Four BBQ Smokers for the Home

Summer is coming up quickly and the smell of smoking meats is soon to follow. The scent of hickory, mesquite and even apple wood are as common as charcoal and jasmine. This year resolve, to join the scores of people who waken early in the morning to start slow cooking large cuts of meat. This article offers five barbecue smokers that are easy to use and under $400. You can find them at your local hardware store (such as Home Depot) or even online at such places as www.grillsdirect.com. These machines are portable and do not require a trailer if you wish to take them with you (although a few will need electricity).

1. Char Griller Smokin' Pro Charcoal Smoker (suggested retail price $250). Has an attached firebox for indirect heat smoking. The smoker flows from the smaller box on the side to the larger box to properly smoke the meat. Solid steel construction with cast iron grates. It boasts 830 square inches of cooking space along with a built in hood thermostat to assure the proper temperature is maintained along with it easy adjustable vents.

2. Bradley Electric Smoker (suggested retail price $306). Upright construction offers five shelves totaling over 570 square inches of cooking space for multiple cuts of meat. This machine is good for either hot or cold smoking with a slow and low temperate cooking ability. Uses compressed wooden disks that feed automatically into the smoker, just load the wood biscuits and the smoker can be left unattended for up to eight hours. Easy to use and easy to maintain.

3. Meco Double Grid Electric Water Smoker (suggested retail price $225). Offers the unique ability to use water to help keep the meat moist during the cooking process. The domed lid has built in temperature control as well as vents to help adjust the heat. It also boasts flavor channels which help direct the smoke to where it is needed or where you want it. This machine also has two side doors to easily access both the wood chips and the water separate to keep them full during the cooking time.

4. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker (suggested retail price $400). A well known name, Weber does not disappoint with this solidly constructed smoker. With over 720 square inches of layered cooking space it offers moist and tender cooking with its porcelain enameled water pan. The domed lid offers a built in temperature gauge and aluminum vents. This machine offers easy access with top and side access to properly control the wood amount and position of the meat.