Smoking meat is one of the most ancient practices that are been practiced even today. Undoubtedly it is one of the delicious ways to treat meat. Not only that, but it is quite mysterious too. Find here the best smoker under 500 and know them in detail so that it becomes easier for you to pick.
Product | Features |
 | Masterbuilt
 |
 | Traeger
|
 | Dyna-Glo
|
 | Camp Chef
|
 | Char-Broil
|
 | PIT BOSS
|
 | Realcook
|
Best Smoker Under 500 – Buying Guide
Out there in the market and in online stores, there are various types of smokers that you shall find. But how shall you know which is the one that you should require? Check out the details of the best smoker under 500. In addition to that, know what factors you shall keep in mind while picking up your favorite smoker.
Factors to consider while buying the best smoker under 500
- The number of openings it has: Check out the number of openings the smoker has. It shall give you an idea about how the heat shall move out of it as it turns too hot. It shall also help you when you try the traditional style of cooking, using it.
- Process of controlling temperature: Yes, it is a very important feature of a smoker. It shall help you control the temperature while using it and save the meat from getting burnt.
- Structure of the tray to keep food: Know the structure of the inside tray. So that you can arrange your food accordingly. It is also important to note whether the trays can withstand heat.
Best Smoker Under 500 Reviews
1. Masterbuilt smoker under 500
Description
Product brand:Masterbuilt
Color: Black
Material: stainless steel
Power source: corded electric
Size: 30 inches
Weight: 45.9 pounds
Other dimensions: digital
Performance
This is surely one of the best smokers under 500 that comes with a digital format. The digital panel of the smoker controls its switching on and off functions. Along with that, it supports keeping a note of the time and temperature as well.
Comparison
This best smoker under 500 with corded electric functions comes with a dimension of 20.47” W x 19.88” L x 36.26” H. This inside capacity is good enough, having four chrome-coated racks to fit 4 pork butts, 2 turkeys, 6 chickens, and 4 racks of ribs as well.
Usage
this smoker has a patented design having the facility for a side wood chip loading system. This system gives you the advantage of putting the wood chip without opening the door. This facility makes it much easier to put the wood chips inside and makes it one of the most user-friendly and best smokers under 500.
Pros
- Has digital panel
- Side loading for wood chip
- It has lots of space
Cons
- The inside insulation process may fluctuate
What’s New?
In this smoker, you shall find the system of thermostat-temperature control. It makes the process of smoking even and consistent. It also has a completely insulated body that helps in heat retention.
Why you should buy it?
Whether you are a professional or just a beginner, this is the perfect one for you. You will get the best results each time you use this smoker. It is very simple to operate. Just plug in the smoker and set its digital controls, and it shall take care of the rest.
2. Traeger pellet smoker under 500
Description
Product brand: Traeger
Color: Bronze
Material: stainless steel
Power source: corded electric
Size: 41 x 27 x 49 inches
Weight: 102.3 pounds
Other dimensions: wood pellet
Performance
This is one of the best pellet smokers under 500 that you can choose to buy any time you are looking forward to. This is a combined model with the facilities for the grill and the smoker. It is spacious enough to hold 5 racks of ribs, 4 chickens, or even 24 burgers as well. It has also been provided with an extra rack. The hooper capacity of this smoker is 18lbs.
Comparison
Once you use this smoker, you shall never look forward to using the gas or the charcoal smoker. Woodfire smokers add a certain elegance to the taste of the food. This best pellet smoker under 500 also has rugged wheels, making it easier to move over all terrains.
Usage
In this series of smokers, you can have a precise temperature control system. It supports the food to elevate its taste and also saves it from burning. It also has a digital pro controller with an inbuilt advanced grilling logic. It keeps the temperature within the 15 degrees mark giving you precise grilling at a maximum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Advanced grilling logic
- Easy to make it move
- Versatile smoking and grilling options
Cons
- There may be a fluctuation in the temperature at times
What’s New?
It brings along a versatile system for barbeque. You can easily toggle between quick and hot or slow and low cooking modes. This 6-in-1 grill is extremely versatile. You can effortlessly use it for baking, smoking, braising, BBQ, and roasting any meat keeping it juicy and perfect.
Why you should buy it?
This best pellet smoker under 500 is a very durable product. Its power-coating body of steel is built to last. It is easy to clean, and the porcelain grill grates elevate the flavor of the food. This smoker is a must-have for all cooking enthusiasts and home cooks.
