Thread: Anyone Ever Make Or See Alton Brown's Flower Pot Smoker?

Lou Decruss wrote:

> I saw the episode a few weeks ago and did some looking and finally
> found a decent blog of a successful attempt. I've got most of what I
> need and can make it for about 10 bucks but it will take a bit of
> time. I'm just curious if any here has tried it and how it worked.
> I'd really like the real deal but I can't afford the 700 bucks. Our
> city place has a bunch of stairs to get outside so this could make my
> life easier if it really works. Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Here's the blog I liked:
>
> http://www.naffziger.net/blog/2008/0...er-pot-smoker/
>
> TIA
>
> Lou
>

Alton didn't really invent this so much as lay out the process
in detail. It's an old method of cooking to say the least.

I've done it, it will work. The value of buying a decent smoker
off the shelf is that you will have to spend much less time
tending the fire so it won't have that advantage.

It's a great exercise in BBQ to build your own smoker/cooker
however and I strongly recommend it. I've built/made so many
I've lost count.

Lou Decruss wrote:
> I saw the episode a few weeks ago and did some looking and finally
> found a decent blog of a successful attempt. I've got most of what I
> need and can make it for about 10 bucks but it will take a bit of
> time. I'm just curious if any here has tried it and how it worked.
> I'd really like the real deal but I can't afford the 700 bucks. Our
> city place has a bunch of stairs to get outside so this could make my
> life easier if it really works. Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Here's the blog I liked:
>
> http://www.naffziger.net/blog/2008/0...er-pot-smoker/
>
> TIA
>
> Lou
>

I have a very nice bullet smoker that was under $80. It's a Brinkman
Gourmet.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...069&sa=title#p

or here's a tiny link

http://xrl.in/32w0

The only adaptation I have made is to put sand in the water bowl. The
folks at alt.food.barbecue are very helpful and also very friendly.
--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:24:36 -0500, Lou Decruss
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>I saw the episode a few weeks ago and did some looking and finally
>found a decent blog of a successful attempt. I've got most of what I
>need and can make it for about 10 bucks but it will take a bit of
>time. I'm just curious if any here has tried it and how it worked.
>I'd really like the real deal but I can't afford the 700 bucks. Our
>city place has a bunch of stairs to get outside so this could make my
>life easier if it really works. Any feedback is appreciated.
>
>Here's the blog I liked:
>
>http://www.naffziger.net/blog/2008/0...er-pot-smoker/
>

I totally enjoyed that episode of Good Eats!

I don't know if this is any good, but you might consider a Brinkman
electric smoker:
http://www.electotronics.com/brinkma...cgrilland.aspx

Somebody around here probably has experience with one. It's a bit more
than the $10 you have budgeted, but it's no $700 monster either.
--

modom

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:24:36 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:

> I saw the episode a few weeks ago and did some looking and finally
> found a decent blog of a successful attempt. I've got most of what I
> need and can make it for about 10 bucks but it will take a bit of
> time. I'm just curious if any here has tried it and how it worked.
> I'd really like the real deal but I can't afford the 700 bucks. Our
> city place has a bunch of stairs to get outside so this could make my
> life easier if it really works. Any feedback is appreciated.

Buy yourself a Brinkmann Gourmet Charcoal Smoker for $65 at Home
Depot or Lowes and screw the damn flowerpots.

<http://www.brinkmann.net/Shop/Detail.aspx?category=Outdoor+Cooking&subcategory=C harcoal+Smokers+%26+Grills&sku=852-7080-E&series=OUT-1001-3&seriesname=Gourmet%20Charcoal&id=225>

I buy one of these smokers every 2-3 years (the firepan can only
take so much, but I have plenty of other spare racks and bowls from
previous victims). I get about 400 hours of use for that $65.

Do not buy the Smoke 'n Pit or the Cajun Smoker.

-sw

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:01:55 -0500, Janet Wilder wrote:

> The only adaptation I have made is to put sand in the water bowl. The
> folks at alt.food.barbecue are very helpful and also very friendly.

Those rednecks in AFB don't know diddly squat about real BBQ.

-sw

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:06:38 -0500, modom (palindrome guy) wrote:

> I don't know if this is any good, but you might consider a Brinkman
> electric smoker:
> http://www.electotronics.com/brinkma...cgrilland.aspx
>
> Somebody around here probably has experience with one. It's a bit more
> than the $10 you have budgeted, but it's no $700 monster either.

I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.

-sw

On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:46:12 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
wrote:


>I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
>apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
>Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
>neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.
>
>-sw

Why not the WSM aka the Weber Bullet?

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

Christine Dabney wrote:
> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:46:12 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>> I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
>> apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
>> Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
>> neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.
>>
>> -sw
>
> Why not the WSM aka the Weber Bullet?

Big difference in cost.


--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Sqwertz <[email protected]> news:[email protected]: in
rec.food.cooking

>
> Those rednecks in AFB don't know diddly squat about real BBQ.
>
> -sw

Awwww... run you out of there, did they?

Michael

--
“Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember”
~ American Playwright David Mamet

You can find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Christine Dabney <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected] on Sep Wed 2009 pm

> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:46:12 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>>I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
>>apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
>>Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
>>neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.
>>
>>-sw
>
> Why not the WSM aka the Weber Bullet?
>
> Christine
> --
> http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com
>

With some of the electric jobs you can cold smoke...Can you say apple smoked cheddar in bulk?

