If you’re reading this, then you’re already on the cusp of buying yourself a new charcoal smoker. But, with the wide variety of available options, we can imagine how tough it must be to make a decision.
That’s why we did some research on your behalf to find the best charcoal smoker on the market.
We’ve taken into consideration factors like quality, budget, and performance when compiling this list.
For some people, firing up a charcoal smoker for a nice barbecue is the true definition of fun and relaxation. Then there are some of us for whom smoking meat satisfies a primal need.
Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, there’s no denying that smoking meat requires a fair amount of concentration and skill that makes you feel accomplished at the end of each meal.
Nothing tastes better than a well-earned meal, right?
However, it doesn’t have to be all that difficult if you use the right charcoal grill smoker.
Modern-day charcoal smokers can maintain the same temperature for several hours which means you can spend more time marinating the next batch or catching up on the latest issue of Smoke Signals Magazine.
But before that here’s a mini-guide on what you should look for in a charcoal smoker.
For me, as a BBQ lover, the charcoal smoker is the favorite type of smoker. It offers all that I love about smoking and that gives me lots of fun.
It requires skills and experience to conduct the whole smoking process from the beginning to the end in perfect conditions.
Today’s models, however, are so perfected that most beginners shouldn’t have any problems operating them. For example, maintaining a fixed temperature, which is one of the most important tasks when smoking.
When looking for a new charcoal smoker, you may run into many problems and questions that you will find the answers to after reading this guide.
There are many types of charcoal smokers so to make the task easier for you, I have prepared a list of the best charcoal smokers out of each category.
In case of any doubts, I have also prepared information on the most popular types of charcoal smokers.
In this post we'll cover:
- 1 What is a Charcoal Smoker?
- 2 Pros and Cons of Charcoal Smoking
- 3 What You Should Look for in the Best Charcoal Smoker?
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4 Best Charcoal Smokers reviewed
- 4.1 Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker
- 4.2 Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D
- 4.3 Weber 15502001 Performer Deluxe
- 4.4 Char-Griller 06620 Akorn Kamado Kooker
- 4.5 Vision Grills Diamond-Cut Cadet Kamado Grill
- 4.6 Broil King 911470 Keg 5000
- 4.7 Best portable charcoal grill: Weber Go-Anywhere
- 4.8 Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw
- 4.9 Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D Premium
- 4.10 Weber 741001 Original Kettle
- 4.11 2. Pit Barrel Cooker
- 5 Controlling the Temperature on a Charcoal Smoker
- 6 How to Take Care of a Charcoal Smoker
- 7 Electric vs Charcoal Smoker
- 8
- 9 The pros and cons of buying charcoal smoker
- 10 Conclusion
What is a Charcoal Smoker?
As the name implies, a charcoal smoker is powered by charcoal and you use it to smoke food at low temperatures. This means you have to slow cook the food for long periods of time, but this often leads to meat that’s tender and more flavorful, especially with the smokiness coming through.
The optimal temperature range to use when firing a charcoal smoker is around 225 degrees Fahrenheit to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the temperature at this range will leave your meat with a nice smoky flavor and your food will be much juicier.
Now there are other types of smokers on the market that differ according to their power source. Some are powered by electricity, natural gas, propane gas, wood pellets, and wood charcoal. But, serious pit masters cannot settle for anything less than 100% premium grade charcoal. That’s because charcoal is believed to be the only smoker that can impart an authentic smoky flavor to the meat. You’ll also find that it’s reliable at providing even heat throughout the cooking process.
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Pros and Cons of Charcoal Smoking
This wouldn’t be a fair guide if we didn’t look closely into the pros and cons of smoking meat with charcoal. First, we’ll explore the upside. Using high-quality lump charcoal on your smoker is an energy efficient way of cooking meat. You’re guaranteed a clean burn every time and it doesn’t leave a lot of ash behind.
A charcoal smoker is also easy to control once you get the hang of it, and it doesn’t require extra equipment like the other types of smokers. Cooking meat with fire can also have a nostalgic feel to it as it reminds us of how our ancestors used to cook and commune.
On the downside, it takes a while to get used to a charcoal smoker. There are small nuances in the way it works which contribute to the difficulty, but as with anything, practice makes perfect.
