Are you looking for the best smoker to enhance your cooking but haven’t had much luck?
What about a smoker that works well and is simple to learn how to use? Well, the search is over because BestSmokerz.com has a solution for you.
Whether you are looking for an electric, wood pellet, charcoal, or gas smoker, you will find our guide very useful to you. We have listed different types of smokers currently available and how to choose the best kind to suit your needs.
Apart from that, we will also mention smoker accessories and why they are essential for your bbq machine.
Best Beginner Smokers Under $300
| Cooking Surface | Fuel Type | Dimensions (LWH) | Customer Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masterbuilt MB20052318 |  | 717 sq. Inch | Propane | 18 x 17 x 36 inches | 4.3 |
| Cuisinart COS-244 |  | 785 sq. Inch | Propane | 20 x 20 x 46 inches | 4.0 |
| Masterbuilt MB20070210 |  | 730 sq. Inch | Electric | 20 x 21.69 x 40.15 in inches | 4.1 |
| Cuisinart COS-330 |  | 784 sq. Inch | Electric | 22 x 19 x 37.5 inches | 4.0 |
| Weber 721001 |  | 481 sq. Inch | Charcoal | 41 x 19 x 21 inches | 4.8 |
| Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D |  | 1176 sq. Inch | Charcoal | 47 x 34.5 x 20.2 inches | 4.0 |
Best Type Of Smoker
1. Electric Smoker
In our smoker review guide for 2024, electric models were the best for anyone looking for a new piece of cooking equipment.
Electric smokers are easy to use because they are relatively hands-off, allowing you to use the smoker while doing other things. That is useful if don’t spend a great deal of time cooking outdoors.
All you need to do is plug it into an outlet, and it will be ready for use in a matter of minutes. These types of smokers are the right choice for you because they are easy to learn, and they don’t rely on combustible fuel sources.
Electric smokers are the best solution for anyone who lives in any residential area, be it a neighborhood or an apartment complex. Another feature that makes it more appealing to consumers is that they are among the most affordable types of smokers.
Electric smokers are ideal for hosting a barbecue or even a nightly family meal without worrying about charcoal, pellets, or gas soot. Another advantage of electronic smokers is that they often come equipped with accessories that make them more versatile and straightforward to use.
Recommended Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt 130B Digital Electric Smoker
2. Pellet Smoker
Pellet smokers use firewood pellets as fuel, and they are sold in bulk, keeping costs low. Despite that pellet, smokers are not exactly cheap but are affordable when compared to other smoker types.
These types offer amazing features that cook at a consistent temperature. Also, most meals are mostly on their own without much work.
Pellet smokers are preferred because they do not create an overpowering smoky flavor. You also have the choice of buying different types of pellets to alter the taste of whatever you are cooking, much like smoking chips.
However, pellet smokers may not perform the best when cooking steaks, hot dogs, or burgers because the unit relies on indirect heating rather than directly grilling meat. A pellet smoker is best for smoking meat, pork, and turkey, or other slow-cooked meals.
Food that has been cooked using a pellet smoker achieves a smooth and mild smoky flavor. Pellet smokers are also environmentally friendly when compared to other methods.
Recommended Pellet Smoker: Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24
3. Charcoal Smoker
These types of smokers give food a unique taste preferred by many people. Charcoal smokers are widely available in different models.
Some models are easy to use, while others are more challenging to learn. But if you understand how to cook with charcoal briquettes, you may catch on quickly.
Charcoal smokers use charcoal briquettes as fuel, as well as wood smoking chips to produce large smoke rings on the meat. These smokers come in several different styles, including offset-side charcoal smokers, cabinet-styles, and barrel and drum smokers.
Among these styles, the cabinet smoker is preferred by many because they are well-insulated and user-friendly. Offset-side charcoal smokers are the next best thing.
Barrel and drum smokers are the cheapest of the three. However, despite the price, they still produce a charcoal flavor and are very easy to use.
Charcoal smokers achieve a more pronounced smoky flavor compared to electric, pellet and gas smokers. Given the taste and price, it’s no wonder more people prefer them to other smoking units.
Recommended Charcoal Smoker: Weber 721001 mountain cooker
4. Gas/Propane Smoker
Gas and propane smokers are the best options for anyone who is looking for a smoker that they can use without getting dirty from charcoal or other types of fuel.
