Smoker at Costco

13 May 2020, 11:24 AM

wtg

Smoker at Costco

Device to smoke food, that is. Not someone smoking cigarettes...

I love smoked food but don't think I'd be likely to prepare it myself. But this deal is tempting:

https://www.costco.com/.produc...020_0513_MemDayFocus

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When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier

13 May 2020, 11:39 AM

jodi

I was like, how could they be smoking with a mask on?

13 May 2020, 12:09 PM

Mikhailoh

They are made by (or make) Pit Boss. Pretty good brands. I don't have a pellet smoker, just a gas grill, a PK charcoal (incredible unit) and an Open Range larger stick/charcoal burner. Thinking about a pellet but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

13 May 2020, 12:25 PM

wtg

So how's the pricing? I have no clue, and know that Costco can be, but isn't necessarily, the best deal around.

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When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier

13 May 2020, 01:09 PM

Axtremus

quote:
Originally posted by wtg:https://www.costco.com/.produc...020_0513_MemDayFocus

Very nice! I did not know that a product like this exists until now. Thanks.

13 May 2020, 01:16 PM

pianojuggler

I bought a new-in-box Little Chief at a garage sale several years ago. I have yet to use it. it was the one with the door, not the one you have to pull the whole shell off to get inside.

I started looked at recipes, but I was a little apprehensive about the quantity of sodium nitrite.

I have a bunch of salmon in the freezer. I'd love to smoke some.

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13 May 2020, 01:16 PM

Mikhailoh

quote:
Originally posted by wtg:
So how's the pricing? I have no clue, and know that Costco can be, but isn't necessarily, the best deal around.

Seems OK. I will caution you that with a pellet smoker you are unlikely to get the smoke profile that you would off a wood burning smoker. If you prefer a light smoke flavor that could be ok for you.

13 May 2020, 01:17 PM

Daniel

I was thinking who still smokes?

Seriously, though, I'm not impressed with the $600 smoker. You can have it.

13 May 2020, 01:39 PM

Mikhailoh

Then don't buy one. No need to rain on WTG's parade.

13 May 2020, 01:49 PM

wtg

I haven't looked at my warehouse, but noticed on some forum that people said they bought them at the warehouse for $450.

Of course that means schlepping home a box that weighs north of 150 pounds...the online price includes threshold delivery....I'm getting to the age where that begins to matter.

Mik, a large part of the appeal for me would be what seems to be a more automated/hands off design of a pellet unit. I'm not a gourmet, but love smoked meats. And fish, like whitefish or salmon. So the amount of smoke might not be that much of a factor.

There's a huge part of me that suspects that I'd use it a few times and then it would sit in the garage.

Maybe I'll wait for a friend who knows what he's doing to invite me over someday for a smoked brisket or something.....

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When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier

13 May 2020, 10:52 PM

Steve Miller

quote:
Originally posted by pianojuggler:

I started looked at recipes, but I was a little apprehensive about the quantity of sodium nitrite.

I have a bunch of salmon in the freezer. I'd love to smoke some.

You don’t have to use any sodium nitrite if you don’t want to. I never do.

That price is quite good for a pellet smoker. You may have to add a few gaskets but you can get good results with one.

Upside to a pellet smoker is you can set it and walk away. It’s all automated - the Easy Bake Oven” of meat smokers. Downside is you have to use pellets, which aren’t cheap and don’t always impart a lot of flavor. Purists (wood and charcoal guys) look down their noses at pellet smokers, while pellet smokers look down their noses at those who smoke on an electric smoker. They all work.

Shall we discuss rubs vs. sauces?

14 May 2020, 12:01 AM

Daniel

quote:
Originally posted by Mikhailoh:
Then don't buy one. No need to rain on WTG's parade.

A little defensive, no? Lighten up.

We have an implicit understanding, Mik. You write your posts and I'll write mine.

This is an unwritten rule at forums like this one. It has always been this way. As it should be.

You've been around more than long enough to know this.

14 May 2020, 01:09 AM

Steve Miller

quote:
Originally posted by wtg

There's a huge part of me that suspects that I'd use it a few times and then it would sit in the garage.

Maybe. There is not a lot of hands on creativity with a pellet smoker. OTOH if you’re going to do a 16 hour brisket do really want to tend a fire for 16 hours? I’ve been smoking all sorts of things on my charcoal rig including meatloaf, eggs and cheese. Maybe it’s really a reason to hang out in the back yard and drink beer while I tend the fire from time to time. I’m OK with that.

quote:
Maybe I'll wait for a friend who knows what he's doing to invite me over someday for a smoked brisket or something.....

See if you can find a competition to attend. I would think one would open up fairly soon.

Big fun and the food is terrific!

14 May 2020, 04:22 AM

Mary Anna

Muffin's Sister has an electric smoker that I'm guessing is even further from a purist's preferences than a pellet smoker. The things she makes in it are really delicious.

I've thought of getting one myself, just for the smoked chicken alone. I also love smoked salmon, although I think salmon is less dummy-proof than chicken, by which I mean "easier to overcook."