A charcoal smoker is more demanding of your time than other models because you have to watch the smoker to make sure that it’s heated properly. This requires cautious tending, especially in the beginning, otherwise, too much heat can ruin your meal. Plus, there’s the ash residue that you have to clean up after every smoke, which is a responsibility that gas and electric smokers don’t come with.
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What You Should Look for in the Best Charcoal Smoker?
In our research, we found that several factors determine how a charcoal smoker turns out. Most charcoal smoker reviews praised the charcoal smoker for being an affordable but top quality option. It’s also portable which means you can travel with it when camping or boating, but you could always do that with a gas smoker too.
So, what sets the charcoal smoker apart from the rest? Here are a few variables we used to determine the answer to that question.
Price
We’re all looking to get the most bang for our buck and it’s always nice to get a good deal on a product. That’s exactly what you get with a charcoal smoker. It’s a cost-effective piece of cooking equipment that offers a lot of value for money. You get more out of a charcoal smoker than what you pay for and it’s guaranteed to last for a really long time.
Capacity
As a consumer, you have plenty of grill options to choose from on the market. That’s part of what brought you here. Some models are suited for commercial catering gigs while others are designed for residential use. This means you have to consider your needs when looking at the size of the charcoal smoker you want to purchase.
If you’re looking for something compact that you can use on the go then a smaller sized grill will do. But, if you’re looking for something that will allow you to cater to large groups of people then you’ll need a large sized grill.
Portability
Portability is another important factor to keep in mind when looking for a charcoal smoker. Obviously, a hefty grill is great to use when catering for a large number of people but it’s very difficult to move from one place to another. On the other hand, a small grill will be just as capable but portable as well. However, the latter is more suited to personal use than commercial purposes.
Size – In the next stage, you need to think very carefully about what you are going to cook and how much. Based on that, select the right size that will fully satisfy your needs. Remember that a bigger charcoal smoker is not just a higher price but also higher fuel consumption to heat up the entire surface.
Modern Features
While some people view modern features as superfluous extras, others see them as worthy additions that make your smoker even more awesome. For instance, it’s important for your smoker to have an integrated thermometer so you don’t have to buy it separately because it’s an essential component. We’ll go into more detail about features in an upcoming section.
Versatility
The best for smoking are dedicated charcoal smokers but you need to know that there are also versatile models that are also great for grilling or even roasting. That way you can save a lot of money and buy one grill/smoker instead of several dedicated models. I find this to be a good solution when you’re just starting on your journey with BBQ and grilling and don’t actually know which of the cooking style you will stick with.
Warranty
Before the final purchase, always do a little research and look for other people’s reviews for a particular grill/brand. The warranty period is in most cases a great indicator when it comes to quality, but in practice it is often difficult to exercise your right with certain manufacturers. In some cases the warranty period is short despite great quality of the smoker, for example Pit Barrel Cooker – only a 1 year warranty, but in reality the quality and durability are like in the Weber Smokey Mountain that is covered with 10 years of warranty.
Best Charcoal Smokers reviewed
The charcoal smoker has been around for a long time and its staying power can be attributed to the quality of its construction. Now that you know what to look for in the best charcoal smoker, it’s time to look at some of the best options on the market. We looked at charcoal smoker reviews to find out which are the best charcoal smoker grills out there. Read on for more.
Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker
The Weber Smokey Mountain charcoal smoker from Weber is a firm favorite among pit masters thanks to its convenient features. It can maintain the same even temperature for several hours and without being tended to. This smoker is so legendary that online fan pages were created in its honor and have amassed millions of fans.
Since its first introduction to the market a few years ago, Weber has made a few improvements to this unit but without affecting its performance. Some of the newer features include a bottom heat shield, a thermometer on the lid, and the front door handle is more ergonomic. With that said, this smoker is still built like a tank and will outlast many of the appliances you’ll buy along with it.
The king in this category, especially in that price range. Great for beginners as well as those very demanding, which is confirmed by this smoker’s presence in numerous prestigious competitions and what is most important, by how often it helps win.
High quality of workmanship and attention to details are other very important arguments. WSM was built so solidly that it can truly withstand a lot, especially if it’s in good hands it is going to be an investment for years to come.
It is confirmed by numerous positive reviews from other customers, as well as whole 10 years of manufacturer’s warranty for this model.
