You might have enjoyed a slice of tasty meat smoked at your local restaurant or a past function, and you now want to try it at home. Right, if it is your first time, we got you the best smoker for beginners. Read on to find your favorite machine and start enjoying your smoked meat or fish right in your backyard.
What is a Smoker?
If you never knew what appliance is used in producing that favorite barbecue, you are in the right place. A smoker is an outdoor appliance that works by maintaining low cooking temperatures for a certain period, as it produces smoke which it holds around your meat to absorb liquids and produce tasty meat of fish.
How does a Smoker work?
Different types of smokers use different mechanisms. However, the primary function of a smoker is to dry the meat while keeping its nutrients compact.
Why buy a Smoker?
You may want a smoker for home or commercial use. Whatever the case, having your appliance can save you money and time traveling to the restaurant to get your favorite serving. It is also convenient whenever you want to enjoy a barbecue with your family and friends.
7 Best Smoker For Beginners
Here are the 7 best smokers for beginners you might want to check out….
1. Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker
Weber 14-inch charcoal smoker is no doubt the best smoker for beginners. The smoking appliance is practical and offers great efficiency for a beginner. The smoker comes with a smokey mountain cooker and a charcoal smoker.
Unique from most smokers, this best budget smoker comes with a plated steel cooking grate that offers enough grilling area. It also consists of rust-resistant metal stands and a cover. Additionally, the smoker comes with a built-in lid thermometer.
Its overall dimensions are 14.7 by 14.7 by 31.4 inches. It weighs 24 pounds making it light and portable. The cooking grid dimensions are 13.5 by 13.5 inches. The appliance has a 143 sq. inches main grilling area, and 286 sq. inches total grilling area.
The cooker reaches around 190 degrees Fahrenheit inside temperature. For easy assembly, the product comes with a precise guide. You can benefit from the 3D interactive assembly instructions through the free BILT app.
View at Amazon: Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker
Pros
- Easy to use
- High accuracy in temperature gauging
- Versatile design
- Rust-resistant
- Bigger water pan offering long smoking sessions
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Difficult to get the ash out
- Not well insulated
2. Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18″ Charcoal Smoker
Cuisinart brings you the best smoker for the first timer. The COS-118 vertical smoker comes with outstanding features. You get 510 sq. inches cooking space and a porcelain-enameled steel bowl measuring 22 by 24 by 43 inches for holding water.
The appliance also consists of a steel housing, latching base, vertically hinged door, and 45 inches tall stands. The smoker’s ability to give the user more control overheat and smoke, easy to set, and high efficiency make it one of the best smokers to buy for beginners.
The item also comes with two tiers of steel smoking racks that give enough room for your meat, fish, and chicken. Besides, the charcoal smoker comes with two air vents that you can open or close for easy heat and smoke management. The item weighs 25 pounds with a dimension of 25 by 25 by 45 inches.
View at Amazon: Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18″ Charcoal Smoker
Pros
- Carrying handles for efficient portability
- Easy charcoal top-up
- Durable
- Adjustable dumpers
- Easy to set up
- Consistent temperature
Cons
- Some customers complained of the weak lid
3. Camp Chef Smoke Vault, 18″ Vertical Smoker, Dimensions 18 in. x 16 in. x 44 in.
If you are looking for the best smoker for beginners that uses propane, you can consider Camp Chef Smoke Vault. The 63.5 pounds smoker comes with two adjustable racks, one jerky smoking rack, a steel wood chip tray, a water pan, and a removable porcelain base tray that makes clean up easy.
The smoker is also equipped with three adjustable damper valves, a door thermometer labeled from 50 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, a matchless snap-ignition, and a protected burner drum. Besides, you get cooking tips and recipes when you buy this smoking appliance.
These features make Camp Chef Smoke Vault one of the good smokers for beginners you might want to purchase. The item measures 18 by 16 by 30 inches. Its height with the legs is 44 inches. The cooking racks also measure 15 by 14 inches with a 16 by 28 inches door.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Matchless ignition
- Easy to read temperature gauge
- It comes with a recipes booklet
Cons
- Some users had issues with the smoker’s temperature control
4. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, 450 Sq in Bronze
If you are looking for an appliance that does more than smoking meat, you might like Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. The best smoker for the first timer can be used to smoke, grill, sear, bake, roast, braise, char-grill, and barbecue at a temperature between 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
You might also like this best smoker for beginners if you prefer pellets over other sources of power. It promises consistency in cooking with its PID technology that holds the tightest temperatures. This feature also guarantees the best results after setting the temperature.
