Best Charcoal Smokers Of 2023
After spending hours researching we recommend:
Weber 711001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker, Black
What We Liked
- The assembly process is easy
- Offers succulent results
- Adequate smoker
- Has a two-year warranty for excluded parts and five years for most parts
- The vents can be easily made use of
- Vents offer users more control overheat and smoke output
- The small size of the smoker is not a major issue
Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
What We Liked
- Very durable
- Incredible features
- The design aids the task of even cooking
Real cook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
What We Liked
- It is quite multifunctional
- The air supply is adjustable
- Built-in thermometer
- Latch-locking system
- Porcelain-enameled water pan
- The charcoal pan has heat-resistant handles
Best Charcoal Smokers Of 2023
One major advantage of deciding to use a charcoal smoker is the flavor it offers prospective users. Electric smokers, gas smokers, and pellet smokers cannot hold a candle to the flavor that is produced with charcoal. It is quite authentic; it is still the best.
Charcoal smokers can be made use of when you don’t have any electricity supply and even when you do not possess propane. Since charcoal is a bit inexpensive, the fuel used to heat the smoker would not cost you so much.
You would also find that charcoal is a good alternative to spending so much money on gas or electricity, hence why so many people flock to its usage. What this means is that you don’t have to spend so much on getting your grill to work.
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Buying Guide for Best Charcoal Smokers
Price
If you plan on getting a new smoker, you need to know that a professional setup can cost you about $10,000.
However, you can still make a purchase of top-rated charcoal smokers for just some hundred dollars, and these would even offer you some delicious and smoky meat.
Quality
Charcoal smokers are a bit finicky. Apart from this fact, if you go ahead to purchase the best vertical charcoal smoker, you still need to fight with the fire to keep a consistent temperature.
If you buy a low-quality smoker, that fight tends to get a lot harder because most of the cheap models have poor heat regulation and retention.
Versatility
Some people prefer to own a smoker that can also function properly as a grill. This is a nice idea, especially if you have space issues or are limited in space.
Frequency of Use
How often do you plan on using the unit? In case you do not plan on using it frequently, you may decide to go for a smaller unit.
Top 8 Best Charcoal Smokers
1.
Weber 711001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker, Black
The Weber 711001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker, Black (best pick) comes in three different and amazing sizes, and each user gets to own preference based on the number of people they plan on catering for while cooking.
What We Liked
- The assembly process is easy
- Offers succulent results
- Adequate smoker
- Has a two-year warranty for excluded parts and five years for most parts
- The vents can be easily made use of
- Vents offer users more control overheat and smoke output
- The small size of the smoker is not a major issue
What We Didn't Like
- No built-in method of keeping the hood on the smoker when making use of meats
- The thermometer it features is not as accurate as other thermometers
- The rust-proof door can still be improved on
Detailed description
For a single user, one pork butt could easily fit in the 14-inch grill. For a couple of other users, the 14-inch rack was a bit small since they normally cooked spatchcock full turkey or pork belly. Once they chose the right size for them, the actual cooking or grilling was perfect for virtually everyone.
The grill can be cleaned and used easily. Some users have tried to make use of it to win a lot of BBQ competitions since it heats up quickly and efficiently lights a fire.
This product comes in three unique sizes, i.e., the 14-inch grill is primarily designed for small family gatherings, while the 18-inch grill for important groups and meat, and finally the 22-inch grill is used for commercial purposes.
There is a size for almost every type of meeting that you have. It features two steel grates that offer you the room for cooking a lot of food at a go.
It also features an in-built thermometer that would aid you in keeping track of the temperature inside and also make changes to it if need be.
It comes with a porcelain coating that would help to prevent any form of rust, while you can easily add fuel to it.
2.
Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
The Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker is a unit that offers you an amazing amount of bang for the buck you’ll be paying.
What We Liked
- Very durable
- Incredible features
- The design aids the task of even cooking
What We Didn't Like
- Has a much-bigger footprint
- Not for folks who want to have just a vertical smoker
Detailed description
This is a smoker that comes directly from a renowned manufacturer, and you won’t be in the wrong here if you’re trying to get a unit that is dependable for you and also has useful and much-stable features and the capacity to take in quite a lot of food.
This model provides for up to 1900 square inches of cooking space, and that’s good when you think of other factors.
You enjoy access to enameled trays with this model alongside lots of grates, to ensure that cooking types of meats and vegetables are a walk in the park for you. The design of this unit is not the same as the traditionally made smokers, all because the heat is offset, although not in the average amount of what you get while using good offset units.
