Top-Rated Smokers as Determined by Our Testing Sessions
When you need a roadside treat, pull over when you spot a billow of smoke above a nearby pit, cooking up probably delicious and tender slow-cooked meats. You may not have the luxury of driving around looking for such hickory-kissed delights, but you can create that delectable smoky bliss at home with the right equipment. No need to be confused between grilling and smoking - the key difference is that smoking is a slow process, cooking food at low temperatures for an extended period, while grilling requires high heat for a short time.
The market offers an array of smokers, ranging from high-tech models to basic ones, designed to cater to diverse cooking needs - whether you're planning to smoke a single brisket for the week or throw a family reunion for 50 people in your backyard. To select the perfect smoker, we've tried out 10 different models, assessing each one on various factors such as ease of assembly and operation, temperature control, and more.
Our Top Picks
- Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill on Amazon for $1,049: This pellet smoker delivers heavy-duty construction, a user-friendly control panel, excellent heating capabilities, and versatility, making it suitable for both casual grilling and serious smoking. Standout features include its large cooking area, sturdy construction, and helpful customer support. Although it suffers from minor issues such as deflector plate interference with even heat distribution, it's still a reliable choice.
- Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker on Amazon for $249: Ideal for beginners, this affordable electric smoker boasts a well-sealed design, easy assembly, and a large cooking area. Key features include straightforward operation, ease of cleaning, and a removable wood chip tube for added convenience. The downsides include its slightly awkward maneuverability and temperature fluctuations.
- PK Grills Original PK300 Grill and Smoker on Amazon for $600: Combining grilling and smoking functionalities, this charcoal smoker offers superior heat retention and control, portability, and a built-in side table. Key strengths include its easy setup and cleanup, venting system learning curve, and durability. However, it does have a small cooking surface which may result in some uneven cooking.
- Big Green Egg Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker at Ace Hardware for $1,150: This high-end kamado-style smoker excels in precision temperature control, easy operation, excellent heat retention, and ease of cleaning. Offering versatility in grilling, roasting, baking, and smoking, it's a worthy splurge for those seeking a long-lasting, top-performing smoker.
- Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill on Amazon for $480: This portable pellet grill features easy use and cleaning, versatility, and straightforward assembly. Key highlights include precise temperature adjustments, electronic auto-start ignition, and its ability to produce consistent, clean smoke flavor. The downside is that it has some noticeable hot spots.
Best Overall: Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill
To bars and restaurants, or even appealing to backyard enthusiasts, Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill offers a wide range of features that make it an excellent choice for both smoking and casual grilling. Featuring a black ceramic-coated exterior and a pellet box on the right side, it mimics the look of traditional gas grills. Despite its hefty weight, it's easy to maneuver, thanks to its two wheels, two legs, and generous cooking area. Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill flaunts an extensive 648 square inches of cooking space, ample for smoking plenty of chicken wings.
The control panel on this pellet model is remarkable, boasting a large, intuitive design with a bright display and various features, making it user-friendly. It is even identical to the app, allowing you to monitor the process with ease. During testing, we found that the smoker leaks a moderate amount of smoke, which is a common issue with pellet smokers. We also noted that the deflector plate hinders even heat distribution.
In spite of these shortcomings, the Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill comes with a host of benefits. The grill's construction is sturdy, while its large control panel features a fuel gauge, adjustable timer, connectivity icons, two temperature probe readings, and more. All modes were straightforward and easy to use on both the control panel and the app.
Another impressive aspect of this pellet grill is the easy clean-up. Apart from the versatility of being able to smoke, roast, sear, grill, and bake, its easy clean-up adds to its value.
Smoker Type: Pellet
These electrically-powered smokers burn wood pellets to provide heat and smoke. They offer the convenience of an electric smoker with the smoky flavor of a charcoal or wood smoker.
Who It's For: Anyone who wants a low-maintenance, set-it-and-forget-it style smoker.
Best for Beginners: Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker
For beginners looking for an easy introduction to smoking, this vertical, electric smoker offers step-by-step instructions, an intuitive control panel, and an easily-filled wood chip tube for added smoky flavor. While it has limitations such as a single-door design that may cause temperature fluctuations, and a short cord, its well-rounded features make it a fantastic pick for the novice smoker.
The sturdy steel construction and generous 710 square inches of cooking area come at a budget-friendly price. During testing, we found it to be lightweight and easy to assemble, making it suitable for most anyone, despite its insufficient power cord and somewhat awkward maneuverability.
The smoker's four chrome-coated racks provide a sturdy surface for loading food, producing juicy, nicely browned wings during our testing. The wings were pleasantly smoky, but we struggled with temperature fluctuations due to the single-door design of this smoker.
We appreciated the secure seal on the door to prevent smoke leakage and the drip tray design that caught everything. Overall, the simple, beginner-friendly operation coupled with an affordable price makes this a great choice for those new to smoking. Besides, cleanup is effortless, a bonus point for those who don't want to scrub the grill after a long smoking session.
The Bottom Line
If you're looking for a smoker that combines high-quality construction, intuitive operation, excellent temperature control, and versatility, the Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill is the one for you. We love its ease of use, clean-up, and versatility in cooking options ranging from smoking and grilling to roasting and baking.
In case you're a beginner and want a more affordable, easy-to-use option, go for the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker. With straight-forward instructions, user-friendly design, and affordable price, this electric smoker delivers great value.
[1] Large Cooking Surface: https://rheatmo.de/meine-besten-smoker/[2] Portable Smoker: https://www.chillideas.de/themen/barbecue/kleine-grillplatzkueche-diebesten-portable-grills/[3] Offset G3 Smoker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUQEitho-lA[4] Broil King Regal 500 Pellet Grill: https://youtu.be/6--cTHfvwkQ[5] Traditional Smoker: https://www.ogbbq.com/3-wood-smoker-made-from-vintage-ammo-boxes/
- The Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill, featured on Amazon for $1,049, is ideal for food and recipes enthusiasts who value both style and a quality smoky flavor in their cooking.
- Southern Living recommends the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker, available on Amazon for $249, as the best smoker for beginners looking for shopping options that offer easy setup, affordable price, and great food results.
- A fashion-conscious backyard chef might be loving the Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill, which is available in c0bc3cab7f4f42dcd0d8039f34e58b54, blending food and recipes with the chic appeal of outdoor fashion.
- For those with an affinity for cooking and an appreciation for the classic BBQ experience, a backyard smoker like the PK Grills Original PK300 Grill and Smoker could be a perfect match, offering exceptional taste and an elegant look.
- When searching for the perfect smoker for fashionable friends or family members, the Big Green Egg Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker, available at Ace Hardware for $1,150, provides a premium experience with style and performance.
- Follow these tips to make the most of the Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill: monitor the smoking process at intervals to achieve the best slow-cooked meats, and maintain a consistent temperature for optimal results.
