You love the taste of a juicy, smoked piece of meat. After spending a lot of money purchasing smoked meat from restaurants, you’re wondering if you can make this type of meat at home. The answer is an absolute yes. To get the best piece of smoked meat, you need the charcoal smoker on the market.
And for every smoker, there are a ton of smoker reviews. I know that you don’t have time to sit down and read them all, so what I’ve done is take a mixture of personal experience and information from these reviews and compile them into the definitive smoker guide.
I’m going to show you the most popular smokers to empower you to make a good buying decision.
Charcoal Smoker Reviews:
1. Weber 22-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
This is the big brother of the 18.5-inch Smokey Mountain smoker. Its larger size allows you to cook more meat.
This device allows you to replicate the same award-winning cooking experience you had with the smaller model, only for a larger crowd.
This unit is made from heatproof and rustproof components. It is aesthetically pleasing thanks to its porcelain finish. It comes complete with the standard Weber handle, thermometer, and water pan.
This is the complete package. It allows you to enjoy the same smoky barbecue taste that the large competition smokers produce yet in a compact model.
The parts are of high quality and both heatproof and rustproof. It is aesthetically pleasing to look at and cooks a darn good piece of meat.
Smoker reviews are all but unanimous that this is one of the smokers on the market. It is a relatively small unit when compared to the competition models.
But, boy, does it pack a powerful punch. The smoker is easy to get to temp and regulates its temp fairly easily. One bag can last for about 18 hours.
It’s clear to see how such a little grill can win against composition-size grills. It’s well put together, it’s well-engineered, and you’re going to love how it works.
Pros
- Durability. Made with the highest quality materials, it’s clear to see that this device is made for heavy-duty use.
- Easy to Clean. Its bullet-shaped design means that there are no complex shapes or figures to reach, so it’s easy to clean.
- Perfect Size. Large enough for you to entertain friends and guests, but is not so large that you cannot store it easily in your home.
Cons
- The one con I could say about this is that the thermometer on the unit does not always function. It usually tends to be 15 degrees off. But you can fix that with an external thermometer.
2. Char-Griller Kamado Grill
The Char-Griller Kamado Grill is one of the grill smoker combos. The Kamado style of this grill ensures the enhanced flavor and even heating of your foods. There are air dampers on the bottom and the top. This ensures greater temperature control.
This grill is lightweight, but the materials are thick and strong. It also uses less charcoal compared to ceramic grills. The dampers allow for dual airflow. The heat gauge lets you monitor the temperature of the grill throughout the cooking process.
The grill has insulation and triple-wall steel. This ensures that the temperature remains consistent throughout the smoking process.
This grill provides a good smoky flavor for everything that you cook in it. It is also easy to sear a variety of meats and other foods.
It only takes approximately 12 coals to get to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Heats fast so that you do not have to wait to start the cooking process. Small and thin cuts of meat can cook in a matter of minutes.
The grill surface is smaller than other grills, but overall, there is enough space to smoke a meal for a small family. It is also portable, so you can take it camping or for tailgating.
This smoker is among the BBQ smoker choices. The strong grates and other materials ensure long-term durability. It is also easy to maintain the temperature due to dampers and insulation.
Pros
- It takes under an hour to assemble
- It has a high maximum temperature range
- The materials and hardware are heavy and strong
Cons
- The temperature gauge may fail prematurely
3. Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Smoker
The Dyna-Glo Vertical Smoker is one of the charcoal for offset smoker choices. The smoker’s body seals well so that the temperature remains consistent for several hours for thorough and even cooking.
The offset design ensures the best indirect heat flow. This ensures an easy infusion of smoke flavor during the slow cooking process. The multiple cooking grates allow you to slow-cook several items at the same time.
There is a smoke zone gauge on the door. This makes it simple to monitor the cooking without needing to open the smoker. The flue on the smokestack is adjustable so that you get the right level of smoke.
Even when you use this smoker outside in cold weather, it maintains its internal temperature. There is no need for extra cooking time in the cold.
The inside can get messy fast, but it is also easy to clean. Once the unit cools down, you can wipe it out with a wet cloth.
It has a viewing window so that you can monitor what you are cooking. Combined with the gauge on the door, it is easy to make sure that your meats and other foods are smoking to your specifications.
This unit is one of the top-rated smokers. It maintains its temperature well throughout the cooking process. It is easy to assemble and season, making it an ideal choice for people who are new to using a smoker.
Pros
- The temperature remains consistent when you are cooking
- The assembly and usage instructions are easy to follow
- It is easy to clean due to the sliding tray
Cons
- The sheet metal is thinner than similar models
4. Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18″ Smoker
One of the great smoker grill choices is the Cuisinart COS-118 Smoker. The steel water bowl is porcelain-enameled for durability. This also helps to ensure moist and tender meat when you are cooking.
The smoker features steel housing. This ensures durability. You can keep the smoker outside, and it will not rust prematurely even in inclement weather.