This example is a hybrid because it is quite functional and also a cool move since it provides you that needed space to do your smoking, while still being able to avoid the problems of cooking food at the bottom of the unit, the way you enjoy access to different smokers that have their heat with food.
This design of this vertical smoker augurs well with quite a lot of people, and it appears to be original, with the heavy powder coat that is designed to function against relatively high temperatures.
3.
Char-Griller Kamado Grill
The Char-Griller Kamado Grill is one of the best charcoal grill smokers out there on the market today.
What We Liked
- It is easy to assemble
- High maximum temperature range
- Hardware and materials are strong and heavy
What We Didn't Like
- The temperature gauge may fail before time
Detailed description
The kamado-style of this grill serves to make sure there are an enhanced flavor and even heating of all your foods. You would find that there are air dampers on the top and bottom. This ensures there is amazing temperature control.
This grill is a bit lightweight, but the materials are quite strong and thick. It also makes use of less charcoal when compared to the ceramic grills. The dampers thus allow for a dual airflow. The heat gauge gives you the room to monitor the temperature of the grill all through the process of cooking.
The grill has triple wall steel and insulation. This serves to ensure that the temperature remains regular and consistent all through the smoking process. This grill provides a good smoky flavor for everything that you cook in it.
It is also easy to sear foods and a variety of meats. It requires just about 12 coals to get high up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. It heats so fast that you do not need to wait to kick start the cooking process. Small cuts of meat can cook in the space of a few minutes.
The grill surface is much smaller when compared to some other grills, but overall, you would have enough space to smoke a simple meal for your small family.
It is also quite portable, so you can take it with you while tailgating or camping.
4.
Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill, Graphite
The Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill, Graphite is one product that deserves to be on our list because of its many attributes.
What We Liked
- Amazing value for a stipend
- Features tons of nice accessories
- Heavy duty is quite durable
- A fair amount of total cooking space
What We Didn't Like
- Most of them don’t last for long
- Plagued by inconsistency
Detailed description
Kamado grills have a notion that surrounds them, and most people think that they are really expensive.
That’s true, albeit with an important benchmark. The ceramic ones are really expensive. Steel kamado grills represent a perfect and viable option and can easily cook incredible food. Another good factor is that they are quite more affordable.
The Char-Griller E16620 Akorn is one of our favorite steel kamados. With set dimensions of 26.6 x 24.8 x 21.65 inches, it is deemed to have a reasonable size but features more cooking area than most people would expect.
It features up to 314 square inches of primary cooking space (cast-iron grates) plus a 133 square inch warming rack to make up for a total of 447 square inches to work with. That’s quite a lot for a kamado product.
There is a heavy-duty 22 gauge steel shell that comes with it which is also insulated to help absorb heat and also offer easy temperature control. You would find it fascinating that this product features 22 folding black metal shelves, a locking lid, and easy dump ash pan, alongside an in-built heat gauge which would make you feel like you’re getting the real value out of this grill.
The cart also features an in-built wheel caster that can be easily locked into place. If you don’t have any issues with going ceramic, this is by far one of the best kamado grills you would ever go for.
5.
Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker
The very first thing you would probably notice about the Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal smoker is the fact that it is very easy to assemble.
What We Liked
- Very lightweight
- A sturdy construction
- Accurate temperature gauge
- 365 inches of cooking space
- Dual door design allows for easy access to the charcoal
What We Didn't Like
- The charcoal bowl is far from high-quality
Detailed description
This is a major advantage, especially if this is probably your first time of using a smoker or if you are not so technically inclined.
This smoker is indeed the perfect size to handle your family or a small group of friends. The unit comes pre-equipped with about 365 inches of cooking surface which can be separated on three different adjustable chrome-plated cooking grates.
You would not have any issues with adjusting the temperature, all thanks to dampers that control the smoke and heat. The unit can be used easily, as it is very adorable to look at, as it leaves you with a juicy piece of meat.
It is one of the best and cheapest charcoal smokers that we have included in this guide. We will not exactly say that this is the best charcoal smoker grill on the market only, but for the price, it offers an amazing result.
You are in total control over the temperature and the smoke all thanks to the dampers that allow you to toggle between these factors.
The handle is very soft to the touch, so you can achieve a firm grip on the lid. There is a pull out drawer that allows you to pick up whatever ashes you would like to add an easy cleanup.
6.
Real cook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
You would be really glad to hear that this product operates on a completely different multifunctional level, as it can be used for both hot and cold smoking.
