Smoker for a Newbie - Need Suggestions

[mk05]

Just reviving this because I am going to smoke my turkey this year. When I was a kid, I had this thing because it was cheap, and it double-dutied as a grill too. I thought it was rather painless and fantastic.

Is the Char-Griller the clear best of the category? It does seem like the form factor allows for more flexibility. What is the difference between the Super Pro, the Pro Deluxes, Super Pro, and Smokin Pro? It looks pretty much the same to me. I am going to try putting in a 17lb turkey in the main cooking area, is the main tube big enough to hold a turkey of that size in there? Maybe if I put it on the lower rack where the charcoal would normally go?

So confusing! They're all the same!
http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-2...f=pd_sbs_lg_14
http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-2...ef=pd_sbs_lg_3
http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-1...f=pd_sbs_lg_15
http://www.amazon.com/Char-Griller-2...ref=pd_sxp_f_p

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by mk05

Is the Char-Griller the clear best of the category? It does seem like the form factor allows for more flexibility. What is the difference between the Super Pro, the Pro Deluxes, Super Pro, and Smokin Pro?

I had the Smokin' Pro before the WSM. Smokin' Pro is great for cooking roasts IMO. It can be used with logs which the WSM cannot and there's a lot of flexibility with putting wood in the main the chamber or side box. It does not hold as consistent temperature and the grates require more care. Also, the Smokin' Pro can better handle a whole lamb leg or suckling pig that just won't fit in WSM. I have to hack off the end of the leg to get in there in WSM.

I miss cooking with whole logs.