You can use this smoker for a variety of foods from beef to a variety of cheeses. It uses charcoal, so it provides a smoky flavor. You can also choose to use chunks of wood if you prefer.
There are two vents on this unit. This allows you to have control over the heat level. Simply pick up the lid when you want to check on the foods that you are cooking.
Many customers have remarked that this unit is one of the inexpensive smoker choices. This smoker performs well, and it cooks meats and chicken evenly.
It is easy to keep this smoker clean. Once it is cool, you can quickly remove all of the ask and wipe it down.
This smoker is portable, but it also has a lot of cooking space. You can make racks of ribs and other larger items without running out of room. The airflow control makes it simple to achieve and maintain the right temperature.
This smoker features a dual vent system for even smoking. It is compact, but it also accommodates medium to large cuts of meat without a problem.
Pros
- This smoker is easy to clean
- You do not have to frequently check the temperature and fire during cooking
- The components are sturdy
Cons
- Some smoke may escape during operation
5. Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
This smoker is going to leave you with some of the juiciest cuts of meat you have ever eaten. After having one piece of smoked meat made by this device, you are going to want to have slow-smoked meat every night.
The porcelain enamel lid, water pans, and bowl make this unit attractive. The vent is no rust aluminum, and it beautifully complements the no-rust aluminum fuel door.
Two 18-inch diameter cooking grates give you all of the space you need to make a delicious meal for yourself, your family, and your friends. Don’t worry about burning your hands on this grill. The handle is glass-reinforced nylon that is heat resistant.
The Smokers made by Weber changed the game. They proved that a small smoker can provide a flavor that is even better than the big guys. This is an entry-level-priced item that is going to give you professional flavor.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Consistent
- Durable
- Excellent Temperature Control
Cons
- The Door Does Not Have a Perfect Seal
- There is no way to tell if the door handle is locked
6. Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill and Smoker
There are a lot of generic smokers. However, the Akorn Kamado Kooker shakes things up. It is designed to make your food taste as if it came out of a clay oven.
If you’ve never had food out of a clay oven, then you do not know what you’re missing. The insulation provided by clay allows food to reach a temperature and flavor infusion not otherwise possible.
Although the unit is not made from clay, smoker reviews are unanimous in saying that this product acts exactly as clay would. What you are left with is a beautiful smoker that gives you a unique flavor not found anywhere else.
With more than 314 in.² of cooking space and a unique insulated design, this is among the smoker grills you can buy. It is so well insulated that it uses less charcoal and has less airflow. The result is juicier meat.
The exterior is powder-coated steel. The interior is porcelain-coated steel. Thanks to rubber wheels, you can move this smoker wherever you need it to be.
This is a unique product. Its shape and design are a little different than what most people are accustomed to. It can take a little bit to get used to it, but when you do, you are left with a stellar product.
Pros
- Durable Steel Construction
- Large 306 In.² Cooking Surface
- Easy to Assemble
- Locking Wheels
Cons
- The unique design of the dampers may be a challenge to get used to.
- Not everyone loves the aesthetic design of the smoker.
7. Char-Broil Bullet Smoker
The first thing you’re going to going to notice is that this unit is very easy to assemble. This is a plus, especially if this is your first time using a smoker or if you are not that technically inclined. The smoker is the perfect size to feed your family or a small party of friends.
The unit comes equipped with 365 in.² of cooking surface separated by three adjustable chrome-plated cooking grates. You will have no problem adjusting the temperature thanks to dampers that control the heat and smoke.
The unit is easy to use, beautiful to look at, and leaves you with a juicy mouthwatering piece of meat. It is the cheap smoker we have included in this guide.
We will not say that this is the smoker grill on the market, but for the price, it offers a superb result. You have complete control over the smoke and the temperature thanks to the dampers that allow you to adjust these factors.
The handle is cool to the touch, so you can get a firm grip on the lid. There is a nice pull-out drawer that allows you to grab whatever ashes you need for easy cleanup.
This is a good choice if you’re a fan of smoked foods. It’s compact, so it’s going to fit on your deck or your patio. This is a good entry-level unit to determine if you like smoking.
Pros
- Lightweight at around 30 Pounds
- 365 In.² of Cooking Space
- Accurate Temperature Gauge and a Sturdy Construction
Cons
- Flimsy Charcoal Bowl That May Need to Be Replaced
8. Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Smoker
The Dyna-Glo outdoor smoker is perfect to be used all year round. This is a beast that will allow you to cook more than 150 pounds of food at one time. Versatile wire racks let you choose if you’re going to cook portions of meat or just throw the entire animal in there and cook it all at once.
The steel frame has a vertical design that serves the purpose of giving you the most flavor using the least amount of smoke. You don’t have to guess the temperature because it has a beautiful built-in temperature gauge.
This is an extremely versatile unit. It has six high adjustable cooking shelves. You can put food in different sizes. Each grate can hold 25 pounds of meat.