--
Is that your nose, or are you eatting a banana? -Jimmy Durante

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:49:49 -0600, Christine Dabney wrote:

> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:46:12 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
>>apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
>>Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
>>neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.
>
> Why not the WSM aka the Weber Bullet?

Because it's overpriced for beginner ($300-$400). Heck, it's
overpriced for a seasoned veteran, too. It does a good job, but
they make those things for about $30 and sell them for a fortune.
It's not a good value, IMO.

Do not go out and buy an expensive smoker until you get a feel for
BBQ and if you'll stick with the hobby. OTOH, don't build yourself
a chintzy POS that will make you give up before you really ever got
started. The $65 model a very good compromise for beginning
smokers.

-sw

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:58:02 -0500, Janet Wilder
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Christine Dabney wrote:
>> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:46:12 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
>>> apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
>>> Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
>>> neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.
>>>
>>> -sw
>>
>> Why not the WSM aka the Weber Bullet?
>
>Big difference in cost.

Yes, but in the long run, that cost really pays off. The other
smokers mentioned will be dead and gone long before the WSM wears
out.... Even Steve mentioned having to go through several Brinkmans at
$65 each. Why not spend the money up front and make a really good
investment in a quality piece of equipment?

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:02:30 GMT, hahabogus <[email protected]>
wrote:


>With some of the electric jobs you can cold smoke...Can you say apple smoked cheddar in bulk?

Yes, with the Bradley you can cold smoke. But it costs more than the
WSM....

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 21:06:05 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
wrote:


>Because it's overpriced for beginner ($300-$400). Heck, it's
>overpriced for a seasoned veteran, too. It does a good job, but
>they make those things for about $30 and sell them for a fortune.
>It's not a good value, IMO.

I didn't pay anywhere near that price for mine. I think I paid about
$200 for it.... I could be wrong on that..but I don't remember paying
anywhere near $400.

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:06:39 -0600, Christine Dabney wrote:

> On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:58:02 -0500, Janet Wilder
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Christine Dabney wrote:
>>> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:46:12 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I would only get the electric version of the Brinkmann Gourmet if my
>>>> apartment complex *strictly* enforced the no combustion rules.
>>>> Otherwise get the charcoal version and be sure to turn your
>>>> neighbors onto some of your results so they don't complain.
>>>>
>>>> -sw
>>>
>>> Why not the WSM aka the Weber Bullet?
>>
>>Big difference in cost.
>
> Yes, but in the long run, that cost really pays off. The other
> smokers mentioned will be dead and gone long before the WSM wears
> out.... Even Steve mentioned having to go through several Brinkmans at
> $65 each. Why not spend the money up front and make a really good
> investment in a quality piece of equipment?

I've spent $150 on three smokers over the last 10 years. There's no
way a WSM would have lasted that long under my care, especially
considering how often I move around. With care, I could have made
those $65 smokers last 8-10 years. But no, I left them out in the
rain more than a few times. They're disposable.

I repeat: Do not go out and blow $350 on an overpriced smoker until
you know what you're doing. And then you do the math and figure out
if it's worth paying the extra $300.

-sw

On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 21:21:58 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
wrote:


>I repeat: Do not go out and blow $350 on an overpriced smoker until
>you know what you're doing. And then you do the math and figure out
>if it's worth paying the extra $300.
>
>-sw

I see a WSM on Amazon for $239. I think I paid under $200 two years
ago.

I didn't know what I was doing, but I don't regret the purchase at
all. I learned a lot when I first smoked something..due to the help
of everyone here. I am glad I got a quality smoker up front. However,
this is my opinon.

I think a lot of serious smokers will not agree that the WSM is
overpriced though.

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:28:49 -0600, Christine Dabney wrote:

> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 21:21:58 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>I repeat: Do not go out and blow $350 on an overpriced smoker until
>>you know what you're doing. And then you do the math and figure out
>>if it's worth paying the extra $300.
>
> I see a WSM on Amazon for $239. I think I paid under $200 two years
> ago.

With tax and shipping, OK, I WAS A GOD DAMN $3.23 OFF!

Sheesh allmighty.

> I think a lot of serious smokers will not agree that the WSM is
> overpriced though.

You're entitled to your opinions, but not those of others. I've
stated mine and that was all.

-sw

On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 21:35:54 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
wrote:


>With tax and shipping, OK, I WAS A GOD DAMN $3.23 OFF!

You are taxed on your Amazon purchases? I'm not....

And usually, purchases of that size get free shipping.... That puts
it over $100 off.....

Christine, who is only speaking for herself, but I have read opinions
of other WSM users, including TFM.
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:39:28 -0600, Christine Dabney wrote:

> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009 21:35:54 -0500, Sqwertz <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>With tax and shipping, OK, I WAS A GOD DAMN $3.23 OFF!
>
> You are taxed on your Amazon purchases? I'm not....
>
> And usually, purchases of that size get free shipping.... That puts
> it over $100 off.....

I'm not going to argue with you over the cost difference of one
retailer. The fact is that the list price of the best Brinkmann
bullet smoker is about 1/5th the list price of the worst Weber
bullet smoker...

....why am I wasting my time with this stupid bull****, anyway?

> Christine, who is only speaking for herself, but I have read opinions
> of other WSM users, including TFM.

You're like one those people sporting a $85,000 two-seater car
spouting off that it was worth every penny... trying to justify it
any which way they can. "Oh, and my friend has the same car and
feels the same way!".

Is an $85K car more practical than a $20K car?

This is just plain ludicrous.

-sw