Delicious food and good friends are all that you need to have a good time. Getting friends is easy but making your food enjoyable takes a little effort. A smoker is a tool that you can use to ensure that you are cooking foods exactly to your specifications. What are the top vertical smokers?
After reading dozens of smoker reviews and looking at a variety of units, we have found that hit all of the marks. All of these smokers will allow you to create a meal that you can be proud of.
Best Vertical Smokers:
1. Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
The Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal Smoker is a vertical charcoal smoker. The cooking grates are plated steel, ensuring optimal durability. Due to the design of this smoker, you can also use it to grill items when you prefer to use this method of cooking over smoking.
On the lid is a thermometer, making it easy to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the smoker. The bowl, lid, and middle section of this unit are porcelain enameled. Because of this, they will not peel or rust. This also ensures that they retain heat well.
Some dampers let you control the smoke level. With two racks, you can fit a lot of meat in this smoker at once. While you are smoking meats, you can add more charcoal due to the removable fuel door.
Multiple reviewers talked about how versatile this smoker is. You can use it to smoke a variety of meats and other proteins.
Other consumers mentioned the temperature consistency. Because of this, it is easy to know when you are done with cooking a specific cut of meat.
Pros
- You can assemble this smoker easily
- Due to its size, it is portable
- There is plenty of space for different meat cut sizes
Cons
- The lid may start to warp with frequent use
2. Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D
The Dyna-Glo Charcoal Offset Smoker is a good choice for both experienced and novice food smokers. There are six cooking grates, giving you ample space to smoke large meals at once. All of the racks are adjustable, making it easy to fit in larger cuts of meat.
The flue on the smoke stack is adjustable. Because of this, you have full control over the temperature and precision of your cooking. You get a high level of burn efficiency since the briquettes are forced to be tightly stacked in the charcoal chamber.
You will always know the temperature since there is a gauge on the outside of the smoker. It also has a Smoke Zone indicator so that you know when the ideal smoking conditions are happening.
This is the vertical offset smoker because it is easy to use. While there are plenty of features, you can learn how to take advantage of them in less than a day, according to many people.
Other consumers talked about the design of this smoker. It is very easy to get food into and out of the smoker. You can also monitor the cooking progress easily.
Pros
- You can put it together quickly
- A lot of meat fits into this smoker
- There are multiple racks
Cons
- There may be some smoke leakage around the doors
3. Masterbuilt MB20070210
The Masterbuilt MES Electric Smoker has three smoking racks, allowing you to prepare a full meal at one time. There is a dial that allows you to control the temperature settings, allowing for variable temperature control. With this feature, you can get your foods to the precise temperature that you need for slow smoking.
The heating element allows for consistency in the temperature. There is a gauge on the outside of the unit that displays the smoker’s internal temperature. Use the adjustable air damper to have full control over the level of smoke that this smoker puts out.
Excess food drippings go into the grease tray, keeping this smoker clean and neat when you are using it. When it is time to remove ash, you can remove the wood chip tray so that it is easy to dump out. To ensure optimal flavor and moisture, take advantage of the removable water bowl.
Multiple people talked about smoking abilities. You can smoke potatoes, proteins, and vegetables in this smoker, getting them to the perfect temperature. Other people discussed the heating. It remains consistent even when you are smoking foods for a long time.
Pros
- The damper is adjustable
- This smoker can fit into small spaces
- Foods come out tender and moist
Cons
- The temperature gauge could be more precise
4. Masterbuilt MB20071117
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker lets you control the time and temperature in a convenient panel. Since it is all in one place, it is easy to learn how to use this smoker. This also helps to prevent issues with accuracy when you are smoking foods.
There are four racks, offering you a lot of space to cook large and small cuts of meat. The racks have a chrome coating, allowing them to maintain heat so that the smoking temperature remains consistent.
You do not have to open the door to the smoker to load in the wood chips. This allows you to keep smoking even when the chips run low and you have to add more. The body of the smoker retains heat since it is fully insulated.
Several consumers said that this smoker is a good choice for meat cuts of all sizes. The unit allows you to smoke the items slowly so that they get infused with flavor, making it the vertical electric smoker.
Other people said that the smoker is very durable. They say that you can use it frequently without having to worry about the components wearing down prematurely.
Pros
- It puts out a lot of smoke
- You can clean it easily
- This is the perfect smoker for slow-smoking
Cons
- The built-in thermometer could be more accurate
5. Pit Boss Grills
The Pit Boss Grills Pellet Smoker provides 1,830 square inches of cooking space across five cooking grids. These grids have a porcelain coating to ensure a consistent temperature. The temperature range is 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you flexibility when you are smoking different foods.
Since the hopper can hold up to 40 pounds, you can use this smoker for about 24 hours before you need to remove the ash and add more pellets. The igniter is 300 watts, ensuring the right temperature and easy starting.
Several people talked about the food quality. When you are done smoking, everything comes out moist and tender. Other people mentioned temperature control. It is easy to keep a precise temperature throughout the whole smoking process.
Pros
- It has a wide temperature range
- The igniter is high-quality
- This smoker is easy to maintain
Cons
- Water can get into the hopper
6. Dyna-Glo
The Dyna-Glo offers 1,382 square inches of cooking space. This is across five grates, giving you plenty of space to cook for your family or a dinner party. You can fit potatoes, proteins, and vegetables all at the same time into this smoker.
The body is made from heavy-gauge steel. This ensures that it can hold up with regular use. The grates are chrome-plated for durability.
Due to the Smoke Zone feature, your foods get infused with flavor and moisture. The temperature gauge will tell you when you are in this zone. The spring lid grip is cool to the touch so that you can open it when you are cooking without burning yourself.
Multiple people talked about the durability of this smoker. The body is very strong, allowing you to use it often without having to worry about holes.
Other people discussed the temperature consistency. You can be confident that it is maintaining its temperature throughout the smoking process so that foods come out as you intend them to.
Pros
- The body uses heavy-duty construction
- You can put it together fast
- It only needs limited maintenance
Cons
- Some of the welds may fail prematurely
7. Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D 36″
The Dyna-Glo Wide Body Gas Smoker offers a large chamber so that you can smoke a variety of foods simultaneously, including larger cuts of meat. There are four cooking grates so that you can separate your food items in the way that you prefer. You can adjust these grates, allowing you to customize how you fit food into this smoker.
The burners are made from cast iron to ensure optimal durability. You can use this smoker often without needing to worry about the burners failing prematurely.
Since this smoker is so easy to use, it is a good choice for people who are familiar smokers and those who have not used these units before. The settings for this smoking let you cook items slow and low. Because of this, your foods will come out tender and will retain their moisture.
Several consumers mentioned the grates. They are very durable and provide ample space for large cuts of meat. Other reviewers mentioned the door seal. It keeps the smoke inside the chamber so that your foods come out exactly as you want them to.
Pros
- It has a digital thermometer
- Assembly is quick and easy
- The body is very durable
Cons
- It may char meat on occasion
8. Char-Broil
The Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker has three cooking grates, allowing you to cook different types of food at the same time. All of the grates have chrome plating to ensure durability and easy heat retention.
The high level of insulation will keep the temperature and smoke easily regulated inside the chamber. This smoker’s doors remain sealed shut until you open them due to the dual latches. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge that is mounted on the door to know the exact temperature your foods are smoking.
Easily maintain your smoker. This is due to the grease cup, water tray, and wood chip tray all being easy to access at the front of the smoker.
A lot of reviewers talked about how durable this smoker is. The materials are thick and strong, helping to ensure that you can use this frequently without issue. Other people mentioned temperature control. This smoker holds in smoke and heat very well.
Pros
- You have a lot of control over the temperature
- There is a lot of cooking space
- The heating element is high-quality
Cons
- The wood chip pan design could be better
9. Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D
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The Masterbuilt MPS Propane Smoker has a temperature gauge built into it. Due to this feature, you will always know the temperature that you are using to smoke your foods.
