The Best Smokers, According to Chefs and Pitmasters

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Pros: It has multiple connectivity options for hands-free monitoring and a large cooking and fuel capacity.

Cons: While not the most expensive option reviewed here, it does come with a price tag, and people may find the size and weight restrictive for their space.

While many models sport similar features and come in varying shapes and sizes, "they're all chasing Traeger," says Wood. The 780 presented well in our Electric Smoker roundup and held firm here.

The 780 offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and Alexa integrations that keep the user in constant contact with what's happening inside, monitoring the smoker temperature, the internal temperature of the food.

While primarily designed for smoking, it is also suitable for grilling or baking. The Traeger offers a large capacity, handling 34 burgers, or six whole chickens, or six slabs of ribs at once.

– Dimensions: 27 x 55 x 49 inches – Capacity: 780 square inches – Fuel Type: Pellet – Temperature Range: 120°F - 550°F – Included accessories: Temperature probe, connectivity options

Pros: The heat retention and fuel efficiency make this very easy to use. Cons: It is heavy and bulky and needs to be kept dry.

Considering the multitude of formats, selecting a single overall smoker was no easy task. The primary consideration, affirmed by Bahr and Wood, is that a consumer wants a smoker that will consistently produce the same results when following the same process.

After that, we judged ease of use, including how easy it is to obtain the fuel necessary to operate it. Stripping away all of the bells and whistles of several models to make a valid apples-to-apples comparison, we arrived at the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II.

The Classic Joe II is an 18-inch charcoal-burning smoker that can use wood chunks or chips as a smoking fuel source. While it boasts many features that make it a more multi-use appliance than simply a smoker, it's the smoker capacities that we're taking into account here.

Its ceramic construction and gasketed lid provide excellent heat retention with temperature control from the upper and lower vent system. The design and airflow provide efficient fuel burning, minimizing the need to add additional charcoal or wood.

While this is a heavy unit, the spring-assisted lid hinge allows easy opening, and the included rack and casters ease the job of moving the smoker. Its 508-square-inch cooking space is enough to hold a couple of pork butts, and you can maximize space for ribs or pork bellies by hanging them vertically.

– Dimensions: 46.5 x 28 x 48 inches – Capacity: 508 square inches – Fuel Type: Charcoal – Temperature Range: 225°F - 750°F – Included Accessories: Grate gripper, flexible cooking rack, ash tool, heat deflector

Pros: The construction allows for easy lighting, adding more fuel, loading, and unloading. Cons: There are virtually no bells or whistles, and the damper system has a learning curve.

Best value can be a tricky evaluation. It ultimately boils down to value received for dollars spent over most inexpensive. With that in mind, the Weber 14-Inch Smoky Mountain brings considerable benefit to the table.

This model has a small footprint of only 14 x 14 inches, perfect for small spaces and portability, but boasts 286 square inches of cooking space, enough for two large pieces of meat or slabs of ribs. The lid, body, and bowl are porcelain-lined, providing excellent heat retention.

The design of the dampers allows for precise temperature control with the ability to adjust airflow through the unit. In addition to the built-in thermometer for monitoring the smoker's temperature, there is a thermometer port on the side to facilitate an external probe to monitor the internal temperature of the food inside.

– Dimensions: 14.7 x 14.7 x 31.4 inches – Capacity: 286 square inches – Fuel Type: Charcoal – Temperature Range: 200°F - 400°F – Included accessories: Built-in thermometer

Pros: The digital controls and large chip box make this unit very easy to operate and maintain consistent temperatures. Cons: The smoke is inconsistent at low temperatures, and the window can be challenging to clean.

Combining the convenience of smoking with wood chips and the precision of digital controls, the Deluxe is versatile and easy to operate.

Its larger capacity allows for smoking can feed a large gathering or dinner for two, while its temperature range allows for both cold and hot smoking.

The integrated temperature probe monitors the internal temperature of the items inside, and a larger chip box minimizes the need to open the smoker to add more fuel.

The dual wall construction allows for heat retention even in cold weather while keeping the outside of the smoker relatively cool.

Finally, it has a warming feature that makes reheating smoked foods after they've rested easy without drying the food out.

– Dimensions: 16.54 x 32.52 x 18.11 inches – Capacity: 725 square inches – Fuel Type: Wood chips – Temperature Range: 100°F - 275°F – Included Equipment: Digital temperature probe

Pros: Push-button ignition and fast heating make this easy to use. Cons: Assembling this smoker can take some time to get right, and the unit needs frequent cleaning to keep a consistent temperature.

Temperature control is one of the essential factors in cooking good barbecue. Propane is a format that provides quick ignition and consistent heat to burn either chips, pellets, or logs.

The Masterbuilt features a 15,400 BTU burner and built-in temperature controls that allow for even cooking with only a 10-degree variance in most cases.

– Dimensions: 20.47 x 20.86 x 43.5 inches – Capacity: 731 square inches – Fuel Type: Chips, pellets, logs – Temperature Range: Up to 350°F – Included Accessories: Built-in thermometer

Pros: Because the unit features commercial-grade stainlesssteel bands, hinges, springs and hardware, you are assured of more rust andcorrosion resistance on the entire grill. Cons: There is no light on this unit, so you?ll need external light source for grilling after dark.