It is easy to keep clean thanks to a uniquely designed charcoal and ash management system. A built-in stainless steel thermometer indicates when your smoker is in the perfect smoke zone. This is a well-designed product that will get you going fast.
It is surprisingly large for the price. It’s very versatile. It’ll get you up and running and making delicious meat in a short time.
Pros
- Excellent Temperature Control. The unique design of the firebox allows you to control the temperature almost as well as you could with an electric smoker.
- Sturdy Construction. This device is made from tough steel construction. You can use it for years, and although you may see some signs of wear and tear, you can tell that it will be around for a long time.
- Moderately priced. This unit is nowhere near as expensive as some of the top smokers on the market. But it’s large enough to feed an entire family thanks to its 1076 in.² of cooking space.
Cons
- You will have some issues controlling the temperature
- It leaks smoke
- With a larger portion of meat, it’s difficult to get an even flavor
9. Char-Griller Smokin Pro Grill with Side Fire Box
This is one of the grill smoker combos available. It has a traditional grill with a side firebox. This allows you to have a good old Texas-style barbecue.
Both the grill barrel and the side firebox are made from heavy-duty powder-coated steel construction. The cooking grates are non-stick cast iron.
Removable drawers let you add as much charcoal as you need and get rid of the ash so that you can keep smoking longer. The temperature gauge, storage rack, and wheels make this a flexible unit that you’re going to be happy to transport wherever you go.
This is meant to be a professional-grade smoker. And it does offer a lot of the bells and whistles you would want from a professional grill at a backyard enthusiast’s price.
It has 838 inches of cooking space and a 250 in.² firebox.
Designed to give you even heat and delicious meat. It has a heavy-gauge steel construction and a double bottom that makes it sturdy and lasts a long time.
This is a nice unit if you want to have some friends over and enjoy a meal. You’re going to be frustrated sometimes because the heat is not going to be consistent throughout. But if you can learn the tricks of using this unit, you’ll be able to produce some decent meat.
Pros
- Heavy-Duty Construction
- Easy to Clean
- Ample Cooking Space
- Easy to Move around
Cons
- Heavy
- Poor Temperature Control/Management
10. Dyna-Glo Premium Grill and Smoker
This is a serious grill for serious grillers who want to do something special. It’s a larger smoker and has a slightly higher price bracket than some of the smaller smokers we have reviewed.
However, if you are having an outdoor party with a bunch of friends, you are going to be happy that you purchased this.
This is a heavy-duty device that is made to last. Of course, if you are going to be investing in something like this, you want it to stand the test of time. This is not the most expensive model this company produces, but it is one of their premium brands.
When you look at this unit, it’s clear that the designers understood how important it was to have smoked meat cooked at the right temperature.
They paid special attention to the cooking surface with a grate that is made from cast iron and porcelain enamel. The unit is easy to clean and is designed for maximum heat transfer.
This unit is not the cheapest unit you’re going to find, nor is it the best. But what it does is merge the best of both worlds.
You’re going to have a high-quality unit that is going to last. Is going to give you a good piece of meat and allow you to feed many guests.
Pros
- Sturdy Design, Well-Built
- Large Cooking Area
- Crank to Adjust Charcoal for Temperature Control
- Porcelain Covered Cooking Grates
Cons
- This Beast Burns Hot
- Requires Full Assembly
- Temperature Control Can Be Difficult
- Lid It Does Not Fully Seal Closed
11. Char-Broil Offset Smoker
With 1280 in.² of cooking space, this beast is perfect for that big backyard barbecue. Multiple dampers are going to allow you to control the temperature and the smoke that permeates your meat.
The temperature gauge will help you keep everything at a low and steady temperature. Easily clean away the ash with the ash cleanout door.
This is a beginner smoker. There is an offset firebox that uses indirect cooking to give your meat a smoky flavor. It provides the low heat needed to infuse the smoke into the meat.
The cooking chamber has a 228 in.² porcelain cooking grate. This gives you a decent-sized cooking area.
This product is all that you need to get a good piece of meat. You can smoke it, you can grill it, you can fry it, you can boil it, you can use gas, and you can use charcoal.
This is one of those rare products that has multiple functions and can accomplish each one of the functions well.
This is far from a professional smoker. You’re going to have to fight with it to get it to work. But for the price, it does a decent job.
Pros
- Adjustable Built-in Damper
- Built-in thermometer to Monitor Temperature
- Lightweight and Easy to Move
- Adjustable Height Fire Grate
Cons
- No Temperature Control
- Difficult to Clean
- Seals Leak Smoke
- You Need to Tune and Rotate to Ensure that Even Cooking
Making The Decision
Well, we have presented you with our review. Our goal, as always, was to give you the information you need to find the charcoal smoker.
We looked at the pros and cons of certain units and even identified those that we thought were good all-around smokers. Now the ball is in your court. We recommend that you buy your smoker online.
It is going to be less expensive, you’ll be able to look at other smoker reviews, and you get it delivered to your door. So what are you waiting for? Go out, get yourself a smoker, and make yourself some meat!
