If you want an infusion of flavor without having to shell out money for a pellet smoker, a smoker tube is the way to go. But, too many smoker tubes are cheap with poor construction. To help you make the right choice, we’ve tested the best pellet tube smoker models.
The Best Pellet Tube Smokers
- Best Overall Pellet Tube Smoker: Oval Expanding Tube Smoker 7-12 in
- Cheapest Pellet Tube Smoker: LIZZQ Premium Pellet Smoker Tube
- Best Portable Pellet Tube Smoker: Oval Expanding Tube Smoker 7-12 in
- Easiest-to-Maintain Pellet Tube Smoker: Pellet Smoker, 12'' Stainless Steel
- Best Small Pellet Tube Smokehouse: KampFit Pellet Smoker Tube
- Pellet Tube Smoker Ideal for Hot and Cold Smoking: BBQFAM 6" EZ Smoker Tube
The Top 11 Pellet Tube Smokers in 2024
1 - Oval Expanding Tube Smoker 7-12 in (Best Overall & Best Portable)
- Cold and hot smoking options
- Expandable tube
- Portable smoker
- Easy setup and use
- Only produces smoke for up to four hours
Pit Boss is a household name in the world of BBQ, and this expanding tube smoker shows its expertise.
The tube smoker is lightweight, durable, and portable. It produces good-quality smoke. Most importantly, you can use it for both hot and cold smoking, which means you can smoke everything from meat to cheese and fish.
The tube smoker expands from 7 to 12 inches and produces smoke for up to two hours when you put it in the 7-inch position and 4 hours when it’s in the 12-inch position.
You can use it to supplement smoke up to 225 degrees in a grill or a smoker.
The tube smoker is made of stainless steel, which makes it rustproof. You can smoke in all weather conditions.
Finally, it’s extremely easy to use — there aren’t any holes to drill or cords to plug in.
2 - Pellet Smoker, 12'' Stainless Steel BBQ (Easiest-to-Maintain)
- Rust and corrosion-resistant materials
- Uses all types of pellets
- Extra cleaning and basting brush
- 5-hours of smoke
- Sensitive to airflow
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for all grill types, Great for versatile smoking
Who is it not for?
- Those preferring round smoker designs
Final Verdict
Robust design with efficient smoke production, perfect for diverse grilling setups.
Based on our review, most users consider this as the best smoker tube for grills or smokers. It has over 3,000 reviews with an average score of 4.5.
The main thing that we like is that this smoker tube has everything you need for proper maintenance, including the brush and bonus silicone basting brush.
The smoker tube model has a total length of 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) and is made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, which is rust and corrosion-resistant.
3 - LIZZQ Premium Pellet Smoker Tube (Cheapest)
- Hexagonal shape for smoke diffusion
- Made from food-grade stainless steel
- Five hours of smoke time
- Easy to clean
- Small pieces can fall out
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Best for both hot and cold smoking, Suitable for all grills
Who is it not for?
- Those looking for electric smoker-only solutions
Final Verdict
Durable and easy to use, this smoker tube is versatile and highly effective.
The LIZZQ is a hexagonal pellet tube smoker that measures in at 12-inches (30.48 centimeters) capable of up to 5-hours of continuous smoking.
This smoker tube can be used in all grills and smokers to improve the smoke flavor being infused into meats. This model's hexagonal shape is best for enhancing the diffusion of smoke and moving air through the tube.
4 - Carpathen Smoke Tube
- Provides billowing smoke levels
- Used in electric, gas, charcoal smokers
- Hot and cold smoking
- Money-back guarantee
- Guarantee only covers 24-hours
The Carpathen is another 12-inch high-quality stainless steel smoke tube capable of putting out close to five hours of smoke.
This smoke tubes model comes in a square shape, a departure from the many hexagonal shaped smoke tubes. We liked that the square shape makes it easier to place on a variety of smokers.
It’s worth noting that this can be used to add more flavor to grilled meats or too cold smoke foods.
5 - KampFit Pellet Smoker Tube (Best Small-Sized)
- Shape prevents rolling around
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Up to 2 hours of billowing smoke
- Works with all grill types
- Smaller size holds less pellets
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Perfect for small grills and smokers, Great for quick smoking
Who is it not for?