Forthose diehards of charcoal as far as grilling is concerned, the Bravo Kamadomakes the most sense. This charcoal grill is made of commercial-grade stainlesssteel and high-quality ceramic for longevity.

Pros: The solid construction and reverse flow design allow easy heat management and retention. Cons: This smoker is heavy by design at 655 pounds, requires frequent tending of the fire, and is only available directly from the factory.

"Stick burners" may not be the jumping-off point for people new to smoking, but traditionalists and those who feel they need to hone their craft will frequently, inevitably, arrive at an offset smoker.

Reverse-flow design is all about circulation. Specially designed baffles draw smoke from the firebox across the bottom of the smoker. The smoke rises into the cook chamber before exiting the stack. Think of it as a rustic, smoky convection oven.

– Dimensions: 70 x 73 x 39 inches – Capacity: 6 cubic feet – Fuel Type: Wood or charcoal – Temperature Range: Up to 350°F – Included accessories: Temperature gauge, casters, and wheels

Pros: The smoker comes with additional features that takegrilling to a whole new level, albeit some are sold separately. Cons: Matching cart is sold separately at additional cost.

Atwell over one thousand dollars, this is the most expensive of the smokers thatmade the cut here. However, by buying this unit, you?re getting all the bellsand whistles of a truly high end appliance. Thesmoker is made with the highest quality components of any kamado style barbequeoven in the market.

Pros: It's easy to clean and the lightweight construction makes it easy to move while still offering good heat retention. Cons: The dual baffles provide some challenges to get used to and the exterior and handles can become very hot during cooking.

As a rule, I hate single-purpose tools. I'm a proponent of efficiency in space and movement and have no place for something that serves only one purpose, like an egg separator. When applied to outdoor cooking equipment, that can become problematic.

Finding a reliable smoker that is also good for grilling presents a problem on the outside. I'm not the only one who feels this way, and manufacturers have responded.

From simple steel units to the heavy ceramic construction of the kamado-style grills, there are a variety of multi-use smoker grills on the market that serve both purposes.

– Dimensions: 22.5 x 25x 39 inches – Capacity: 363 square inches – Fuel Type: Charcoal, wood, chips, pellets – Temperature Range: 0-550°F (288°C) – Included Accessories: Built-in thermometer

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The Best Smokers, According to Chefs and Pitmasters

Pros: It has multiple connectivity options for hands-free monitoring and a large cooking and fuel capacity.

Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Cons: While not the most expensive option reviewed here, it does come with a price tag, and people may find the size and weight restrictive for their space.

Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

While many models sport similar features and come in varying shapes and sizes, "they're all chasing Traeger," says Wood. The 780 presented well in our Electric Smoker roundup and held firm here.

Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

The 780 offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and Alexa integrations that keep the user in constant contact with what's happening inside, monitoring the smoker temperature, the internal temperature of the food.

Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

While primarily designed for smoking, it is also suitable for grilling or baking. The Traeger offers a large capacity, handling 34 burgers, or six whole chickens, or six slabs of ribs at once.

Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

– Dimensions: 27 x 55 x 49 inches – Capacity: 780 square inches – Fuel Type: Pellet – Temperature Range: 120°F - 550°F – Included accessories: Temperature probe, connectivity options

Best Pellet Smoker: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Pros: The heat retention and fuel efficiency make this very easy to use. Cons: It is heavy and bulky and needs to be kept dry.

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

Considering the multitude of formats, selecting a single overall smoker was no easy task. The primary consideration, affirmed by Bahr and Wood, is that a consumer wants a smoker that will consistently produce the same results when following the same process.

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

After that, we judged ease of use, including how easy it is to obtain the fuel necessary to operate it. Stripping away all of the bells and whistles of several models to make a valid apples-to-apples comparison, we arrived at the Kamado Joe Classic Joe II.

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

The Classic Joe II is an 18-inch charcoal-burning smoker that can use wood chunks or chips as a smoking fuel source. While it boasts many features that make it a more multi-use appliance than simply a smoker, it's the smoker capacities that we're taking into account here.

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

Its ceramic construction and gasketed lid provide excellent heat retention with temperature control from the upper and lower vent system. The design and airflow provide efficient fuel burning, minimizing the need to add additional charcoal or wood.

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

– Dimensions: 46.5 x 28 x 48 inches – Capacity: 508 square inches – Fuel Type: Charcoal – Temperature Range: 225°F - 750°F – Included Accessories: Grate gripper, flexible cooking rack, ash tool, heat deflector

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Big Joe Grill, Series II

Pros: The construction allows for easy lighting, adding more fuel, loading, and unloading. Cons: There are virtually no bells or whistles, and the damper system has a learning curve.

Best Value: Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

Best value can be a tricky evaluation. It ultimately boils down to value received for dollars spent over most inexpensive. With that in mind, the Weber 14-Inch Smoky Mountain brings considerable benefit to the table.

