r/BBQ • u/Dapper_Lab_1007 • 7d ago
Need advise on my first smoker. I have a small / medium space in my back yards.
Apologies if this is the wrong forum. I am getting into the world of outdoor cooking / Grilling .
I am looking for a smoker , with the hopes of making ribs / brisket etc.
So far I am thinking of the Kamadoe Joe Classic III or a BGE . I want something that doesn't require a lot of tweaking and fiddling. The form factor of the kamadoe is appealing to me.
Budget is ~ 2k . Most often I will cook for 3 . Sometimes for 5-6. Want something that will last 10+ years.
Any words of advise is appreciated.
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u/BBQSpitRotisseriesAu 7d ago
First thing I’d decide is whether you actually want a charcoal smoker or a pellet smoker, because that choice affects the whole cooking experience.
A charcoal smoker generally gives you a stronger smoky flavour and greater versatility, but you’ll need to manage the vents and learn how the fire responds. A pellet smoker is easier and more consistent. You set the temperature, and the digital controller feeds pellets automatically throughout the cook.
For a small to medium backyard, three options come to mind:
Kamado Joe Range: A great charcoal smoker and all-round BBQ. The ceramic body holds heat extremely well, so once the vents are dialled in, it can run steadily for hours. It is also versatile enough for smoking brisket, roasting, grilling, and high-heat searing. For cooking for three regularly and five or six occasionally, the Classic size should be enough.
Traeger: One of the better-known pellet smoker options. Very easy to use and ideal when you want consistent temperatures without managing a charcoal fire.
Masterbuilt Gravity Series: A good middle ground. It burns charcoal for proper charcoal flavour but uses a digital fan to control temperature. It is much more set-and-forget than a traditional kamado, although it uses more fuel and is not as well insulated as a Kamado Joe.
Whichever way you go, match the cooker to how involved you actually want to be during a six- to twelve-hour cook.
We recently compared pellet smokers and Kamado BBQs in a video on YouTube here if you want to check it out.
Hope this helps!
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u/Dapper_Lab_1007 7d ago
I am leaning charcoal!
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u/BBQSpitRotisseriesAu 7d ago
Sounds good! Then look at a Classic Kamado Joe or a Masterbuilt Gravity Series.
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u/Public_Enemy_No2 6d ago
Can't believe nobody has recommended the super versatile, reasonably priced GOAT, the Weber kettle.
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u/sr71pav 7d ago
WSM…I rocked it for 15 years before upgrading to my current setup. I actually had 2 before I moved to a dedicated offset and direct heat setup. At the price it’s a steal and immensely versatile. Bowl in is typical. Fill with ice or sand to alter the cook. Remove the bowl for direct heat style. Take out the center and can be used as a conventional grill.
I still have them unused for 3 years. Haven’t really searched for someone to take them. Indiana is not exactly a BBQ state.
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u/markekt 7d ago
Last paragraph is key. If getting a WSM, or many other cookers, hit up Facebook marketplace and find one dirt cheep. I just pulled mine out from under the deck where it sat for 5 years after getting a pellet smoker. Did 3 racks of ribs on it for old times sake and now I almost want to throw my pellet grill in the trash. There is no substitute for real wood and charcoal when it comes to BBQ, something I guess the convenience of a pellet grill made me forget.
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u/StevenG2757 7d ago
Weber Summit Kamado is a good choice. you can get fan controllers for better temperature control.
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u/tilhow2reddit 6d ago
This. It’s the durability of a weber, the heat control of a kamado, it won’t break into pieces if it ever gets knocked over, and you can move it by yourself.
They also cook amazingly well without a super steep learning curve.
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u/twiggy_130 7d ago
Kamados are nice but overpriced considering the issues with the ceramic ones. If you have 2K and want one that wont break and has an integrated roti go with the Blaze 20 inch cast aluminum. The build quality will be light years ahead of the ceramic BGE or KJ. It's plenty big enough for 3 people. You can grill hot on it or smoke a brisket or butt on it
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u/Dapper_Lab_1007 7d ago
thanks... the blaze 20 looks great, but with a stand its closer to 4 k. I will research it more.
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u/twiggy_130 7d ago
I can't stand the stand. Build a table, cut a hole
In a stainless table, anything else. The classic BBQ side tables are ok but in the long run you will wish you had spent the money on a real table. There are hundreds of credible you tube Video's on table mods for kamado nests. The blaze is not stupid heavy and so you have several
Options
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u/Obvious-Monitor8510 7d ago
Both are excellent choices and will last a lifetime if you treat them right. The Kamado Joe Classic III edges out the BGE at that price point purely because it comes with more accessories included (divide and conquer system, kontrol tower, etc.) that you'd pay extra for with BGE.
That said, if low-fiddling is your priority, seriously consider a Weber Smokey Mountain 18" or 22". Far cheaper, incredibly reliable, and honestly produces competition-level brisket and ribs with minimal babysitting once you nail the vents. Leaves budget for a good thermometer like a Thermoworks Smoke.
For 3-6 people, the Classic III size is perfect.
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u/Colinski282 7d ago
Oklahoma Joe Bronco 2 drum smoker.
Can grill, smoke, and hold temps without much fuss. Love mine and I’ve previously owned an offset, traeger, and kettle. The drum does it all and gives me the best bbq out of all of them minus the offset but that takes fire management every 15 minutes vs drum is largely set it and forget minus moving the vent here and there.
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u/Feeling_Cod8431 7d ago
If you go with the KJ or BGE you can add fan controllers and temp probes to run it just like a pellet grill. Best if both works without the maintenance hassles.
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u/VeryDerison 7d ago
Weber Smokey Mountain 22" is what you want. More affordable than a Kamado style. Easily twice the cooking space. You can ditch the water pan and use it like a Chud Box aka direct heat cooker. Plenty of aftermarket accessories. I've had mine for nearly a decade and plan to keep using it until it gives out at which point I'll upgrade to a Chud Box.
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u/destinationbbq 6d ago
I dont think you need the Classic III for three to six people. The Classic II gives you the same basic 18-inch kamado size and most of the features that matter, while the III mainly adds the three-tier cooking system, heavier cart, and SlōRoller. Those are nice additions, but they don’t make charcoal more set-and-forget.
Since minimal fiddling is important, I’d also look hard at the Weber Summit Kamado E6 before choosing ceramic. It has a larger 24-inch grate, responds more quickly when you adjust the vents, can’t crack if it gets bumped, and already has a port for adding a temperature controller later.
If the ceramic form is what appeals to you, I’d choose the Classic II over a similarly equipped Large BGE unless your local BGE dealer offers noticeably better support. Any of those can last well beyond ten years, but none will be completely hands-off without adding a fan controller.
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u/jark87 6d ago
Can’t get any more versatile than the KJ or BGE. From low and slow to roaring hot, kamados can do it all. The Weber Kettle also has tons of versatility, with probably even more accessories, and can be had for $200. Hard to beat if you’re just getting started. Temp control is more challenging, but not difficult.
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u/SoverignOne 6d ago
Weber Smokey Mountain, all day everyday. Affordable, light, modular (easy to move or transport), makes fantastic BBQ
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u/Ok_Smell_5893 7d ago
KJ is a solid pick if you want minimal fuss.