A charcoal smoker is a traditional food smoking device that produces mouthwatering foods. The mechanism of this device is straightforward and maintains a historical legacy. In this process, foods are getting smoked over low and indirect heat of the charcoal. You can think that the charcoal smoker and a charcoal grill are the same devices. But it’s not the same thing.
The traditional charcoal grills are different than this one. Food prepared by charcoal smoker has a smoky flavor. In this context, we are going to represent the best charcoal smoker brands around the world. Let’s start the journey.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Charcoal Smoker
Build Quality
The most important and primary thing to consider is the build quality of a charcoal smoker. If the smoker is made of long-lasting porcelain and chrome coating, you can feel it as a durable charcoal smoker. So, make sure of the build quality first before going to buy this device.
Cooking Capacity
The cooking capacity is the second & vital priority. The capacity depends on the number of racks the charcoal smoker has. You need to identify the number of frames when you are going to buy it. Generally, a charcoal smoker has a vertical cabinet of 1,00 square inches.
Smoker Types
Generally, there are four types of charcoal smokers in the current market right now. Those are Kamodo, Kettle Grill, Horizontal offset, and vertical cabinet. You need to find out the best one that suits your lifestyle and purpose.
Versatility & Fuel Efficiency
Modern charcoal smokers are versatile than before. It has a super temperature controlling option, which is rare in the old version. So make sure you buy the modern technology-based charcoal smoker. On the other hand, you need to find the hopper size. Cause the fuel efficiency depends on a large hopper size.
Difference Between Charcoal Smoker Vs. Charcoal Grill
Charcoal Smoker |
Charcoal Grill |
| Charcoal Smoker produces low temperature | Charcoal grill produces high temperatures |
| Maintain a low heat and has separate space for cooking | It has a dynamic manual Temperature control option. |
| Food cooked by smokers has a smoky flavor. | It doesn’t have a smoky flavor. |
| Kamodo, Kettle Grill, Horizontal offset, and vertical cabinet are a popular charcoal smoker. | Significant types of charcoal grills are kettle grills, barrel grills, and ceramic grills. |
| Best for tasty BBQ, but the process is slow | BBQ is easy and fast |
Top 5 Best Charcoal Smoker | Top Picks
| NO. | CHOICE | PRODUCT NAMES | |
| 01 | Best Overall | Weber Kettle Premium Charcoal Smoker | |
| 02 | Best Portable charcoal smoker | Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker | |
| 03 | Best charcoal smoker for beginners | Char-Broil Offset Smoker 40″ | |
| 04 | Best Smokey Meat Smoker | Weber Smokey Mountain | |
| 05 | Best Lightweight Charcoal Smoker | The Classic Pit Barrel Smoker |
Best Overall – Weber Kettle Premium Charcoal Smoker
Weber Kettle Premium Charcoal Smoker is overall the best charcoal smoker in the current BBQ world. In this modern era, people loved to hang out ad throw parties a lot. If you are a colossal food lover and love BBQ and smoking meats, then Weber Kettle’s premium version of a charcoal smoker is for you.
The reason it is called premium is- it has a double advantage. It can use for both Grill and smoker. There is plenty of capacity for at least 13 burgers at a time. The griller size is about 22inches, which is considered to be a medium-sized charcoal smoker. Vast space means extra luxury for easy cooking and BBQ.
Weber has porcelain-enameled steel made exterior wall. So there is no tension for the durability. The charcoal smoker that contains porcelain steel has the ability to resistant to corrosion. The smooth lid handle offers a comfortable grip, which provides easy burning. It saves your hand from extensive heat.
Low quality charcoal smoker brands don’t have wheels. Wheels can move your smoker from one place to another quickly. Weber has that advantage. It has super-smart wheels that make it more premium & the best charcoal smoker.
Key Specification:
- Porcelain-enameled exterior and super lid makes it durable
- Smart cooking charcoal smoker
Built-in temperature control - 363 square inches wide cooking space
- Dimension: 25 x 22.5 x 39.5 inches
- Weight: 37.3 lbs
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Premium Smoker
- Easy to control
- Comfortable lid grip
- It has premium Wheels
Cons
- The lid hanging is not that strong.
- There is some assembly fault in the built-in section
Best Portable – Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker
There are two kinds of American Gourmet. Here we pick the Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet as one of the best charcoal smokers. It’s a kind of medium-sized charcoal smoker that produces quality smoking. A1 Gourmet is the combination of both BBQ & Charcoal grill. The main chamber consists of an exclusive and large 290 square inch cooking surface.
Char-Broil American Gourmet A1 is the best portable charcoal smoker in the recent market. You can ask the question, why? Because it has a substantial interior and exterior design. The adjustable steel firegrate brings out the robustness of this product. The firebox chamber is also very cool, and the cooking surface is better (140sq. inches) than the other Gourmet charcoal smoker.
The technology of this smoker is a bit different than a weber and smokey mountain. It has multiple dampers to control the airflow. It maintains the cooking chamber easily. The lid-mounted temperature gauge is also the most exciting enhancement in the charcoal smoker brand.
Key Specification:
- 140sq. inches wide cooking surface
- Comfortable-touch handles to protect your soft hands
- Item Dimension: 17.5 x 46.25 x 44.75 inches
- Weight: 46.5 pounds
- Smart lid-mounted temperature gauge
Pros
- Portable
- Extra-large cooking surface
- Wide smoking capacity
- Adjustable grates
- Affordable
- Smart Lid
- Combination of BBQ & Charcoal Grill
Cons
- Bit heavy
Best Charcoal Smoker for beginners – Char-Broil Offset Smoker 40.”
