Category: Learn

Buying the charcoal often comes last after you have set up the smoker and marinated the meat. Not many people give much thought when they are buying their charcoal, thinking that they are all the same and they all have the same purpose, which is fuel for smoking and grilling.

But did you know that there are actually different types of charcoals in the market? Yes, there are about two types that are really popular. If you think that charcoal is just a minority when doing your smoking job, you will soon find out that it is a big mistake because fuel plays a big part on the smoking process.

Here in this article, you will learn more about the different kinds of charcoal and which one best suits your smoking needs.

Which is the difference between lump charcoal and briquettes?

When it comes to smoking, you will want to get something that will produce the best smoked flavor and grill without having to wait for hours on end. Some charcoals can possibly lessen the cooking time but still produce the same amount of smoked goodness.

There are two types of charcoal: Lump charcoal and briquettes. Each will be discussed below, to give you an inkling of the best one to pick.

Lump Charcoal – This is the ideal pick of purists because this is the most natural charcoal anyone can get. Lump charcoal is created by burning wood with the absence of oxygen, preventing it to burn to ashes. The result is lumps of coal that can be heated and fired for fuel.

Get something like the:

Royal Oak 195228017 Lump Charcoal, 1/17.6-Pound

Bestseller No. 1

Royal Oak 195228071 Lump Charcoal, 1/8.8-Pound

• Clean burning, produces very little ash
• Lights quickly, gets to cooking temperature fast
• Burns very hot for a great barbeque flavor

$18.84

Buy on Amazon

Because lump is charcoal’s most natural form, it has a lot of great qualities. These qualities are:

• It lights faster – You don’t need to spend too much time heating the charcoal because it ignites quickly.
• It burns hotter – You can finish your cooking faster and serve food quickly.
• Produces less ash – Compared to briquettes, lump charcoal produces less ash, which makes the cleaning afterwards easier and hassle free.
• Temperature control is slightly possible – Controlling the heat of the charcoal is possible, but still a bit difficult and requires a bit of work and adjustable air vents. This is because lump charcoal is more responsive to oxygen.

Of course, if there are pros, lump charcoal has cons too. These are:

• It burns faster – You need to watch over your cooking from time to time because lump charcoal burns a lot faster and it means you have to add more if you are going for hours of slow smoking. You don’t want the fire to die in the middle of the process.
• It is more expensive – Because it is all-natural and the effort of creating this is much greater, it’s also more expensive. You have to pay for several bags and consume it quickly because it burns fast.

Briquettes – These are made from by-products of wood (think sawdust) that are compressed with additives to make them appear consistent in shape and form. The additives also allow the briquettes to light and burn consistently. Although it is less natural, it’s an efficient kind of fuel because you can get it almost anywhere.

For this, check out:

Stubb’s 46015 Natural Charcoal Briquettes, 15-Pound

Bestseller No. 1

Fogo Super Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal 17.6-pound Bag

• Hand selected Large Chunks of Hardwood Lump Charcoal
• Delicious Hardwood Smoked Flavor
• Lights quickly and burns hotter and longer

$32.95

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Don’t be put-off by the chemical properties of briquettes because it still has pros, such as:

• It provides a stable burn – Unlike lump charcoals, you don’t need to watch over it as often because once lighted, it gives a stable and steady burn. Because of this, the temperature remains maintained all throughout the cooking. This may be a con if you want to be able to change and control the temperature.
• It burns longer – This quality makes it a good option to use if you are going for long smokes. Usually, smoking a large meat would take more than eight hours. Briquettes allow you to do other things while it does the cooking for you.
• It costs less – Briquettes are cheaper than lump charcoal, which makes it great if you like to go on long, slow cooks all the time.

Some of the cons of using briquettes are the following:

• It gives out a chemical smell – The smell diffuses after the black part of the charcoal turned white and burning so users suggest waiting for this to come to effect before putting your meat inside the smoker.
• It takes longer to light – You will have to be really patient with it. Consider tossing a burning wood in the middle of the bunch for faster heat-up.
• It produces more ash – Compared to lump charcoal, briquettes produce more ash, giving you more to cleanup afterwards.

What is the best type of charcoal for smoking?

