Being a resident of the Luling/Lockhart BBQ mecca of central Texas, I can drive or walk to some of the top BBQ joints in the state. Kreuz's, Luling City Market, Smitty's, etc. are just a hop, skip and a jump away. It's not uncommon to see a $40,000 truck pulling a goodness knows how many $ custom smoker behind it with a crew off to a cook-off. This is serious stuff here.
I was a little skeptical that a $249 electic smoker from Ohio would be able to cut the mustard around these parts. I mean, really would a little smoker that you plug it really make a decent brisket when you really need a 10,000 pound steel behemoth and years of secret BBQ experience (or a least that's what everyone is told)? But hey, what the heck, I can always use it for a heater in the garage if it doesn't work, right?
A $20, 11.5 pound brisket, rubbed down the night before, and a few hickory chunks proved that this little baby it a GIANT KILLER! I smoked it 10 hours at about 210 degrees (I checked the rack temp. with an oven thermometer and it was right on), it was full of smoke, juicy, and wonderful. All I did was replenish the wood a couple of times during the day, and leave it alone otherwise. That's it. So, I can now make a central Texas caliber brisket for about $1.70 a pound instead of the $9+ at the BBQ joints. (Hint: get a packer cut brisket and put the fat side towards the top of the smoker)
O.K. Ohio, you did it again. You sent the "twin sisters" cannons to Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. 170+ years later you did it again with the Smokin-it!
VIVA BBQ!
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UPDATE: May 27, 2011, well it has been nearly a year of ownership and I am still IN LOVE with this smoker.. what a gem. It sat out side with its cover over the winter months. and was just as nice and PRETTY as the day it arrived. Many happy meals have been made with this little guy and I can't encourage you enough, if you want a NO FUSS EASY way to get amazing smoked food.. Here is the jewel for you.... May a wonderful smoked ham for the Holidays that was to die for.... NEVER HAVE I HAD A BETTER HAM IN MY LIFE... leaned how to make Pastrami ( amazingly easy to do ) and am now trying smoked Meatloaf and veggies... I have to add the seller is WONDERFUL. and so helpful and honest.. Great doing business with you.!!!!!!
....Buy it you will LOVE it as well......
Please see pic of my FIRST adventure in smoking up aboveIsn't it gorgeous? That is not burnt but the WONDERFUL Slightly crisp Bark all smokers Rave about.
Makes your mouth water I bet?
.. Wow.. can I say it was a success right out of the gate ? YES !!
What a wonderful experience..
Lets say I was hopeful but you never know when purchasing online.well this little unit is built like a tank..Strong, well made and I love the little wheels..The thing allows me to spin it as easily as a TOP.. makes moving it to exactly the right spot and then put away with ease.. Clean up is simple and that just adds to the joy of owning and using this little smoker.
It locks easily and it gets warm but NOT burning hot so if someone accidentally touches it .. No hospital visit will be needed.
Well I was raving so much about to my cousin from NJ..I sent her the site and she looked over the site and the video's on the website and ordered one asap. She said this was exactly what she was looking for as she had always wanted a smoker but didn't want one of the big ole tanks. She like me has a large patio so this will work well for us.
Well this unit arrived right on time. Well packed and with plenty of wood to get you started. Thank YOU for that
Set up ? what set up .. twist the little wheels on and use the ENCLOSED wrench to tighten; take out the packing material.. and you are SET.I followed the direction for curing the unit..That was the hard part WAITING For the hours to pass until I could start cooking.
The unit makes plenty of smoke but you are NOT sitting in a smoke bomb while you wait.. just the pleasant smell of wood burning much like a fireplace. A steady sm stream of white smoke coming out the top.
I LOVE that not only the racks but the wall hangers come out to Clean in the dishwasher... nice design.
I see many pleasant meals coming out of my little Silver Bullet... LOVE IT>>>>>>>>>
You won't be sorry ordering this unit if you , like me didn't want one of the ugly tanks sitting around. One happy camper here.
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I find the smoke flavor is delicious. I am very pleased with the ease of cooking. Not having to stand over the meat while it cooks.
Unfairly I previously said this smoker gave the meat a "BITTER TASTE". It was our fault for using far TOO MUCH WOOD!!!!!
I APOLOGIZE to the manufacters.
Honest reviews on Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker
My husband has a friend who bought one of these smokers and showed my husband his secret recipe for seasoning. I got home one day and my husband said I have to have this smoker, how do you use paypal? We found the website and I suggested he purchase through AMAZON because AMAZON is great about refunds. We ordered it online. The price was the same on AMAZON as the SMOKIN-IT website. Shipping was within $5 but since I was not familiar with the company I chose to buy safe. Let me tell you. The item came quickly and was in perfect condition. My husband had it ready in a snap. We received a hand written Thank you from the Owner and I thought that was great. This smoker may look small but it is perfect. You can get alot of meat in it. It has two racks. We took an old cookie sheet and put it on the ground under the smoker to catch juice drippings. It is electric and thats why my husband wanted it. We have the old kind of smoker that takes forever. We smoked two chickens already and it took around 4 hours. We have only used the smoker once. The chickens were great. We are so happy and will suggest it to others. It is easy to move around. It has casters and lifting it is not bad either. The manufacturer of this product takes alot of pride in his smoker. I bought my husband the book Smoke & Spice Cooking with Smoke, the Real Way to Barbecue. The recipes look great. Our next smoke will be ribs then I want to try a ham....You won't be disappointed!!
