Comparison shopping, anyone else hate ordering sight unseen over the net.

[David McLeod]

I don't need much stuff but I'm in the market for a new smoker (and some other small items like gloves and such) and for stuff like that I hate buying without handling the product. I'm kind of a stickler for tools that are supposed to last a good long while with care in their use of course. While I love the convienence of the net, even more so than catalogs, some things I like to inspect before whipping out the card. Anyone else feel that way?
So to that end I am asking for the input of you nice folks on the forum. I've narrowed it down to a few selections and was wondering your experiences.
Smokers;
This has the best price but that doesn't always mean the best quality, though I've never had a complaint with the few items I've bought from GB. Not this item though.
http://www.glorybeefoods.com/gbf/Shop_ProductDetail.cfm?PC=3&PSC=22&P=22192&Product_Name=smoker with removeable inner can&Token=71.199.171.22:{ts_2010-12-12_18:39:31}-291287
This one looks the best but pictures on a screen ain't everything. Never bought from these folks.
http://blueskybeesupply.com/_smoke_daddy_sideliner_bee_smoker.html
For a dollar more Kelley's has one and Kelleys are good to do busines with.
http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-734ea7af-1bd3-425b-8c73-9de13eea8e33

And the gloves all appear to be the same, are they?
http://www.glorybeefoods.com/gbf/Shop_ProductDetail.cfm?PC=3&PSC=21&P=22036&Product_Name=goatskin vent lighther glv, large&Token=71.199.171.22:{ts_2010-12-12_18:39:31}-291287

http://blueskybeesupply.com/vented_goatskin_gloves.html

http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-a2d87ea8-5502-469f-ad94-4e024ab30315

[AllenF]

Don't forget to consider shipping in the cost. 

[hardwood]

Forget the cheapie smoker from GB. I bought two of the regular ones (not the dome top) from them last year for the remarkable price of $19 ea. Neither of them made it through the year.

I can't complain about the Dadant model (around $40) that I've had for years now.

Scott

[wd]

I'm going to try this smoker next season, can put my own can on the inside
https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1103

[hardwood]

M009281 is the model (I think)...the heat shield is important if you use it for long.

Scott

[David McLeod]

wd, is that one atianless or galvanized. I assume galvanized since it does not mention stainless.

hardwood, if I were running a large yard our needing a smoker for more than an hour or two that one would be it. May main needs is for cutouts and I don't need a large fire to put out. This one will ride in the truck far more than used.

[wd]

to put them out, I insert a stick and sometimes a piece of cloth in the smoke whole. no it's not stainless, For life expectancy I've heard 2 years on the modle I have in hand - I have had the same one for 10 years. It's showing its use but still usable, I don't fire it up on a daily basis. I see a few smokers laying along side the road every year. I'll keep my older one as spare. It would be nice buy and have them last a life time.  

[D Coates]

I've used this one for 5 years now.  https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_29&products_id=44  I had the larger one but proceeded to run over it within a month of starting beekeeping.  Kept the interchangeable bellows but everything else was destroyed.

Short of not being "run-over" proof I've put it through a whole lot and it's got at least another 5 years in it.  I shut off the airflow with the cork from a wine bottle.  Works perfectly, if it breaks us it for smoker fuel.  If you loose it, so what?, jam some grass in there and get another cork when you can.

[Bee-Bop]

Every one is talking about putting them out !

Getting them lit and keeping them going is the art.

Been told that the bigger ones stay lit better, Since I never had a small one I can't say.

Bee-Bop

[David McLeod]

Every one is talking about putting them out !

Getting them lit and keeping them going is the art.

Been told that the bigger ones stay lit better, Since I never had a small one I can't say.

Bee-Bop

It seems alot of folks have a problem with that. I'm an old fire bug so I have the opposite issue, not shooting flame out the top. ;)
Your right though there is a difference in a hot fire and cool smoke.