If youze guys paid attention to Lukez1122’s ORIGINAL POST, he said, ” I am interested in getting a small smoker to do a little BBQ here and there.  Nothing major, just looking for nice tender meats done at home.   Does anybody have advice for a simple easy to use smoker?
He’s looking for a KIA and you’re suggesting he buy a Lexus! Sure, a Big Green Egg is great, and maybe some day he’ll want one but that’s not what he’s looking for right now!

Aside from the stem message, this may be the key posting in the thread.  Luke1122 is wanting to explore the concept of using a smoker.  It very well may be that after some success with an entry-level model, he’ll want to refer back to the suggestions made throughout this thread.  I suspect most of us started small, then upgraded to a more versatile and expensive smoker.  In my case it was a very inexpensive water smoker which produced as good a brisket as many I’ve judged during KCBS events.  Once hooked on the concept, I was ready to upgrade to a 1/4 inch steel Brinkman Cimarron that allows me the option to avoid charcoal altogether and use stove-wood sized oak, hickory or fruitwood (generally wild cherry and/or plum, and grapevine) harvested from my woodlot.
 
Luke1122 is at that enviable exploratory stage and about to discover a great hobby.  Start small, ask questions, experiment, and soon you’ll be offering us advice.