I’ve been on a carnivore diet for over ten years, and smoked meat is among my favorite foods.
Over the past decade, I’ve used countless smoker boxes and developed a keen eye for those that do the job.
Here’s my selection of the five best smoker boxes for your gas grill so you can get delicious smoked meat.
The Best Smoker Boxes for Gas Grills
- Best Overall Smoker Box for Gas Grills: Weber
- Cheapest Smoker Box for Gas Grills: Carpathen Smoke Tube
- Best Smoker Box for Long Smoking Sessions: Cave Tools
- Top-Rated Smoker Box for Optimal Heat on Gas Grills: Charcoal Companion
- Most Versatile Smoker Box for Gas Grills: Char-Broil Cast Iron Smoker Box
5 Best Smoker Boxes for Gas Grills
1 - Smoker Box - Weber Q 200/2000 & Larger Gas Grills (Best Overall)
Webber is a household name in the world of grills, so it’s no wonder my top choice for a smoker box is Webber 7576.
I’ve been using it for years without any warping, thanks to the stainless steel construction that’s virtually timeless.
This smoker box has a hinged lid, so you can easily add extra wood chips during the smoking.
The box is compatible with Webber gas grills of different sizes, mostly larger ones.
I use it to smoke meat, veggies, fish, and more. It has a surface hole design that successfully produces smoke for hours.
Pro tip: Smoke wood chips first, then place them to the bottom of the box, and leave while the grill preheats for the most smoke and best flavor.
Finally, the box is easy to clean. Simply empty all the excess ash, and you can use it again.
- Extremely durable thanks to stainless steel construction
- Hinged lid makes it easy to add wood chips
- Lightweight, so transportation is easy
- Catches ash at the base for easy cleanup
- Discoloration after several uses
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 9.8 × 4.5 × 2 inches.
- Weight : 1.5 lbs
- Build material : stainless steel
- Shape : Rectangular
- Fuel type : Charcoal
2 - Carpathen Smoke Tube (Cheapest Option)
My second best smoker box isn’t a box but actually a tube, which gave me a lot of flexibility in smoking food.
The smoker tube is made with stainless steel, and it’s wide enough to smoke meats and foods such as cheese, fish, sausages, and more.
You can use the smoker tube with most types of pellets and get smoke for up to 5 hours. This is enough to smoke the majority of meat cuts.
I liked the smaller size because I could take it on camping trips and smoke anywhere.
Finally, Carpathen has some of the best kits out there — you’ll get a smoke tube, user manual, canvas bag for storing and transporting, a cookbook, and more.
- Easily placed over grill grates
- Fits gas grills from most brands
- Produces smoke for up to 5 hours
- Can’t be used vertically because it’s open on both ends
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 12 x 2 x 2 inches
- Weight : 9.1 lbs
- Build material : stainless steel
- Shape : Rectangular
- Fuel type : Wood pellet
3 - Cave Tools Grill Smoker Box Starter Kit (Best for Long Smoking Sessions)
Cave Tools smoker box is the thickest on this list, which means it’s practically impossible it’ll warp. Plus, thanks to the thick layer of stainless steel, I didn’t have any issues with discoloring.
The smoker box also has a hinged lid, so you can easily add wood chips without fearing burns or injuries.
I didn’t have to refill very often thanks to the large capacity (holds 2 cups of wood chips), and I kept the lid closed for a long period.
The smoker box easily fits into between grill grates of most gas grills and has the smoke going in only 10 minutes.
The box doesn’t have any holes at the bottom, which allows the chips to smolder for a long time and not burn quickly.
“You don’t want to use smoked chips in a smoker box to avoid that acrid smell. Instead, use dry chips like cherrywood.”
- AllThingsBBQ, YouTube Channel
- Fits with both gas and charcoal grill
- Stainless steel design 25% thicker than other smoker boxes
- Chips smolder without burning
- Smaller design compared to other grill smoker boxes
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 9 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
- Weight : 1.52 lbs
- Build material : stainless steel
- Shape : Rectangular
- Fuel type : Wood, charcoal
4 - Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel V-Shape Smoker Box (Top-Rated for Optimal Heat)
I admit I was initially hesitant when I saw the V shape of this smoker box. However, it fits easily between the flavorizer bars of my gas grill.
Moreover, the V shape is perfect for optimum heat exposure and produces plenty of smoke.
This smoker box also comes with a hinged lid, so it’s easy to add flavored wood chips.
My favorite part was the easy cleanup. Ashes go straight to the bottom of the box during the cooking, so all I had to do was empty the smoker box and wipe it down.
The only part I didn’t like was how long it was — 14 in in length, so it doesn’t fit with smaller gas grills. Make sure to measure your grill before buying the Cave Tools Smoker Box to check you have enough space.
- V shape allows easy smoke buildup
- Stores ashes at the bottom
- Withstands high temperatures due to durable stainless steel construction
- Won’t fit on smaller gas and charcoal grills
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 4.2 × 13.8 × 2 in
- Weight : 1.29 lbs
- Build material : stainless steel
- Shape : V shape
- Fuel type : wood
5 - Char-Broil Cast Iron Smoker Box (Most Versatile)
The Char-Broil smoker box isn’t made of stainless steel but cast iron, which makes it heavier than other smoker boxes — 4 lbs.
Cast iron is durable, and the smoker box won’t warp under high temperatures. However, it requires more maintenance. You need to season the cast iron with oil, or it’ll rust.
I was happy with how the cast iron smoker box held the heat, and there’s no need to wait for it to reheat when you take out the box to add more wood chips. The smoke output was good as well.
However, you’ll have to wait for the smoker box to produce enough smoke to start BBQ. It takes more time to start smoking than stainless steel boxes.
Also, it doesn’t have a hinged lid, or any handles for opening, so you’ll have to use tongs or another tool to open it safely.
- Made of durable cast iron
- Vented lid design directs smoke toward the food
- Wood chips don’t catch fire but smolder
- Requires maintenance to prevent rust
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 1.38 x 5.13 x 8.12 in
- Weight : 3.6 lbs
- Build material : cast iron
- Shape : Rectangular
- Fuel type : Charcoal
Buyer’s Guide
Here are some things you must consider before purchasing a smoker box.
1. Types of Grill Smoker Boxes
There are several types of grill smoker boxes:
- Under-grate smoker box — Can be reusable (made of stainless steel or cast iron) and disposable (made from aluminum foil). These smoker boxes fit between the flame diffuser bars under the gas grill grate. They come in various shapes (tube-shaped, rectangular, V shape, and more). They produce an intense smoky flavor.
- Over-grate smoker box — Most commonly rectangular in shape, in the form of a tube, tray, pouch, and more. Usually made of stainless steel.
- Freestanding smoker box — Can be placed over the grill grates or straight over burners or charcoal in case of charcoal grills. This kind of box is usually large and fits a lot of wood chips. It’s made of stainless steel or cast iron.
- Disposable smoker box — Used only once. It’s made of aluminum foil. You can even make it yourself with foil pans and aluminum foil lids with holes. These boxes use wood chips and should be placed straight over the burners.
Note: Some of these are interchangeable, and most rectangular boxes can be used over the grill grates or directly over the gas grill burners.
Read More: How to Use a Smoker Box?
2. Material
Smoker boxes are available in two materials: cast iron and stainless steel. A stainless steel smoker box warms up more quickly, but it doesn’t stay hot for very long.
On the other hand, cast iron takes more time to heat up, but it stays hot for a while [1].
If you have to refill the smoker box several times, cast iron is the better choice because it’ll make the wood hot faster and won’t get cold when you take it out.
However, cast iron is very difficult to handle when hot. Stainless steel is lighter, and these smoker boxes usually have hinge lids for easy handling.
No matter which of these materials you go for, make sure the build is thick and sturdy, so the box won’t warp or discolor quickly.