These smokers use gas and wood chips to smoke. However, this does mean refilling your gas tank and replenishing chips, which could become costly.
Gas smokers are highly convenient, and you can use them for cooking without an electric outlet. These smokers offer similar results compared to other types of smokers, and many people prefer the taste compared to electric smokers.
Anyone looking for an efficient and affordable smoker will find gas units useful. Not only are they convenient for home cooking but they are simple to set up when cooking or at outdoor events.
While you probably won’t see billowing clouds of smoke like with other types, they do smoke enough for that classic barbecue flavor. Gas models are also among the cheapest smokers on the market and are suitable for anyone working with a smaller budget.
Recommended Propane Smoker: Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical 36″ Propane Smoker
BBQ Smokers Buying Guide
Making any substantial purchase can be a challenge and buying a BBQ smoker is no easy task. To get perfect smoky food, you must find the best smoker for your budget.
By looking at specific features and manufacturers, though, you can choose the exact model for your needs. Below is our helpful buying guide to help you find the perfect smoker for your family’s needs.
Consider the Size
Smokers come in a variety of sizes. If you are single or plan on cooking for just yourself or a very small family, then smaller smokers may be the better purchase.
Conversely, if you have a large family, then you will need a beefier model. But what matters most is your available cooking area, as well as how quickly you can install it.
Price
How much are you willing to spend? For those on a tight budget, gas or charcoal smokers would be ideal because they are usually the cheapest.
If your budget is flexible, then you may want to invest in a pellet smoker. Within each brand of a smoker, there are also different price variations based on different models.
Construction and Durability
A well-constructed smoker that gets appropriately maintained can last a long time. Make sure to look at the materials used in manufacturing, and how durable it is before buying them.
The good news is that usually, the most expensive unit is not necessarily the best. You may find an excellent, long-lasting smoker at a budget-friendly price.
Temperature Range
Most smoked meats require low temperatures and longer cooking times. But if you find a smoker that allows you to set the temperature, then it is better to purchase one that can reach a temperature of at least 500 degrees.
Read 5 Best Digital Meat Thermometers For Grilling
Smoker Accessories
Smokers’ accessories may make your device easier. While some smokers come with their own set, others are available for increased functionality.
Here are some accessories to consider for your smoker.
- Wheels
Smokers are usually bulky and sometimes very difficult to move. You might want to buy a model that has wheels.
When choosing a smoker, make sure that it has wheels that are large enough to make for easy transportation. At the very least, you should be able to move it around your home without much trouble.
Also, ensure that the wheels remain installed correctly. Otherwise, they may just pop off as you’re trying to relocate it.
- Cover
Covers guard your smoker against cracking during cold weather while allowing air to flow through vents. Covers also keep your device clean and sheltered from other damage, as well as protect it from condensation forming from within. Find out Best BBQ Grill Cover.
- Grill
Most smokers also operate traditional BBQ grills. But if a smoker does not have a grilling surface, you may want to spend a little more on a unit that includes grates.
Ensure that the smoker you chose grills meat while you smoke. Otherwise, it may not offer the functionality that you need.
- Rack
Racks are preferred because they protect your grilling tools. Or, they may act as an outdoor spice rack while you focus on cooking.
Some devices come with a rack and a small table attached to them, but others do not. If you’re serious about keeping accessories protected, then you should certainly consider them.
- Movable Interior Shelves
Shelves come in handy when preparing different types of meat and other smokeable foods. You might need to rearrange shelves when cooking to make sure everything cooks evenly. For this reason, you should look for a smoker with removable interior shelves.
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In conclusion, make sure to compare smokers with our guide, as well as your preferences. Charcoal and gas smokers are usually the cheapest options, but anyone willing to spend a little more should go for gas smokers.
On the other hand, pellet smokers are quite affordable compared to others. Each type of smoker has a wide range of prices depending on numerous factors such as size, type, durability, temperature range, and accessories.
If you’ve never purchased a smoker before and you’re feeling overwhelmed by the available options, you can go through our best smoker reviews and choose the one right for you. You can also compare prices by visiting online stores so that you can have a rough idea of what your budget should be.