After you have read through the differences of lump and briquette, it’s time to decide which one works for smoking. The best one for long hours of smoking is definitely the briquette because it costs less and burns at maintained temperature. You can just leave it to tend on its own while you can spend your time doing other things.

The cons can be easily solved and it should not outweigh all the pros the briquette can give. If you’re worried about flavor, you can always add chips of woods into the fuel bin that will make the entire thing smoke more. And if you want faster lighting, you can get something like the:

Weber 7417 FireStarters Lighter Cubes, 24 Count

SaleBestseller No. 1

Weber 7447 Compact Rapidfire Chimney Starter

• Lights coals in under 15 minutes. Dimensions : 8 H x 5.8 W x 10.4 D inches
• Place with coals on Weber Lighter Cubes or crumpled newspaper and light
• Compact design makes it ideal for smaller grills or shorter grilling sessions

$12.99

Buy on Amazon

On the other hand, if you’re aiming for short cooks and grills, the best one to use is definitely the lump charcoal. Both has its own pros and cons and it’s really up to the user which one he thinks suits his needs best.

Conclusion

Pick the best charcoal that suits your needs. Ask yourself how much you want to spend on the fuel, how much time you are willing to sacrifice for cooking, and how much attention you’re willing to give to your smoke. Lump charcoal and briquette may have very slight differences in composition, shape, and form, but at the end of the day, their functions are the same.

You will save a lot of money if you decide on getting a charcoal grill that comes with a smoker. This way, you’ll be able to use both at the same time, without having to buy separate units. This is also very efficient as all the cooking will be done in one place, and the cleanup can be done at the same time too.

This is great if you like to host weekly barbecue parties or gatherings with your family or friends, or if you just want to whip up grilled or smoked goodies for dinner, any day you want.

What to look for in a Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combo?

1. Size: The size of the Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combo is important, as the best choice will ultimately be determined by how you intend to use the device. You have to also consider the space arrangements you have on your property.

If you are using it on an outdoor balcony that permits grill and smoker combos, allocate only a small portion of your backyard or have a much wider space to work with, your size in Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combo should reflect this.

A larger grill is the much better option for a larger and more spacious yard and not that of a balcony. Most likely a larger backyard with a larger grill and smoker combo will be utilized to its fullest, accommodating the large space with large amounts of cooked meat. If you plan to fill the yard with people for parts and special occasions then this is the right combo for you.

Smaller sized grill and smoker combos have the benefit of being more portable and requiring less maintenance, at the cost of less food produced. If you’re intending to only cook for a small amount of people and not expecting parties above 10 people then you’re better off with a smaller size.

2. Materials Used: Essentially the materials used in the creation of the grill and smoker combo need to be strong and durable, as well as resistant to weather, rust and also prolonged exposure to heat and food. Having a grill that crumbles under every-day use is simply not an option and disappointingly there are some that do not last very long.

Ceramic materials in the overall item help to create a strong, durable and lightweight to the charcoal grill and smoker combo, ensuring that the heat stays in the food is cooked to a better taste. Additionally you will want to make sure the cooking grates are made of a durable cast iron to allow them to withstand the heat.

You will also want to investigate some of the additional features on the ceramic, as you can get blends that are coated with protection, scratch resistance and are also lead free.

3. Safety and Warranty: Most manufacturers should offer at least one year on your Charcoal Grill and Smoker combo, however you should take out additional warranty if provided. The cost of this item can be somewhat hefty and you want to ensure that the possibility of faults will not impact on your back pocket.

What are the best rated Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combo?

Char-Broil Offset Smoker American Gourmet Grill

Bestseller No. 1

Char-Broil Offset Smoker, 40"

• 739 sq in primary cooking surface with 275 sq in secondary cooking surface
• 3-piece smoking chamber helps eliminate air loss and maintain temperature
• Porcelain-coated cooking grates and lid-mounted temperature gauge

$179.99

Buy on Amazon

This smoker grill has two cooking areas, the primary area with 288 square inches of space and the secondary area with 138 square inches of space. You’ll be able to smoke large meats in the bigger area while grill burgers, hotdogs, and other smaller meat in the secondary area.

