I enjoy smoked foods, but I have never had a smoker, nor have I ever actually attempted to smoke my own foods, so I thought this would be a good first step for me. I have only tried it a couple times so far, and I am definitely going to need more practice, but I like having this option available to me. Since I am such a novice, I wish it would have included some recipes, but I am glad that it gave me a helpful smoking guide to know what type of smoke (cold/hot) and how long to cook different kinds of food. I really like that this product can be used as a smoker or as a normal slow cooker. The instructions are clear and it is easy to use both ways. It seems to cook fine both ways, and as a smoker it really does produce a good amount of smoke. The outside of the unit does get pretty hot, so you will definitely want to make sure to give it plenty of space when you are using it. One time I tried smoking some cheese, following the instructions in the booklet, but thought it seemed like it needed more time. I was wrong and my cheese melted all over and made a really big mess, so don't be like me! I can't smell anything for the most part, but every once in a while I get random bad smells and that is one that hung out in my house for a long time. No fault of the product; just the cook. With the exception of that time, the cooker has been pretty easy to clean. I don't know that this would replace an outdoor smoker for many people, but it is great to have for the cold seasons when you would rather stay inside. If your cook is better than I am, however, maybe it would be a good replacement. Since it is a larger unit to store, I love that it is a multifunctional device. The space it takes up feels more worth it when it counts as a smoker and a slow cooker.
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]