8 Best Charcoal Smokers
We have already defined the best built-in gas grills. And in this case, you may think that you know all about the outdoor pastime and about how you can impress your neighbors, friends, and relatives. But, What about the Best Charcoal Smoker?
The awesome thing is that in this article we will review mostly best charcoal smokers under 200. So, Let’s begin. Actually, this is a thing without which you wouldn’t be able to cook the most delicious and tender meat that would be full of flavor.
We have to mention that Smoking is a bit different process from grilling because the main goal of smoking cooking is to cook the meat with indirect heat. It is also very important how you would set up the charcoal and the way you were adding water to keep the meat moist.
Best Charcoal Smokers for 2020
1. Series III Smokehaus Smoker
Are you looking for the best smokers under $500? Then this device is definitely the good one that you can find, at a reasonable price.
This is not just an ordinary device as it is the perfect combination of a sophisticated look, easy to use, and obviously the versatility.
| Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| The temperature control | Price |
| The smoking area is around 12 cubic feet | |
| The grid space is more than 2500 square inches | |
| You can smoke a full load or only the one rack load without arm-loading your favorite wood |
- The in airflow control is the best
- The firebox can be removed easily, and you can clean it well
- The roof is galvanized
- The 3-inch thermometer can be reached well
- There are 9 adjustable airflow vents
- The back powder coating is quite durable
Hopefully, the best smoker reviews are going well, and it can help you to make the right choice.
2. Cuisinart COS-118
This is a good outdoor charcoal smoker. It is easy to use and gives you a big opportunity to make a tasty, delicious meat your friends and neighbors have ever eaten.
Let discover the good sides:
- Low Price – If you look at the competition, you’re going to see a vast range of prices ranging from about $80 to upwards of $400. I did order this one during a Gold Box deal, so I snagged this one on the low end. One of the best charcoal smokers under 200.
- Cooking Space – this is an 18″ cooker with levels of cooking grates. The actual cooking surface is a little bit less than that (i think the grate is about 17″), but I was able to do baby back ribs, pork shoulder, and chicken breasts without worrying about space.
- Adjusting – I was able to assemble the whole thing in about 15 minutes, the most difficult part probably being the legs
Cons of using this charcoal for smoking:
- Fit and Finish – Out of the box, the paint looks pretty good. Unfortunately, it scratches fairly easily especially in areas with lots of movement, like the door. Some of the rivets aren’t 100% flush, but I haven’t noticed any movement from them. The handles are also pretty cheap; I wish they were designed differently, so they sat a bit more flush. Also, one of the catches for the bottom latches isn’t straight, so it sometimes takes me a few tries to secure the bottom
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low Price | Fit and Finish |
| Cooking Space | Leaks like a sieve |
| Adjusting | Small Coal Ring |
| You can smoke a full load or only the one rack load without arm-loading your favorite wood |
- Leaks like a sieve – Smoke will leak out from the top of the door, from under the lid, and from around the top vent. The amount of leaking was probably what bothered me most. Without some modification, you’re going to have smoke coming out everywhere
- Small Coal Ring – the diameter seems appropriate, but it doesn’t have much height, so the amount of charcoal you can add is limited
In conclusion, to summarize this smoker grill reviews, we have to say that Cuisinart COS-118 is definitely worth to buy. With this one, your cooking would be much greater and professional.
3. Fire Magic Charcoal BBQ Smoker
This product will definitely take a prominent place on the list. While you have friends at the house and want to prepare tasty dishes without wasting any time, choosing the right product is the most important thing to do. And when you get it at quite a cheap rate, this is the best smoker to get for your home.
The essential features of this product are as follows:
- You will get a cooking surface of 1640 sq.in.
- The meat probe is there.
- You are also getting 5 removable racks
- The digital thermometer is quite useful
- There is also a removable ashtray.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is made up of all 304 stainless steel | You will need 3V electric |
| Dual top smoke stack ventilation | A little bit pricey |
| The cooking capacity of the device is 6 Cubic Feet | |
| The cooking surface is around 1640 inches |
So far Firemagic was a common name in the world of premium stainless steel gas and the charcoal grills.
There are certain specialties of this device that has made it one of the best:
- You will find a bottom door for additional airflow
- The stainless steel racks are quite spacious to cook a large piece of meat or more food
- You can use wood planks, charcoals or wood pallets for fuel
- There is a drip tray at the front which can be used to collect juices
- Fuel loading system is gravity led
After giving the best smoker reviews, it can be said that this is definitely a nice device for outdoor parties.
