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If you enjoy the distinct taste of smoked ribs or other meats, consider investing in a smoker that uses low heat over several hours to deliver that special flavor.
To help you find the best smoker for your outdoor kitchen, our Reviews Team took a close look at some of the most celebrated models available today. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Smokers
- Best Large Charcoal Smoker: Dyna-Glo Charcoal Smoker
- Best Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
- Best Small Charcoal Smoker: Weber Charcoal Smoker
- Best Pellet Smoker: Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
- Best Propane Smoker: Cuisinart Propane Smoker
Compare Top Smokers
| Product | Dimensions | Weight | Fuel Source | Shelves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyna-Glo Charcoal Smoker | 34.52 by 20.2 by 47.03 inches | 57 pounds | Charcoal | Six |
| Masterbuilt Electric Smoker | 20.47 by 1988 by 33.26 inches | 45.9 pounds | Electric | Four |
| Weber Charcoal Smoker | 24 by 23 by 48.5 inches | 68 pounds | Charcoal | Two |
| Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker | 42 by 27 by 49 inches | 84 pounds | Wood Pellet | Two |
| Cuisinart Propane Smoker | 19.3 by 18.1 by 38.6 inches | 69.5 pounds | Propane | Four |
| Product | Dimensions | Weight | Fuel Source | Shelves |
Best Large Charcoal Smoker
Dyna-Glo Charcoal Smoker
- $349
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Contains a built-in thermometer to keep food cooking at its optimal temperature
✔ Has a durable porcelain-enameled steel charcoal chamber
✔ Comes with six adjustable cooking grates
✘ May leak smoke
✘ Has a short one-year warranty
Key Features
- 34.52 by 20.2 by 47.03 inches
- 1,176 square inches of cooking space
- 57 pounds
- Six shelves
- Charcoal fuel source
- Analog thermometer
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers were happy with this smoker because it offered effective cooking and temperature control at a reasonable price. However, some users didn’t like its thin construction or small firebox.
Best Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
- $249
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Uses a side loading system so that you don’t have to open the door to add wood chips during the cooking process
✔ Houses a digital panel for selecting the cooking temperature and time
✔ Has an insulated body to retain heat
✘ Has a small timer and temperature display
✘ Has paint on the inside that’s prone to peeling
Key Features
- 20.47 by 1988 by 33.26 inches
- 45.9 pounds
- Four shelves
- Electric fuel source
- Digital thermometer
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews for this smoker mentioned its digital control panel that offered easy operation and temperature control. On the other hand, some customers struggled to get it to smoke well at high temperatures.
Best Small Charcoal Smoker
Weber Charcoal Smoker
- $497.75
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a built-in grommet to feed thermometer wires through
✔ Can remove the door to add large volumes of fuel easily
✔ Uses a water pan to add moisture to the smoker’s heat and meat
✘ Has an analog thermometer instead of a digital one
✘ Can’t cook for larger gatherings
Key Features
- 24 by 23 by 48.5 inches
- 68 pounds
- Two shelves
- Charcoal fuel source
- Analog thermometer
- Two- or five-year warranty, depending on the component
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this smoker said it was easy to use with its adjustable vent and analog thermometer. Once they were done cooking with it, they also found it to be simple to clean. A common complaint among unsatisfied customers was that it had limited cooking space.
Best Pellet Smoker
Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
- $339.15
- $399
- 15% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a large temperature range between 180 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit
✔ Has two wheels to push it to the optimal location in your yard
✔ Comes with a waterproof cover
✘ Has a bulky and heavy build
✘ Offers only two tiers of cooking space
Key Features
- 42 by 27 by 49 inches
- 450 square inches of cooking space
- 84 pounds
- Two shelves
- Wood pellet fuel source
- Digital thermometer
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this smoker positive reviews said it was easy to set up, had a stylish design, and cooked various meats and other foods. Alternatively, negative reviews claimed that the actual temperature of the smoker didn’t always match what was shown on the display.
Best Propane Smoker
Cuisinart Propane Smoker
- $299.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Houses four removable stainless steel shelves
✔ Has a seal-tight twist lock
✔ Can open and close the two doors and vent to control the amount of smoke
✘ May provide inaccurate temperature readings
✘ Features a small water pan that restricts the smoker’s flames
Key Features
- 19.3 by 18.1 by 38.6 inches
- 784 square inches of cooking space
- 69.5 pounds
- Four shelves
- Propane fuel source
- Analog thermometer
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers appreciated the quality materials the manufacturer used to build this smoker, allowing it to last for years outside. However, some customers were disappointed with the add-ons, stating that the temperature gauge was inaccurate and the water pan was restrictive.