3. Dyna-Glo offset smokers under 500
Description
Product brand: Dyna-Glo
Color: Black
Material: stainless steel
Power source: Charcoal
Size: 45.5 x 24.9 x 58.8 inches
Weight: 124.3 pounds
Other dimensions: charcoal fuel
Performance
This is the best offset smoker under 500 that comes having five chrome-plated grates for cooking. It takes about 1382 square inches of the total cooking space. It is a great heavy-duty offset smoker and grill that is powered by charcoal.
Comparison
This offset smoker has been supported by a heavy-gauge steel body making it a long-lasting and durable one. This best offset smoker under 500 has a temperature gauge that gives a smoke zone. This works as an indicator of the perfect temperature that is required to give the food a perfect smoky flavor.
Usage
The analog temperature gauge for the grill zone and smoke zone brings perfection to the food while it is being cooked. It adds a classic smoky flavor while cooking the meat low and slowly, be it the brisket, ribs, or anything else. The sausage hooks give you further flexibility in cooking.
Pros
- It expands the horizons of cooking
- Temperature gauge brings a perfect smoky flavor
- Easy to make it move around
Cons
It may take a while to figure out its features
What’s New?
This best smoker under 500 has handles that are resistant to heat and keep them cool. This makes it easier for you to touch it comfortably while accessing fuel and food. It also has a cool-touch spring lid grip. While cooking, the temperature gauge system helps to keep the flames under control so that the food gets perfectly cooked.
Why you should buy it?
This smoker helps you to expand your cooking horizons. It has a greater capacity and multifunctional facilities for BBQ. With the support of an ash pan and offset charcoal grate, you can easily access fuel and even dispose of the ash quickly. This is indeed a must to have to bring the best results each time you cook.
4. Camp Chef vertical pellet smoker under 500
Description
Product brand: Camp Chef
Color: Black
Material: stainless steel
Power source: corded electric
Size: 30.5 x 25 x 17 inches
Weight: 75 pounds
Other dimensions: has two cooking grids and a jerky rack
Performance
It is very easy to tell why it is the best vertical pellet smoker under 500. This smoker gives you the advantage of having two grids for cooking and a jerky rack as well. Having the convenient snap-ignition, the burner drum remains protected while making maximum heat control. The temperature for cooking varies from 160 degrees Fahrenheit to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Comparison
Undoubtedly, this is the best vertical pellet smoker under 500, as this brand has been a pioneer in the camp-cooking industry. For the user’s benefit, they have provided an easily readable thermometer ranging from 50 – 500 degrees. Along with it, you shall also find three adjustable damper valves, one on each of its sides and on the top as well.
Usage
This smoker cooks the meat slowly and on low flame. The heavy gauge steel chip tray and the water pan support infuse delicious flavor into the food. This smoke gauge comes in handy for various foods such as whole turkey, ribs, and baked pies.
Pros
- Two adjustable smoking racks, jerky rack, and water pan
- Protected burner drum for maximizing heat control
- Door thermometer
Cons
It may turn the surroundings a little smoky
What’s New?
This smoker comes with a snap ignition that helps bring perfectness to the cooking temperature. As you buy, you also get cooking ideas, tips, and recipes from the manufacturer. You also have a heavy-gauge chip tray made of steel and wood and a removable tray with a porcelain base so that it is easier to clean.
Why you should buy it?
To achieve the best results for your cooking, you get the support of heat control dials, damper valves, and a door thermometer that controls the smoker’s internal temperature. These useful facilities are not available to many other smokers.
5. Char-Broil electric pellet smoker under 500
Description
Product brand: Char-Broil
Color: deluxe black
Material: stainless steel
Power source: corded electric
Size: 32.5 x 18.1 x 16.5 inches
Weight: 58.7 pounds
Other dimensions: digital electric smoker
Performance
This black digital electric smoker is one of the best electric pellet smokers under 500 available at the online store. It is completely insulated, having a double wall construction to it. This corded electric smoker performs absolutely at its best efficiency, delivering you the result you can expect. The advanced control panel is easy to read, having a blue LED display.
Comparison
This best electric pellet smoker under 500 has a glass door to it. This allows you to keep a watch over the smoke without having the need to open the door. In addition, you also get a removable food thermometer to know the perfect temperature while cooking. This surely is a big advantage in achieving the best results each time you cook.
Usage
This is surely the ideal thing to have not only for outdoor smoking but also for grilling as well. Home cooks or cooking enthusiasts are absolutely going to love this. It gives you a great internal cooking space of 725 square inches. It also provides you with four adjustable racks for smoking. Using this digital electric smoker, you can easily make various dishes for friends and family.
Pros
- stainless steel locking latch for sealing
- double wall insulation
- digital functions
Cons
- Remote is not provided with it
What’s New?