- Those requiring longer smoking sessions
Final Verdict
Compact and portable, ideal for smaller grills and quick smoking tasks.
The KamoFit pellet smoker tube measures 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) in length.
The smaller tube size gives the model up to 2 hours of smoking capabilities, which is good for smaller gas grills, charcoal grill models, pellet grill types, etc.
This smoker tube is made from 100% food-grade stainless steel construction and weighs just 5.2 oz with a money-back satisfaction guarantee putting it in the top 5 best models.
6 - BBQFAM 6" EZ Smoker Tube (Best for Hot & Cold Smoking)
- Hot and cold smoking capabilities
- Food grade stainless steel
- Uses pellets or wood pieces
- Works well with all grill types
- Possible to blow out the flame
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for small grills, Suitable for quick smoking sessions
Who is it not for?
- Large-scale smoking needs
Final Verdict
Efficient and versatile for both hot and cold smoking, fits all grill types.
The BBQFAM is another six-inch smoke tube with the option to upgrade to the smoker tube 12 inches long if you need the extra capacity.
This smoke generator can produce around two hours of smoke to help infuse your food with a high-quality smoke flavor.
This smoke tube works quite well with all types of grills just make sure that there is sufficient airflow through the tube.
7 - Kingsford 8 Inch Pellet Smoker Tube Triangle With Box
Kingsford is a trusted name in the BBQ world and manufactures one of the best smoke tubes that we’ve used.
We like the unique triangular shape and the fact rust and corrosion-resistant food-grade stainless steel design.
This model's total measurement is 2 inches x 2 inches x 8 inches in length and is easy to use in a wide variety of gas grill and pellet grill models.
- Cold smoke capabilities
- Uses all types of wood pellets
- Can be used in a grill or smoker
- Stainless steel smoke generator
- Cleaning brush not included
8 - Kaduf Pellet Smoker Tube
The Kaduf is one of the best smoker tubes that we’ve used and capable of working in any smoker or grill and with all types of wood pellets from mesquite to hickory.
It’s got a nice square shape to keep it from rolling around on the grill and caps for either side of the tube to keep pellets from falling out.
This model is easy to use for both cold smoking and traditional heat smoking if desired.
- quare shape design
- 5 hours of extra smoke
- Uses all types of pellets
- Works on the grill or smokers
- Recipe ebook included
- Limited warranty information
9 - OutdoorGears 12" Pellet Smoker Tube for Hot or Cold Smoking
- Uses all pellet types
- Made from 304-grade steel
- Two pack of pellet tubes
- Comes with cleaning brush and tongs
- Smaller pieces can fall out
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for outdoor grilling, Great for versatile smoking
Who is it not for?
- Indoor-only grill setups
Final Verdict
Comprehensive smoking solution with additional accessories, very versatile.
The OutdoorGears provides a two-pack of one of the best pellet smoker tube models that we’ve tested.
As a bonus, it comes with extras to help you out when you grill, including a cleaning brush, food tongs, and hooks to hang the tube from a smoker or a grill.
The model can use a wide variety of wood pellets and is made from quality 304-grade steel.
10 - Ignite Chip Tube Smoker
Ignite Chip is one of the best smoke tube models that we’ve tried. It’s capable of cold smoking or smoking hot depending on your specific needs. We like that it works with both pellets and wood chips.
The model has between five hours and 12 hours of smoking capabilities and can infuse smoky flavor into a wide variety of meats like poultry, beef, pork, and others.
- Wide hole distribution
- Can be used on the grill or smoker
- Easy to use
- Hot or cold smoking
- Circular design can roll around
The smoker tube is made from food grade 304 stainless steel for optimal rust and corrosion resistance.
11 - Barbi-Q Pellet Smoker Tube
- Can use all types of pellets
- Cold smoke capabilities
- 4 hours or more of smoking time
- Use with a grill or smoker
- Smoke holes could be bigger
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for both hot and cold smoking, Fits all grill types
Who is it not for?
- Those looking for electric smoker-specific solutions
Final Verdict
Durable and easy to maintain, perfect for versatile and efficient smoking.
This is another of the best pellet smoker tube 12” stainless steel models with everything needed for smoking. It has a 12-inch hexagonal tube along with a brush to take care of the cleanup.
The total smoking time is between 4 hours and five hours and can be ready to use within five minutes of lighting.
