Nothing beats the delicious taste of meat smoked low and slow. But it’s not so easy to achieve this when you’re using an ordinary grill. More importantly, if you want high quality barbecue, you’re going to need something better than a grill – you’re going to need a smoker. Of course, the question is, what kind of smoker are you going to get?
There are three main types of smokers based on fuel type – charcoal, gas, and propane. A charcoal smoker may be old school, but it produces the most authentic smoke flavor. However, it takes quite a bit of practice to master the use of one. In order to control the temperature, you’ll need to be able to control how much oxygen gets into the smoker. Adjusting the vents and dampers is an art that has a steep learning curve. A gas smoker is much easier to operate. It’s also much easier to maintain as there’s less of a mess to clean. Also, unlike charcoal smokers, a gas smoker can be used in all sorts of weather. However, a gas smoker has a lot of working parts that could possibly fail. Some models tend to run hot and they tend to cost more than charcoal smokers. Also, the taste of its barbecue isn’t as smokey as meat cooked over charcoal.Now, electric smokers are the height of convenience. They come with digital control panels that enable you to set the temperature and time, providing you with a truly set-it-and-forget-it smoker. There’s no learning curve and they’re perfect for cold smoking. However, you will need a power outlet in order to operate one. In addition, electric smokers tend to be more expensive to acquire and maintain.
Aside from fuel type, smokers come in a variety of designs which include the vertical smoker. Vertical smokers are perfect for small spaces due to their size. They tend to be more efficient than large smokers because they utilize less fuel or power to operate. They’re also usually one of the least expensive. If you want to try smoking meat, you can’t go wrong with a vertical smoker. And we’ve got just the ones you should consider.
Table of Contents
- Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Charcoal Smoker Review
- Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package Review
- Masterbuilt MB20073519 MES 130P Electric Smoker Review
- Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker
- Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Smoker, 16" Charcoal
- Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36" Vertical Charcoal Smoker
- Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, 30-Inch
- Oklahoma Joe's 19202089 Bronco Charcoal Smoker, Black
| Product name | Rating | Price | Discount | History | Size | Seller | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch Charcoal Smoker, Black | $329.00 | 18% OFFBUY NOW |  | x x | Weber | |
 | 18-1/2 in. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package | -- | BUY NOW |  | x x | Pit Barrel Cooker | |
 | Masterbuilt MB20073519 MES 130P Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, Black | $279.99 | 15% OFFBUY NOW |  | x x | Masterbuilt Manufacturing, LLC | |
 | Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker | $799.00 | BUY NOW |  | x x | Backwoods Smoker | |
 | Oklahoma Joe's 19202089 Bronco Charcoal Smoker, Black | $485.48 | BUY NOW |  | x x | Oklahoma Joe's | |
 | Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, 30-Inch | -- | BUY NOW |  | x x | Sports Service | |
 | Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36" Vertical Charcoal Smoker | -- | BUY NOW |  | x x | GHP Group Inc. | |
 | Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Smoker, 16" Charcoal | $99.99 | BUY NOW |  | x x | Cuisinart |
Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Charcoal Smoker Review
$329.00
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -5
Best Smoker for Home
- long-term warranty
- total cooking area of 481 square inches
- porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and body for excellent heat retention
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker is at the top of our list not just because it’s from Weber (though they are the gold standard for charcoal grills). This vertical smoker features a porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section which improves heat retention and durability. It comes with two separate porcelain-enameled plated steel cooking grates that can easily fit several racks of ribs (using a rib rack) or large butts. You can even cook a full-size turkey on one grate while cooking a large ham on the other simultaneously. The dampers are made of aluminum and rust-resistant. There’s a built-in thermometer as well as a rust-resistant aluminum fuel door that makes adding charcoal during a cooking session convenient. This vertical smoker is very affordable and fuel efficient. It’s easy to use even for a beginner. It’s easily portable making it possible for you to enjoy authentic smokehouse flavors on the go.
Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package Review
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -1.139
Best Barrel Smoker
- a 30-gallon, 18-gauge steel drum and lid
- 240 square inches of cooking space
- a hook-and-hang system
Simple but effective. That’s the Classic Pit Barrel Cooker for you. It may not look as fancy as all other smokers out there, but you’ll be surprised by just how delicious it cooks its meat. This barrel of goodness is actually a 30-gallon drum made of 18-gauge steel. It features 2 steel bars and 8 stainless steel hooks for the “hook and hang” method as well as a standard grate which enables more versatile cooking. This smoker functions much like a convection oven; it’s able to evenly distribute heat from the bottom of the barrel, all the way to the top. The barrel is quite air tight which enables you to maintain a steady temperature. However, temperature control and flexibility isn’t easy to achieve with such a design. Also, the PBC can run a bit hot. That being said, this barrel is a no-brainer if you want an affordable option for producing high quality barbecue.
Masterbuilt MB20073519 MES 130P Electric Smoker Review
$279.99
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -2.854
Most Fancy Smoker
- Built-in temperature probe
- Bluetooth SMART technology
- 972 square inches of cooking space
If you want a real set-it-and-forget-it smoker, then you can’t go wrong with the Masterbuilt MB20073519 MES 130P Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker. Unlike our other picks, this one features Bluetooth SMART technology which enables you to control time and cooking temperature as well as monitor the temperature of the smoker throughout your cooking session using an app on your smart phone or the digital control panel. Aside from this ultimate convenience, you also get 972 square inches of cooking space along with a built-in temperature probe. It also has controllable interior lights and an automatic shut-off feature. There’s a side wood chip loading system which means you don’t need to open the smoker to refuel your fire. There’s even a window that allows you to see the meat as its cooking. The smoker also comes with four chrome-coated smoking racks; the three are standard racks while the last one is a custom notched rack that can be used with a Masterbuilt pan (sold separately).
Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker
$799.00
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -5
Best Professional Smoker
- Three wall design
- Powder-coated exterior box
- temperature range from 180 degrees to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
The Chubby 3400 is one of the most affordable smokers in our lineup. It’s the perfect companion for those who love to do a little bit of low and slow cooking in the backyard on weekends. It may be small but it can get mighty powerful. This compact smoker features three walls that provide the right amount of insulation and heat distribution. The space between the outer wall and the center wall allow heat to stay trapped in the smoker. The gap between the center wall and the inner wall, on the other hand, allows the smoke from the firebox to travel upwards and enter the cooking chamber from the top. The heat from the smoke radiates through the side walls for even heat distribution. Aside from this innovative design, the Chubby 3400 features a stainless steel cooking chamber and door, a powder-coated exterior box, a removable stainless steel water pan, and several nickel-plated racks.
$99.99
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -5
Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Smoker, 16" Charcoal
- Two 16" stainless steel racks provide 402 square inches of cooking space
- Porcelain enamel water bowl
- Top and bottom vents provide a dual air vent system
- Latching base
- Vertically hinged door
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -2.82
Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36" Vertical Charcoal Smoker
- 4 cooking grates
- 784 square Inch of total cooking area
- Charcoal & ash management system includes charcoal chamber, charcoal grate & removable ash pan
- Protect your smoker with a custom-fit Dyna-Glo premium cover - Model DG784GSC (Sold Separately)
- Stainless temperature gauge with smoke zone indicates the ideal temperature for infusing smoke flavor
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -3
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, 30-Inch
- 548 sq inches of cooking space with 3 chrome-coated racks and 1500 watt heating element
- Dual-wall insulation
- Thermostat temperature control for even cooking from 100 to 275 degrees F
- Front-loading wood chips tray, removable water and drip pan
$485.48
Total Reviews -0
Review Score -5
Oklahoma Joe's 19202089 Bronco Charcoal Smoker, Black
- Unique airflow control system and sealed lid allows for precise temperature management
- Cooking grate and meat hangers enable a custom smoking setup
- Oversized charcoal basket holds enough fuel for all-day smoking
- Removable ash pan and porcelain-coated components make clean-up easy
- Heavy-gauge steel construction ensures durability you can trust