PROS: The body is coated with durable matte coating to withstand the changing weather outdoors. The cooking grates are also coated with porcelain to ensure that it lasts repeated use. It also comes with a small steel firebox where you can put fuel and pieces of wood for flavorful smoking.

It is also easy to clean and store because of its clean-out door for ash removal and the wheeled legs for mobility.

CONS: According to reviewers, this product is smaller than what they have anticipated. It will be good for small gatherings with family and friends but more than that may require you to upgrade to a bigger smoker/grill.

Traeger Junior Elite Pellet Grill with Digital Thermostat Controller

Bestseller No. 1

Traeger TFB42LZBC Grills Lil Tex Elite 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker - Grill, Smoke, Bake, Roast, Braise, and BBQ (Bronze)

• Never use gas or charcoal again: cooking with wood just tastes better. Traeger created the original wood-pellet Grill as the ultimate way to achieve wood-fired taste
• Versatile barbecue cooking: hot and fast, or low and slow, the Traeger Lil' Tex Elite 22 pellet Grill offers 6-in-1 versatility to Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ food to juicy perfection
• Grilled to perfection every time: integrated digital Elite controller keeps temps within +/- 20 degrees F and makes setting the Grill temperature As easy as turning a dial

$699.99

Buy on Amazon

This smoker/grill offers a 292 square inch primary cooking area that offers up to 19,500 BTUs and has a porcelain-coated cooking grill. The lid of this grill features a convection technology, which allows smoke and heat to circulate on your food.

PROS: It has built-in Traeger Digital Thermostat that allows for precise temperature control. It uses pellets for cooking and has a steel construction for hardwood pellets that would automatically get the fire going. This means you don’t have to watch it all the time. Simply set it and then leave it.

CONS: People don’t really run into trouble with this product but the very few ones who experienced problems didn’t get great customer support. Suffice to say, the customer service of Traeger isn’t one of the best out there.

Brinkmann Gourmet Charcoal Smoker with Cover

SaleBestseller No. 1

Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18" Charcoal Smoker

• Two 18" stainless steel racks provide 510 square inches of cooking space
• Porcelain enamel water bowl. Dimensions- 22 L x 24 W x 43 H inches
• Top and bottom vents provide a dual air vent system

$139.09

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Unlike the two products previously reviewed, the structure of this smoker/grill is much different because the two are combined in just one vertical body.

PROS: It has two chrome-plated steel cooking grills that can hold up to 50 pounds of food, which is great if you plan on cooking for a party. The front-hinged door also allows you to put additional charcoal/fuel and water with ease.

CONS: May be difficult to get the food you have placed at the bottom because of the tier system. You have to take out what’s grilling/smoking on top before you can access the bottom grill. It is suggested to place whatever cooks fast on top because the temperature inside the entire body is the same.

Conclusion

A charcoal grill and smoker combo is definitely nice to own if you love barbecues and smoked goodies. It enables you to cook both at the same time in the expense of your own home without having to spend too much.

Additionally if you live in an apartment that allows you to have one on your balcony, a grill and smoker combo can add the usability of your entire place and add variety to your cooking.

Backyard barbecue enthusiasts may whip up something good on a grill, but they can make that greater by using a BBQ smoker instead. Why? This is because a smoker is capable of grilling and baking at the same time. A good modern smoker will not require you to be on call on your grill, constantly monitor the temperature, and watch out for the grilling meat.

With a smoker, you can have your grilled goodies on time without exerting too much effort and worrying if it’s over-cooked or under-cooked. Although you may think that you don’t need a smoker anymore once you have a grill, just think that you’re doing yourself a huge favor if you decide to pick up a smoker too.

If you’re always stuck in front of the Barbie while everyone else is mingling and having fun in the party you hosted, think that you’ll be able to join them while your smoker does the cooking job for you.

Don’t get too excited. We know how much you want to jump at going shopping for the best BBQ smoker. Take time to read through this article to find the BBQ smoker for you.

How to pick the best BBQ Smoker?

Select the type of Smoker you want: There are three main types of smokers that are slowly but surely gaining ground in the market. These are electric, gas, and charcoal smoker. If you have read about the different types of grills, the same thing applies for smokers. You can pick which one that suits your budget and preferences as all three can smoke meat pretty well. So what are the basic differences?

