Yes, summer is one of the best times to be outdoors, but there’s one thing that makes it even better: smoked food. Using a smoker is a great way to add flavor to your favorite meats and vegetables in a unique way. The best part is, you don’t have to be an expert chef to use these devices. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of the best smokers for beginners.
If you’re new to smoking foods or just looking for an upgrade from your old model, any of the smokers on this list are worth considering. From electric smokers that do all the hard work for you to gas models that are easy to use, there’s a smoker out there for anyone who wants to start cooking with smoke.
12 Best Smokers for Beginners Reviews
#1 Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
The Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is a great choice for absolute beginners to smoke. It’s small, but it’s big enough to handle 2 large chickens or 2 racks of ribs easily. It’s also incredibly easy to use. Just plug it in and set the temperature and time with the dial on the front of the smoker, put your meat inside, then wait patiently while the smoker does all the work!
This smoker has almost 900 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars! The most popular feature by far is its low price: many reviewers commented that they were surprised by how well it works given how cheap it is. Some reviewers are even saying that this little guy beats more expensive smokers in terms of results! Others were impressed by its build quality as well as its customer service, saying it was a very reliable addition to their backyard barbecue arsenal.
What we liked:
- Very cheap!
- Easy to use and great value for money
- Small but big enough to handle 2 chickens or 2 racks of ribs
- Very lightweight and portable
- Versatile
#2 Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
If you’re looking for a smoker with durable construction and a large capacity for cooking, this smoker will fit your needs.
This smoker has 5 adjustable cooking grates and is built from heavy gauge steel with porcelain enameled steel wire grates. The porcelain coating on the grates makes them easy to clean.
It’s equipped with an offset smoker box that allows the smoke to reach all areas of the food simultaneously. This ensures that you get an even flavor profile.
The built-in temperature gauge comes in handy if you’re not sure how hot your smoke should be when cooking different meats or veggies. This smoker also has dampers that are easy to control, allowing precise settings on the amount of heat put off by the firebox and by the barrel itself.
If you’re looking for a smoker that gets hot quickly and evenly distributes heat, this one will meet your needs.
What we liked:
- The porcelain coating on the grates makes them easily cleaned and they’re durable
- The gauge in the front to monitor temperature between the firebox and the barrel is helpful
- The porcelain coating on the grates make the smoker easy to clean, which is a plus in my book
- Offset smoker box allows smoke to reach all areas of food simultaneously for even heat distribution
#3 Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill with Side Fire Box
You won’t get stuck on the same meal recipe forever. This smoker can be used either as a smoker, a grill or a BBQ. With its adjustable charcoal tray, you could easily turn it into a more flexible cooking tool. This means that you could move up to any higher level of cooking.
Furthermore, it has four large wheels for easy movement across the patio and other areas in your home. The side fire box enables you to add charcoal while grilling and also cook with indirect heat when needed. It comes with heat gauge which allows easy monitoring of temperatures inside the chamber. The chamber divider enables multi-tier cooking at once which is an excellent feature for this smoker griller combo, especially when hosting parties or large gatherings with family and friends
What we liked:
- Has a side fire box
- Has a meat probe
- Provides flexible cooking options of smoking, grilling and BBQing
- Has an easy to adjust charcoal tray
- Has excellent temperature monitoring gauge
#4 Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2021 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 8 in 1
With all the grilling features and specifications packed into the Z Grills ZPG-450A 2021 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, you’ll be able to grill, smoke, bake, roast and BBQ with ease. It has a temperature range of 180°F to 450°F. The digital temperature controller automatically keeps the food hot while you wait. You’ll be able to monitor your dish at any time through its WiFi app.
The grilling tray can hold up to 450 square inches of food so that it is suitable for six people at a time. Its non-stick and non-flammable surface makes it very easy to clean. It’s also made from 20 gauge steel which is rust resistant.
It comes with accessories like an electric auto ignition system, a grease cup holder and a large hopper for loading wood pellets quickly and easily. When fully loaded with wood pellets, it can run for an impressive 20 hours straight! It also comes with a three year warranty on its parts if anything goes wrong during this period of time.
What we liked:
- It is easy to assemble, thanks to the instruction manual.
- The design is very good and it does not have any sharp corners.