This also comes with a special silicone basting brush and hooks for hanging on the grill.
Steps on Using A Pellet Tube Smoker
Step 1: Fill The Tube
You want to first fill the tube by placing it upright and pouring in pellets into the tube. Make sure to fill it up and tap it a few times, adding more as needed.
Step 2: Light The Tube
You next want to light the tube. For the best results, avoid using lighter fluids. Use a torch to light one side of the upright tube until the flame spreads.
Step 3: Place In The Smoker
Place your tube on the grill and let it sit for five to ten minutes for the best results. Make sure there is sufficient airflow to move through the tube.
Complete Pellet Tube Buying Guide
Size of The Tube
The smoker tube size will be what primarily influences how much you can smoke and for how long. The best smoker tubes are generally twelve inches in length and two to three inches wide. This will give you about five hours or more.
Shape of The Tube
The tube's shape will dictate how easy it is to hang on the smoker and whether it rolls. A circular tube, for example, may roll around a grill if bumped. We find the best smoker tubes are hexagonal.
Related Article: What's the #1 Vertical Pellet Smoker?
Hole Density and Distribution
You ideally want wide holes that are well distributed throughout the tube. However, it’s best if they aren't too wide or smaller pieces may fall out. The distribution of these will impact how easy air flows through the smoker tubes.
Build Material
You want to look at the specific grade of stainless steel that is used to make the tube. Preferably, look out for the terms 304, A2, or food-grade as this will mean it’s rust and corrosion-resistant (1).
“Stainless steels are widely used in food contact applications, such as cooking utensils and cutlery, due to high corrosion resistance and beneficial mechanical properties compared with other materials.”
- Rogerta Dalipi, Journal of Food Engineering (2)
What is a pellet tube smoker used for?
Cold Smoking
Cold smoking refers to the use of low temperatures and heavy smoke to help infuse a smoky flavor into foods such as cheese, nuts, fish, and more (3). We like cold smoking as it adds a unique flavor to some of our favorite foods. Visit this page if you wish to learn which cold smoker model we highly recommend.
“Cold smoking is a more complex proposition...the smoke adds flavor and some level of preservation.”
- Ed Halmagyi, UK Celebrity Chef (4)
Converting a Gas Grill To a Smoker
Even the top-rated gas grills we've tested typically don’t produce as much smoke as their charcoal counterparts. You can use a smoking tube to help provide hot smoke to give your gas grill smoking capabilities. Make sure to use the best pellets possible to provide good flavoring.
Adding Extra Smoke To Your Grill
If you ever find that your grill just isn’t producing enough smoke to properly infuse the meat you cook, pellet tube smokers can be the best solution. You can add extra mesquite or hickory flavor to turn your grill into a smoke generating machine.
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FAQs
1. Can you use wood chips in a pellet tube smoker?
Yes. You can use wood chips in a pellet tube smoker. Something to consider is that wood chips can burn faster than pellets due to there being more air between the chips. Pellets are also compressed and take longer to burn through than wood pieces.
2. How long does a smoke tube last?
Depending on the size, a smoke tube can last anywhere between two hours and twelve hours. How long your specific model lasts will depend on how long it is, with a general rule being that the average 12-inch model will last for between 4 and 6 hours.
And the #1 Pellet Tube Smoker is...
After extensive testing on both grills and smokers and with different types of wood pellets, we’ve found the Oval Expanding Tube Smoker to be the best pellet tube smoker for general use.
We like the versatility of the model, which can be used on both grills and smokers to help enhance the flavor of your meat.
The stainless steel ensures that it won’t rust or corrode with regular cleaning and maintenance. You can use it for both hot and cold smoking, which allows you excellent smoking versatility.
Finally, the expandable design makes it great for smoking smaller and larger cuts and makes it fit all kinds of smokers. Check it out, and infuse your food with delicious smoke.
Oval Expanding Tube Smoker 7-12 in (Best Overall & Best Portable)
Our #1 Recommendation
Rated With Carnivore Style's Scoring System
- Cold and hot smoking options
- Expandable tube
- Portable smoker
- Easy setup and use
- Only produces smoke for up to four hours
With the use of this pellet tube smoker, I have enhanced my BBQ abilities and given my favorite foods exceptional tastes by making the most of my cold smoking experience. I highly suggest this!