Best Value: Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

This model has a small footprint of only 14 x 14 inches, perfect for small spaces and portability, but boasts 286 square inches of cooking space, enough for two large pieces of meat or slabs of ribs. The lid, body, and bowl are porcelain-lined, providing excellent heat retention.

Best Value: Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

Best Value: Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

– Dimensions: 14.7 x 14.7 x 31.4 inches – Capacity: 286 square inches – Fuel Type: Charcoal – Temperature Range: 200°F - 400°F – Included accessories: Built-in thermometer

Best Value: Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

Pros: The digital controls and large chip box make this unit very easy to operate and maintain consistent temperatures. Cons: The smoke is inconsistent at low temperatures, and the window can be challenging to clean.

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

Combining the convenience of smoking with wood chips and the precision of digital controls, the Deluxe is versatile and easy to operate.

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

Its larger capacity allows for smoking can feed a large gathering or dinner for two, while its temperature range allows for both cold and hot smoking.

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

The integrated temperature probe monitors the internal temperature of the items inside, and a larger chip box minimizes the need to open the smoker to add more fuel.

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

The dual wall construction allows for heat retention even in cold weather while keeping the outside of the smoker relatively cool.

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

Finally, it has a warming feature that makes reheating smoked foods after they've rested easy without drying the food out.

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

– Dimensions: 16.54 x 32.52 x 18.11 inches – Capacity: 725 square inches – Fuel Type: Wood chips – Temperature Range: 100°F - 275°F – Included Equipment: Digital temperature probe

Best Electric Smoker: Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker

Pros: Push-button ignition and fast heating make this easy to use. Cons: Assembling this smoker can take some time to get right, and the unit needs frequent cleaning to keep a consistent temperature.

Best Propane Smoker: Masterbuilt Two-Door 30-Inch Propane Smoker

Temperature control is one of the essential factors in cooking good barbecue. Propane is a format that provides quick ignition and consistent heat to burn either chips, pellets, or logs.

Best Propane Smoker: Masterbuilt Two-Door 30-Inch Propane Smoker

The Masterbuilt features a 15,400 BTU burner and built-in temperature controls that allow for even cooking with only a 10-degree variance in most cases.

Best Propane Smoker: Masterbuilt Two-Door 30-Inch Propane Smoker

– Dimensions: 20.47 x 20.86 x 43.5 inches – Capacity: 731 square inches – Fuel Type: Chips, pellets, logs – Temperature Range: Up to 350°F – Included Accessories: Built-in thermometer

Best Propane Smoker: Masterbuilt Two-Door 30-Inch Propane Smoker

Pros: Because the unit features commercial-grade stainlesssteel bands, hinges, springs and hardware, you are assured of more rust andcorrosion resistance on the entire grill. Cons: There is no light on this unit, so you?ll need external light source for grilling after dark.

MHP Grills BRAVOS

Forthose diehards of charcoal as far as grilling is concerned, the Bravo Kamadomakes the most sense. This charcoal grill is made of commercial-grade stainlesssteel and high-quality ceramic for longevity.

MHP Grills BRAVOS

Pros: The solid construction and reverse flow design allow easy heat management and retention. Cons: This smoker is heavy by design at 655 pounds, requires frequent tending of the fire, and is only available directly from the factory.

Best Offset/Reverse Flow: Lang 36-inch Original Patio Smoker

"Stick burners" may not be the jumping-off point for people new to smoking, but traditionalists and those who feel they need to hone their craft will frequently, inevitably, arrive at an offset smoker.

Best Offset/Reverse Flow: Lang 36-inch Original Patio Smoker

Reverse-flow design is all about circulation. Specially designed baffles draw smoke from the firebox across the bottom of the smoker. The smoke rises into the cook chamber before exiting the stack. Think of it as a rustic, smoky convection oven.

Best Offset/Reverse Flow: Lang 36-inch Original Patio Smoker

– Dimensions: 70 x 73 x 39 inches – Capacity: 6 cubic feet – Fuel Type: Wood or charcoal – Temperature Range: Up to 350°F – Included accessories: Temperature gauge, casters, and wheels

Best Offset/Reverse Flow: Lang 36-inch Original Patio Smoker

Pros: The smoker comes with additional features that takegrilling to a whole new level, albeit some are sold separately. Cons: Matching cart is sold separately at additional cost.

Saffire Grills SGUB23CGJR

Saffire Grills SGUB23CGJR

Pros: It's easy to clean and the lightweight construction makes it easy to move while still offering good heat retention. Cons: The dual baffles provide some challenges to get used to and the exterior and handles can become very hot during cooking.

Best Multi-Use: Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

As a rule, I hate single-purpose tools. I'm a proponent of efficiency in space and movement and have no place for something that serves only one purpose, like an egg separator. When applied to outdoor cooking equipment, that can become problematic.

Best Multi-Use: Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

Finding a reliable smoker that is also good for grilling presents a problem on the outside. I'm not the only one who feels this way, and manufacturers have responded.

Best Multi-Use: Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

From simple steel units to the heavy ceramic construction of the kamado-style grills, there are a variety of multi-use smoker grills on the market that serve both purposes.

Best Multi-Use: Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill