If you're looking to buy a new smoker, it’s easy to make the wrong choice and end up with something difficult to use or that doesn’t suit your needs. To make the selection process easier, we’re covering different types of smokers and explain the best types of smoker for most users.
Quick Summary
- There are 9 types of smokers, including offset smokers, vertical smokers, propane smokers, electric smokers, pellet smokers, charcoal smokers, Kamado smokers, Kettle grills, and cold smokers.
- When buying a smoker, consider factors like budget, experience level, type of fuel, cooking quantity, portability, maintenance, durability, and heating method (direct vs. indirect).
- According to a 2019 study published in ScienceDirect, the unique flavors in BBQ arise from the combustion of wood, particularly from lignin, which releases key flavor molecules during the smoking process [1].
- Coal vertical offset smokers are often considered the best due to their ability to regulate temperatures evenly, affordability, and ease of maintenance.
9 Types of Smokers
1. Offset Smoker
Offset smokers have the firebox set to the side of the smoking chamber.
The primary benefit of this is that it moves the heat and smoke a bit further away from your meat, making it possible to manage cooking temperatures more efficiently.
This smoker can come either as a vertical or horizontal variety.
This is our favorite kind of smoker due to more even heat distribution and generally easier maintenance, as well as the ability to provide a traditional flavor infusion.
Note: In the world of barbecue and smoking, offset smokers are often referred to as "stick burner smokers." This nickname stems from their design and functionality, where wooden sticks or logs are primarily used as fuel to generate smoke and heat.
You can learn more about the best offset smokers in this blog post.
- Better smoke and heat distribution
- Capable of using multiple fuel types
- Comes in vertical or horizontal varieties
- Generally larger cooking chamber
- Usually large and bulky
- Can have a wide price range
2. Vertical Smokers
Vertical smokers are a smoker variety where the grilling grates are lined vertically and flows upwards.
These can come as offset smokers with the firebox to the side or with the firebox at the bottom.
We like these because the heat rises, providing more even heat distribution throughout the cooking chamber and an optimal smoking area towards the top for maximum infusion.
Another benefit of vertical smokers is they are easier to set up sausage racks and jerky smoking with, which is why they are considered as one of the best smokers for jerky.
- Optimal smoke infusion zone at the top
- Better distribution of smoke and
- Easier to install sausage hooks
- Uses either wood chips or charcoal
- Generally heavier than other smokers
- Often bulky and less portable
3. Propane Smokers/Gas Grill
Best propane smokers use liquid propane gas as a primary fuel source for cooking meat.
Many users complain propane gas smokers do not provide the same smokey taste as charcoal smokers. However, this can be offset by adding wood chips during smoking.
These do also have some other benefits. Coal is generally more challenging to work with for less experienced smokers, whereas propane can be easier to use.
It can also be easier to keep clean and provide better temperature control than charcoal.
You should visit the following article if you wish to learn which propane smoker we highly recommend.
- Easier to control temperatures
- Can be easier to keep clean
- Some are more portable
- Generally cheaper to operate
- Less traditional smokey flavor
- Need propane tank
4. Electric Smokers
An electric smoker uses an electrically powered heating element and is popular with newer users.
Both gas and electric smokers can be easier to operate than charcoal smokers, but both lack the same smoke flavor that many people desire when using a smoker.
As with a propane smoker, wood chips can be added to an eclectic smoker to create more smoke within the cooking chamber.
We are fans of digital electric smokers, which have easier to operate digital control panels.
The best electric smokers will have Bluetooth compatibility allowing you to operate the smoker grill through your phone.
- Easy to use
- Typically easier to clean than charcoal
- More stable temperature range
- Often cheaper to operate
- Less smoke flavor than charcoal
- Needs electricity to operate
5. Pellet Smoker
Pellet smokers have been around for a few decades but have only recently hit the mainstream over the past decade.
A pellet smoker uses small wooden pellets as opposed to charcoal. The pellets are loaded into a pellet hopper, which is attached to the side of the grill.
The pellets then move through an auger into the cooking chamber where they are heated.
