It happened. I always knew this day would come, but you can never really be ready for a loss like this. The truth is that I have to admit she's gone. The burner unit on my smoker died. It's over for her. After years of service she's been sent to the pits of hell where she'll smoke and smolder for an eternity.
Though from the ashes a new love shall rise. In short, it's shopping time folks. I'm looking at a whole new world and am unsure which road to take. My previous smoker was a vertical propane smoker. She was solid. I loved the convince of this smoker. It usually took me about 45 to get it to temp and then it just ran. About every 3 1/2 hours I would walk out and throw a hunk of wood in the smoker, but other than that, she just ran. I loved that I could take her camping or to a tailgate. I might just go that route again.
I'm also considering a pellet smoker. The really like the idea of flipping a dial and having that thing just roll the perfect temp and smoke overnight. I do a LOT of over night cooks and I must admit I'm a bit tired of setting an alarm. I've done some reading though that a pellet smoker never truly imparts that pure smoke flavor, though I kinda wonder if that's just elitist being snobs. I must admit I've never actually eaten food from a pellet smoker.
I'm looking at a charcoal smokers as well. WW has provided me with some amazing ribs & brisket from his WSM. I've read enough about them to know they're just a solid solid smoker. Also, I like the idea of not having any components that could fail. I could buy a WSM and use it for the next 15 year. My major complaint about these smokers are 1) I think they're expensive for how simple they are. 2) I'm not sure I want something that I have to add charcoal to on a 16ish hour cook.
So what say you gE? Come on this journey with me. Though I must warn you I don't move quickly. It'll likely be a few months before I decide.