Having the facility of a large capacity smoke box, you shall get from four to seven hours of smoke at a stretch before you refill. The warming feature of this smoker keeps the food warm until you bring it out to serve.
Why you should buy it?
This smoker has an advanced control panel that monitors and controls the heat while the food is been cooked. This makes your effortless and also makes the food perfectly cooked. Being a versatile smoker, you can cook multiple meat dishes perfectly. Even the high-capacity grease tray keeps it easier for you to bring out the food when done and get it cleaned without much effort.
6. PIT BOSS wood pellet smoker under 500
Description
Product brand: PIT BOSS
Color: Black
Material: stainless steel
Power source: wood pellet
Size: 50.2 x 24.02 x 39.8 inches
Weight: 96 pounds
Other dimensions: digital control board
Performance
This deluxe wood pellet grill and smoker is the best wood pellet smoker under 500 that you can ask for. This has been constructed using premium gauge stainless steel to be durable and last long. It has a digital control board having an LED readout. While using this smoker, you can take benefit from both direct and indirect heat.
Comparison
This best wood pellet smoker under 500 has been provided with a hopper capacity of 5 lbs and a cooking surface of 465 square inches. It has also been given porcelain-coated grates for cooking so that the food does not stick to it, and you can bring it out comfortably. Not only do the two removable side shelves make it easier to bring out the food, but you can also easily maneuver it from the kitchen to the backyard with the support of two large wheels.
The mechanism of this smoker operates based on fan-forced cooking convection.
Usage
The smoker is controlled by having the support of dial-in digital that has an LED readout for you to monitor. This smoker’s standard cooking temperature range is between 180 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Wooden pallet
- LED read-out display
- Fan-forced cooking convection
Cons
- It may be a little too smoky
What’s New?
This smoker is powered completely by natural hardwood pellets. This indeed adds a dimension to the flavor of the food. It is strong and durable to last for many years perfectly. With the dial-in knob for temperature control, you can easily maintain the temperature of the food being cooked in it. This smoker has even been provided with enough space in the interior so that you can keep different ranges of food comfortably. It also has a stainless-steel bottle opener that makes it very handy if you need to open a ketchup bottle while cooking.
Why you should buy it?
Who should not want such an advanced smoker that controls the inside temperature automatically? Having a great power source and igniter shall provide you stability at every level of cooking. And the results are bound to be as per your expectations. Being powered by natural hardwood not only makes the cooking process much healthier but also elevates the taste to a higher level.
7. Realcook barrel smoker under 500
Description
Product brand:Realcook
Color: Black
Material: stainless steel
Power source: Charcoal
Size: 22 x 17 x 35 inches
Weight: 18.55 pounds
Other dimensions: 2 access doors
Performance
This charcoal-powered smoker delivers quality protection to the food that is being cooked. This is the reason why it is also the best barrel smoker under 500. The built-in thermometer having a detailed temperature scale, maintains the inside temperature perfectly. In addition, it also gets great support for the adjustable air supply lid.
Comparison
It has a charcoal pan along with a porcelain-enameled water pan that brings stability to this best barrel smoker under 500 while using. The handles are heat resistant, being made using bakelite.
Usage
Smoking is a great aspect that preserves the food longer and elevates its flavor. You can use this smoker for various uses such as roasting, braising, smoking, baking, and many other uses too. You can even use it for either hot or cold smoking.
Pros
- Multifunctional capacity
- Latch locking system
- 2 access doors
Cons
- Temperature control may create a little issue at times
What’s New?
This portable charcoal grill and smoker are very easy to use. This three-in-one system has two access panels. It comes with a heavy-duty body so that you can use it for years without any issues. The double-layered design gives you more freedom to space while cooking and adding charcoal.
Why you should buy it?
This smoker is absolutely unique and user-friendly to have. The catch system in it turns this smoker into a barbecue grill in no time. The lid keeps the air vents open so the moisture can move freely on the steady low flame as the food is cooked. This keeps the juiciness and flavor of the food intact. The durable monitor gauge supports you in keeping a check on the internal temperature so that you can get the meat perfectly cooked. You even have the advantage of the crossbar and four hooks for jerky.
FAQs
1. How long do the charcoal and wood last?
It varies depending on the ventilation. But usually, it lasts up to 1-2 hours.
2. Where does the grease from the food goes?
It gets collected in a grease cup that is fitted inside.
3. Are the grates and the grills fixed?
No, you can remove them if you require extra space inside.
Hey there! I’m Gwendolyn Caulder, and I’m thrilled to have you on my website, TheGrowingFoodie.com. Let’s embark on a mouthwatering journey filled with recipes, restaurant reviews, and culinary adventures.