Weber Smokey Mountain (full review here) is also available in different sizes, 14-inch for those less demanding and 22-inch if you really need a lot of space.
A water style smoker is characterized by easier control of stable temperature, it is versatile in this regard, making it possible to cook low or high.
The structure consists of three parts, inside the 18-inch model, in the middle part, you will find two grate grills with a water bowl. The upper part is a lid with a built-in thermometer whereas the lower part is a place where the furnace is located as well as adjustable air vents.
An unquestionable advantage of this type of structure is the ability to hold a fixed temperature over many hours which also makes it a great choice for less experienced people.
If there’s anything I should complain about, it could only be the aluminum front door that isn’t of best quality, causing smoke to get out which might be a downside to many.
Other than that, it is a phenomenal charcoal smoker especially for this kind of money. It is great news that you can choose out of as many as three different sizes so I think you will find the best size for yourself.
Pros
- Well-made and long lasting
- It has multiple vents that make it easier to cook with in the wind
- It can maintain even temperatures for longer periods of time
- You can shut the smoker off using the sealed design in order to save the charcoal for your next cookout
Cons
- Front door access could use some improvement
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D
While the Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D was designed for large-scale catering it’s entirely fine to use it for private residential use on a small scale.
It’s a highly functional piece of equipment that’s easy to assemble and use. It doubles as a smoker and griller so you won’t have to buy a separate griller.
Its colossal frame is supported by strong and sturdy legs that make it easy to move it around. It also has plenty of cooking space, which makes it perfect when cooking for large parties and small soirees alike. If there’s one thing we can commend this smoker for it’s the quality of its construction. It’s a really well-made piece of machinery that can withstand years of regular use without getting damaged, and it’s one of the best charcoal grills on the market.
Pros
- It stands on strong and sturdy wheels
- Heavy-duty construction
- Suitable for large-scale catering
- You can use it to cook a variety of foods
- Easy to assemble and use
- Low-profile design is very elegant
- Highly functional
Cons
- If there’s one thing we could improve about this smoker it would be its height. It’s too small for its weight.
Check prices and availability here
Weber 15502001 Performer Deluxe
This is another fantastic model from Weber but with a few unique features. For instance, it has the patented Gourmet BBQ System cooking grates. The grates are steel plated and feature a detachable center that leaves space for you to attach other accessories if you like. This allows you to add on things like a Danish Ebelskiver pan or a pizza oven for added versatility.
The only downside to the construction of this smoker is the digital cooking timer. Seriously, we don’t even know why they included it. It’s more like a glorified egg timer than anything. It only goes up to 99 minutes- not nearly enough time to keep track of smoking meat which can take up to 12 hours. Aside from this useless gimmick, charcoal smoker reviews suggest that this smoker is a solid option that’s worthy of any serious pitmaster.
It has almost everything you need to grill your meat to perfection. It makes a fantastic smoked pulled pork and you can buy it directly from Amazon and get a great deal.
Pros
- It features a gas burner
- Push-button ignition easily lights up the charcoal
- Large cooking surface measures 363 square inches
- Comes with a porcelain coated steel lid
- Fire bowl
Cons
- They should’ve just left out the digital cooking timer
Check prices and availability here
Char-Griller 06620 Akorn Kamado Kooker
This grill and smoker combo from Char-Griller features a well-thought-out design that includes a 20-inch diameter grilling grate that’s made from cast iron. Its frame is Triple Insulated for maximum durability. Thanks to the 8-inch locking caster wheels underneath this smoker should have no problems with stability, and it can handle a fair amount of weight.
Clearly, ease of maintenance was one of the things the manufacturer put into consideration when making this smoker. Thanks to the porcelain powder surface, you can just wipe it clean and it’ll be ready for the next cookout. This feature also makes it resistant to corrosion. Then there’s the dump ash pan which collects the ash for you so you don’t have to manually sweep it up every time.
This unit also features a retractable warming rack and folding side shelves with tool hooks that make it even easier to use this grill.
The upper surface is supported by a generously sized bottom shelf with a locking caster and strong, large wheels. The interior features a cast iron grate that measures 302 square inches and in the center is a round removable component that opens up so you can chuck the coal in.
