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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 cooking needs, the This Old House Reviews Team researched a variety of available models on Amazon. Read on for in-depth explanations of our top picks.
Largest Charcoal Smoker: Dyna-Glo Charcoal Smoker
This smoker has 1,176 square inches of cooking space if you want to stuff it full with all of the meats and vegetables you need for your meal. You can orient the cooking space to your preference using the six adjustable grates. Its porcelain-enameled steel chamber keeps the charcoal stacked tightly, and its analog thermometer keeps track of the cooking temperature.
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
This electric smoker stays at your desired temperature throughout the whole cooking process thanks to its insulated body that retains heat and its easy-access chip tray that you can fill without opening the door. You can also check its progress with the digital panel that displays the cooking temperature and time.
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.
Smallest Charcoal Smoker: Weber Charcoal Smoker
This charcoal smoker is small but useful, as it can cook up to six racks of ribs across its two shelves. It also has several convenient features, including a built-in thermometer to cook your meat at the right temperature and a removable door to load large quantities of fuel.
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 that 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
This pellet smoker is multifunctional, as it can grill, smoke, bake, braise, roast, char, sear, or barbecue food to give it a light smokiness. To ensure your meat is consistently cooked, you can use the built-in dial to select a specific temperature between 180 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 that it was easy to set up, had a stylish design, and cooked a variety of 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
This smoker includes several features to customize your smoking experience. It has four shelves that you can move around to decide how to position your meat as well as two front doors and a rear vent that you can open or close to control how much smoke you let in. Whatever layout and smokiness you decide on, you can keep the heat inside with a seal-tight twist lock.
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 that the manufacturer used to build this smoker, as this allowed 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.
Buyer’s Guide
Before committing to a particular smoker, make sure you 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 a variety of meats, 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 depends 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 meats 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 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
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 a 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.
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