Are you craving some delicious smoked meat? Well, then it’s the right time to get your own meat smoker. A meat smoker maintains a low heat and generates smoke to give that smoky flavor and a charred look to the meat. Smoking meat is a controlled cooking process that requires some skills and experience, but it’s really fun.
So, if you want to start smoking meat, today we’re going to help you find the best meat smoker for beginners. Here are five of the top meat smokers that will help you kick start your meat smoking journey.
In a hurry? My favorite is this Realcook Vertical Charcoal Smoker. See it at Amazon.
# | Preview | Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick  | Realcook Vertical Charcoal Smoker CHECK PRICE | - Size: 17" Charcoal - Power Source: Charcoal - Weight: 18.55 Pounds - 2 Access Door - Cooking Space: 453 Sq. In. | CHECK BEST PRICE | |
 | Cuisinart COS-330 Smoker CHECK PRICE | - Power Source: Corded Electric - Size: 30" Electric - Weight 51.5 lbs - Multi-Tool Thermometer - Material: Steel | CHECK BEST PRICE | |
 | Smokey Mountain Cooker CHECK PRICE | - Power Source: Charcoal - Color: Black - Weight: 39.1 Pounds - Material: Steel - Rust resistant metal legs | CHECK BEST PRICE | |
 | Dyna-Glo Signature Smoker CHECK PRICE | - Power Source: Charcoal - Color: Black - Weight: 124.3 lbs - Heavy-Gauge Steel | CHECK BEST PRICE | |
 | Masterbuilt Propane Smoker CHECK PRICE | - Power Source: Propane - Color: Black - Weight: 92 Pounds - 15,750 BTU SS burner | CHECK BEST PRICE |
Reviewing Top 5 Best Meat Smoker for Beginners
Realcook Vertical Charcoal Smoker – Unique Double Layer Design
This vertical charcoal smoker from Realcook is one of the best meat smokers out there. It has a unique double-layer design that gives you the benefits of two BBQ grills in one smoker.
You get a total of 453 square inches of cooking space, and you also have a crossbar and 4 hangers inside the lid. So with this meat smoker, you can grill or smoke almost all sizes of meat easily.
For controlled cooking, there is a built-in thermometer and a detailed temperature scale, and an adjustable air supply that helps you control the temperature accurately.
The overall setup is also quite simple. You can easily install the two layers and monitor the cooking through the 2 separate access doors in front.
PROS
• It has a unique double-layer system
• Total of 453 square inches of cooking space
• A crossbar and 4 hangers inside the lid
• Built-in thermometer
• Detailed temperature scale and an adjustable air supply
• 2 separate access doors
CONS
• The water pan in it is a bit small.
Cuisinart COS-330 Smoker – Smoky Flavour without Charcoal
Cuisinart’s COS-330 is a beautiful compact electric smoker that gives you authentic smoky flavor without using the traditional charcoal smoker.
It features a 1500-watt heating coil that allows you to control the temperature precisely. The inner compartment has three removable stainless-steel shelves, which provide a space of over 548 square inches.
You can cook the entire meal at once, and you can also remove the racks to make space for larger pieces. At the bottom, you have two stainless steel trays, where you can add water and your favorite wood chips for flavor.
This product also has a built-in thermometer and a temperature scale on the door. Cuisinart offers a whopping 3-year limited warranty on this electric smoker, so your purchase is completely safe here.
PROS
• It is an electric smoker that gives a traditional smoky flavor
• 1500-watt heating coil gives a uniform and controlled heat
• Three removable stainless-steel shelves
• 548 square inches interior space
• Stainless steel trays for water and wood chips
• 3-year limited warranty
CONS
• It has a single door, so you have to open the entire smoker to add wood chips.
Smokey Mountain Cooker – Get Authentic Smokehouse Flavor
Next up on the list is the 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker from Weber. It is a traditional charcoal cooker with 2 nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates that help you achieve authentic smokehouse flavor.
It has sufficient space to accommodate a whole turkey. The lid has a built-in thermometer, and there are easily adjustable dampers for temperature control.
Overall, it is a compact, neat smoker, and the overall weight is only 39.1 pounds, so handling this one would be as easy as it can get.
PROS
• Simple traditional smoker
• Helps you achieve authentic smokehouse flavor
• 2 nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates
• Built-in thermometer
• Easily adjustable dampers for temperature control
CONS
• It is a bit small in size
Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D – Heavyduty Smoker & Grill
This traditional smoker and grill setup from the Dyna-Glo Signature series is one of the best smokers out there.
With around 1382 square inches of interior space and up to five chrome-plated cooking grates, it is also one of the most spacious smokers.
The built-in temperature scale has smoke zone and grill zone indicators that help beginners maintain the right temperature to achieve the best smoky flavor. The body construction of this one is simply built to last.
The entire setup is made of heavy-gauge steel that won’t rust or fall apart that easily.
PROS
• Heavy-duty smoker for beginners
• 1382 square inches of interior space
• 5 chrome-plated cooking grates
• Built-in temperature scale
• Smoke zone, BBQ, and Grill zone indicators
• Heavy-gauge steel body
CONS
• Some customers have complained about the paint peeling off from the door.
Masterbuilt MB20051316 – Propane Smoker with Thermostat Control
To end this list, here we have an advanced propane smoker from Masterbuilt. It burns clean due to the propane setup, and you also get better control over temperature.
Masterbuilt has also provided a patented thermostat control that allows beginners to maintain the desired temperature easily.
The interior has 961 square inches of cooking space and four chrome-coated smoking racks big enough for all sizes of meat.
There is also a unique safety valve that shuts off the burner if the fire extinguishes. The door has a glass frame that provides a clear view of the interior, so you won’t have to open the door frequently. Overall, this is a well-built smoker that looks professional and performs like one too.
PROS
• Top=quality Propane Smoker
• Patented thermostat control
• Safety valve to shut off burner automatically if fire extinguishes
• Interior space of 961 square inches
• Four chrome-coated smoking racks
CONS
• The assemble may not be that easy.
How to Buy the Right Smoker for Beginners?
Here are a few tips that will help you find the best meat smoker for beginners.
Size:
The first thing to observe is the size of the smoker. As a beginner, you would need a smoker that’s not too large but not too small either. Go for a moderate size that’s sufficient for smoking most average meat pieces.
Temperature Control:
Controlling the temperature is the key aspect of smoking. So, if you are a beginner, you need to have a smoker with some special features for easy temperature control.
Burning:
Make sure you understand the different types of heating systems such as charcoal, electric coil, and propane. Charcoal would be the most authentic, but it can be a bit difficult to handle. So, if you are completely new to smoking, you can try it out on electric or propane versions first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) Which meat is easy to smoke?
A) As a beginner, you can start with chicken, pork ribs, chicken breasts, sausages, etc. These types of meat get cooked easily, so you will have no trouble getting them smoked to perfection.
Q) Are smokers and grills the same?
A) Grilling is the process of cooking the meat by keeping it on the rack above a heat source. The setup for smoking would be quite similar to grilling.
However, smoking includes a slow cooking process where the temperature is maintained uniformly, and the meat is subjected to smoke to get a smoky flavor.
Q) Where can I find the best meat smoker for beginners?
A) You can find the best meat smokers online on Amazon. On Amazon, there are several top products, exciting deals, and offers. So, the best option is to purchase online from Amazon.
Conclusion
And that’s our list of the five best meat smokers for beginners. Just make sure you follow our buying tips, and you will have no trouble finding the most suitable smoker for yourself.
So don’t wait now. Get your smoker now and surprise your loved ones with delicious smoked meat.
