Best Smoker – Electric, Charcoal, Pellet, and Smoker Grills for Slow Cooked, Tasty Smoked Foods

The Smokey Mountain Cooker by Weber is perfect for those who are looking for the most simple meat smoker available, especially when it comes to the features. The best part about this smoker, thanks to the features, is that is takes very little care requirements overall, and lasts for many years to come.

Here are some of the features that make the Smokey Mountain Cooker one of the best meat smokers around:

• The aluminum vents and fuel access door
• Will never rust, thanks to the aluminum, even if the protective cover isn't on
• Plated racks make cleaning easier
• When open, can be used as a grill
• Will not burn your hand, thanks to the glass-reinforced nylon lid handle
• Incredibly accurate gauge for temperature

Even though the features are incredibly basic, they are perfect for someone who wants exactly that - a simple, easy to use meat smoker. One feature that we have found owners love is that the vents and fuel access door are made of aluminum and will not rust should they forget to place the protective cover back on after cooking. It could rain all night, for example, and will not damage the smoker at all.

For a simple, basic, and high quality meat smoker, the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker definitely takes the cake.

The Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker is approximately 19 inches in diameter and 41 inches high, and can accommodate a full-sized turkey and an entire ham at one time, according to the manufacturer. The total square inches of cooking area comes out to 481, with room for the majority of types of meat, thanks to the two-rack height layout. There are three sizes to choose from for this brand of meat smoker - 14-inch, 18-inch, and 22-inch.

This meat smoker is covered with porcelain enamel, and is fitted with a water pan. This ensures that the meat will remain moist and melt right off the bone after it's been smoked for a couple of hours. Overall, this design aspect of the meat smoker ensures that the consistency of the food is smoked to pure perfection.

There are many important aspects that go into the construction and the design for this smoker, such as:

• Has a construction of steel
• Includes a coating of hard-wearing ceramic
• Comes with a high-quality cover
• Easy to move with the top handle
• Capsule build allows for easy storage

Overall, the construction and design of the Smokey Mountain Smoker by Weber screams perfection through the high quality.

When it comes to performance and ease of use, this meat smoker has a basic operation that is fueled through charcoal, wood chips, or specific liquid made for smokers. This smoker is perfect for those who are wanting to only to set the controls and leave it for a couple of hours, and ideally only want to have to vent it or add more fuel when required to do so.

The Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker utilizes simplicity and perfect ease of use.

• The controls and instructions on how to use and operate it are incredibly simple ad straightforward
• Can take any sort of fuel to ensure that varied tastes are satisfied
• Adding a bit of seasoning is easily done whenever needed
• Setting and leaving the smoker is done without worry
• Unlike other smokers, there are few whistles and bells, which ensures no confusion

For those looking for a meat smoker that has as few controls and instructions as possible, the Smokey Mountain Cooker is the ideal choice.

Char-Broil is a company known for excellence when it come to outdoor cooking. We chose their Offset Smoker as our choice for best value because it is a perfect option for people on a budget who also want a great charcoal grill. Despite being a “low cost” grill, it has many beneficial features that other "budget brands" don’t, such as:

• Ceramic-coated grates,
• Firebox door for easy, mess-free ash removal,
• Temperature monitoring is done through the combination of the vent, damper, and thermostat,
• The wheels make it easier to move around,
• Can be used with either charcoal or quality wood chips, and
• A spring-wound handle that never gets too hot

Considering the Charcoal Barrel Grill by Char-Broil is a budget smoker, you would not think that it would be this exceptional, and yet it's managed to make our list of the top rated meat smokers available.

For a great combination grill and smoker, Get the Char-Broil Offset American Gourmet Grill

Though the Charcoal Barrel Grill by Char-Broil is advertised to have 426 square inches of area to cook in, approximately 138 inches is taken up by its smoke box. Within the chamber where the firebox is located, in the space where you put your food that is to be cooked and smoked, there is approximately 140 square inches of cooking surface to use. Overall, it's about 44 inches high, 17.5 inches deep, and 46 inches long.

The Char-Broil Barrel Grill gets the job done nicely for a family of average size, and has more than enough space to fit multiple pieces of food at a time. A cover comes highly recommended if you are planning on keeping it outside of your home, or wherever it will be exposed to the weather's elements, even though the construction of this meat smoker consists of steel.

There are many construction and design gems that make this meat smoker one of the top rated to have including:

• Adjustable height for any size requirement,
• Ash can be easily removed to ensure there is no accumulation,
• Includes a handy side shelf for plates, sauces, spices, etc., and
• Two cooking areas.

This meat smoker makes cooking anywhere, even on the go, incredibly easy. Owners have raved about how much they love bringing theirs with them on camping trips, especially because the design allows for space to smoke meat and grill vegetables, for example, at the same time.

In our research we came across some comments about issues with uneven heat distribution in both of the cooking areas. However, this can be easily fixed by monitoring the fuel/heat source and the reality is that this is an issue that's been seen in most, if not all, offset smokers. Using charcoal, for example, will solve this problem because it burns slower than other fuels, therefore adding better distribution of heat. Despite learning how to properly distribute heat, especially if this is your first meat smoker, the Charcoal Barrel Grill is incredibly easy to use and maintain.