What We Liked
- It is quite multifunctional
- The air supply is adjustable
- Built-in thermometer
- Latch-locking system
- Porcelain-enameled water pan
- The charcoal pan has heat-resistant handles
What We Didn't Like
- It doesn’t come with hooks
- Heat tends to escape from both access doors
Detailed description
You could cook in multiple ways with this smoker, as you can also smoke, steam, grill, and even bake, you just name it. You could also braise, roast, whichever way you’d like it. It features a large cooking room alongside two grids that help to make everything practically effortless.
Also, it has a built-in thermometer for adjustable air supply and precise monitoring on the lid that provides the room for easy temperature control. It is as stable as it gets.
It comes with a porcelain-enameled water pan and charcoal pan with handles that are very resistant to heat. Also, you can enjoy the extra strong legs that come with it, this way nothing could ever go amiss.
If you are a person that likes to smoke and hang meat, then you need to get some additional tools. Although it does not feature hooks, it would demand that you are very careful with it because it features two access doors, and both of them are designed to come with gaps. So the heat can get out from time to time.
7.
Dyna-Glo Signature Series Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill
Another vertical smoker on this review is the Dyna-Glo Signature Series Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill which I’m pretty sure that you would enjoy.
What We Liked
- It has a solid build
- It is a bit portable
- Offset aids an even cooking
What We Didn't Like
- It features an even bigger footprint
Detailed description
This is one unit of an amazing smoker because the heat is offset from the food directly, but just like we talked about earlier, that it is a good thing with smoking.
This is a vertical smoker that is very well equipped, and you get the opportunity of enjoying lots of cool touches, for example, the coiled steel door handle is safer to use instead of opting for a solid steel handle, virtually every time.
The offset heat box that it features means that you can make your BBQ items while you still smoke on the main table, which is an amazing feature that you don’t often get every day. The sensors work well, and all the seals are quite up to date on this unit also.
The ash pan on the offset box has been designed in the form of a drawer so that you can clean this out easily between cooks without going through any challenges at all, thus making sure that virtually everything is so dust-free and lovely.
The unit also features some steel wheels that make this vertical smoker relatively easy to move inside or around to get it out of the wind and rain.
Again, this is not exactly a traditional vertical smoker, but it does a great job of making any type of outdoor food the way you would ever want. There are quite a lot of racks and even different meat hooks that can be found inside, and we offer the guarantee that you would have an enjoyable experience with the Dyna-Glo Signature Series Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill.
8.
Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18 Charcoal Smoker
This is one of the most rated charcoal smoker grill choices that you can have access to on our list, as the Cuisinart COS-118 Charcoal Smoker has a favorable rating by all and sundry.
What We Liked
- It can be easily operated
- It can function well for a family of four
- The water pan is rust and corrosion-resistant
- It is efficient and well vented
- It can be used for more prominent families
- It comes with a latching base
What We Didn't Like
- It does not come with an ash management system
- It cannot be made use of in a commercial charcoal smoker
Detailed description
The steel water bowl features porcelain-enamel to further improve the durability feature. This also serves to make sure that you enjoy access to moist and tender meat while you are cooking.
The smoker comprises of a steel housing, as it makes sure that you can enjoy the durability.
You would be enabled to keep the smoker outside, as it would not even rust prematurely even when it is placed in unfavorable weather.
You could make use of this smoker for different purposes and foods ranging from beef to different cheeses. Since it adopts the use of charcoal, it offers users that smoky flavor.
You can also decide to go for chunks of woods if you’d prefer to. There are two vents which are available in this unit.
This thus offers you the needed option of being able to control the heat level effectively. You only have to lift the lid when you want to check to make sure that the food is cooking.
Conclusion
The Weber 711001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker, Black is the best pick in this category.
For a single user, one pork butt could easily fit in the 14-inch grill. For a couple of other users, the 14-inch rack was a bit small since they normally cooked spatchcock full turkey or pork belly. Once they chose the right size for them, the actual cooking or grilling was perfect for virtually everyone.
The grill can be cleaned and used easily. Some users have tried to make use of it to win a lot of BBQ competitions since it heats up quickly and efficiently lights a fire.
This product comes in three unique sizes, i.e., the 14-inch grill is primarily designed for small family gatherings, while the 18-inch grill for important groups and meat, and finally the 22-inch grill is used for commercial purposes.
There is a size for almost every type of meeting that you have. It features two steel grates that offer you the room for cooking a lot of food at a go. It also features an in-built thermometer that would aid you in keeping track of the temperature inside and also make changes to it if need be.
It comes with a porcelain coating that would help to prevent any form of rust, while you can easily add fuel to it.
Finally, if you still find yourself short on information on some aspects of the best charcoal smokers available on this review, you should go online to read up more and have more insight on the topic.