4. Weber 721001
- It includes: Water pan, Built-in thermometer with individual vents on bowl and lid, storage cover
- Measures approximately 21 by 19 by 41 inches; 10-year limited warranty
Here some useful tips from experienced buyers about the fastest way to season your charcoal smoker:
First Step – you have to cover the water pan completely using aluminum foil and run a full load of lit Kingsford briquettes and let it run as hot as it can with no water in the pan (over 350 degrees) to burn off any manufacturing residue. Clean out the ash and proceed to the second step.
Second Step – fill the charcoal basket 1/2 full of unlit briquettes. Then put in a 1/2 chimney of lit Kingsford briquettes in the middle. This will allow a slow burn for 3-5 hours at 72 degrees outside temperature. Adjust the vents to get 275 degrees on the dome thermometer. Put chicken parts; bacon strips pork fat or any other meat you are not going to eat. The key is to generate lots of greases and get fatty meats. Toss in a couple of tennis-sized wood chunks to generate smoke. Repeat Phase Two at least twice before you cook meat that you want to eat.
Third Step – When you cook meat you plan to eat, take a tip, and don’t use any water in the pan. With foil top and bottom just cover the water pan. You have to foil it twice, so you will be able to remove the second layer after the cook and then recoil it. Using this method, you wouldn’t need me to clean your pan. It works just as well AFTER YOU SEASON YOUR WSM when you cook without water in the pan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made of porcelain-enameled steel with a heat-resistant nylon handle | |
| Has two nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates for a total of 481 square inches | |
| This is one of the best cheap smoker |
Dry heat allows the crust to form faster on the meat (called the bark). Once the crust forms on the meat, you can introduce moisture. I just spray water with a regular spray bottle to encourage bark formation after the initial crusting (Maillard reaction) has begun. Use your nail and scrape the meat surface to test for properly formed bark. If you see that the crust formed – it will not come off when you scrape it with your fingernail. If you see that the crust comes off that means that the bark has not set (still wet) – in this case, don’t spray until it sets. You will get much better results if you let it cook a bit longer and check back in 15 minutes.
5. Napoleon AS200K Apollo 3-in-1 Smoker
Buying the best home smoker is quite easy now as this model is available in the market. Buy now and prepare tasty dishes of meat within no minute.
This one has changed the idea of smoker that you needed for cooking from such long time. This will definitely be considered among the best vertical charcoal smoker.
Even, cooking a small amount of food is now possible without wasting additional wood. The airflow system is quite active while there are eyelets for meat probes.
Features
- There are 20-inch diameter cooking grates
- Two bottoms and top air vents
- There are five hooks for hanging ribs and sausages
- 2.6-gallon water pan
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is the best charcoal grill smoker that is sectionally designed to adjust the smoker according to your need. | There are sections that allow smoke leakage |
| The best vertical charcoal smoker has enough capacity to hold water. | The pop rivets are difficult to repair |
| The features of this best home smoker are absolutely great as there are inbuilt rib racks and the temperature probe eyelets. | There is no heat deflector under the machine; that’s why it gets hotter quickly |
6. Broil King 958050 Offset Smoker
Are you for the best smoker for money? Then buying this one at cheap rate will be an intelligent deal.
Let us see the essential features:
- Made of 2mm steel
- It is in size of 625 sq.in.
- The cooking grids are made of heavy cast iron
- The smoke diffusing charcoal trays serves a dual purpose
- There are ashtrays that are removable.
So far, the product has been used without any complaints and users are quite pleased with it. Getting the best cheap smoker with all the facilities of the expensive ones is really a good choice.
7. Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The item is durable enough | This smoker is a bit heavy if you want to move it from a place to another. |
| Cleaning it is quite easy | |
| The cooking space is quite big | |
| The entire product is robust |
Are you looking for the best cheap smoker for your coming Bar-be-Que party? Then, buying this product will be the smartest choice.
The essential features are as follows:
- It contains large fuel door that makes it easy to add charcoal and wood.
- The cooking space is around 726 sq.in that gives you enough space to grill food items.
- The porcelain-made bowl and lid are durable enough to retain the heat.
- There are 2 plated-steel cooking grates.
- You also get a warranty for the product.
8. PK Grills The Original PK Grill & Smoker
While giving you the reviews of the best smoker for your home, this product has to be on the list.
The essential features of this product are:
- Made of cast aluminum that has made it rust-proof and increased its durability
- It is capable of holding the steady temperature for a long time
- Outdoor camping is now easier and funnier as you can carry this wherever you go.
So, here are the best charcoal grill smokers that you can buy for making meat in delicious ways. Having barbecue parties can be more regular, and these outdoor devices will remain for a longer period, even for generations, and that’s why these are a good investment.