When you are ready to use the smoker, you only need to push a button to get it started. Within seconds, the burner comes to life, letting you know that it is time to start your cooking session.
You have four racks on which you can place food. This gives you a lot of space and lets you smoke meats of varying sizes. They are chrome-plated, ensuring that they will hold a consistent temperature.
Due to the disk bowl, you do not have to worry about grease getting onto the burner. This helps to prevent fire issues and uneven temperature.
A lot of people talked about temperature control. They said that it is easy to maintain a consistent temperature so that you are smoking foods exactly to your specifications.
Other people talked about the maintenance requirements. It is easy to keep this smoker in good condition so that it is always ready to smoke another meal.
Pros
- There is a lot of room for a smoker
- The parts fit together easily
- It is easy to learn how to use this smoker
Cons
- Below the unit, a flame-up is possible
10. Masterbuilt MB20250218
The Masterbuilt MWS Pellet Smoker is a vertical wood pellet smoker. You can fit a lot of foods into this smoker simultaneously since there are four smoking racks. These all have a chrome coating to ensure durability and a reliable and consistent temperature.
To check the temperature of the items that you are cooking, you can use the meat probe thermometers. These ensure that you smoke items to the exact temperature that you need every time.
This smoker has a digital control panel that is easy to use. It allows you to determine the smoke time and the temperature in one convenient place. Here you will also control turning the smoker off and on.
You can get up to eight pounds of pellets into the hopper at a time. This allows you to smoke foods for hours before you have to worry about reloading them.
A lot of people talked about the multiple racks. This allows you to smoke an entire meal at once to save you time on cooking. Other people discussed the pellet hopper. It is high capacity so you do not have to constantly add pellets to keep smoking foods.
Pros
- It is easy to maintain a consistent temperature
- You can assemble it fast
- The foods that you smoke get very tender
Cons
- The controller may fail prematurely
11. Smoke Hollow PS4415
The Smoke Hollow Propane Smoker has two burners operating at 11,000 BTUs. This ensures a high level of heat and some consistency when you are smoking foods. The burners are made from stainless steel to ensure durability.
There are two chip trays with a high capacity. Because of this, you get hours of cooking time before you need to worry about refilling the trays.
There are two combination or jerky grids and two standard grids, allowing for flexibility to smoke a variety of items. These grids are durable, and you can use them frequently without having to worry about damage.
The drag control is adjustable so that you have more control over the cooking of your food. Easily monitor the smoking temperature so that you are always getting precision.
Multiple smoker reviews for this unit talked about the see-through door. You can see what your foods look like to get a better idea about how far they are in the cooking process without needing to open the door.
Other people discussed the temperature gauge. Due to this feature, you will always know the internal temperature of the smoker by simply looking at this gauge.
Pros
- This smoker is easy to clean
- It does not take long to put together
- You get good performance smoking a variety of foods
Cons
- It is harder to control the temperature on this smoker compared to similar units
12. Louisiana Grills
The Louisiana Grills is the vertical pellet smoker. With a hopper capacity of 60 pounds, you can prepare an entire meal without needing to worry about refilling the hopper. There are six racks, giving you ample space to lay out a wide array of foods at once.
This BBQ smoker features double-walled insulation. This ensures that the smoke stays inside when you are using this unit. Because of this feature, keeping the temperature precisely controlled is also easy.
You get a cover with this smoker. This accessory makes it easier to keep your smoker in good condition and protected from the elements when you are not using it.
Several people talked about the high capacity of this smoker. Due to its multiple racks, it is easy to prepare an entire meal simultaneously.
Other people mentioned temperature control. Even when it is windy or cold, this smoker keeps a consistent temperature so that your foods cook as you need them to.
Pros
- You can make very big meals with this smoker
- There are two probes built into the unit
- Even in the wind, you do not experience flame-out
Cons
- The temperature probe may fail prematurely
Tips for Choosing
Choosing a smoker can greatly enhance your outdoor cooking experience. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:
Size and Capacity:
- Consider the amount of food you plan to smoke regularly. Choose a smoker with sufficient cooking space to meet your needs.