- It comes with a WiFi app so you can monitor your food remotely.
- It has all the features you need in a pellet grill: temperature control, grease tray, non-stick grill surface and plenty of cooking space.
- The hopper has enough capacity, so no more refills needed during grilling sessions!
- You can use wood pellets, charcoal or gas on this grill.
#5 Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker
Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, Black is one of the best smokers for beginners. Those like its 2-in-1 combo grill which can be used as a charcoal grill and offset smoker.
This smoker for beginners has heavy-duty steel construction so it has a longer lifespan. Besides, its porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates make it easy to clean and cook delicious food.
The offset smoker chamber with porcelain steel vented lid helps smoke flavor permeate the air and penetrate into food more deeply. You can easily access to firebox where you can add fuel or remove ash through side door design in this beginner’s smoker.
Therefore, you should consider this product if you are seeking one of the best smokers for beginners in 2023!
What we liked:
- Easy to operate
- Heavy duty steel construction
- Its porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates make it easy to clean and cook delicious food.
#6 Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
You can use wood pellets for heat and smoke with this model. The smokepro has a digital control panel, meat probe, pellet hopper cleanout feature, grease management system, slide and grill technology, grease drain system and a portable design.
With the digital control display you can have accurate temperature readings at any time during your smoking process. It also allows you to set the temperature that matches the recipe you are using with ease. You have many options when it comes to choosing your desired temperature setting on this device.
This product uses SlideSmoke technology that gives food consistent flavor through your entire cooking session consistently throughout your whole cooking session or grilling experience. This is done by feeding pellets directly into the firebox where they combust quickly creating flavorful smoke before being used as fuel for continuous cooking temperatures without flare ups or hot spots in one area but not another.
The durable porcelain-coated steel lid which seals in flavor from wood pellet fired flavors while blocking out wind gusts offers twice more surface area than other grills on the market today. Because of its square shape design giving plenty of room for large cuts of meat like ribs or brisket without having to worry about them getting stuck together due to lack space between them when put next each other inside this unit’s main chamber housing so there isn’t any chance that juices will drip down onto lower levels below causing flare ups which result in burnt spots forming these tasty tidbits instead becoming perfectly cooked delights with no hassle whatsoever!
What we liked:
- Easy to use digital control panel
- A durable porcelain-coated steel lid which seals in flavor from wood pellet fired flavors while blocking out wind gusts
- Slide smoke technology makes food consistent flavor throughout your entire cooking session.
#7 Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable Wood Pellet Grill
The Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett is a small, portable smoker for those who are just starting out in the world of smoking. It is an ideal entry-level grill because it is so easy to use. In fact, you can monitor and control your grill from anywhere—even across the world—thanks to its unique WiFi capability. This smoker can also be used as a pellet grill, direct grill or as a smoker, depending on what you prefer.
It comes complete with a travel bag for easy transportation, making it an excellent choice for those who like camping and other outdoor activities.
The Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett features enough cooking space to cook one large pizza or two racks of ribs at one time.
It’s also incredible value for money when compared to similar smokers on the market today; all things considered, this small and portable beast is definitely one of the best smokers available right now if you’re just getting started in this hobby!
What we liked:
- Portable package
- Easy to use digital control panel
- If you’re just getting started in the world of smoking, this smoker is a great way to start!
#8 Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker
The Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker has 730 square inches of cooking space on four racks, so you’ll have plenty of room to smoke just about anything. The 800 watt heating element can be adjusted from 100 degrees to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, giving you complete control over how quickly your food smokes. This smoker is fully insulated, so the heat stays inside the chamber and it will not lose any temperature when you open the door.
The panel on this smoker is digital with a blue LED readout. It controls the temperature and time, so there’s no need to set a separate timer in your kitchen. A meat probe thermometer makes getting perfectly cooked meat every time easy. Easy cleanup is ensured with a front access drip pan that collects any grease or fat that drips off your food during smoking, and a removable porcelain coated wood chip tray that makes cleaning up after dinner a breeze.
What we liked:
- It is fully insulated to keep the heat in
- It is equipped with a stainless steel warming rack
- This smoker comes with a cookbook that provides lots of helpful tips and recipes.