To facilitate slow cooking and ensure excellent results, the Char-Griller has a smokin’ stone that you place in the middle of the grate and the coal to help diffuse heat. The smokin’ stone spot can also fit a wok, drip pan, pizza stone, a wireless remote thermometer, as well as roaster and poultry racks.
This time it’s the kamado style which is another versatile egg-shaped grill. Just like the kettle grill from weber, it works just as great for both grilling and smoking. It differs a lot from normal grills in shape and most importantly in price which is why it takes the last spot on my list.
A real, traditional kamado grill is made of ceramics but due to the price plenty of manufacturers have started making kamado out of steel, thus lowering the price even as much as several times.
Steel models are still impressive in terms of insulation compared to regular grills but they are very lacking compared to ceramic models, they’re also nowhere as durable ( ceramics are corrosion resistant ).
Thanks to the kamado structure, the airtightness to be exact, you can also maintain a fixed temperature over a long time.
Sadly, when it comes to most models, being able to start smoking effectively and conveniently requires a separately sold smoking stone which is another financial burden.
Another useful thing will be a good smoker thermometer as the built-in thermometer is not a reliable and accurate source of measurements.
The greatest advantage of Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Kooker is its versatility – smoking, grilling or roasting and it works great for all of it.
Compared to competitive kamados, this model maintains a great price to size and efficiency ratio. Compared to regulars grills or dedicated charcoal smokers, however, I know the price isn’t very convenient.
If you are bored with the most popular types of grills, however, a kamado will make a great alternative.
Pros
- It features ample grilling space
- The heat is easy to control
- Made from heavy-duty steel
- 8-inch locking wheels
- Sturdy base
- Ash pan for easy clean-up
- Base damper and adjustable top damper
Cons
- The temp gauge feature tends to be off
- It’s difficult to maintain
- The finishing could use some improvement
Vision Grills Diamond-Cut Cadet Kamado Grill
The C-Series Cadet Kamado Grill from Vision Grills will have you turning out smoked meat like a pro in no time. It offers superb heat transfer thanks to the tough ceramic fire bowl, while the grill grates are made from heavy-duty cast iron along with the air vent. This grill is rather popular with professional chefs because of its generous stainless steel cooking space which measures 604 square inches. The grate surface is made from durable stainless steel as well and it’s spread out across two-tiers.
The grilling control knobs make it incredibly easy to use this grill, especially since it can be switched on through electronic ignition. The frame is really easy to clean thanks to the red honeycomb ceramic coating, and there’s a built-in thermometer mounted on the lid. Plus, the Patented ProZone feature integrated into the bottom cast iron draft vent works in conjunction with the Electric Starter Port to light this up quicker than you’d expect.
There’s a night light to illuminate the grill so it’s easier to use it at night and the ash drawer is easy to remove and put back.
Pros
- Well-ventilated for superb heat control
- Ceramic shell makes for easy cleaning
- Cooks evenly
- Smokes meat perfectly
- You can snuff out leftover charcoal by switching it off
Cons
- The quality of this grill is compromised by the excessive features
Broil King 911470 Keg 5000
Weighing at 1261 pounds the Broil King Keg is built tough and can handle a lot of weight. It has 480 square inches of cooking space with a cast iron cooking grid which sits on a chrome plated secondary rack. The heavy-duty steel base is coated with metallic charcoal paint and has a cooking chamber that’s coated with porcelain for easy cleaning.
The upper damper is made from solid cast iron and it works efficiently every time, while the resin handles make it easy to hold the grill even when it’s hot. Other notable features include two side shelves, a removable ashtray, a locking lid and even a duo of bottle openers for when you want to open a cold one while grilling.
This grill is great at heat transfer and it’s all thanks to the insulated steel dual walls, while the cooking grids are perfect for searing meat. There’s enough space to prepare and cook the meat and you can cook different types of meat at once so you can cater for more than a few mouths.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Well insulated for maximum heat retention
- Easy to handle thanks to ergonomic handles and cool exterior
- Has a high-temperature output
- Energy efficient and doesn’t require much coal
- Offers great value for money
- Allows you to snuff out leftover charcoal when you switch it off
Cons
- Keeping the temperatures low takes some getting used to
- The cast iron cooking grates often scrape against the enamel coating
Check prices and availability here
Best portable charcoal grill: Weber Go-Anywhere
The Weber Go Anywhere is a masterful piece of equipment. It’s known for grilling and smoking meat to perfection every single time.
