Best Smoker For Beginners: 9 Top Picks For Easy BBQ Mastery
If you are looking for the best smoker for beginners, you have come to the right place. We have researched a variety of smokers and found the best ones for you.
We have included smokers that are easy to use, affordable, and give you the best chance of creating delicious smoked meats.
Our top pick is the Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, but we have reviewed other great options.
1. Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
The 18-inch Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker is one of the best smokers for beginners, and it’s the one I use.
It’s a bullet-style smoker, which is a great design for beginners because it’s so easy to use.
It’s also relatively compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to move around and store.
The WSM 18 is made of high-quality, heavy-gauge steel, and it has two nickel-plated cooking grates, which gives you 481 square inches of cooking space. That’s enough to fit a whole turkey or a small pig.
The lid and bowl are porcelain-enameled, and the unit is built to last.
It has a heat-resistant nylon handle on the lid, and a built-in thermometer, so you can keep an eye on the temperature without opening the lid and letting out the heat and smoke.
It also has four rust-resistant aluminum dampers, which makes it easy to control the temperature and the smoke.
The WSM 18 is fueled by charcoal, and it’s really easy to get the fire started.
I use a charcoal chimney, which is a really simple and inexpensive tool that makes it easy to light charcoal.
Once the charcoal is lit, I pour it into the charcoal chamber, and I add a few chunks of wood to create smoke.
Then I put the water pan in place and add water to it.
The water pan adds moisture to the cooking chamber, which helps keep the meat from drying out.
I use a wireless thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the smoker and the meat.
The built-in thermometer on the WSM 18 is pretty accurate, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup.
The WSM 18 is really easy to use, and it’s a great way to get started with smoking.
It’s also a versatile smoker, and you can use it to smoke all kinds of food. I’ve used it to smoke pork butt, ribs, chicken, turkey, brisket, fish, and even cheese.
2. Pit Barrel Cooker
The Pit Barrel Cooker is a classic barrel-style smoker that’s easy to use and great for beginners.
It’s designed to cook food quickly and evenly, making it a great choice for those who are new to smoking and want to avoid the common pitfall of overcooked food.
This smoker is charcoal-fueled and uses a hook and hang method to cook your food.
This method allows your food to cook evenly and keeps it from getting dried out. It also saves space and allows you to cook more food at once.
The Pit Barrel Cooker is designed to be as easy to use as a grill, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to take their grilling skills to the next level.
It’s also a great option for those who want a budget-friendly smoker that’s still capable of producing amazing barbecue.
3. Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker
The Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker is a great entry-level offset smoker.
This is an easy smoker to use and it has a few features that make it even easier.
The offset firebox is designed to keep the temperature consistent and the side door makes it easy to add more wood or charcoal.
The built-in temperature gauge on the main chamber makes it easy to monitor the temperature of your smoker.
This smoker is also very versatile. You can use it as a traditional offset smoker, a charcoal grill, or a wood-fired grill.
The main chamber is large enough to fit 6-8 steaks, and the offset firebox is perfect for searing.
The Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker is a great choice for beginners or anyone who wants an affordable, easy-to-use offset smoker.
4. Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is a great pick for beginners who want a more hands-off smoking experience.
This smoker has an electric heating element that you can set to the temperature you want and a digital control panel to make temperature adjustments.
The temperature range is 100 to 275 degrees, which is a bit lower than some other options, but it’s still plenty of heat for smoking.
This smoker has 730 square inches of cooking space and four racks, so you can fit a lot of food inside.
The wood chip tray is also large, so you can load it up and not have to worry about adding more chips too frequently.
A water bowl is included to help keep the food moist, and there’s also a grease tray that’s easy to remove and clean.
The front window allows you to see your food as it cooks, and an internal light helps you see it even better.
This smoker is also easy to assemble and comes with a remote control. It’s available in a 30-inch and 40-inch size.
5. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX is a pellet smoker that comes with an electric pellet feeder.
It’s also got a digital control panel, so you can set the temperature and let it do the rest.
The digital temperature readout takes the guesswork out of smoking, so you can be sure your meat is cooked to perfection.
