Model #2 Electric Smoker

I cannot believe how well made this smoker is for the price. There is a bunch of info already on the build so I just want to share a couple of tips. First, when setting the temp on your smoker I would recommend you turn up the temperature up in increments vs just setting to the temp you want right away. For example, I smoked a pork butt at 250 degrees and started at 175 and then moved it up in 10 degree increments until I got to 250. By bringing it up slowly you will get a longer and more consistent burning of the wood vs pouring the smoke to it within the first hour. I used 7.3 oz of wood and it burned for about 2.5 hrs and that is in the ball park of the amount of smoke you want to hit the meat with. Another benefit is by having the smoke last longer you are less likely to end up with "off" flavors. If you have done any smoking, you know what I'm talking about. And as stated in the directions, if you don't have much experience smoking meat, it is always better to use less wood until you know what you are doing. Many people use too much wood and then end up with off and bitter flavors and blame it on the smoker. Just a note: I have a scale and that is how I know what the weight of the wood is. The directions tell you not to use over 8 oz of wood at a time so if you really want to monitor what your are doing you can but a decent kitchen scale for twenty to forty bucks. If you buy the chunk wood from one of the box stores, it's about two to three chunks depending on the size. If you are not sure or don't have a scale, I would recommend two chunks as long as they fit and you can close the lid on the smoker box.I did check a couple of times and when you first turn the unit up (I did this and the outside temp was 40 degrees) you will get a 40 to 50 degree temp spike. Now once the box heats up the temp levels off and will stay at the temp you set it to. I verified this using a Thermoworks thermometer. With that said after 3 hours I checked the temp and it was spot on. I have to admit I wasn't expecting the unit to be this accurate and would have been happy if it was within 10 degrees. Now this might not happen if you begin smoking when the outside temp is 70 degrees or higher so I'll check when it warms up here in Northern Ohio and post the results. I am going to add a photo and hopefully you will be able to see the bottom temp which is the internal smoker temp. Again, took the pic after 3 hours.I bought the Smokin-It to use along side my Big Green Egg. I love my Egg but for party's and entertaining I needed more space for smoking.About two years ago I had a Bradly smoker that uses the wood pucks and it was ok, but for what you pay for the Smokin-It, there just isn't a comparison IMHO. Every time it was real humid outside or it rained the pucks would fall apart and that drove me nuts. I gave it to my brother-in-law...enough said.I echo what has everyone is saying, super quality for the money, holds temp where you want it, and easy to clean.Follow the directions and you should end up with some tasty BBQ!

The debate about which type of smoker is best (electric, wood, propane, charcoal) goes on forever. But it was easy for me, because I am relatively new to smoking and don't have the interest or patience to fuss with trying to maintain charcoal or wood fires at a consistent temperature for a "low and slow" smoke. And propane always seems to run out at inopportune times and then require refills. This electric smoker keeps an even temperature without any effort. Throw a chunk of Hickory (or your other favorite hardwood) into the smoker box and it puts out plenty of smoke for hours. To test it out the first day, I brined a couple of chickens overnight and then smoked them. We had them for dinner and it was some of the best chicken I've ever had - the family literally attacked them. But I got the Model 2 for a reason - I've always wanted to smoke a whole turkey and it's big enough to do the trick - plus some. Again I brined a 12-lb turkey (nothing fancy - a $7 on-sale frozen Butterball) and started it bright and early on Thanksgiving day. It took a little longer than I expected but again, the result was marvelous - tasting if not looking. (I think this smoker will easily handle a bit larger turkey but all of the smoking books I have advise against trying to smoke a bird larger than 18-lbs.) Since then, pork shoulder and chicken-apple sausages. The latter came out looking a little ugly because I probably kept them in too long. But I ate one and it was deliciously smokey. At first my kids didn't want to try them. But one bite in, they refused to give them back and told their mother that she wouldn't like them so could they have hers?! ;-).Like others, I have routed wireless or wired meat thermometer probes down through the top hole to track the meat temperature. The smoker temperature control seems to be accurate. The manual advises against opening the door during the smoking process since flare ups are possible and you'll lose smoker temperature in any event. The smoker comes assembled (except for the wheels which quickly screw on). It is well-built and well-insulated, similar to other smokers costing much more. The top and sides do not feel hot during a smoke. I'd buy this smoker again.

The design and quality of this Smokin-It smoker is first rate. It is built like a tank as others have said and I expect that this smoker will last for the rest of my life with a great deal of use. My fist use of this unit was to smoke about 15 pounds of salmon and it turned out perfectly (guess what everyone is getting for Christmas this year?). I really like the "Set It and Forget It" thermostat feature.Clean-up is a breeze if you cover the bottom with foil before you start and the stainless steel racks come out of the dishwasher sparkling clean if you spray them with veg. oil before you put the meat on them.My only real disappointment (and the reason for four stars rather than five) is that this unit is heavy and screams out for side mounted flip-up grab handles. I plan on taking this smoker out to my weekend getaway place a lot (out in the middle of the desert.) Without handles, it will be a pain in the butt to load it into my truck - even with two guys. Handles would also offer convenient tie-down hooks for transportation. I would have easily paid an extra $20 -$30 for handles on the unit. Now I'm going to have to do it myself. Perhaps, Smokin-It could offer an extra cost "handle kit" and pre-drill the mounting holes on the sides of the unit.My only other small gripe is that the casters that come with this unit are two small for any kind of rough surface but I guess that is the reason for the Smokin-It Model 3. I recommend paying the extra money for the bigger casters - buy the Model 3 even though it doesn't have handles either.This is a fine product that is worth the price - You will be happy with it.