Electric Smoker – This smoker is the most convenient out of three. For the little or lack of effort you’ll put into grilling, it’s also one of the cheapest. This is suitable for families who like to hold backyard barbecues on a regular basis but only cook a small batch, as it’s fast and easy to operate. All you have to do is plug it in, put the meat in place, turn the knob on, and leave it to cook on its own.

The only downside is the lack of authentic grilled flavor. If that doesn’t bother you too much and you have a philosophy that reads like “a grilled meat is still a grilled meat” then get something like the:

Masterbuilt 20070213 GEN II Electric Digital Smokehouse, 30-Inch, Black Finish

SaleBestseller No. 1

Masterbuilt 20071117 30" Digital Electric Smoker

• Digital panel controls on/off, temperature, and time
• Four chrome-coated smoking racks. Adjustable air damper for smoke control
• Patented side wood chip loading system - add wood chips without opening the smoker door

$189.00

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Gas Smoker – The logic behind the gas smoker is the same as the electric smoker with very slight differences. Gas smokers can also grill your food with little or no supervision and the outcome is just as perfect. This may be a little costly compared to electric smokers though as you need to use propane tanks for this. Propane tanks need to be bought or refilled, unlike electric smokers that are plug and play. However, it may also depend on the area where you live; gas may be cheaper than your electric bill. So you also need to check in your area the one that will save you bucks in the long run.

To further save, you can choose to set up for BBQ smoker so that it connects to your existing natural gas line. To do this, it’s important that you seek the help of a professional. Appliance and gas are two things that when combined together can be quite dangerous if you tinker with it without any background, knowledge, experience, or expertise.

If you are still unsure if you should pick this over electric smoker, gas BBQ smokers are capable of giving a better “smoked” flavor. If flavor matters to you a lot, go for this and pick something with the likes of:

Landmann USA 3495GLA Smoky Mountain Vertical Gas Smoker, 34-in

Sale

Landmann USA 3495GLA Smoky Mountain Vertical Gas Smoker, 34-in

• Heat saving easy access drawers with handle to access wood chip box and water pan with opening main chamber door
• 13,500 btu with fully adjustable heat control and front door temperature gauge
• 4 adjustable chrome plated cooking grates and meat hanger

from $226.32

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Charcoal Smoker – This is the popular choice for backyard chefs who want to come up with the best grilled goodies in a smoker. This is because smokers powered by natural sources of fuel like charcoal and wood are the ones that cook meat with the best smokey flavor. Although fuel for this is cheaper compared to electric and gas, it is kind of a hassle to use because you have to monitor and fine-tune the heat and air supply.

It takes a bit of practice to control the temperature and stay like that for as long as it takes so you don’t have to be in front of the smoker the whole time. It’s also important to pick a brand or style that is capable of controlling air flow the best as you need it to regulate the coals in order to lower or raise the temperature. It should also be able to hold a bit of smoke inside evenly so your meat will have flavor and has a small vent that can be left open while cooking.

There are a variety of charcoal smokers that won’t burn a hole in your pocket but still smoke meats like a pro. An example would be the:

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18.5 Inch

Sale

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 Inch Smoker

• Porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section retain heat and won't rust or peel
• Two cooking grates provide ample room for smoking two large items at once
• Silicone temperature grommet monitors the internal temperature of your smoker

$329.00

Buy on Amazon

There are cheaper others than can go below $100, but the Weber is one of the top choices when it comes to charcoal smokers. If you’re going to use yours a lot, consider getting the Weber charcoal smoker because of its durability. It also comes with a 10-year warranty!

Conclusion

Whichever’s the best BBQ Smoker for you, you’re bound to have a nice, relaxing backyard BBQ with your family and friends. This is because using a smoker is a great way to serve perfectly grilled goodies to your friends with very little to no attention required to cooking through the use of electric and gas smokers or smokey charred meat courtesy of charcoal smokers. There are also a variety of brands and sizes for the type that you have chosen so you are sure that there’s one for you based on your budget and preferences. If backyard barbecues have been a regular staple in your home, it is a must to invest a good smoker of your choice.

