Hi,

I ordered a 55 and am expecting it this week. I'm thinking about sending back for a Amerique. The size differance isn't as much as some say, 3" higher and 4 " wider. Been reading forums for the past day about it. My biggest concern is the controls. I live in Buffalo NY and will leave it outside next to my SS grill all year round covered. Whatever poeple say about electrical components, they always fail when you need them the most. Can anyone give me some feedback based on their winter/summer/fall/spring experiances? This is the only thing holding me back other than talking my wife into it. Immagine, I never smoked before and last week I started looking at the Bradly, wasn't going to spend more than 400 dollars. Now look at me, I'm going to plunk down 1500. This forun is addicting, it's making me get the best smoker.
I want this to last me alife time, so that is why the concern.

thanks for any responses
Louie

The Bradley, I understand, can turn out some good Q.. BUT.. it won't take long to add up big dollars, if you do a fair amount of Q'ing. Plus, there is a mechanism that feeds the hockey pucks into that smoker that can go awry.

I have both an Amerique and the Smokette 008. I love them both but continue to use the 008 the most. I leave both on the back porch and they get hit by rain (I bought a cover for the AQ but leave the 008 exposed.. I can Q in the rain as long as I keep the controls covered.. pretty easy to do with a wooden board, plastic cutting board or what have you.

If I didn't get my AQ for free.. I'd just have my 008 but there have been times I've drooled over having a larger box.. now I do and wouldn't be without it.

Louie, I think your best bet is to keep the 55.

I have the 08 and really researched the 55 and the AQ. I REALLY liked the AQ but the price was a bit much for me since I had not smoked before. I decided on the 08 because the difference in size between the 08 and 55 was not enough for me so IF I wanted more space I would buy another 08 double space for double price rather than double the price for a few more pounds of cook space. I STILL want the AQ but that will be awhile coming as I need to master the 08! I cooked 3 butts in my 08 last weekend! Man is my freezer full! hahahahaha

Whatever you decide, I am sure you will love your CS!!!!

I can only address keeping a smoker outside in the winter. I have a busness in New York City and leave our FE100 outside year round. Two weeks ago we turneed it on for the first time since last fall and it went 4 days around the clock and had no problems.

David Levi
www.marashomemade.com

Louie I looked at the smokette 08&09 the 050&055 and the AmeriQue today at the factory. I have to much trouble setting my digital watch so I bought the SM055 it is plenty big enough for me.

The AmeriQue is a nice unit I dont think you will be dissapointed which ever model you choose.