Budget BBQ Smoker

TechMinerUK · 18 Mar 2016 at 08:18

Since we have had a spurt of good weather recently I have been reminded how much I like BBQs. Last year I was meaning to buy a smoker but I never got round to it.

However this year I am determined to get one for summer so I ask the experts of La Cuisine, what is the best budget BBQ smoker or something that will work as a smoker such as a kettle BBQ. Unfortunately my budget is very limited (Under £50

) but I'm determined to find something to have a go at smoking meat with

Skillmister · 18 Mar 2016 at 09:25

In for this this too!

robj20 · 18 Mar 2016 at 10:39

Two dirt cheap BBQs join together with a length of suitable tube, fire in one food in the other.

FrenchTart · 18 Mar 2016 at 10:48

One of the B&Q drum BBQs (one with a lid) or one of the slightly less cheap B&Q kettle BBQs would be fine as long as it's as big as possible and again, with a lid.

SeatIbiza · 18 Mar 2016 at 14:27

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205-LITRE...161973?hash=item2813293eb5:g:~9IAAOSwGotWpi6b

One of those and a bit of DIY - if I get time I'll be doing one. There are guides around as well to help you out!

D.P. · 18 Mar 2016 at 15:33

I use a smoke Vault, was pretty damn cheap and works well. Wont last forever but will give a few good years and then i will know more about smoking and what I want. I might then shell out for an electric pellet smoker

Lonewolf · 18 Mar 2016 at 16:51

There were a couple of DIY smokers built on Jamie & Jimmy's Friday night feast.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/jamie-and-jimmys-friday-night-feast

TechMinerUK · 18 Mar 2016 at 17:17

robj20 said:
Two dirt cheap BBQs join together with a length of suitable tube, fire in one food in the other.

SeatIbiza said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205-LITRE...161973?hash=item2813293eb5:g:~9IAAOSwGotWpi6b
One of those and a bit of DIY - if I get time I'll be doing one. There are guides around as well to help you out!

Lonewolf said:
There were a couple of DIY smokers built on Jamie & Jimmy's Friday night feast.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/jamie-and-jimmys-friday-night-feast

Well, if I have enough time it's good to know there are some interesting DIY guides to have a look at however I was hoping for more of a pre-built soloution as time is a scarce luxury for me at the moment

FrenchTart said:
One of the B&Q drum BBQs (one with a lid) or one of the slightly less cheap B&Q kettle BBQs would be fine as long as it's as big as possible and again, with a lid.

Are there any particular brands that would be recommended or should I look for the biggest kettle BBQ I can find?

D.P. said:
I use a smoke Vault, was pretty damn cheap and works well. Wont last forever but will give a few good years and then i will know more about smoking and what I want. I might then shell out for an electric pellet smoker

Do you have a link to one like you purchased or any particular brands that stand out as good

TechMinerUK · 12 Apr 2016 at 10:20

Sorry to bring up this old topic but I never did decide on a smoker, I was wondering if this one would be decent (Not fantastic but decent) or if there are any other cheap ready to go soloutions?

FrenchTart · 12 Apr 2016 at 10:27

Nope, those ones tend to suck.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/barrel-charcoal-bbq-35-tesco-instore-2429407

That looks like a good deal for a budget BBQ. It'll probably only last one year but..who cares

TechMinerUK · 12 Apr 2016 at 10:37

FrenchTart said:
Nope, those ones tend to suck.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/barrel-charcoal-bbq-35-tesco-instore-2429407
That looks like a good deal for a budget BBQ. It'll probably only last one year but..who cares

Thanks, hopefully the local Tesco store will have one in stock

Also just checking, how would I go about smoking the meat in this (E.g. Amount of pelets etc)

FrenchTart · 12 Apr 2016 at 10:48

Something like this: http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/charcoal_grill_setup.html

You'll have more space to spread things out though.

Aside from that you'll want charcoal and wood chunks (not pellets/dust) ideally. If you're stuck with pellets/dust wrap them in tonfoil and poke a couple of holes in it.

Glaucus · 12 Apr 2016 at 14:04

Kettle BBQ and look at python method on youtube on how to fuel it for 10 or so hours with minimal effort.

FrenchTart · 12 Apr 2016 at 14:10

Isn't it called the "snake method"?

Glaucus · 12 Apr 2016 at 14:14

Seems so.

TechMinerUK · 12 Apr 2016 at 15:16

Glaucus said:
Kettle BBQ and look at python method on youtube on how to fuel it for 10 or so hours with minimal effort.

Would any kettle BBQ be fine or does it need to be a specific size or quality etc?

FrenchTart · 12 Apr 2016 at 15:27

Any kettle BBQ with a lid and the bigger the better.

D.P. · 12 Apr 2016 at 15:38

TechMinerUK said:
Do you have a link to one like you purchased or any particular brands that stand out as good

This is the one, I paid $200 for it delivered from walmart. I picked it out because it was highly recommended as a budget smoker. It is also certified to connect to the gas mains so you don't need to exchange bottles (although I will probably end up paying more for a gas technician to come around an install an external gas valve.

http://www.campchef.com/smoke-vault-24.html
Hopefully it is sold somewhere in the UK

TechMinerUK · 12 Apr 2016 at 15:40

FrenchTart said:
Any kettle BBQ with a lid and the bigger the better.

So even a cheap one from Tesco would work?

D.P. said:
This is the one, I paid $200 for it delivered from walmart. I picked it out because it was highly recommended as a budget smoker. It is also certified to connect to the gas mains so you don't need to exchange bottles (although I will probably end up paying more for a gas technician to come around an install an external gas valve.
http://www.campchef.com/smoke-vault-24.html
Hopefully it is sold somewhere in the UK

That does look pretty impressive however it's way out of my price range

FrenchTart · 12 Apr 2016 at 15:48

TechMinerUK said:
So even a cheap one from Tesco would work?

Yup. Obviously more expensive ones are often better and easier to use but you can get by with quite a cheap BBQ quite easily.

D.P. said:
This is the one, I paid $200 for it delivered from walmart. I picked it out because it was highly recommended as a budget smoker. It is also certified to connect to the gas mains so you don't need to exchange bottles (although I will probably end up paying more for a gas technician to come around an install an external gas valve.

http://www.campchef.com/smoke-vault-24.html
Hopefully it is sold somewhere in the UK

They're sadly a billion times the cost over here (like a lot of BBQ stuff) :/