Charcoal smokers are your best bet for grilling meat with oozing with mouth-watering smokey flavor. This is because charcoal smokers are effective in trapping heat smoke inside the appliance, which makes it a top choice if you consider the flavor as one of the important aspects of grilling. This comes with a price, however, as charcoal smokers can be difficult and messy to use.

For instance, you have to stoke and kindle the fire before you put in the meat to grill. This would take 15 minutes or so. Afterwards, you need to constantly watch the meat grilling to ensure that the temperature is sufficient. Otherwise, you might have meat charred on the outside but raw inside (this is good if you like your meat rare) or your meat might be undercooked or overcooked.

If you’re looking for something that’s less messy and doesn’t need supervision, you’re better off with an electric or gas smoker. But if flavor wins above all, then stick to reading this article because you’ll shortly read about the best charcoal smokers in the market.

What are the best charcoal smokers?

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18.5 Inch

Sale

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 Inch Smoker

• Porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section retain heat and won't rust or peel
• Two cooking grates provide ample room for smoking two large items at once
• Silicone temperature grommet monitors the internal temperature of your smoker

$329.00

Buy on Amazon

The Weber smoker is big enough to accommodate a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time inside its bullet-shaped visage made of porcelain-enameled steel. Weber prides itself for being able to helps you achieve an authentic smokehouse flavor at home. It has two tiers that are big enough to cook a lot of food at once, enabling you to serve hungry guests in a jiffy.

PROS: It has a built-in thermometer that allows for easier monitoring of the smoker’s temperature, as well as a water pan, individual vents on bowl and lid, heat-resistant nylon handle, and cover for added protection when not in use.

The porcelain-enameled water pan is there for water to convert to steam so the meat stays moist and tender while cooking. The upper and lower cooking grates are made of heavy-duty plated steel for durability. This product comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

CONS: Despite the good quality of Weber’s product, they always run into quality control problems and bad customer assistance reports. New owners of Weber products reported missing parts and/or wrong parts shipped. There are many cases when Weber shipped the wrong size of grate or not shipped the grate at all, rendering the smoker useless. Customer support feedback varies too with some calling Weber’s team unprofessional and rude.

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker

Sale

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker

• Heavy gauge porcelain enameled steel wood chip box
• 15,000 BTU Heavy Duty Cast Iron Burner; Electronic pulse ignition system ensures quick and reliable ignition
• 784 square Inch of total smoking area; Smokes up to 100lbs of food at a time

$191.99

Buy on Amazon

If you’re looking for something that would grill a lot of goodies at once, check out Dyna-Glo’s charcoal box smoker that comes with six adjustable cooking grates with 784 square inches of total smoking area. The box can hold a total of 100 pound of food at a time. The box itself is made of heavy-duty steel body construction with High Temp powder coat finish for durability and long life.

PROS: The smoker box features a dual door design that minimizes the heat loss in the major box where the smoking happens whenever you need to add wood chips/fuel in the smaller box. It also comes with a thermometer so you’ll know if the heat you’re getting is enough. There are vents on each side of the smoker, which helps for air circulation.

The box is made of sturdy materials that are solid and easy to put together. When assembled, it stands four feet tall and is over 70 pounds. It’s a pretty affordable smoker for this size.

CONS: Owners reported that smoke comes out of the edges of the door. They recommended having it modified/fixed to ensure optimum grilling performance. If not done, owners said that they had experienced troubles keeping and maintaining heat due to poor airflow circulation inside the box.

Vision Grills Pro Kamado Barbecue Bundle Grill

Bestseller No. 1

Dracarys Cast Iron Top Vent fit for Vision Grill Classic B-Series & Pit Boss 71220 71240 & Louisiana Grills 61220 Kamado BBQ Ceramic Grill Cooker

• Material-Cast Iron.More sturdy and durable than the stainless steel cap,but the price only for stainless steel one.
• Size-Package size 8.5*8.5*5.2 inches,weight 2.41 lb.
• Be suitable for classic B series vision grill and also fit for Pit Boss K22,K24，and Louisiana Grills 61220

$23.00

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This is definitely one of the expensive smokers in the market, but one of the best. The ceramic bowl is top-notch quality that has superior heat retention that results to more coal consumption and reduced ash. All ceramic parts come with a lifetime warranty while five years for all metal parts, 90-days for side shelves, 90-days for temperature gauge and 1-year for cover.