Some studies have come out that wood pellets may be a healthier alternative to charcoal, but this is not conclusive.
However, a pellet generally better for smoking meat such as brisket and ribs as they low and slow cook food better. Our team loves vertical pellet smokers, and you can find which one we think is the best by clicking here.
- Good for slow cooking barbecue
- Capable of smoking for many hours
- May be healthier than charcoal smoker
- Easier for new smoker owners
- Cons
6. Charcoal Smoker
Charcoal smokers come in a vast range of shapes and sizes and span various types from offset smokers to ugly drum smokers.
There are numerous brands and models, such as the Weber Smokey Mountain to Char-Broil Kettle Grill.
One of charcoal smokers' main benefits is that they provide a more traditional smokey flavor and can achieve the sought after smoke ring easier.
Another benefit is that charcoal smokers come in a wide range of prices, so you can buy a cheaper drum smokers model or an ultra-expensive one if you want to make sure you get all the features.
- Wide range of prices
- Traditional smokey meat taste
- Easy to get charcoal fuel
- Wide variety of smoker types
- Can be more difficult to clean
- More difficult to use than electric
7. Kamado Smoker
Kamado smokers are another type of charcoal smoker that has become more popular in recent years.
Kamado smokers are often shaped like an acorn or an egg and are made from thick ceramic, which is said to retain heat better than steel.
Something that we like about Kamado smoker types is that they are often smaller and more portable. Kamado smokers are often considered as one of the best portable smokers.
However, because of the material Kamado grills are made from, they can often weigh more than a traditional smoker.
A Kamado can be good for not just smoking, but you can also use them to grill, BBQ, and roast various types of food.
- Versatile when cooking food
- More compact and portable
- Kamado smokers use wood lump charcoal
- Kamado smokers are better insulated
- Kamado smokers can be heavy
- Sometimes expensive to buy
8. Kettle Grills
Kettle Grills are usually smaller and use coal as their primary fuel source.
These are often more affordable and used by many people who may have a smaller area to place their grill or use a gas grill or electric grill.
The main thing to note is that a kettle grill is not a smoker in the traditional sense. However, these can be used to smoke meat if done correctly.
These charcoal grills are less consistent for smoking due to temperature fluctuations, but it is possible to get them to cook at a low temperature needed for optimal smoking.
- Cheaper to buy than propane
- Typically easy to use
- Cooks all types of food
- Can get fuel easily
- Higher temperature fluctuations
- Less easy to clean
9. Cold Smokers
Cold smoking uses low heat and lots of smoke to infuse the meat and other food like cheese with the good smokey taste that people want.
However, it’s important to note that these do not generally cook meat. For this reason, these should not be used for raw meat beyond adding extra smokiness to barbecue and other foods.
Cold smoking works at the temperatures that at are too low to fully cook raw meat like chicken or pork. You always want to make sure that you thoroughly cook food for safety reasons.
If you wish to learn more about the best cold smokers feel free to read our comprehensive review and buyer's guide.
- Great for extra smokey taste
- Helps to preserve nutrients in food
- Preserves meat for longer periods
- Alternative smoking method
- Does not cook food and meat
- Need lots of time to do properly
Things to Consider When Buying a Smoker
Budget
The sky’s the limit for buying smokers, and you can find options for less than a hundred dollars up to high tech tailgating trailer models that cost over ten thousand dollars.
The main factors that will affect the cost of a smoker are:
- Size
- Material
- Extra Features (digital thermometers, meat probes, etc.)
Experience Level
Part of your decision on which smoker is best should be based on how much experience you have using a smoker.
Some types of smokers are easier to barbecue than others. For example, electricity and gas smokers are generally great for new years due to more simple temperature control.
On the other hand, charcoal may be a bit more difficult and take a few tries to get used to.
Type of Fuel
The type of fuel that you use will impact everything from portability to taste to how easy it is to use.
Charcoal Smoker
Coal smokers are great if you want a traditional smokey taste. These are especially effective when combined with wood, using the coal to get the fire started and wood chips to provide a smoke infusion.
Visit the following article to learn about the best charcoal for smoking meat, in our opinion.
