Dec 07, 2020

Common Types of Smokers

There’s no doubt that if you are new to smoking, that you may be confused by all of the different types of smokers out there.

We’ve made things simple and put together a guide of the most common smokers and things to consider when choosing the right one to get your smoke on!

Propane/Gas

Use propane or natural gas to produce heat
Easy to operate with temp control
Need wood chips to produce smokey flavor
Heats faster than charcoal smoker and less messy
Possible to run out of propane on long cooks, make sure to have a spare ready

Vertical Water Smokers

Come in both charcoal-fired and electric models
Comes in many styles and sizes
Heat comes from the bottom and rises to food on racks above it
Drip pan in middle of smoker allows for moist, steamy smoking environment
Charcoal models require more attention and adding charcoal every hour
A little clean up required if using charcoal

Offset Horizontal Smokers

Barrel smokers have 2 parts: an offset firebox and a cylindrical smoking or cooking chamber
Heats up with charcoal or small logs
Heat is controlled by using dampers
Operates at a low temp (225-250F)
Holds larger amounts of food
Able to add more fuel without letting heat out
Takes longer to get up to temperature than propane
Slight learning curve and lots of practice to produce excellent food

Pellet Smokers

Uses sawdust pellets that feed into a firebox
Built in thermometers to keep temps stable
Able to set and walk away from
A smoker, grill, and oven rolled into one
Not much clean up
Expensive – expect to pay at least $400 for an entry level one
Runs on electricity, so you will need a socket near by

Electric

Fire and forget smoking solution
Smoke comes from woodchips which are suspended above the heating element
Water pan creates vapor and indirect cooking environment
Easy to use
Flavor produced is different from other smokers due to lack of actual combustion
Lack of combustion means meat won’t form a smoke ring
Harder to get crisp crust on chicken skin or ribs due to moist atmosphere inside

Ceramic Grills

Think Big Green Egg
Ceramic walls aid in heat and moisture retention
Fire produced at the bottom and food is placed on a grill grate above it
Some models feature a deflector plate to reflect some of the heat
Very multipurpose – can be used as a grill or pizza oven
Thick walls are great way to keep temperatures consistent in colder climates
Expensive – expect to pay around $1000 for a top end model
Adding more fuel can be tricky because the fire sits below the food
Takes some time to learn how best to use

Kettle Grills

Turning a kettle grill into a smoker requires a little rearrangement of the charcoals inside
Requires wood chips or chunks
If you already have a kettle grill, you don’t need to buy a smoker (unless you want another one 😊)
Because it is not designed to be a smoker, it can be difficult to control air flow
Charcoal requires some clean up at the end

Things to consider

Budget

Between $200-$500 you have a lot of great options in the charcoal, propane and electric styles
Over $1,000 your options open right up and you can look at the best brands of offset smoker like Yoder, a quality Kamado like the Kamado Joe or a large high tech pellet smoker.

Type of Fuel

We recommend a charcoal smoker to anyone who wants to learn the art of barbecue
Pellet smoker for someone who just wants great food and can spend the money
Propane for someone who doesn’t have a lot to spend but wants to set it and forget it

Number of People You Will Be Cooking For

Are you cooking for yourself or for a large group? Look at the cooking area to determine the right size for your needs

Portability

Smokers aren’t typically the most portable devices
Good portable options are charcoal and pellet grills
Some manufacturers do make nice units for camping and tailgating

After deciding which one is best for you, there will still be some learning to do. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions and tips. And follow Burn Pit BBQ for more recipes and how-tos!