PROS: Although called a grill, this also functions as a smoker because of its ability to effectively trap smoke and heat inside the bowl. It comes with a stainless steel flip cooking grate, wide enough to fit a lot of meat inside. The package comes with a vinyl cover, two side shelves, electric starter, cooking stone and heat deflector. With the Kamado, you can do three things: Smoke, grill, and sear.

It comes with a calibrated top vent with dials that make setting the temperature and keeping it like that very easy. The lava stone is perfect for slow cooking and the result of every use is meat that is moist, succulent, and smokey. If you encounter problems, Vision Grills’ customer support is helpful and quick to act.

CONS: The only con reviewers are saying is the difficulty of maintaining low and steady temperature for smoking. To remedy this, they had to stick close to the Kamado grill, which is quite inefficient especially if you have more important tasks to tend to. It’s also really, really expensive for a grill/smoker, but you’ll definitely get what you paid for.

Conclusion

Overall, charcoal smokers are great to have because they produce quality grilled/smoked meat that looks like it has been done by a pro. The result is juicy meat grilled to perfection with added smokey flavor. You can’t get this flavor produced by grilling meat over charcoal grills as compared to grilling through gas or electric smokers.

There are also a lot to choose from, which won’t burn a hole in your pocket. At below $300, you’re sure that your money will get you something that will last you years of continuous usage. You don’t have to splurge when getting the best charcoal smoker, as long as it does the job well and it’s made of high-quality materials then go for it.

We have rounded up one of each type of smoker: Electric, charcoal, or gas so your search will be easier. These are the ones that received the best ratings on Amazon. Without further adieu, check out the best-rated smokers in their own category:

Masterbuilt Electric Smoker

Sale

Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker, Top Controller

• 730 sq. inches of cooking space with 4 chrome-coated racks and 800 watt heating element
• Digital temperature and timer controls
• Thermostat temperature control for even cooking from 100 to 275 degrees F

from $233.19

Buy on Amazon

This is an electric smoker that is rated 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over a thousand reviews. It’s definitely one of the must-buys in the site because it comes in a variety of size and shapes. You can choose if you want a 30 or 40-inch size and choose if you want to have a glass window fixed on the door to see how your food is cooking inside. Having a window will cost you another $200 addition.

PROS: The body is made of solid steel with insulation so you don’t have to worry about the heat and smoke leaking out of the box. The built-in thermometer is pretty accurate too. If you are unsure about the heat yours produces, you can check it using your own digital oven temperature.

Most times the difference is just 1 or 2 degrees. The 30-inch size is enough to fit most of your food and meat; it has four racks inside that offer more than 730 square inches of combined cooking surface.

The smoker also comes with a wood chip loader so you can add your favorite wood chips for it to smoke and add smokey flavor on your meat. You don’t have to open the door to add the chips as it comes with easy-to-use side wood chip loader.

Apart from the chips, you can also add a variety of liquids such as juice, vinegar, or your favorite beverage to the removable water pan, used to infuse moisture and add a layer of flavor on your grilled goodies.

CONS: Majority of the negative reviews complained about the heating element breaking up. Once it breaks up, your smoker is good as gone as it won’t be able to function anymore. When contacted customer support, they offered to replace the heating element at the expense of replacing the body of the smoker as well. This is because their newer heating elements aren’t compatible with the old body.

To avoid this, it is important to get the latest model from Masterbuilt before buying. This is so you can be sure that if you run into problems, all their replacement parts would be compatible to the smoker you bought.

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18.5 Inch

Sale

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 Inch Smoker

• Porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section retain heat and won't rust or peel
• Two cooking grates provide ample room for smoking two large items at once
• Silicone temperature grommet monitors the internal temperature of your smoker

$329.00

Buy on Amazon

The Weber Smoker is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon by close to 500 reviewers. This is a charcoal or wooden type of smoker, the best choice for seasoned grillers who want to have the maximum smokey flavor infused on their meat and food. It seems expensive for a smoker that will use charcoal as a fuel but you’ll know why once you have inspected it closely; it’s made of high-quality porcelain-enameled steel that comes with 2 nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates.

