tectake® BBQ Charcoal Smoker Grill with Integrated Thermometer, Portable Outdoor Barbecue, Adjustable Vents, Chrome Plated Grates, Barbecue Ideal for Smoke or Steam Cooking - Barrel

This is a good budget version of the more expensive models and gives you an ideal introduction to BBQ smoking.It arrived very quickly from Germany within days of ordering, was well packaged and all the components were there.The instructions were only an exploded diagram, but anyone with an ounce of sense can assemble this with ease, its that simple.I just need a spell of good weather to really start churning out good ole American style BBQ!Update:Since using this item, a few points have come to light.1. The handles on the side are very flimsy and will pull through the metal if put under anything over moderate pressure, a modification of putting penny washers behind the head of the screws should remedy this.2. The sections can be very fiddly to put together due to the thickness of the metal and the mis-shapen profile this creates, especially when the smoker is lit!!!3. The built in Thermometer under reads by about 50 degrees (I waited for ages for the temp to come up, so checked it with another temp probe I have and found it had been at the right temp for some time!)4. A few holes may need to be drilled in the fire bowl to improve air flow, I will update on this as and when I do it.If you can still live with these niggles, which is after all a cheap version of the more expensive smokers, you can still turn out decent smoked food.

Most smokers like this such as the Brinkmann ones are about £100 so given the price at £41.80 when you include delivery my expectations were very, very low. I am pleasantly surprised to say that while still cheap feeling it is of far better quality than I anticipated - I expected the material of main body to be paper thin and it isn't. Once assembled while you certainly wouldn't call it anything close to a Brinkmann it should be more than adequate for the job and at this price what else matters? Although well packed sadly it did arrive with a couple of dings and scratches on the lid and while I am sure that the seller would be happy to replace the affected parts I can't be bothered to go through the process of returning it and waiting for redelivery when these parts which will have no effect on the performance of it which is all I really care about. My only real complaint about this product is to do with the assembly instructions - they are woeful. There is a list of parts and then one tiny exploded diagram of how it goes together. However this does not include which nuts and bolts go where, though that is easy enough to guess, but more importantly it shows a completely different number of holes in the digram than exist on the product! I actually found it easier to ignore the single minuscule assembly diagram and look at the pictures of it fully assembled here on Amazon. If you are the type of person who struggles with instructions for Ikea furniture then this product is not for you until they supply adequate assembly instructions with it.Overall I am very happy with the product given the price I paid. If you want a quality high end product then spend another £60 and get a Brinkmann, if you just want something to get the job done and want to spend as little as possible then this is a bargain, assuming that you actually manage to put it together!

As most other reviewers indicate, assembly of this great value-for-money smoker might be difficult, but with a little patience, it goes together quite well. Once assembled the smoker looks great sitting on the back patio. I fired her up yesterday to smoke a pork shoulder and some chicken legs. For the heat I used Tesco lump charcoal. For the smoke I used Jack Danial's wood chips (the bag said they are for electric smokers, but they work great). The chips are made from old JD whisky barrels! The smoke smells amazing and the flavor that it imparts on the food.... well, you just have to try it.Some initial notes:1. As on reviewer noted, the temp gauge never got above 50-C. I tried everything I could to increase the temp, but nothing worked. However, after a short time I assumed the gauge was broken because the coals were glowing read hot and were producing some great smoke. I cooked a large pork shoulder to perfection in just over 2.5 hours, so the temp must have been right. So from now on, I'll heat to 50 degrees (indicated).2. Use charcoal briquettes. The lump charcoal falls through the grate filling up the fire bowl which, unfortunately, has no air vents. Naturally, this prevents air from circulating around the coals effectively. Briquettes should sit nicely on top of the grate and let only ash fall through. This should greatly improve airflow around the coals. As well, I have been thinking of drilling three or for 10mm holes in the bottom of the bowl as one reviewer suggested.3. Smoking with fire is an art as much as a science. Constant attention must be maintained to assure an even temperature gradient and maintain constant smoke. Most of us think that this effort (combined with the flavor of the charcoal) makes for an amazing meal. In the end, its a matter of skill and pride. If you want something easier to deal with, an electric smoker might be right for you.HAPPY SMOKING!

Temperature control doesn’t work...we had extra screws of one type but not enough of others so had to purchase to build it .once set up works well.smoked brisket and chicken amazing results.

My first foray into smoking food. It was better than expected, didn't really expect much for £29.99 to be honest.Solid construction, could do with better instructions, but anyone with half a brain will manage. Works well have used it twice since arriving using it on lamb and chicken. Works brilliantly. I would recommend though, to drill extra ventilation holes in the coal basket. Only niggle was that the temperature gauge supplied did not work, but was easily replaced with on I had as a spare.