#9 Smoke Hollow 30162E Electric Smoker With Adjustable Temperature Control
The Smoke Hollow 30162E Electric Smoker has a simple and easy to use design. It’s one of the best options for beginner smokers on the market today.
It is one of the best electric smokers that is capable of smoking up to 20 pounds of meat at a time, making it perfect for small backyard gatherings.
It uses analog heat controls and two chrome-coated racks, allowing you to give your meats flavor without burning them or drying them out.
This smoker is equipped with double-wall insulation, so it won’t overheat while in use. It includes a further 10 square inches of cooking space on its side shelf if you need additional room for food preparation or storage. You can add wood chips through its front access door to add rich flavors to your meat smoking recipes without having to open up the main door much (if at all).
You could even try using this grill as an outdoor kitchen! The possibilities are endless when you have such versatile equipment at your disposal. This particular model comes in black or stainless steel colors, so be sure which color suits your needs before purchasing one from Amazon today!
What we liked:
- Affordable
- Its two chrome-coated racks allow for easy food preparation and temperature control
- It’s easy to use
- It’s simple to maintain
#10 PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill
This is one of the best wood pellet grills for beginners on our list.
It has a large grilling area of 440 square inches, which is enough to cook around 28 burgers or 4 whole chickens at once.
It comes equipped with a digital control and dial-in temperature settings as well as an auto-start ignition to make sure your food gets cooked properly every time.
The built-in hopper can hold 18 pounds of pellets, while the insulated cooking chamber and dual exhaust ports ensure that your meat is cooked thoroughly and evenly.
The PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill also features an easy-to-clean ash pan that makes cleaning up after cooking simple and straightforward.
Its steel construction means it’s durable enough to stand up to frequent use, while its four wheels make it easy to move your smoker into any convenient location in your home or backyard.
This smoker can be used for hours of hassle-free smoking, barbecuing or grilling so you can enjoy delicious meals for years to come!
What we liked:
- Built-in hopper
- Durable construction
- Easy to use digital control and dial
- It is quiet when in use
#11 Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger 780 is one of the best smokers for beginners because it has everything you could want in a smoker. It can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue food. It’s perfect for large families or social gatherings.
This versatile grill features a digital pro controller with advanced grilling logic that maintains a consistent temperature within +/- 20 degrees F throughout the entire cooking process to ensure the perfect temperature every time you cook!
A new feature for this model is the wood fired convection fans that circulate heat and smoke throughout the grill by using six stainless steel rods to distribute heat evenly over an area of 465 square inches.
What we liked:
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Made of high quality materials
- It has 710 square inches of cooking space
#12 Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker with Thermostat Control
A smoker is a machine that generates smoke and use it to cook meat. This type of cooking technique is used as it adds a smoky flavor to the food. There are several types of smokers available in the market, namely propane, electric and pellet smokers. And each one of these has its own pros and cons. It is up to you which one suits your needs the best.
This smoker from Masterbuilt comes with three chrome-coated racks that give ample space for all your cooking needs. The built-in temperature gauge helps you monitor the heat inside the chamber so that everything you cook turns out perfectly every time. You can also set an automatic shutoff timer with this smoker so that even if you forget about your food in there, it will be cooked at just the right time for the best results!
When choosing between an electric or propane smoker, consider how much energy each uses during an operation before making a decision on which type may be more efficient for your home. Propane smokers tend not to last as long as their electric counterparts due to heat damage but often provide better flavor because they can reach higher temperatures faster than those using electricity only (which means less power is wasted while waiting).
It’s easy enough to use, even if you’re new at barbecuing: Just put some wood chips into the compartment on top, turn on both burners and wait until they’re hot enough before putting meat inside! This way there won’t be any uneven cooking due to cold spots around one side or another — every part will have been exposed equally.
What we liked:
- It has a large grilling area
- It is affordable
- Its three chrome-coated racks give ample space for all your cooking needs- It’s easy to use
- It’s simple to maintain
How To Choose The Best Smokers For Beginners
If you are a beginner to smoking food, then there are several factors that you need to consider when choosing a perfect smoker. The process is much more straightforward than it seems. So before hitting the market and buying any smoker machine, it is vital to know what your requirements first. Here are some of the factors that you must be looking for when selecting an ideal smoker for beginners.