It has a simple and straightforward design that features lid-free construction and you can adjust the height to suit your needs. It’s also fully portable and perfect to take with on hiking, boating and camping expeditions.
It’ll give you that perfect sear and smoky flavor whether you’re cooking a hot dog, a steak, fish or some brisket.
Pros
- Made from heavy-duty cast iron
- It will last you for a lifetime
- Produces a strong heat
Cons
- The cast iron is fussy and high maintenance
- It has no lid which can be a challenge when cooking outside in certain weather conditions
- The cooking area is too small
Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw
This grilling station is a firm favorite among professional cooks and it’s not hard to see why. The grilling surface is 950 square inches large and it’s made from a dense and durable steel frame with cast iron grate.
You won’t be disappointed with the sear provided by this grill and it has incredible heat retention. You can also use it to make rotisseries, and thanks to the ash dump pan cleaning this is quite easy. The integrated heat gauge works in conjunction with the adjustable fire grate to help you control the wind so that it doesn’t affect your heat and temperature levels while cooking.
Included in this unit are a warming rack, three shelves and a corrosion resistant powder coating which helps to ward off wear and tear. All in all, this is a one-stop shop grilling station that you can use to make unforgettable meals.
Pros
- Features heavy-duty construction
- Ample cooking space to prepare different meats and once
- Beautiful design with nice wooden touches
- Small and compact
Cons
- The wheels are of inferior quality
Dyna-Glo DGN576DNC-D Premium
This grilling station from Dyna-Glo sears meat to perfection with cast iron grates that are coated with porcelain enamel, and you’ll easily control the temperature through the adjustable flue. It also features a stainless steel smoke stack and a charcoal door that makes heat retention a little easier to achieve.
To make sure that this grill stays insulated, there are cast iron doors with steel filaments and the charcoal tray has been fitted with an adjustment crank. On top of that, you have bottle openers for added convenience and a stainless steel temperature gauge built-in for good measure.
Pros
- Cooking grates are covered in porcelain for rust protection and easy cleaning
- Sprawling cooking surface
- Built to last
- Sliding cooking grates
- Optimal temperature control through adjustable flue and crank
Cons
- The lid cannot close properly
- It’s a mission to keep the temperature under control
- It can be difficult to assemble
Weber 741001 Original Kettle
This grilling station from Weber is easy to use and comes with all the features you need. This includes plated steel cooking grates, a removable ashtray, a bottom wire rack, and heavy gauge steel charcoal grate. It’s easy to handle thanks to integrated angled hook and heat shield on the handle.
The thoughtful design continues with push pin leg assembly, an integrated one-touch aluminized steel cleaning system and porcelain enameled shell for easy clean up.
Everyone knows the kettle grill from Weber, it is without a doubt the best charcoal grill but did you know that with the right methods and accessories used, it is also a great charcoal smoker ?
Right now I am describing the 18-inch size but you can also expect several other sizes.
Weber Original kettle grill is phenomenal when it comes to grilling which can be attested by anyone who has ever had direct contact with BBQ. It is also just as great when it comes to smoking but if you’re mostly interested in smoking and have a little more money lying around, buy a dedicated charcoal smoker.
It is probably the best choice if you want to try smoking without spending much money on a dedicated smoker. If it really turns out that you prefer regular grilling instead of much more complicated smoking, you don’t have to worry about what to do with a smoker that you just bought.
If you realize that you like smoking, though, once you gain experience you can make a conscious choice of the right dedicated charcoal smoker for you now that you know your needs perfectly.
On top of versatility, the Weber Kettle grill deserves praise for its high quality of workmanship and durability confirmed by numerous positive reviews. It’s a grill built to withstand as much as possible, which in this price range is phenomenal.
It comes with a 10 year warranty but in good hands it can easily last for several times that long without major damages. Big enough cooking area, great grill grates and mobility are another advantages of this grill.
It works great in both situations – grilling and smoking, but the latter requires a little more effort and some accessories and tools will be helpful, like charcoal baskets or a smoker thermometer.
