Iam new to smokers, planning on getting the smo25 and was wondering others opinion on them, or should I get the 45 instead?
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Welcome to the forum.
The only real difference is the capacity. If you're planning to cook for larger gatherings, go for the 45. Either way, you'll be delighted with the ease of use and results.
The only real difference is the capacity. If you're planning to cook for larger gatherings, go for the 45. Either way, you'll be delighted with the ease of use and results.
Is there anything the 45 will do that the 25 won't? Other than capacity is there any difference? Does the 25 have the temp hold option via meat probe or just the 66?
No.
The "hold" feature of the Amerique is a nice feature, but not a game changer by any means.
As a long time Cookshack customer, and forum member (13 yrs) I would encourage you to consider the increased capacity the 45 provides. Time and again we hear of folks who wish they had purchased the larger smoker in their price range.
The "hold" feature of the Amerique is a nice feature, but not a game changer by any means.
As a long time Cookshack customer, and forum member (13 yrs) I would encourage you to consider the increased capacity the 45 provides. Time and again we hear of folks who wish they had purchased the larger smoker in their price range.
Max is right, bigger is definitely better! I remember someone saying "you should get the biggest one you can't afford"! 
You won't regret it!!
You won't regret it!!
Max is right, the hold feature is not such a big deal. The reason for me is that my AQ is so well insulated that even though the controller switches to 140 degrees for a hold when the probe temp is reached, the smoker stays much hotter than that for a long time, so your meat keeps cooking anyway. I agree with Wilber - I almost never use anywhere near the capacity of my AQ, but I am sure glad it's there! You will be very happy whatever CS model you buy, but more capacity will never be regretted,
I have the 066 and do not deliberately use the hold feature. By that I mean I never plan on using it. However, time has slipped away on 1 or 2 occasions and it went into hold. I think the longest was around 20 minutes. I generally monitor my time carefully so I am there when the food is done.
As for capacity, you can always cook less in a large smoker but never more in a smaller smoker. Just something to think about. Quality of the product (smoker and food) remains consistent regardless of the model.
As for capacity, you can always cook less in a large smoker but never more in a smaller smoker. Just something to think about. Quality of the product (smoker and food) remains consistent regardless of the model.
Thanks for the input now just need to decide which one to get
I have had a smo25 for just over a year and have run out of space multiple times since then, bigger is definitely better
I bought a SM09 about 15 years ago. I debated getting the larger smoker Cookshack offered back then but got the smaller one. It is still running and gets used when I have an over flow. I finally made the decision to get a new smoker, and it was either the SM025, or 045. I remembered the old saying "Bigger is better". I went with the 045 about 4 years ago. I end up running both of these smokers 2 or 3 times a year. Go with the SM045. You won't regret it.
Wonder which one he bought this was back in December