[General Lee]

I'm looking to get my father a smoker for fathers day however I never ate food from a smoker. I was wondering what most people perfer with a smoker, Charcoal or propane? Obviously propane is easier but do you really get that true smoked flavor with propane.

Any advice?

[97Xj_Sport]

Charcoal. simple as this, it may take a little bit longer but the taste is astronomically better.

[fundabug]

I have an electric smoker and I really like it. Sure it doesn't taste as good as charcoal, but it's much easier. I put more wet wood chunks in it than the directions say so it'll get good and smokey. I put new chunks in about every hour so it's always smokin. I just did a 6 lbs chicken and a bunch of country ribs over the weekend with mesquite chunks. So smokey and flavorful I'd be willing to bet you wouldn't notice the absence of charcoal. I also have a propane grill with an iron smoke tray and a Weber charcoal grill that I use natural lump charcoal in. With the smoke rolling from good wet wood chips I can hardly tell one from the other and I cook outside 4 nights a week....even in the winter.

[kairo]

Have done both. Found Charcoal to be worlds better. Also seemed more "authentic??" haha. But yes, we use the charcoal smoker much more often than the electric.

[jeepin_man]

Charcoal all the way

[BluesMan]

Propane
I had a charcoal and gave it away just because I never would use it, what a pain in the ***.
Of course, the owner of a portable 15 foot custom BBQ catering service lives across the street and gives me free BBQ all the time.

[TAMUJeep]

i have both...propane easy and quick....charcoal gives me more time to drink my beer...soooo, I use the charcoal one more!

[Sugarfuzz]

Originally Posted by 97Xj_Sport

Charcoal. simple as this, it may take a little bit longer but the taste is astronomically better.

x2

10 freaking characters

[GreenDean]

Here's a smoker for your old man.

[Dudewayne]

I have an electric one too....much easier than charcoal and much easier to regulate the temperature. Set it up....put your wood chunks in, water in the bowl, add the meat and go drinks beers.

If you are going to use charcoal...don't use that crap that tastes like kerosene...Kingsford and any type of self lighting.
Use real charcoal, like Royal Oak ...link

http://www.outdoorcooker.com/shop/product.asp?product_id=1054

These people are crazy on how much they want for it but it should be about 6 bucks a bag.

[raildog]

we all know how hank feels about this

[90lerado]

do yourself a favor and get a wood burning smoker. i use fresh maple about an inch thiuck that i cut right off the tree with lumpy charcoal. it gives the food a nice flavor and because the maple is still green it gives off plenty of smoke. propane an electric are nice if you do jerky or real temp sensative meats. personally i would rather use wood as it gives off better flavors.