Pros
- Rust-resistant porcelain enameled shell
- Heavy-duty
- Offers a large cooking surface
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to clean
- Super air-flow system
- Offers closed-lid cooking
- Ultra-durable steel grates
Cons
- None
2. Pit Barrel Cooker
An Ugly Drum Smoker is very easy to assemble on your own, you will find a lot of guides on the Internet on how to do that. If you are into DIY and like such things, you can handle it without any problem, and most of all, you will save a lot of money at that by building a smoker out of high quality materials.
Very well made UDS are famous for great efficiency, stable temperature and durability.
The Pit Barrel Cooker company was made for those who have no time, motivation or skills to make their own UDS.
You can get a store-bought Pit Barrel Cooker for a very good price that is made solidly out of high quality materials. It is a great alternative to Weber Smokey Mountain, it differs in the main cooking style and not having a water bowl.
The cooking style in Pit Barrel Cooker is hooks but you can also utilize additional grate grills. The hook system, however, is really great, especially if you cook huge chunks of meat such as ribs.
When it comes to temperature, PBC is mostly monotonous in this regard – it means that it is very limited in terms of temperature range. Pit Barrel Cooker is great at maintaining a stable temperature over many hours, but cooking mostly takes place within a single ( pretty hot ) temperature range. With this type of structure it is hard to achieve a low temperature, although it is possible.
For example, Weber Smokey Mountain makes it possible to cook at a low, medium and high temperature – thanks to a structure designed that way it is much easier.
Despite the heavy temperature adjustment, it is still a great and easy to use charcoal smoker even for beginners. Made of high quality materials, it is as solid as WSM which makes it another investment for years to come.
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Controlling the Temperature on a Charcoal Smoker
The first thing to do is install your charcoal smoker properly. The method you use to fire it up will depend on your intention. For those who prefer to smoke their meat for long periods of time over low heat the minion method is best. This requires you to pour unlit charcoal into the firebox and light up briquettes.
Once the briquettes have turned to ash you can then sprinkle them onto the unlit charcoal to start the smoking process, which can go on for several hours. The heat will remain at the same low temperature without much supervision from you. Meanwhile, the charcoal will simply keep itself burning by lighting others below it.
At this point, you could probably use some tips on how to maintain an even temperature on a charcoal smoker:
- Pay attention to the rate at which temperature rises within the firebox. Patiently adjust it if necessary until you reach your preferred temperature.
- Leave the top exhaust damper open to make sure the fire burns clean. You need to keep the oxygen flowing to avoid the build-up of residue which can cause creosote and that won’t taste nice on your meat.
- Take your time when making changes to the vents as rushing things can ruin your fire.
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How to Take Care of a Charcoal Smoker
Masterbuilt charcoal smokers are known to be a long-lasting and durable invention. With proper maintenance, there’s no reason to doubt that it can outlive you. But, they also need constant maintenance to avoid damage.
The following are a few maintenance pointers that you should take note of if you want to extend the lifespan of your charcoal smoker:
- Throw out the ashes as soon as you finish using the smoker. Leaving them in the smoker after use will degrade the material and lead to rusting over time. Just wait for the smoker to cool down first before you throw out the ashes so you don’t burn yourself.
- Clean the grill grate regularly to avoid the build-up of grease and food residue. Too much of that can affect the taste of your food and it’ll cause the charcoal to stick to the grates. For best results, clean the grates right after each use, as waiting too long will make it more difficult to remove the grease.
- Clean the inside of the cooking chamber regularly. This is the easiest area to clean and you don’t have to do it after each use, but once after every few times, you use the smoker. All you need to do is take a knife or the sharp edge of a spoon and scrape off any crust that may have adhered onto the surface.
If it needs a little more attention, bring out the steel wool and dip into a solution of warm water and powerful dishwashing detergent. You should probably wear gloves at this stage because you’ll need to put some elbow grease into it. Also, take the smoker to your backyard to avoid messing up your kitchen with the grease and grime that’s going to come off.
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Electric vs Charcoal Smoker
Smoked meat has a distinct flavor and taste that you simply cannot get when using other types of cooking equipment. While most people think that electric and charcoal smokers are the same thing, this isn’t the case. Aside from having two distinct fuel sources, there are other differences that separate these two smokers.
