Delemma on smoker

Louie
I believe that "where you stand on an issue is determined by where you sit." What does that mean? It means that folks who own a 50/55 will tell you it is great and the folks that have the Amerique will tell you it is great. The bottom line is no matter which Cookshack you would be getting, it's a GREAT smoker. I myself had a smoket and moved up to a 50/55. Works great and smokes great Q. You do pick up a couple of advantages on the Amerique. One is slightly larger racks. The second advanatage is the holding tempature the Amerique has once your meat has reached its desired temp. That comes in real handy, I'm sure, when you are smoking something that takes a long time and you need to leave and may not be back at the exact moment your meat is ready. For me, I plan around that and have the extra money in my pocket with the 50/55. If money is not an issue, the Amerique is the way to go. I can buy alot of pork and beef with the extra saved. Either, once again, you have done yourself a favor and ordered a GREAT smoker.
Just my thoughts.
Smokin' Harry

I too was in your position about a year ago when I wanted to move up from an 008. I too worried about the electronics but mostly the probe. You will find when you start buying remote thermometers that probes are very unreliable. That said, I have never heard of anyone reporting a problem with the AQ probes but it can happen.

The other issues with me were the extra cost and the extra size overall. The AQ just would have been tough to fit into the area I wanted to put it.

So I ordered the 055 and it may well be the last smoker I ever need.

Louie,
I purcased the Amerique about 1 1/2 years ago and I live in NJ. Two problems I have experienced:
1. While last winter the smoker covered in two strong covers kicked up in the spring w/o a problem, a few weeks ago, I tried to start it and got nowhere. Will be calling Cookshack and bringing in my elect. friend.
2. Trying to smoke more than two 3lb. ribs per rack (total of 8 racks) is frustrating. It won't get up to over 200 degrees and if it ever does it takes hours and hours to cook them.

Herb, do you have the old 750 watt heating element or the updated 1000 watt element that comes in the new AmeriQue?

Louie, I ordered a new AmeriQue and should be getting it tomorrow. It has a nice size, 2 racks of ribs per shelf for 8 total or can hold up to 50 lbs of butt or brisket, and the built in temp probes are very nice. The digital controller is much more precise at regulating the temps and when your meat hits the set temp, or timer ends, the unit automatically goes into hold mode at 140* so if ur asleep or away or busy you dont have to worry about ruining your Q. That is a great feature that I'm sure will be really handy. These are just things I learned by reading about a thousand posts from really happy AmeriQue owners and reviews around the net as well. About.com says in their review that the AmeriQue is THE BEST of all the residential electric smokers on the market.

-Sravaka

Thanks for the info...will check about the 1000 watt element, assuming I can get the baby up and cooking again!!!!!!!!

I have had my AmeriQue for 10 months now and love erverything about it. It heats up and holds the temps very good, the hold feature is great and the unit is a very nice size to do anything you need to smoke! The electronics hold the temps within a couple of degrees and love the probe feature and hold feature.

Tigerfan . . . the delivery company said they would be here between 2 and 3 pm . . its 2:20 and I am officially going INSANE . . . I cant wait!!!!!

-Sravaka

quote:

Originally posted by Smokin' Harry:
Louie
I believe that "where you stand on an issue is determined by where you sit."

Lot of truth in that statement... If you have a
Ford.. that's where it's at.. Chev, Dodge. etc.

I have an 008.. love it. I got enough Cabela's points to get an Amerique for "free". Got it.. and have never used it. Other than checking it out.. it just sits there.

Did I say I love my 008???

I just purchased on CS 50 model. What is the difference in the 50 & 55 Model?

The 55 has stainless steel exterior,the 50 is black powdercoat.

Thinking about this very same issue as the original poster. I've been wondering all weekend if I ordered the "right machine for me"? I got the CS50 in today and plan on calling customer service tomorrow to see about my options of returning and getting the AmeriQue.

That's the tough thing about buying ANYTHING. Good luck, let us know if you get the larger one.

Trent:
If it helps any..I bought the AmeriQue and love it. After many, many different types of smokers it is the absolute best smoker I have had the pleasure of owning. I love the features of the probe and the hold, and larger racks. Go for it if you can swing it!

I love my CS55. My son loves his CS50. Honest.

LOUIE WHAT THE HECK GO ALL IN
BUY A FEC100
I DID, AND IT WAS THE BEST MOVE I HAVE MADE.

Thanks for the comments, I have an AmeriQue on the way. Boy CookShack is great to work with!

quote:

Originally posted by BRAD S:
LOUIE WHAT THE HECK GO ALL IN
BUY A FEC100
I DID, AND IT WAS THE BEST MOVE I HAVE MADE.

FYI Please don't type in all caps it is considered shouting. Welcome to the forum.

Tiger Fan,

You stated it is the best smoker you have ever had. What other smokers have used? I am struggling with my decision, Cookshack, Backwoods or Spicewine....

I have used a bunch of stick burners, Oklahoma Joe, Klose etc. Have used Bradley and Weber also. Also have had a several Backwoods, they are made just several miles north of me. I think that my AmeriQue is the best of all I have used. It does a great job, keeps everything moist, delivers a great flavor with very little wood and is extremely easy to use.
PS: I don't have any ownership or connection with Cookshack!!!

I had ordered a 55 last Friday and then called Charcoal Store this morning (monday) to change my order to a a AQ. After talking with Dave at the Charcoal Store I decided to keep the order for the 55. He was VERY helpfual and honest. After our discussion I realize that aside from being slightly larger, the main advantage of the AQ is the hold temperature feature which only works with the meat probe. Seeing that most of my smoking is salmon, I will seldom use the probe and according to Dave there is no advatage.

Anyway, long story short, my 55 will be here by the end of the week.

Yeah, Dave at The Charcoal Store is awesome. I bought my AmeriQue from him also. I'm sure your gonna love your smoker and its gonna do what you want beautifully. But to be fair I think one difference that was left out was the digital IQ controller on the AQ. It keeps the temp in the smoker to within a few degrees of your set temp so the temp doesnt swing as far as the non digital ones. But the 55 has a 1200 watt element and the AQ only a 1000 watt so the 55 is more powerful. Also the capacity of the 55 is 35 pounds where the AQ is 50 lbs. Blah . . blah . . blah . . they are both great so enjoy your CookShack I know I Love mine. By the way, since you mentioned Salmon, the wife wants me to make smoked salmon, not dinner style but the kind you put on crackers, which is what you are making I think, is the High Mountain Brine Mix and recipe/instructions a good way to make smoked Salmon or do you prefer another method?

-Sravaka

quote:

Sravaka

I have never tried the High Mountain brine Mix, so I can't tell you an opinon. Although I have tried other premixed brine packages and they don't compare to my home made. Here is my receipe.

1 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup salt
2 cups soy sauce
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red hot pepper sauce (eg. Tabasco)
1 cup white wine

Cover fish completly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Seeing that I have never used one yet, I do not know how long it would smoke. But, you can tell by checking it in a few hours. Oh, the other thing is to use 2/3 Apple and 1/3 cherry for smoking.

I have been told this is the best by experienced fishermen.

Yellowfin, thanks for the recipe I really appreciate it. I cant begin to describe to you how much I love my smoker. I am totally new to this and so far everything I have made has come out great. Between CookShack and the great people on this forum you cant go wrong

-Sravaka