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker
I received my Smokin-It Model 1 a few days ago, and just smoked my first pork loin in it last night. It was excellent!
I was wanting something simple... I simply don't have the time, nor want to put the time into nursing a traditional smoker along to maintain proper heat levels and air flow, etc. I knew the hassle associated with that would soon make the smoker a yard ornament. So I considered a propane smoker, since they are cheaper than the electric, and could be used in remote camping situations. After talking to a heavy-set sales person at a smoker store (never trust a skinny cook), I decided to go electric mostly because anything that goes into the smoker (i.e. gas residual emissions... which are minimal, but still present) will go in the food.
After deciding on electric, I started researching and looked at several brands of electric smokers. The common complaint was the heating element. On some, the element was not replaceable. On some, it was WAY difficult and somewhat expensive to replace the element. As the part which is most likely to fail, I found this to be just plain stupid. Poor design work and forethought. Then I found the Smokin-It Model 1 and the Smokin Tex 1100. These two had the simplicity I was wanting (plug it in, put wood in it, foil lower parts for cleanliness, put meat in, set temp, wait, eat). There is no remote heat sensor, nor is there any digital board. Just a plug in and a knob. The heating element is easily replaceable, and costs a whopping $20 directly from Smokin It! Additionally, with the insulated sides and back, I don't have to worry about my kids or dogs bumping up against a scorching smoker. It is warm to the touch on the top, but no chance of burning yourself or others. The all stainless construction looks very well done. Clean fit on everything, nothing askew. There are two drain holes. One inside the unit, and one just in front of the door, where there is a small catchment for any juices dripping from the door. All of that goes into a deep stainless tray that slides under the unit. I don't see how you could make a mess with this smoker. I used it right on my porch, with no drops or stains!
I decided on the Smokin It over the Smokin Tex due to the cost, and having casters included. Frankly, I really wanted to go with the Tex, being in Texas, but offering less and charging $100 more didn't seem to wise. SO, the Smokin It was the choice.
I seasoned it as instructed, with the hickory chunks included, and then smoked a nice Pork Loin the next day. It wasn't dry like pork can get when smoked mostly because I put pineapple rings on top and a small tray of pineapple juice down by the wood box. It uses a surprisingly small amount of wood! For this one, I used Mesquite, and some Cherry Wood Chips. The pineapple rings tasted great as well!
I do recommend getting a few accessories directly from Smokin It (since they are not offered on Amazon). The wood chip liner is great for the wood box. You can use small chips instead of chunks. Also, I ordered a seafood tray, which has a finer mesh. I also recommend getting a smoker/grill wireless temp gauge. I got one at Target for less than $20. I can check the meat temp without opening the door. AND, if it breaks, I don't have to fix my entire smoker!
The shipping on both the smoker and accessories was VERY fast, and packaged well so no damage.
If you are considering purchasing a smoker, especially an electric, you should definitely put Smokin It in the mix. I believe it was definitely worth the money! Well thought out, easily and cheaply repaired for the long haul, simple to use, efficient, safe, and oh-so-tasty results!
**** UPDATE 5 MONTHS IN ****
I LOVE THIS SMOKER! Because it is so easy to use, I use it ALL THE TIME! It does great! So simple... so low effort! Just fire and forget! No problems, just tasty goodness! Ribs, Brisket, Stuffed Jalapeños, Stuffed Poblanos, Hams, Turkeys, Chickens, Armadillo Eggs (bacon wrapped around sausage stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeños), Pork Loin, EVERYTHING COMES OUT GREAT!
And I use it so often because I don't have to worry about nursing temperature or air flow or smoke flow or wood amount, etc. Just put wood in it, foil the bottom and the woodbox, and turn it on to the temp you want. BAM! DONE!
Well made product!
**** UPDATE August 2012 18 MONTHS IN ****
The smoker is wonderful. No problems. No issues. No weak points. It just works and works well. I line the bottom of the box and the top of the woodbox with foil and clean the racks, and that is all. This is one of the best purchases I have made EVER. It just does its job without complaint. I do recommend getting one accessory from Smokin-It the woodchip grate for inside the woodbox. I bought one, and it keeps ash and smaller chips from falling through into the burner area. Cheap purchase and worth it.
I recently helped a friend with their wedding food 6 LARGE briskets. So, for 6 nights straight the little smoker did its all to get all the briskets ready for the reception. Cut the briskets in 1/2, marinate them in Cherry Dr. Pepper for 24 hours, throw them on the smoker with the fat side up. Repeat the process every night for a week. I have received a wealth of compliments on the meat.
If you are looking for an electric smoker you don't have to nurse along all night. Stop here and click "add to cart". I can't imagine you would be disappointed. I'm a fan.