Buying Guide to Smokers
Before committing to a particular smoker, consider the following factors.
Fuel
Here are some of the most popular types of smoker fuels and the flavors associated with them:
- Charcoal: Charcoal produces a distinct smoky flavor on various types of meat, including chicken, pork, and beef. The downside to charcoal is that it can be difficult to light as well as challenging to maintain a constant temperature.
- Pellets: Wood pellets allow you to adjust and maintain your smoker’s temperature with ease. They also give your food a mild smoky flavor. A downside to wood pellet smokers is that they’re susceptible to premature wear and tear.
- Propane: Propane smokers are a solid portable option. They produce distinct barbecue-flavored meat.
- Electric: If you’re looking to get into smoking but don’t want to worry about maintaining a heat source, an electric smoker is the way to go. Electric smokers are easy to use and produce a simple smoky flavor.
Temperature Range
Think about the variety of foods you want to cook with your smoker. Make sure that the model you choose can reach the temperatures that are required to properly cook these items.
Construction
Smokers are usually made of ceramic or steel. To produce food with a classic smoky flavor, the smoker should be made of thick, well-insulated materials that can hold a constant temperature for hours.
Temperature Control
To produce quality food, you need to be able to adjust the temperature of the smoker throughout the cooking process. The amount and type of provided temperature control usually depend on the fuel source of the smoker. Almost all smokers have an adjustable vent, but electric smokers may come with a digital controller that simplifies this process.
Accessories
Aside from a quality smoker, there are a few tools you need to make smoking meat a hassle-free process.
- Wireless meat thermometer: This tool ensures that your meat is thoroughly cooked. You can leave many wireless meat thermometers in the meat throughout the cooking process to alert you when your food is at its proper temperature.
- Heat-resistant gloves: While cooking, the shell and other outer components of the smoker can get hot. To protect your hands, wear heat-resistant gloves.
- Stainless steel tongs: Your cooking tongs should be long enough to collect your meat from the smoker without burning yourself.
- Basting brush: Basting brushes apply sauces and other marinades to your meats while they’re cooking.
- Bear claws: Bear claws pull apart pork while it’s still hot.
- Steel grill brush: It’s important to clean your smoker’s grates after every use with a grill brush to extend its lifespan.
- Smoker jacket: If you’re keeping your smoker outside, you can protect it from the elements with a weatherproof cover.
Maintenance
Your smoker experiences intense heat and smoke every time you use it, so it’s important to conduct maintenance on it after each use. Once you’re done cooking and the smoker has cooled, remove and wash the racks, water and drip pans, and smoker box. Use a grill brush to push excess residue toward the bottom of the smoker. Then, empty the debris out of the bottom.
Meat Smoking Tips
Finding a smoker that suits your needs is the first step toward making smoked meats. However, knowing how to use your smoker is also important. Here are several helpful tips:
- Prepare your meats before you fire up your smoker: Marinate or rub your meat ahead of time to avoid wasting fuel.
- Flavor your smoker with wood chips, chunks, or pellets: These wood pieces come in different flavors, such as hickory, apple, and pecan. Different woods create different flavor profiles and work best with different meats, so do some additional research to make the best possible pairing.
- Go low and slow: Smoking meat is a time-consuming affair, but when it’s done properly, it’s worth the time and effort.
- When it comes to smoke, less is more: Adding too much wood to the smoker can create too much smoke, causing your food to taste bitter. Add a few wood chunks or chips at a time to maintain a gentle but steady smoke flow.
- Don’t worry if the outside of the meat looks dark or charred: This is common for smoked meat. This dark crust is known as bark and is a result of the fat, spices, and smoke caramelizing the exterior of the meat.
- Check the smoker periodically: Though opening the lid too often can let heat escape and dry out the meat, the smoker’s fire is a safety hazard and should be attended to. You’ll also want to monitor the temperature to ensure that it stays consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smokers
What is a reverse flow smoker?
The heat from this type of smoker travels over the meat from the firebox to the flue baffle before traveling under the meat. Manufacturers claim that this cooking method produces an even cook.
How do you season a smoker?
To season your smoker, spray or coat the inside with grapeseed, canola, or another cooking oil at high heat. Do this a few hours before you put meat in it.
Can I use lighter fluid in my smoker?
You can use lighter fluid with some smokers or smoker-grill hybrids. However, know that lighter fluids with additives can give your food a strange artificial taste.
How We Selected the Best Smokers
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of smokers with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
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