• Size: As a rule, handmade barbecue smokers have more cooking area than a typical backyard smoker most backyarders start out with, such as a Weber Bullet smoker or a Masterbuilt electric smoker. A handmade BBQ smoker will often have enough room to cook at least 6–8 pork butts or that many racks of ribs, and that's a small smoker.
• Quality: Generally speaking, handmade BBQ smokers are made with thicker steel and are more durable then the "tinny" stereotype of mass-produced smokers. In mass production, brands face a lot of pressure to produce a competitively-priced product for the majority of consumers, and this pressure often leads to cutting corners on the quality of the product, whether it's food, cars, or all kinds of commodities. There are still a lot of people who prefer investing more up-front for old-school quality that will stand the test of time.
• Culture: A lot of handmade barbecue smokers in the USA are built by family-owned businesses, and some of these businesses are deeply rooted in a culture of hard work and excellent service, resulting in friendships with many of their customers. Some people appreciate buying from a company with a story or they enjoy supporting a family-owned business.

So, who is a handmade BBQ smoker for?

When choosing a BBQ smoker, you will need to consider your priorities and budget. Some cheap smokers are a great investment, but do your research carefully. Would you rather spend $200 on an offset smoker that will rust out in several years and is difficult to maintain during a long cook or invest $1,000+ in one that you can pass on to the next generation and is fun to use? 

There is a reason for the difference in price. If you’re only researching online, compare the listed weights of the smokers, for example, and you will find that a higher-priced smoker generally comes with a lot more steel.

Upgrading Backyarder
The big box stores have not only brought us cheap shoes and groceries. Here in the US, the market is flooded with consumer-level smokers designed for family use, and the lower perceived value of these entry-level smokers makes it harder for a handmade brand to compete on that level. A lot of backyarders start off with a smaller, cheap smoker, but eventually start feeling like their smoker is inadequate, so they start looking for something bigger and better.  

If you can't figure out which type of smoker you like or whether you'll be using it much, it's quite alright to start off with a cheap smoker and grow into it. If you know that you will be doing a lot of cooking and you want the best, take the plunge and invest in a smoker that will give you a pleasant experience for years to come.

Caterer or Entertainer
A handmade BBQ smoker is a perfect solution if you're interested in cooking for crowds, whether as a caterer or a barbecue enthusiast who loves to entertain guests and occasionally cook for an event, such as a family gathering, church function, or wedding.

Here at Meadow Creek Welding, we build a full line of handmade BBQ smokers, pig roasters, and grills. Our charcoal smokers feature great-looking designs, heavy-duty construction, non-rusting grates, smooth welds, secure latches, and most of all, a fun and easy cooking experience that will keep you fired for years to come.

Here are some resources to help you choose the smoker that's right for you: