser. I've come to realize that with enough seasoning a steak can taste good comming off of a gas grill. ;)