Electric Smoker
An electric smoker will generally be easier to use for beginners but will typically produce less in smoke flavor. These can be good for low and slow temperatures for fish and other types.
Propane and Gas Smoker
A gas smoker is a good balance between the ease of using an electric smoker and the taste of a coal offset smoker. Many new users prefer a gas smoker as temperature settings can be easier while still getting the low and slow temps you need for smoking.
Read More: Electric or Propane Smokers?
Offset Pellet Smoker
According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, pellet smokers are among the fastest growing in popularity [2].
Offset pellet smokers use small wooden pellets as a source of fuel to grill food. With a pellet smoker, you get the smokey taste you're looking for, but it’s easier to maintain low temperatures for long periods.
“Wood pellet grills and smokers are prized for their ability to achieve a steady and precise temperature.”
- Hearth, Barbecue, and Patio Association Pellet Grill Guide
How Much You Cook
Depending on how much you cook, certain types of smokers can be better than others. Many heavy-duty users prefer traditional offset smokers or gas smokers as they generally last longer. With an electric smoker, there is more that can break due to electric components.
Portability
If you have plans on traveling with your smoker for camping or tailgating, gas smokers or smaller coal smokers are generally better choices. These are usually smaller and weigh less. You can always use some of the top-quality pellet tube smokers if you want a stronger smoky flavor.
An offset smoker can be harder to move without a trailer, and an electric smoker will need a generator to operate.
Ease of Maintenance
If you want your smoker to last for many years of use, you will need to maintain it regularly. To this end, some types are easier to maintain than others. Propane and electric models will generally be easier to clean as they don’t produce as much ash.
“Especially with the fattier cuts, propane requires less maintenance. Those flare-ups over coals can cause problems.”
- Matt Hinckley, Owner of Hinckley’s Fancy Meats [3]
On the other hand, when taken care of properly, Kamado grills and coal offset smoker models take fewer steps to clean and can be extremely durable, depending on what they were made from.
Related articles:
Durability
One of the primary things you should look at when selecting the best grill for you is how durable the materials are. From our testing, we’ve found that Kamado grills can be some of the strongest due to the thick ceramic material they are made from. As long as they are not dropped, they can last for well over a decade.
It's best for other grill models to look at materials such as cast iron or stainless steel. A 2015 study published on ResearchGate found that steel specifically is one of the best materials to be used on smokers as it is anti-corrosive and rust-resistant [4]. It’s also one of the more durable food-grade metals around.
Direct Heat vs. Indirect heat
Direct heat refers to the placement of meat directly over the fire or heating element of the grill. With this, you get quick heating, which can be better for searing meats and creating grill marks.
Indirect heat is the placement of food away from the fire, where the temperatures are easier to control. Ideally, you want a large enough grill to create direct and indirect heating spaces as you need.
Recommended Article: How to Control Temperature in a Smoker
FAQs
What is a stick burner smoker?
A stick burner smoker is another term for offset smoker models that rely only on wood chips to make a fire as opposed to other types of fuel. Numerous brands make these types of grills, and you can get one that’s the right size for your barbecue needs.
Are Kamado grills good for smoking?
Yes. Kamado grills can be great for smoking as they offer a high degree of insulation. The heavy ceramic they are made from provides good properties for maintaining a fire allowing you to get the temperatures to the right level you need for smoking properly.
Are pellet smokers healthier than regular smokers?
Most likely. Some scientific studies have indicated that pellet smokers can be healthier options than coal grills (4). However, this has not been definitively proven through scientific studies. The main benefit of pellet smokers is that they can cook at lower temps for longer periods.
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259023851930284X
- https://www.hpba.org/Consumer-Information/Barbecue-Outdoor-Living/Grill-Safety/Pellet-Grill
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/dining/grill-charcoal-or-gas.html
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284084478_Study_of_metal_release_from_stainless_steels_in_simulated_food_contact_by_means_of_total_reflection_X-ray_fluorescence
This vertical charcoal smoker is a dedicated smoker that gives my meats the best flavor and texture, if you’re a true BBQ aficionado like myself. Try it out and you’ll see.