For a cheap meat smoker that is anything butcheap, we highly recommend the Char-Broil Offset Smoker and Grill.

When it comes to quality food and meat smokers, Bradley is a name that is at the top of many the list for many serious smokers. We chose their Original Smoker because it is a great choice for both people knew to the world of smoking foods, as well as those with lots of experience.

There are plenty of great features when it comes to the Bradley Original Food Smoker --

• Self-feeding briquette (every 20 minutes)
• Comes with 4 removable racks so you can set up the smoker to fit the foods you want to cook.
• Rack supports to ensure the racks do not tip over when they are being pulled out to remove food.
• Extra large feet in the front for added stability and support.
• Removable side panel in the generator to ensure cleaning is easier.
• Can be used as a slow cooker and a roasting oven, as well as a smoker.

Overall, the Bradley Original Food Smoker is definitely a powerhouse that is worth the money, should you have the available space.

When it comes to serious smoking, the Bradley Original Food Smoker is definitely a big bang for your buck. Get yours today.

The dimensions of the Bradley Original Food Smoker are larger than the other meat smokers on our list, and practically need a list of their own --

• 17" W x 14" D x 31" HT - 24" W for the exterior, which includes the side generator
• 15" W x 11.5" D x 25.5" HT for the interior
• 19" height of usable cooking area above the convenient drip tray
• 572sq", or 4 x 11 x 13, for the rack area itself, which includes 4 of them

Though the machine is somewhat large, it makes up for its bulky size with everything else that it offers. The steel exterior, which is coated in epoxy, is so strong, that it lasts for years. The stainless steel surface internally offers plenty of heat retention, and the insulation within the entire food smoker ensures that food is cooked and smoked evenly. This smoker is energy efficient as well, thanks to the insulation.

Ease of use with the Original Food Smoker is quite excellent, considering the machine adds briquettes automatically into the burner every 20 minutes, which minimizes the effort of the user. If you plan on smoking food for more than a couple of hours, all you have to do is load up the side generator's extended piece with briquettes, and leave it! The dial control lets you adjust the temperature of the smoker as you see fit whenever you need to do so. The racks are non-stick, and the generator has a removable side panel, which makes this smoker easier to clean.

Masterbuilt started out as a small family owned company in 1973 – and with their commitment to excellence, they have become a leader in the work of outdoor food cooking products. The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker made out list both because of the quality construction, but also because of how powerful it is as a smoker – great for both novices and experienced smokers alike.

One great feature of this smoker is the fact that the top-mounted control panel regulates the temperature as needed, which goes from 100 to 275 degrees, and lets you set a cooking time between 0 to 24 hours. You can find the loading tray for wood on the side, which you can also use while the smoker is in use. The racks alone are a feature on their own, considering they are plated with chrome, and are above a drip pan to catch juices and help with cleanup to make it easier.

If you're looking for a high quality, electronic smoker that is perfect for beginners, get the Masterbuilt Digital Smoker.

The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker comes with a great combination of both convenience and size, thanks to its cabinet-style. The unit is 33.5 inches high, 20 inches around, and 17 inches deep, with 730 square inches of area to cook, and comes with 4 racks. Retaining heat and reducing energy consumption is done quite well because of the high quality insulation, as well as the outer casing, which is made out of powder-coated steel. There is also a removable pan for liquids, as well.

Because the Masterbuilt Digital Smoker is an electric unit, it's incredibly easy to set up and use. All you have to do is set the temperature, load up the wood chips, and press the button to get it started. Depending on your taste preference, considering some prefer to add spirits or juices to their meats, you can use the removable liquid pan to add water for moisture, or whiskey, for example, for added flavor.

When it comes to grills, smokers and equipment for outdoor cooking, Nordic Ware is not a name that will come automatically to people’s minds but we just HAD to tell you about the Kettle Smoker that is part of their 365 line of products designed for indoor and outdoor use – all year long. The reality is that many people love the taste of smoked foods, but don’t want to invest in a full sized cooker (or don’t have the room of for one), and if that’s the case this small-sized smoker is a perfect choice.

The Kettle Smoker comes with a recipe book, non-stick pan, vent, thermometer, non-stick rack for food, liquid pan, and a tightly fitted lid. You will also receive a supply of fine wood chips to start with, which will also give you an idea of the size you will need to buy once your small supply is used.

Overall, the simplicity of the Kettle Smoker is incredible.

At 7 inches high and 13 inches across, the Kettle Smoker is perfect for a decently sized chicken, steaks, and even ribs. Constructed of durable steel, its design makes it simple to have it smoking on your stove or sitting outside for smoking foods with ease. It’s also great as an easy-to-pack smoker to take with you on camping trips.

To ensure that you do not smoke your home out when using the Kettle Smoker inside, using an abundance of thin wood chips is highly recommended, as well as following the instructions given with the unit to the letter. Proper ventilation will be needed, especially considering it has a large impact on the end result's flavor. Overall, the Kettle Smoker is incredibly easy to use and works as a food smoker should.

If you're looking for a compact smoker that is designed to feed only a few people, as well as one that you can use inside and out, then the Nordic Ware Kettle Smoker is a great option for you.