If you're looking to get your first smoker, look no further. Since it's a horizontal-style smoker, it can also double as a BBQ pit/charcoal grill. Plenty of room, very versatile. Treat it well and it will give you a decade of use.
The reason I can't give it 5 stars is because of the thickness of the metal. If it were a little thicker, there would be much more heat retention. You can buy smokers with 1/4"+ thickness, but expect to pay at least $600.
This is easily the best smoker in its price range.
Make sure you season the inside of the smoker similar to how you would season a cast iron pan. As with any smoker, before use, paint the interior of the smoker with shortening or vegetable oil, then start up the smoker and let it smoke for a couple or few hours.
Also, you should almost always keep the chimney vent all the way open. Use the intake vent on the firebox for temperature control.
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I got this grill last year as a father's day gift. I'd never smoked any meat in my life but have been a grill-man for a looong time. This smoker makes it easy. I've done ribs, brisquet, pork steaks, chicken. All turned out great, that brisquet especially! Make sure you cure the inside of the grill before cooking anything in it. There are instructions in the box. Also, if your model doesn't come with the built-in thermometer, make sure you order one from the char-broil website. Using a standard oven thermometer wastes time and precious heat.
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I was looking for a grill/smoker, and I had some experience with Charbroil in the past, and was not disappointed. This grill/smoker did not impress me. Here's what I liked:
1. Both the grill and side firebox come in the same package and are designed to work seamlessly together. And they do work well together.
2. It does have an attractive price.
3. The side firebox is to the left. Being stubbornly right handed, I prefer to have my tools handy to the right, not the left.
What I do not like:
1. Thin metal used on grill body. Does not retain heat well.
2. The opening to the main grill area covers only about 1/2 of the grill surface. What that means is that you will have to reach into the grill to get to any items that are near the back. That gets hot, and makes it difficult to get that nagging hamburger that just will NOT get on the flipper.
3. I just do not see this grill lasting me for years, and if I need to replace it in 3-5 years, the attractiveness of the price just disappeared.
So, I sold this on Craigslist, and bought me the Char Griller Super Pro and Side Fire Box (sold seperately) for not too much more. That I would recommend.
Honest reviews on Char-Broil Silver Smoker
As a grad. student in Tennessee I didn't have the funds to purchase a great smoker, but for under $200 it does the job. I do tons of ribs, and after about five batches I'm constistantly churning out quality pork ribs. I don't really mind the thin metal, that is easiely compensated for, my biggest complaint is that the door isn't tight enough, which makes heating the other side of the grill area harder. But for under $200 I don't expect creme de la creme, I expect something that works, and it does work.
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My husband owns this smoker. He has just gotten into real authentic BBQ. He has done a lot of research regarding this smoker and has made all the appropriate modifications. He uses the Minion method of fire building and has no problems controlling the heat. This is a good beginners model to start learning about real BBQ. His results with this smoker have been awesome and he would recommend this smoker for anyone who wants to do real BBQ and isn't afraid to do some work to the smoker.