Fuel Type:
- Smokers are available in various fuel types, including charcoal, electric, propane, and wood. Consider your preferred fuel type and the flavor it imparts to the food.
Build Quality:
- Look for a smoker made from durable materials such as stainless steel or thick-gauge steel. A well-built smoker will last longer and provide better heat retention.
Insulation:
- Insulation is crucial for maintaining a consistent cooking temperature. Look for a smoker with good insulation to ensure efficient heat retention.
Temperature Control:
- Opt for a smoker with precise temperature control features. This may include adjustable vents, thermostats, or digital controllers, depending on the type of smoker.
Ease of Use:
- Consider the ease of use, especially if you are a beginner. Look for features such as easy access to the cooking chamber, convenient ash removal systems, and user-friendly temperature controls.
Portability:
- If you plan to move your smoker frequently or take it on camping trips, consider a model with wheels or a compact design for easier portability.
Ease of Cleaning:
- Cleaning a smoker can be time-consuming, so choose a model with removable parts or easy-to-access components for straightforward cleaning.
Brand Reputation:
- Research and choose a reputable brand with a history of producing quality smokers. Reading customer reviews can provide valuable insights into the performance and durability of a specific model.
Budget:
- Set a budget for your smoker and stick to it. There are smokers available at various price points, so finding one that meets your needs within your budget is possible.
Additional Features:
- Consider additional features that may enhance your cooking experience, such as built-in thermometers, side shelves, hooks for hanging meat, and multiple cooking racks.
Warranty:
- Check the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A longer warranty period indicates the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s durability.
FAQ
What is a vertical smoker?
A smoker, also known as a bullet smoker or upright smoker, is a type of barbecue smoker that features a tall, vertical design. It typically consists of a firebox at the bottom, a water pan in the middle, and cooking racks at the top.
What types of fuel can be used in an upright smoker?
Can use various fuels, including charcoal, wood, propane, and electricity. Each fuel type imparts a different flavor to the food.
How much cooking space do I need?
The ideal cooking space depends on your cooking needs. Consider the number of people you’ll be cooking for and the types of food you want to smoke. Come in various sizes, so choose one that suits your requirements.
How do I maintain temperature control in an upright smoker?
Temperature control is crucial for successful smoking. With adjustable vents, thermostats, or digital controllers. Proper insulation and a well-sealed cooking chamber also contribute to maintaining consistent temperatures.
Can I use an upright smoker for grilling?
Primarily designed for smoking, some models may have features that allow for grilling. However, for optimal grilling, a traditional grill is recommended.
What are the advantages of an upright smoker over other types of smokers?
Known for their space efficiency and ease of use. They are often more compact, making them suitable for smaller spaces, and they provide a vertical cooking area that allows heat and smoke to circulate evenly.
How do I clean an upright smoker?
Cleaning methods vary, but they generally involve removing ash, cleaning cooking grates, and wiping down the interior. Look for smokers with easy-to-remove parts or features that simplify the cleaning process.
Are upright smokers suitable for beginners?
Yes, often recommended for beginners due to its simplicity and ease of use. Many models are designed with user-friendly features, making them a good choice for those new to smoking.
Can I use wood chips in an upright smoker?
Yes, are designed to accommodate wood chips or chunks. They add a distinct flavor to the smoked food. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the type and quantity of wood to use.
How do I control the smoke flavor in my food?
Smoke flavor is influenced by the type of wood used, the amount of smoke produced, and the cooking time. Experiment with different wood varieties and amounts to find the flavor profile that suits your preferences.
Summary
Having the right vertical smoker can make a world of difference at your next dinner party. It allows you to create tender and flavorful foods that your guests will never forget. The key is to choose the upright smoker for the job.
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is among the best. It has a digital panel that makes it easy to control the different cooking elements of this unit. There are four racks, giving you a lot of space to prepare the foods that you want at the same time.
Since the loading system for the wood chips is on the side, it does not get in the way when you are loading in foods. Smoking is always consistent so that your foods turn out exactly as you want them.