The SmokePro DLX has 429 square inches of cooking space and two 16-inch x 12-inch side shelves for plenty of space to prepare your food.
It also has a warming rack that is 141 square inches.
The smoker has a bottom shelf to store your tools, and it has a built-in sensor gauge to measure the temperature of the grill.
This is a great smoker for beginners because it’s easy to use and has a large cooking space.
It’s also got a lot of great features that make it easy to cook delicious BBQ.
6. Z Grills ZPG-7002E
With 700 square inches of cooking space, this is the best smoker for beginners who want a versatile grill that can handle a lot of food.
It’s also a great option for those who want to be able to sear, smoke, and bake all in one place.
This grill has a temperature range of 180°F to 450°F, so it can handle a variety of cooking techniques.
The digital temperature controls make it easy to set your desired temperature and walk away, and the automatic pellet feed system keeps the grill at the perfect temperature.
This grill also has a convection cooking system, which means it uses a fan to circulate the heat and smoke, so your food cooks more evenly.
The porcelain-coated cast iron grates give you great sear marks, and the heavy-duty steel construction will last for years.
The only downside is that this grill is more expensive than the other options on this list.
However, if you’re serious about getting into smoking, grilling, and more, it’s well worth the investment.
7. Traeger Pro 575
Traeger is the company that started the pellet grill revolution in the 1980s, and they are still the standard when it comes to these grills.
The Traeger Pro 575 is a great entry-level pellet grill that comes with a digital controller, a meat probe, and Traeger’s WiFIRE technology that allows you to control the grill from your smartphone.
It has a 575-square-inch cooking area, which is plenty of space for most people, and it’s super easy to use.
The Pro 575 comes with a simple control panel, and the digital controller makes it easy to set and maintain your desired temperature.
The grill also has a “keep warm” mode, which will keep your food warm for hours after it’s done cooking.
The Pro 575 is a great option for beginners who are looking to take their BBQ game to the next level.
It’s super easy to use, and it comes with all the features you need to make delicious smoked meats and more.
8. Big Green Egg
The Big Green Egg is a kamado-style grill that has been around for decades. It has a cult-like following and for good reason.
The Big Green Egg is known for its versatility and ability to hold temperature for long periods of time, which makes it a great smoker.
The Big Green Egg is made of thick ceramic, which allows it to retain and distribute heat evenly.
The design of the grill allows you to easily adjust the airflow and temperature. This means that you can easily maintain a low and slow temperature for hours.
The Big Green Egg is available in seven different sizes, so you can choose the best size for your needs.
The smallest size, the Mini, is perfect for taking on the go or for cooking for one or two people. The largest size, the 2XL, is big enough to cook a whole hog.
One of the best things about the Big Green Egg is that it is incredibly versatile. You can use it as a grill, smoker, or even an oven.
This means that you can use it to cook everything from brisket to pizza.
9. Kamado Joe Classic II
The Kamado Joe Classic II is a ceramic kamado-style charcoal grill that can smoke, grill, sear, and bake.
This grill is a great option for someone who wants to smoke but also wants the flexibility of a grill.
The Classic II has 406 square inches of cooking space and comes with two half-moon racks, which means you can smoke a lot of meat at once.
The thick ceramic walls of the Classic II hold in heat and help regulate temperature, and the grill can maintain a low temperature for a long time.
This grill also has a patented air lift hinge that reduces the weight of the lid, making it easier to open and close.
This grill comes with a 3-tier divide and conquer cooking system, which allows you to cook different types of meat at different temperatures.
You can also use the top rack to cook veggies while you smoke meat on the bottom rack.
The Classic II comes with a built-in thermometer, but you may want to invest in a digital thermometer to get a more accurate temperature reading.
This grill also has a slide-out ash drawer, which makes cleanup easy.
This grill is a bit of an investment, but it’s a versatile option that you can use for years to come.
Conclusion
You’re now ready to get out there and start smoking! We hope you found the perfect smoker for your needs on our list.
If you did, or if you have any other smoking tips or tricks to share, we’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment below and don’t forget to share this article if you loved it.