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Choose a Charcoal Smoker for Authentic Smoked Flavor
According to experts who have tried both the electric and charcoal meat smoker, the latter is the best to use when you want your meat to have that original smoky flavor. Sure, it takes longer to switch on because you have to prepare the charcoal and make sure that it’s burning properly but this is a small price to pay.
It requires that you pay attention to the weather conditions outside too, as that may affect the speed at which the fire heats up, and time-consuming preparatory tasks like this might be annoying to some. To others, it’s all a part of the beautiful ritual of getting perfectly smoked meat. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to maintain the same even temperature throughout the cooking process.
The price of a decent charcoal smoker typically starts at $200 and can go up to $300. If there’s one thing about charcoal smokers it’s that they offer value for money.
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Choose an Electric Smoker to Save Time and Money
On the other hand, we have the electric smoker. The most notable feature of this smoker is that it’s convenient to use. It has all the modern features that you want to smoke your meat in a short amount of time. It’s sort of like a short cut to the charcoal smoker.
It works similarly to an ement-bccba2a7-c8fe-4183-be2a-07b8dc19fbb7″ class=”textannotation”>oven in that it cooks at high heat and offers even There are two types of electric smokers to choose from; analog and digital. Analog smokers come with an adjustable thermostat but not much else, while digital smokers have that and a screen interface that allows you to control the temperature and set it according to the type of meat you’re cooking. Both are quick and easy to clean though and feature heating rods that work to automatically ignite the wood chips.
The only thing you need to do is chuck the wood chips in and set the heating rods to your desired temperature. They’ll remain at that temperature without much intervention from you which makes them a convenient and time-saving solution.
The pros and cons of buying charcoal smoker
Pros:
Flavor – Without a doubt, everyone agrees on that, charcoal gives the best results of smoking and enriches the food’s flavor. It makes it possible to achieve much better bark and a thicker smoke ring on meat.
Versatility – There are many versatile charcoal smokers that are just as great at grilling or roasting. Plenty of dedicated smokers have a large area that also gives plenty of opportunities when it comes to the cooking style.
Mobility – The source of heat is burning charcoal which means that you can use the smoker anywhere you want, even when camping. In practice, most charcoal smokers weight way too much to be brought along away from home but they give you a full freedom whenever you want to change your smoker’s location.
Fun – You love smoking? In that case, there is nothing better for you than a charcoal smoker. Getting the charcoal burning, adjusting the air vents, controlling the temperature and fuel as well as many other duties. All of that won’t let you rest for long, it’s a smoker you can’t get bored around.
Cons:
b4d3-4ca9-9a62-2c9472d4fc78″ class=”textannotation”>Cleaning – Charcoal leaves a lot of ash behind, which has to be removed preferably after each cooking. Depending on the model, there are many ways to solve this problem, certain smokers have cleaning systems that make it much easier to get rid of ash. Sadly, not all models, especially the cheaper ones, have a structure properly designed with that in mind.
Temperature control and time – On one hand, I have mentioned this as an upside, on the other it often happens that someone doesn’t feel like doing all that, such is our nature. All those tasks take a lot of time which might drive a lot of people away from this type of smoker and get them to choose something much more convenient and simple, like a pellet smoker for example.
It won’t forgive every mistake – Sadly, a simple charcoal smoker, despite its simplicity, won’t forgive all mistakes (avoid these 16 at all cost!) . It’s not a set & forget style smoker where once you start it you don’t have to do anything else. A charcoal smoker requires experience and skills in order to maintain a fixed temperature for very long.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect charcoal smoker doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when you know what to look for. Hopefully, our guide will make it easier for you to find a smoker that works for your needs. Remember to consider its size, construction, cost, capacity, and portability.
Out of all the charcoal smokers that we reviewed we found the [amazon link=”B00N634VD0″ title=”Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill” /] from Weber to be the best option. Not only does it feature steel plated heavy-duty grates, but it gives you the versatility to cook more than just meat on the grill. The detachable center gives you space to attach extras like a pizza oven or a Danish Ebelskiver pan to keep things exciting.
It switches on effortlessly thanks to the push-button ignition and with a cooking surface that measures 363 square inches, you’ll have more than enough space to cook for a small party.
