I thought about getting a BGE or Traeger for a long time. However, I wanted something I could put away in the garage when I wasn't using it (and Tim wanted something cheaper) so I ended up going with a Weber Smokey Mountain (18") which is $300, for smoking. For grilling, we have the small "Old Smokey" ($29) which is cheap but works great (they are made by a company here in Houston). The medium isn't that much more and would probably be better for a family. The small one is perfect for the two of us. Charcoal is much more work that a pellet or gas grill, but I like it.