3. Lid Design
Another consideration when buying a smoker box is the lid design. The lid should be tight-fitting so no extra air enters the smoke box.
If the lid is loose, there’s air going in. The wood will burn out fast, and the smoke won’t have time to flavor the food.
The lid should also be easy to open. You don’t want to struggle opening a heavy and hot lid while trying to add wood.
The best lids are hinged for easy opening. This also prevents the lid from falling off and injuring you.
4. Shape and Size
Smoker boxes are available in various shapes: rectangle, square, V shape, and oval. Each shape has its pros and cons.
For example, a major pro of a V-shaped box is that wood chips fall down, so the cleanup is easy.
However, a V shape box won’t have as much capacity as a rectangular smoker box, and you’ll probably have to refill often.
Think about what food you’re most likely to smoke, and choose a box size based on this.
Your box should be big enough to fit a good amount of wood chips, or you’ll have to refill often, especially when smoking bigger foods.
Ideally, the lid should be closed as much as possible so the heat and smoke don’t escape.
When choosing a burner box, the main thing is to get one that can fit between the burners and the grill grates.
While you can fit the box on the grill grates, it’ll take up space from the food. It’s best to measure this distance to avoid this.
5. Ease of Cleaning
The most common placement for the smoker box is underneath the food, so it gets the dripping fat, which means you have to clean it after you’re done smoking.
A stainless steel smoking box is easy to clean, and some options even have a non-stick coating. Cast iron needs more maintenance.
You’ll have to clean and oil a cast iron smoker box, or it’ll rust quickly.
Also, how easy the box is to clean depends on its shape. V shape boxes are among the easiest to clean because the ash falls to the bottom, and it’s easy to empty out.
6. Manufacturer
Your best option when getting a smoker box is to choose the same brand as your gas grill, as there’s a high chance the smoker box will be compatible with the grill.
However, it doesn’t mean that every smoker box will be compatible with every grill of the same brand. Always check with the manufacturer before making a purchase.
Also, some smoker boxes are universal and can fit with various grills from different brands.
Still, it’s smart to stick with the brand you trust and one you’ve used before, as long as the box is compatible with your gas grill.
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FAQs
Do Smoker Boxes Work on Gas Grills?
Yes, smoker boxes work on the gas grills. A smoker box is a great way to turn a gas grill into a smoker. Place a smoker box over the burners so the smoke can escape and flavor the food.
Where Do You Place a Smoke Box in a Gas Grill?
You place a smoke box in a gas grill on top of the burners. The smoke box should be as close to the heat source as possible.
Should the Smoker Box Have Holes on the Bottom?
No, the smoker box shouldn’t have holes on the bottom so that the wood chips aren’t exposed to flame. If wood chips are exposed to flame, they’ll burn and not smolder.
How Long Does It Take for Wood Chips to Smoke on a Gas Grill?
How long it takes for wood chips to smoke on a gas grill depends on your smoker box. Most smoker boxes need about 5 to 10 minutes to start smoking, but cast iron boxes may need longer.
What’s the Best Smoker Box for You?
My vote for the best smoke box goes to Webber 7576. It’s made from durable stainless steel and can withstand years of use without warping under high heat.
Perforated holes along the rectangular body let smoke escape but aren’t big enough to make wood chips burst into flame, so you get optimum smoke production.
The hinged lid is easy to use to refill the stainless steel smoker box as needed. Plus, the smoker has a large capacity and will start smoking in 10 to 15 minutes.
Webber is a household name in the grilling industry, and the quality shows in this smoker box as well. Check it out, and you can enjoy delicious smoke-infused food.
Smoker Box - Weber Q 200/2000 & Larger Gas Grills (Best Overall)
Our #1 Recommendation
- Extremely durable thanks to stainless steel construction
- Hinged lid makes it easy to add wood chips
- Lightweight, so transportation is easy
- Catches ash at the base for easy cleanup
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of April