PROS: You’ll be able to put in a lot of food at once with its 481 square inches of cooking space. The package comes with a water pan, built-in thermometer, individual vents on the bowl and lid, a heat-resistant nylon handle, and a storage cover. Similar as the Masterbuilt smoker, you can put any liquid you want in the water pan for added steam and moisture while cooking.

The grates are made of heavy-duty steel and have ample room for smoking ribs and a roast at the same time. To make sure that you’ll have the best experience out of your Weber grill, the company has given this product a 10-year limited warranty. The door for adding fuel is also wide that you’ll be able to easily add chunks of fuel easily.

CONS: Weber creates great products that are built to last, but that’s only the case after you have received your product in perfect condition with no missing parts whatsoever. This is where Weber fails; they have poor quality control that most of their negative reviews aren’t performance related but service related.

Many customers received their products with the wrong grate and/or incomplete parts. The worst thing is, Weber takes ages to send the correct replacement.

Smoke Hollow 44241G2 44-Inch Vertical LP Gas Smoker

Bestseller No. 1

Smoke Hollow 44241G2 44-Inch Vertical Popane Gas Smoker

• 6.5 cubic feet of cooking area capacity to easily handle enough food for LARGEST gatherings
• 5 cooking grids: 2-standard cooking grids, 2-jerky grids, 1-rib rack 1-sausage hanger
• Dual door design with tempered glass viewing window

$398.91

Buy on Amazon

21 customers rate this smoker 4.5 over 5 stars. The smoker comes with a welded 44-inch double door cabinet style body, three standard cooking grates, two jerky trays, and one rib rack.

Among the ones smokers listed here, this one is the heaviest at 100 pounds so moving it may be difficult. You’ll need a crate to transfer it especially if you don’t intend to have it fixed in one place.

PROS: It’s easy to assemble despite the lack of manual. It can accommodate a lot of food, perfect for owners who always like to celebrate backyard barbecue parties. This may be a con if you don’t plan on smoking too much, for example, you only need it to smoke an entire turkey and some pieces of meat.

You might feel like you’re wasting fuel because the box is big and can fit more food. Otherwise, it’s a good gas smoker and does the job well

CONS: You might want to buy a new propane hose because some have reported that theirs arrived damaged. You don’t want to start your smoker only to find out that there’s a leak in the hose. It will be risky, a hazard waiting to catch fire. Propane hoses aren’t expensive and you can purchase it in major hardware stores.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to go electric, charcoal, or gas, you’re bound to enjoy smoking meat and food when you get one of these best-rated smokers. Owners have spoken for them and they have nothing short of good praises. If you want to know more about each, visit the links and read about their experiences. You are bound to get some insider tips and tricks that will make your smoking experience better.

You can create good smoked meats using a charcoal grill but if you really want to taste something extra-ordinary, complete with authentic smoky-flavor, you will need something more than your average grill – a smoker.

Although some people say that their functions are almost the same and the food they produce are somewhat similar, real BBQ meatheads know the distinction. You would not know of course, if you haven’t tried. You can smoke almost every kind of meat – ribs, steak, turkey, chicken, and smoke even vegetables.

Whatever you put inside the smoker, the outcome is always good, flavorful, and juicy. If you are convinced yet that you need a smoker, read through this article to get tips on how to pick the right one, and the best brands raved about by smoking enthusiasts.

How to pick the best vertical charcoal smoker?

Although charcoal smokers are undeniably one of the best to pick among the different types of smokers because of its capability to give out authentic flavor, you still need to pause and examine the factors that you should look at before purchasing.