You don’t have to sit around to ensure even cooking. The friendly features make it one of the easy smokers for beginners. The smoker also consists of a 452 sq. inches cooking area and 15 pounds large-capacity pellet hopper, which gives you longer cooking time. The item measures 45 by 28 by 49 inches.
View at Amazon: Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, 450 Sq in Bronze
Pros
- Beginner-friendly features
- 3 years warranty
- Multi-functional
- Durable
- Longer cooking time compared to most pellets smokers.
Cons
- Relatively expensive
5. Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36″ Vertical Charcoal Smoker
Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D Charcoal Smoker is probably one of the most affordable smokers on the market. However, the best cheap smoker proves to be outstanding in offering exceptional service for you and your family.
The smoker comes with 4 cooking grates and a wide cooking area of 784 sq. inches. The stainless temperature gauge is another essential feature that comes with smoke zones that indicate the right temperature to infuse smoke flavor.
This best smoker for beginners contains an efficient management system for handling charcoal and ash swiftly. Thanks to its well-positioned charcoal chamber for easy charcoal adding, grate, and a well-positioned removable ash pan for removing ash.
This outdoor product measures 20.83 by 21.45 by 49.73 inches. Its weight measures 56 pounds. It uses charcoal as its power source. You can get the Dyna-Glo premium cover separately.
View at Amazon: Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36″ Vertical Charcoal Smoker
Pros
- Have a large cooking capacity
- Excellent design for a superior smokey flavor
- Easy to clean
- Easy to read and set the temperature gauge
- High accuracy in temperature gauging
- Affordable
Cons
- Some customers complained of weak handles
- Not well insulated
6. PIT BOSS 77435 Vertical Lp Gas Smoker, 3 Series, Red
For the lovers of gas-powered smokers, you got PIT BOSS, 77435 gas smoker. The smoker is no exaggeration one of the top smokers for beginners. It comes with friendly features such as the dual valve system that provides a 100 to 350 temperature range and a frame for easy transfer of your smoked meal to the table. Its stainless steel burner produces up to 12 500 BTU.
The easiest smoker to use features a large viewing window that makes it easy to monitor the smoked meat. You can also access the wood chip drawer and the grease tray from the outside.
Other remarkable features include the 3 cooking grids coated with porcelain and a large cooking area of 884 sq. inches. The smoker weighs 52 pounds with a measurement of 21.5 by 23 by 47 inches.
View at Amazon: PIT BOSS 77435 Vertical Lp Gas Smoker, 3 Series, Red
Pros
- Large cooking area reducing the number of sessions you cook your meal
- Easy to clean
- Large viewing window
- High-quality materials
Cons
- Some customers complained of the customer service offered
7. Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill
Are you still asking yourself what the best smoker for beginners is? If yes, you might want to check at this propane smoker. The best smoker for beginners comes with beginner-friendly features.
One of the unique features of this smoker is the TRU-infrared technology. The function is responsible for even food cooking with no flare-ups. Besides, the smoker offers ultimate versatility with its 1200 sq. inch basket.
The basket is big enough to accommodate large meat cuts. It also features a removable grill grate of 180 sq. inch. It’s portable and easy to use characteristic makes it one of the good smokers for beginners.
Other fantastic features include the removable grease tray that facilitates easy clean up, steel legs, externally accessible stainless steel smoker box, basket lift hook, metal thermometer, hose with regulator, and a product guide that make smoking and roasting enjoyable.
The smoker, roaster, and grill, all in one, weighs 22.68 pounds with a measurement of 23.1 by 23.4 by 36.2 inches.
Pros
- Multi-functional
- Even cooking and juicy food
- Externally accessible smoker box
- Quality construction
- Convenient carrying handles that make it portable
Cons
- Some customers complained of a smaller drip tray unfit for the rails.
Conclusion
There is that joy that comes with a new product. However, the joy becomes real when the product really serves you well. There are several smoker products in the market.
Not all can meet your smoking needs. Besides, smokers come in different types. The most common types include propane/gas, pellets, charcoal, and electric smokers.
We are familiar with the hassle of using smokers to cook the best flavor and tasty meat, fish, turkey, chicken, or any of your favorite meals. That is why you get an opportunity to get your best smoker for beginners in our top 7 picks for your first experience.
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