Best Smoker for Beginners 2020 – Executive Review

Read our best smoker for beginners reviews to find the ideal product for a novice like you. When it comes to preparing meats, smoking is definitely a great approach. It can optimize the taste of food without overpowering the original flavor. This is the reason that’s why many people are looking for charcoal smokers, electric smokers, or gas smokers. By having them in the garage, you can smoke any delicacy any time you want.

But for people who are new to this method of cooking, I recommend that you get the best smoker for beginners. It would be great if you know how a best smoker for beginners operates before buying one. That’s not only a wise decision but also a practical move on your part.

There are different types of best smoker for beginners to choose from. Let’s exclude smokers that have a complex operation. Those might complicate your weekend picnics and gatherings. Instead, we will review the five best smokers for beginners. Go check them out!

[table id=12 /]

1. Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker – The Best Smoker for Beginner

This vertical smoker has impressive quality and features. The Weber Smokey Mountain 721001 charcoal smoker will allow you to cook genuine smokehouse delicacies in your own home. It has a built-in thermometer and is easy to use. There are many reasons why this charcoal smoker is one of the highest-rated and bestselling smokers on the market today.

Sleek looking and beautiful to look at, this best smoker for beginners is crafted from porcelain-enameled steel. It comes with a nylon handle that is heat-resistant. Even if you’re new to smokers, this device won’t burn or scorch your hands. It comes with nickel-plated cooking grates which offer 480 square inches of cooking space. Other essential features like water pan, storage cover, and vents are also integrated into this smoker. The Weber Smokey Mountain is definitely one of the best BBQ smokers for beginners.

 

2.Bradley  4-Rack Digital Smoker 2020

One of the technologically advanced best smoker for beginners you can find on the market is this unit from Bradley Smokers. This electric smoker provides precise control over your smoking. It generates heat up to 280 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than enough to best smoker for beginners your favorite meats and delicacies. Additionally, this smoker can operate for eight straight hours, a necessary feature if you’re smoking meat items for a large number of guests.

Another beautiful thing about this outdoor barbecue smoker is that it offers full digital control for time, smoke, and temperature. This Bradley Smoker provides 520 square inches of cooking space. It has four cooking racks. Hence, it’s a great choice if you’re planning to smoke massive cuts of meat, pork, fish, or chicken.

Moreover, this product has incorporated the heat control component to the smoke generator. In this way, you don’t have to worry about electrical damage caused by moisture. Noticeably, this unit has a broad base, which is good for stability. Strong gusts of wind will not blow away this electric smoker.

 

3. Masterbuilt 20070910 Black Electric Digital Smoker 2020

 

The Masterbuilt 20070910 digital electric smoker features a whopping 730-square inch of cooking space, which is significantly larger than most of its counterparts. It has four racks that have been chrome-coated, so it is immune to heat damage. This unit comes with an 800-watt heating element, superb for its price level.

All the essential features to make the smoking process easier are present. Temperature and timer controls are integrated into the system and are easy to access. This device has a built-in thermostat. Aside from these components, this electric smoker has an air damper and a removable drip pan. Even if you’re a beginner, this best smoker for beginners won’t give you a hard time.

 

4. Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Smoker Grill 2020

 

This pellet grill and best smoker for beginners is a bit pricey. That said, it can also be a significant investment. The Camp Chef PG24 is a 2 in 1 device. You can use it as a grill or a smoker, allowing you to cook a wide variety of foods. Like other electric smokers and pellet smokers available on the market, the controls on this unit are very advanced.

The digital temperature control regulates heat automatically. You don’t have to babysit this device to attain the right amount of smoke. Thus, achieving a smoky flavor for your favorite meats such as brisket, hamburgers, jerky, ribs, and chicken is more comfortable and hassle-free.

Since it a versatile tool, you can cook various smoked meat recipes. You can also use it to grill, braise, and roast. With a single touch, this unit can cook from 160 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking space is pretty generous, too. It offers a total of 570 square inches of surface cooking area. That is more than enough to serve a large number of people. If you’re searching for horizontal smokers that can also be used as a grill, this is a good option.