1. Material – Look for something that has thick insulation seals. You really want to contain all the smoke inside because it’s the purpose of having a smoker. The thinner the walls and the more cracks your smoker has, the more smoke will escape that causes ineffective cooking.
2. Thermometer – Find something that has a built-in thermometer so you’ll be able to check the temperature inside the smoker. This is good to have especially if you are going for long smokes to ensure that the temperature is maintained and that your meat is in good heated condition.
3. Durability and Warranty – If you want something to last years of use, ensure that you have checked the quality of the materials used and the overall durability of the product. Smokers are generally expensive so make sure to splurge on something that will last you a good while. Also pick something with good warranty terms in case you receive ones with defective parts or failed quality control.
4. Capacity – Determine who much you’ll want to cook and for how many people. If you like throwing backyard BBQ parties and is a host to more than a dozen guests, consider getting a smoker than can cook up enough food for all your guests. Get heavy-duty ones too if you intend to use it a lot.

What are the recommended brands of vertical charcoal smoker?

Below we have listed the best-rated vertical charcoal smokers that is worth checking out:

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18.5 Inch

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Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 Inch Smoker

• Porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section retain heat and won't rust or peel
• Two cooking grates provide ample room for smoking two large items at once
• Silicone temperature grommet monitors the internal temperature of your smoker

$329.00

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One of the best-rated charcoal smokers in Amazon, it has gained a steady following because of the quality of smoked food it can produce. Although pricey, you’ll really get a smoker that will last you a good while because of the high-quality materials used for construction. It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

PROS: It is constructed using porcelain-enameled steel so you are sure that no smoke will escape from its vertical bullet-style body. It comes with 2 nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates that can fit a lot of large meats and food. The total cooking space you’ll get is at 481 square inches, which can fit a huge turkey in one great, and a bunch of ribs at the bottom grate.

CONS: There are really no cons when it comes to the functionality, design, and sturdiness of the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker. However, if you’ll read reviews on Amazon, what’s gaining the negative reviews is Weber’s quality control. Many people have received wrong sizes for the grates, which prevent them from using their smokers.

Brinkmann 852-7080-E Charcoal Gourmet Grill and Smoker

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Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18" Charcoal Smoker

• Two 18" stainless steel racks provide 510 square inches of cooking space
• Porcelain enamel water bowl. Dimensions- 22 L x 24 W x 43 H inches
• Top and bottom vents provide a dual air vent system

$139.09

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It’s appearance looks like a cheaper version of the Weber Smokey Mountain but it functions just as well. It is made of aluminum metal as well and has a door in front for putting fuel.

PROS: It comes with two grates that can hold up to 50 pounds of food. You can choose to put different types of meat on each level without worry as both tiers cook at about the same temperature. Found in the dome lid is a heat indicator for checking the temperature only in one glance.

At the bottom, you will find a porcelain-enameled water pan that can be filled with any liquid you want apart from water, to give moisture and add distinct flavor to your meat.

CONS: The placement of the door is not strategic as lots of smoke can escape when you have to open it to add more fuel, water, or wood chips. Apart from that, it functions well.

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker

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Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Offset Smoker

• Heavy gauge porcelain enameled steel wood chip box
• 15,000 BTU Heavy Duty Cast Iron Burner; Electronic pulse ignition system ensures quick and reliable ignition
• 784 square Inch of total smoking area; Smokes up to 100lbs of food at a time

$191.99

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It has an offset charcoal box design that cn be used to add more fuel without having to disrupt the main cooking chamber. This way, no smoke will escape, maximizing the heat for cooking. The main vertical smoker has six adjustable cooking grates that can hold up to 100 pounds of meat at a time.

PROS: It has a built-in thermometer that lets you check the temperature inside easily, so you can have peace of mind that your meat is cooking properly. You don’t even have to watch it as it smokes; you can simply leave it if you’re going for hours of smoking and just check it from time to time.

CONS: The body of this vertical charcoal smoker is prone to chipping paint and rusting. Be wary of storing it outside where the changing weathers can have a negative effect on it. Consider purchasing a cover for this smoker to extend its life.

Conclusion

Whatever vertical charcoal smoker you choose, you are bound to have a great time with family and friends as you serve them food laced with the best smoky-flavor, thanks to the natural charcoal fuel used. Although the cleanup is a mess and cooking time is lengthened, it’s worth it because of the quality of food smokers can produce. Not to mention, the use of charcoal is also very efficient and affordable.