I use an old Cajun Injector (similar to Masterbuilt electric) I was given by a member. For us it works great. I smoke a whole chicken with cherry and get a moist, flavorful chicken. Works great for turkey and pork loin too.
Geez. Just get a front load Little Chief smoker. If you don’t have a smokehouse these are the next best thing. Nothing fancy and no electronic timers or other gizmos to fail. I ordered a spare coil when I got mine 20 years ago and still haven’t had to put it in. I got introduced to these when we were living in Barrow. Folks there bought the top loader versions and just left them in the box. Cut a flap on the side to access the chip pan. The box provides extra insulation at below freezing temps. My box has never caught on fire though here I take it out in the spring and summer. Great unit for the occasional smoker.
https://www.amazon.com/Smokehouse-Products-Little-Chief-Smoker/dp/B000ZKZJMY
https://www.amazon.com/Smokehouse-Products-Little-Chief-Smoker/dp/B000ZKZJMY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256214985891?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1Jl7WOGp3Qgah8_n8Acm5Ng0&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=256214985891&targetid=4580702894586639&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=418640321&mkgroupid=1233652283797640&rlsatarget=pla-4580702894586639&abcId=9300602&merchantid=51291&msclkid=5609927897fc175fdfc9f41268d9358e I had something like this but did not have a heat control. I had okay results depending on the wood chunks I used.
Recteq
Cookshack is what I've been using for 20 years now. They are made in Oklahoma and super simple to use.
I have a Pitboss. The temp is displayed is usually 20 degrees or more lower than what my old fashioned oven thermometer shows. I like it for jerky, summer sausage or smoked queso. But for everything else I use my stick fed.
To stay in your $200 price range the Masterbuilt brand is probably the way to go. I have one that is a sportsman elite and Redhead branded from Bass Pro. It's sitting right outside my back door on a covered patio with one of their plastic protective covers on it. Stays there year round and is eight or nine years old. I found when I'm smoking I can add about a half a handful of chips every hour to keep more smoke going. I like mine.
Wow, I must have really gotten a turd….