 

5. Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Gas Smoker 2020

 

The Char-Broil Vertical Gas Smoker is a budget-friendly option. Albeit this fact, this propane smoker has decent features and components. The extended leg design and broad base provide stability. The construction of this gas smoker is not that flimsy either.

This Char-Broil gas smoker has a double-drawer design. It enables you to access wood and water without losing heat in the cooking chamber. Meat smoking is made easy, thanks to its 595 square inches of cooking surface which is pretty spacious if you ask me. It has three chrome-plated cooking grates that have vertical adjustments so you can cook large chunks of food!

 

Buyer’s Guide

Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Smoker for Beginners

The best smoker for beginners is ideal both for home and amateur applications. High-end and sophisticated smokers have various features and mechanisms that make usage a bit complex. On the other hand, meat smokers for beginners will allow you to smoke foods without worrying too much.

The question is: how do you choose a smoker that will meet your needs? Here are some factors that you should consider:

Size

People who are new to food smoking should consider starting on small and compact smokers. We don’t usually recommend large smokers for beginners because they might be too bulky. Besides, you probably won’t be preparing large servings of food while you’re still learning how to cook smoked meat recipes.

But, you can also buy huge smokers from the beginning if you intend to feed a large number of people on a regular basis. At the end of the day, size doesn’t always translate to complexity. Simply put, you’re the best person to decide how big the smoker should be.

Versatility

Having a versatile smoker will allow you to prepare different types of food. However, it’s not really necessary when you’re new to smoking. Good smokers for beginners will do just fine.

An all-around versatile best smoker for beginners will enable you to do other cooking methods aside from smoking such as grill, braise, or roast. Before buying, determine what you’ll be using the smoker for.

Price

Usually, you can buy essential smokers at an affordable price. Since you’re looking for a simple unit, the price shouldn’t break the bank. As long as the build quality is decent and the necessary features are there, an entry-level best smoker for beginners would suffice. But does this mean you shouldn’t buy high-end models? Absolutely not. If your budget allows it, you can shop for smokers in the medium price range.

What Is a Smoker?

A smoker is an apparatus for low-temperature cooking in a controlled, smoky environment. There are different types of best smoker for beginners, such as charcoal smokers, gas smokers, pellet smokers, and electric smokers. Some are small, perfect for small gatherings, while others are big enough to feed a vast number of people.

Smokers are powered by a variety of fuels, including charcoal, wood pellets, electricity, or propane. Regardless of the fuel, the primary function of a smoker is to maintain a stable smoking temperature (around 225 degrees Fahrenheit) to cook food.

What Type of Smoker Will Suit Your Needs?

There are four main types of smokers: charcoal smokers, propane or gas smokers, pellet smokers, and electric smokers. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Charcoal Smoker

A charcoal smoker provides the most authentic smoky flavor to your food. With this apparatus, you can add flavor by burning charcoal and wood chips. You can also mix and match wood chips to create amazing characters. Charcoal best smoker for beginners  are preferred many gourmet smoking enthusiasts. The only downside is that you have to start, stoke, and dispose of the charcoal.

Propane Smoker

Compared to a charcoal smoker, a propane smoker is more convenient to use. Instead of charcoal, you’re going to need a propane tank for this type of best smoker for beginners. It has a push-button ignition system and usually comes with a built-in temperature gauge. But which is better propane or charcoal smoker? It depends on your personal preference. If a smoky flavor is more important to you, choose a charcoal smoker. But if you want convenience, you can consider buying a propane smoker.

Electric Smoker

Electric smokers can be analog or digital. An analog electric best smoker for beginners comes with a thermostat dial to set the temperature, while a digital electric smoker has a digital screen with buttons to set the temperature. Electric smokers can cook food faster than propane smokers, but don’t always give the most abundant smoky flavor. Since you have to plug it into an outlet, an electric smoker is not as portable as other smokers.

Pellet Smoker

The pellet smoker combines the convenience of best smoker for beginners and propane smokers with the flavor produced by a charcoal smoker. A pellet smoker has a dial to set the temperature and let you cook food while doing other things (set and forget). You just have to make sure that there are enough wood pellets. You can mix and match wood flavors according to your taste. However, the smoky flavor isn’t quite as rich as you would get from a charcoal smoker.