I don't need much stuff but I'm in the market for a new smoker (and some other small items like gloves and such) and for stuff like that I hate buying without handling the product. I'm kind of a stickler for tools that are supposed to last a good long while with care in their use of course. While I love the convienence of the net, even more so than catalogs, some things I like to inspect before whipping out the card. Anyone else feel that way?
So to that end I am asking for the input of you nice folks on the forum. I've narrowed it down to a few selections and was wondering your experiences.
Smokers;
This has the best price but that doesn't always mean the best quality, though I've never had a complaint with the few items I've bought from GB. Not this item though.
http://www.glorybeefoods.com/gbf/Shop_ProductDetail.cfm?PC=3&PSC=22&P=22192&Product_Name=smoker (http://www.glorybeefoods.com/gbf/Shop_ProductDetail.cfm?PC=3&PSC=22&P=22192&Product_Name=smoker) with removeable inner can&Token=71.199.171.22:{ts_2010-12-12_18:39:31}-291287
This one looks the best but pictures on a screen ain't everything. Never bought from these folks.
http://blueskybeesupply.com/_smoke_daddy_sideliner_bee_smoker.html (http://blueskybeesupply.com/_smoke_daddy_sideliner_bee_smoker.html)
For a dollar more Kelley's has one and Kelleys are good to do busines with.
http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-734ea7af-1bd3-425b-8c73-9de13eea8e33 (http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-734ea7af-1bd3-425b-8c73-9de13eea8e33)
And the gloves all appear to be the same, are they?
http://www.glorybeefoods.com/gbf/Shop_ProductDetail.cfm?PC=3&PSC=21&P=22036&Product_Name=goatskin (http://www.glorybeefoods.com/gbf/Shop_ProductDetail.cfm?PC=3&PSC=21&P=22036&Product_Name=goatskin) vent lighther glv, large&Token=71.199.171.22:{ts_2010-12-12_18:39:31}-291287
http://blueskybeesupply.com/vented_goatskin_gloves.html (http://blueskybeesupply.com/vented_goatskin_gloves.html)
http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-a2d87ea8-5502-469f-ad94-4e024ab30315 (http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-a2d87ea8-5502-469f-ad94-4e024ab30315)
Don't forget to consider shipping in the cost.
Forget the cheapie smoker from GB. I bought two of the regular ones (not the dome top) from them last year for the remarkable price of $19 ea. Neither of them made it through the year.
I can't complain about the Dadant model (around $40) that I've had for years now.
Scott
I'm going to try this smoker next season, can put my own can on the inside
https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1103 (https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1103)
M009281 is the model (I think)...the heat shield is important if you use it for long.
Scott
wd, is that one atianless or galvanized. I assume galvanized since it does not mention stainless.
hardwood, if I were running a large yard our needing a smoker for more than an hour or two that one would be it. May main needs is for cutouts and I don't need a large fire to put out. This one will ride in the truck far more than used.
to put them out, I insert a stick and sometimes a piece of cloth in the smoke whole. no it's not stainless, For life expectancy I've heard 2 years on the modle I have in hand - I have had the same one for 10 years. It's showing its use but still usable, I don't fire it up on a daily basis. I see a few smokers laying along side the road every year. I'll keep my older one as spare. It would be nice buy and have them last a life time.
I've used this one for 5 years now. https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_29&products_id=44 (https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_29&products_id=44) I had the larger one but proceeded to run over it within a month of starting beekeeping. Kept the interchangeable bellows but everything else was destroyed.
Short of not being "run-over" proof I've put it through a whole lot and it's got at least another 5 years in it. I shut off the airflow with the cork from a wine bottle. Works perfectly, if it breaks us it for smoker fuel. If you loose it, so what?, jam some grass in there and get another cork when you can.
Every one is talking about putting them out !
Getting them lit and keeping them going is the art.
Been told that the bigger ones stay lit better, Since I never had a small one I can't say.
Bee-Bop
Quote from: Bee-Bop on December 13, 2010, 04:29:55 PM
Every one is talking about putting them out !
Getting them lit and keeping them going is the art.
Been told that the bigger ones stay lit better, Since I never had a small one I can't say.
Bee-Bop
It seems alot of folks have a problem with that. I'm an old fire bug so I have the opposite issue, not shooting flame out the top. ;)
Your right though there is a difference in a hot fire and cool smoke.