So you’ve wanted to acquire your first smoker, but the sheer number of options available is making your head spin.
Maybe you’re looking for a gift and don’t know where to begin.
The most crucial thing for a newbie is to pick the right smoker, so don’t panic if you’re not sure whether to go with a charcoal, gas, electric, or pellet smoker. We’ll go over your options with you and assist you in picking the best one for you. Continue reading to learn about the best smokers for beginners and how to avoid buying useless ones.
Some novices want to get their hands dirty and master all basic BBQ methods. And would rather have a hands-off smoker, which they can set up and remember to focus on testing new recipes.
Because there is no one-size-fits-all strategy, we’ve hand-picked the finest solutions for novices across various fuel types. Feel free to scroll ahead to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
We’ve attempted to stick to budget-friendly smokers that are decent enough to learn on without the irritation of a poorly constructed smoker.
Best Pellet Smokers For Beginners 2023
Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker
Propane smokers are ideal for beginners because of their inexpensive cost and simple operation. We prefer them over electric smokers since they don’t require a power source, making them more portable. They have a more comprehensive temperature range, essential for achieving great crispy skin-on chicken.
The Masterbuilt MPS ThermoTemp has a thermostatic climate control that provides more stable, even temperatures than comparable propane smokers. On the 30′′, there are four chrome-coated shelves for a maximum of 792 sq ft of cooking area, and on the 40′′, there are 961 inches wide.
It’s worth mentioning that this smoker is somewhat small, so we recommend getting the 40-inch model if you want to cook a whole brisket or rack of ribs.
Pros
- More precise temperatures
- The MPS Thermo
- Temp employs a thermostat-mounted
- Access chip as well as a separate water tray.
- You don’t have to distribute your food if you open a higher door.
Cons
- The warranty term is limited
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
As someone on a cheap who wishes to extend smoking meat, the Masterbuilt digital energy smoker is a terrific place to start. You give up a little flavor in exchange for simple temperature regulation and comfort at a fraction of the cost of a pellet grill with electric smokers.
Electric smokers can be used in places where charcoal and sometimes even gas are prohibited, and they’re perfect for cold smoking and trying to make jerky. The built-in digital thermometer lets you choose the temperature you want without worrying about keeping the charcoal or fire going.
You only need to connect it to an electrical socket to start cooking. This smoker comes in a variety of sizes and combinations.
Pros
- Plenty of cooking space
- The 30-inch digital image has a whopping 730 square inches of cooking area.
- Temperature controls that are simple to use
- Make your smoker stand out.
Cons
- Design with a small footprint
Char-Griller E16620
Kamado cookers are more adaptable than specialized charcoal smokers like Smokey Mountain because they use charcoal. Ceramics is used in more expensive versions, while steel variants are increasingly available at a lower cost.
Most starter budgets would exclude the most famous kamado grill models, such as Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe. The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado has the same egg-shaped layout as the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado, but the manufacturing is different to make it more affordable.
Due to the triple wall construction, you still enjoy outstanding insulation and heat preservation. Low and slow temperatures may easily maintain for 10+ hours. The top and bottom shock absorbers control the thermostat settings, ranging from 200 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Entry-level kamado at a great price
- 22 gauge steel with powder coating and porcelain coating.
- Grill/smoker combination with versatility
Cons
- We wish the cart were a little more sturdy.
PIT BOSS PB440D2 Best Wood Pellet Grill, 440 Series, Black
You can’t go far wrong with Pit Boss if you want to obtain that wood-fired flavor. Because it’s a family-owned company, its customer service is excellent, and any problems are quickly rectified. After heating your pellet grill, you may place your meat in it, walk away, and return to a fully cooked meal without touching it!
It doesn’t get much more straightforward than that! PitBoss is also renowned as the most excellent smoker for the money, with a price per square inch that is substantially cheaper than comparable brands.
If you’re searching for a giant pellet smoker to satisfy your family’s demands, PitBoss also offers some vast grills, such as this one.
Pros
- It’s well-made and will last a lifetime.
- Smoking should be done in a manner that allows you to “set it and forget it.”
- The great wood-fired flavor on your meal,
- A plethora of accessories is available.
Cons
- As a grill, it’s not ideal for searing.
How to Pick Your First Smoker
Some people are more tolerant than others when it comes to smoking. If you spend some time understanding what creates fantastic first smoking, you’ll have a great deal of fun (and amaze your friends and family a lot more).
\Each of the smokers mentioned above is a good option for a beginner pitmaster. However, how can you know which one is best for you? If you want to be conventional, the solutions are simple. Get a charcoal grill and begin cooking.
We’ve broken it down into three steps if you’re still unsure.
Establish a budget.
Perhaps you’ve already decided on a pricing range. There are two schools of thinking when preparing for your first smoker.
Option 1: Purchase a low-cost smoker
You may buy up an inexpensive smoker for $50-$100 at your hardware store shop. After a season, if you’ve been using it and having fun, you may upgrade to a higher-quality smoker. The trouble with this is that inexpensive smokers are evil.
Quite a bit.
You’ll spend more time battling temperature control using a cheap smoker due to poor heat retention. Consider the following scenario: Is it worth learning on the lowest guitar available when even Santana couldn’t make it sound good?
No, we don’t believe so. As a result, we haven’t suggested any low-cost smokes. The good news is that if you can’t extend your budget any further, you can still acquire a high-quality Kettle and use that as a smoker/grill combo.
Option 2: Start by spending a little more.
If you have more than $200 to spend, you have many more alternatives for an excellent first smoker. You can even obtain a smoker that can compete with the best at this cost.
Step 2: Choose the type of smoker you want to buy.
Throughout this tutorial, we’ve used terms like “gas,” “charcoal,” “pellet,” and “electric” to describe different sorts of smokers.
Different ways of producing heat and smoke are used in each of them. Each of these sorts of smokers has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and various talents to learn.
Maybe it’s because barbecue draws many old-school people. Still, there are some ridiculous misconceptions that you can’t cook “true barbecue” until you enslave a person over an offset smoker for 16+ hours with seasoned hickory logs.
Types Of Smokers
Pellet Grills
Pellet smokers, often known as grills, are great for beginners since they allow us to cook dishes with a richer smoky taste while still having the comfort of an electric smoker. They are purchasing a wood pellet grill, which can be used as a grill and an oven
A smoker that runs on electricity
Electric smokers are ideal for novices who wish to try “fire and forget” when smoking meals. We didn’t have to worry about wasting charcoal or expending a lot of work during cleaning with an electric smoker.
Wood or Charcoal Smoker
Smokers made of charcoal or wood exist in various forms and sizes, and they provide the most incredible flavor to our cuisine. However, utilizing a charcoal or wood smoker to make the most delectable foods requires more time and work in setup, childcare, and cleanup.
Offset Smokers
Because offset smokers were typically built from empty oil barrels, they still have a barrel-like form today. They are frequently large and unwieldy yet contain ample space to cook many dishes at once.
Conclusion
Remember that the secret to a successful BBQ is to have joy, enjoy your friend’s and family’s presence, and provide delectable cuisine.
We’d appreciate it if you shared this information with others if it has relieved some of your nervousness before purchasing your first smoker.