A charcoal smoker is a popular device for smokers. Here comes another fantastic product from the Char-Broil group. The Char-Broil Deluxe Offset Smoker comes with 739 sq in the primary cooking surface. It comes in only one color, which is black. Deluxe made out of steel like the other two charcoal smokers. The 3-piece smoking chamber is a unique attachment. Smoking chambers allow better smoking by providing less air loss and excellent temperature control.
Firebox features add available ash cleaning opportunities. You can get a year of warranty on this charcoal smoker. The design is so dynamic. The 40 inches cooking area is providing ample space for about 36 burgers. With this fantastic product, you can manually change the temperature. This smoker is considered the best charcoal smoker for beginners.
Wheels are the most crucial fact to carry this device from one place to another. Beginners need to choose the correct product. This smoker can undoubtedly be a beginner’s charcoal smoker. It has 8-inch large wheels and can be transported anywhere in your house.
Key Specification:
- Product Dimensions: 57.87 x 46.2 x 29.3 inches
- Item Weight -104.7 pounds
- It has stainless steel lid handles and a more extended shelf.
- Smoking space -895 square inches
Pros
- Made of quality material
- Wheels for transportation
- Lightweight
- Beginner Smoker
- Three charcoal grates
- Sturdy steel construction
Cons
- The handle can come off easily.
- Less durable
Best Smokey Meat Smoker- Weber Smokey Mountain
Weber’s Smokey Mountain is one of the most popular and Best Smokey Meat Charcoal Smoker. It is an extra-ordinary and domed shaped charcoal smoker. This brand is hugely known as the most comfortable and spacious smoker. The capacity is enough for special occasions. You can arrange a large BBQ party with your relatives and friends. The larger space of this charcoal smoker will execute multiple roasts.
The product dimensions are 24 x 23 x 48.5 inches, which is excellent. The weight of this charcoal smoker is 68 lbs. The weight seems like a standard one, but the main drawback is the absence of the wheels. Without a rotation, the smoker can’t easily be moved from one place to another. So this is a massive drawback of this smoker. Before buying this smoker, remember the absence of the wheel. Otherwise, you will regret it later.
Key Specification:
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 23 x 48.5 inches
- Item Weight – 68 pounds
- Department – Outdoor BBQ
- Color: Black
- Body: Steel
Pros
- Durable
- Budget Friendly
- Best for Smokey Meat
- Easy temperature monitoring
- Two cooking grates
Cons
- No Wheels
- Not Portable
Best Lightweight Charcoal Smoker – The Classic Pit Barrel Smoker
Classic Pit Barrel Smoker is another best selling charcoal smoker in the current market. The fantastic Black Porcelain enamel coating makes it more beautiful. The eight stainless steel hooks and the grill grates make it more durable. It is the best lightweight charcoal smoker too. With a 57lbs weight, you can carry it anywhere for food smoking.
CPB (Classic Pit Barrel) Smoker has a coal basket is sized for extra charcoal. It helps with extra cooking. Moreover, it contains 2 Hanging Rods, 8 Stainless Steel Hooks, Standard Grill Grate, Charcoal Basket, and Hook Remover Tool. The Hook remover tool is absent in Weber or other exclusive brands. So you will get an extra advantage if you buy this product.
The Pit Barrel Cooker manufactures this excellent brand of smoker. It comes with a dumper which offers quick and easy control over the total heat and quickly controls the temperature according to your need.
Key Specification:
- Cooking space: 240 square inches
- Dimension: 21 x 21 x 31.1 inches
- Weight: 57 lbs
- Material: Steel
Pros
- Meat hanging Smoker
- Classic design
- Eight stainless steel hooks
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- Less Portable
FAQ
Is smoking with charcoal takes a long time than grilling?
Answer: Yes! Charcoal smoking is a lengthy process. On the other hand, grilling is easy and fast. The controlling system is also old, and grilling has dynamic & update temperature control.
What is the healthiest charcoal to use for charcoal Smoker?
Answer: Ordinary charcoal is not suitable for your charcoal smoker. It can reduce the taste of your cooked foods. There are some excellent options check our Best Lump Charcoal test.
What should I look for when buying a smoker?
Answer: The best charcoal smoker has some specifications. The features should be available on your charcoal smoker for getting the perfect BBQ at your birthday party or new year’s celebration. It would help if you are looking for the following things:
- Build quality
- Cooking space
- Wheels
- Durability
Is smoking meat better than grilling?
Answer: Smoking meat is better in taste. Cause it has a smokey flavor. On the other hand, grilling meat has no smokey flavor. For getting the best smokey flavor, you need to buy the best charcoal smoker.
Are BBQ smokers bad for you?
Answer: The smokey BBQ contains a high level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, terrible for the heart. So try to avoid extra BBQ meat. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons create some unwanted diseases in your body by affecting your cells. It reduces the oxygen level of your blood. So it’s better not to eat so much smokey meat.
Final Verdict
Charcoal smoking is one of the most popular smoking procedure. Due to smokey flavor meat, people love the BBQ by using Charcoal Smokers over the Charcoal grills. There is no doubt about the fact- the best quality smoking depends on the best charcoal smoker. So it would be best if you chose the best quality charcoal smoker for your cooking. Here we discuss the top 5 charcoal smoker for you. Just try to choose wisely and make sure it suits your daily lifestyle. Don’t choose overweight smokers. Please buy a lightweight and portable one. The other most crucial issue is wheels. It makes the smoker moving. So place an order if the specific charcoal smoker has all those things you need. Try to pick the best product and make the best use of your money. One more thing to be added always prefers quality over money.
Author
Last updated: September 24, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API