Ease of Use
Ideal smokers for beginners should be easy and quick to use and set up. This means that they must come with an easy-to-understand manual with clear instructions on how one can operate the machine efficiently. Moreover, these smokers should be simple in design and construction so as not to confuse users.
Cleaning
Some people do not bother cleaning their machines after use which causes them to clog over time hence becoming less efficient. For this reason, always make sure that you clean your smoker regularly especially after every use if possible using warm water and a little soap or detergent as this will keep it looking like new all the time as well as last longer than expected since they won’t get damaged easily due to rusting or dirt accumulation which may cause corrosion over time.
Fuel Source
The fuel source is one of the first things to look at when deciding which smoker is right for you. The three most common options are charcoal, wood pellets, and gas. Each one has its own pros and cons, but all three produce amazing results when used properly.
Charcoal and wood pellet smokers are usually cheaper than gas models, but they require a bit more maintenance and don’t come with features like digital temperature controls or built-in timers that some gas models have. Gas smokers are generally easier to use because they light immediately and maintain an even temperature, but they do require a constant supply of propane or natural gas (depending on what type they use).
Size Matters
The size of your smoker is very important. If you’re only cooking for yourself, a small, portable model might be all you need. For larger groups or families, you’ll want something bigger and more durable. Look for a smoker that offers at least 300 square inches of cooking space and up to 700 square inches if you want to be able to cook in batches.
Wood Capacity
The wood capacity of most smokers ranges from 12 ounces (350 cubic inches) to 25 pounds (600 cubic inches). If you’re cooking for a small family, you might only need a small amount of wood, but if you’re cooking for larger groups, you’ll need to buy enough to last a few hours.
Temperature Settings
Most smokers have control knobs or dials that let you adjust the temperature between 200°F and 1000°F. The temperature setting will depend on the type of meat or fish that you’re cooking and how long it will take to cook it. You’ll need to experiment with the settings on your smoker or look online for charts that show the different temperatures you should use for certain foods.
Grease Management
The easiest way to grease your smoker is by using a drip pan, but most of the time, these pans catch only half of the grease from a smoked piece of meat. If you’re cooking with propane, you can also buy kits that let you direct some of the exhaust gas into an attached container to capture more grease as it leaves the smoker.
Cooking Surface
The best smokers have a cooking surface that’s large enough to accommodate even the biggest cuts of meat, like briskets and pork shoulders. The surface should also be removable so you can easily clean it between uses. Some grills also come with accessories that allow you to cook hot dogs, hamburgers, and more right on the surface of the smoker.
FAQs
What is the best type of smoker for beginners?
When it comes to smokers there are many different types on the market and they all have their pros and cons. Smokers can range from a simple charcoal grill to a high-end pellet smoker, or even an electric model. There are several different types of smokers out there, but which one is right for you? For most people, we recommend getting started with an inexpensive charcoal smoker (like an offset). While these models aren’t as easy to use as their electric counterparts, they are much more affordable and can be used year-round.
Is it worth it to buy a smoker?
Yes, it is absolutely worth buying a smoker if you enjoy eating smoked meat or you want to try smoking meat at home. Although smokers are generally more expensive than regular grills, they are not overly expensive. Smokers can also last many years with proper maintenance and care. And if you start smoking your own meats at home, it can save you money compared to eating out or buying pre-smoked meat in stores.
Is electric or wood smoker better?
Electric smokers are more convenient than wood ones because they require less maintenance and work automatically. Wood smokers produce better results but they need constant attention while cooking food because they don’t have an automatic system like electric smokers do. So if you’re new to smoking meat then an electric one might be best for now until you get more experience with it.
Conclusion
The first challenge of smoking is getting a good smoker. Knowing what to look for in a smoker can be daunting, especially if you don’t have prior experience with them. We hope this guide has helped you become familiarized with smokers and what to look for in smokers for beginners that can fit your needs and budget.
We recommend the Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker as the best overall smoker. It’s simple to use and very forgiving, which makes it perfect for beginners or those who want to take their time learning how to smoke meats properly. And it’s incredibly durable and weather-resistant for easy storage.
If you’re looking for something that’s portable and more affordable, we suggest the Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker as our best value pick because it has an insulated body that keeps heat in while you’re cooking and maintains the internal temperature you’ve set, so you get consistently cooked meat all the time.
