The Best Smokers for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

The food cooked in smokers is delicious as it is cooked very slowly and at a low temperature that is distributed evenly. This gives you a rich experience of cooking. Many people today love smoky flavored dishes and look for a smoker that will give them restaurant-like food.

 There are many best smokers for beginners in the market today, like pellet smokers, charcoal smokers, electric smokers, meat smokers, etc. Every smoker has different features and gives a different experience. As a beginner, it will be helpful for you to know about various smokers available in the market. Once you know which smoker suits your needs, you can start your journey in cooking with the help of smokers. Check the best smokers for beginners.

Best smokers for beginners–Buying Guide

Factors to look for while buying the best Smokers for beginners

1. Your Budget– The features of smokers vary according to the cost. Hence, if you are a beginner, then you must go for the one that allows you to buy a good quality smoker that is affordable and easy to use. 

2. Size– If you want to buy for parties where you invite many people, then go for a large size.  Otherwise, if you want to use it occasionally for only a few friends, buy a smaller one.  

3. Even Distribution Of Heat–  Check that the smoker is well insulated, evenly distributing the temperature and smoke inside the machine. This helps cook the food at the same temperature from all sides. 

4. Portable-  If you are interested in cooking food while on long weekends outdoors, then you must choose a portable smoker it is the best smoker for beginners. Such a type of smoker comes in a compact size that consumes very little space during traveling. 

5. Warranty-  If you are buying any good quality smoker, then you must look for the warranty that comes with it. 

Type of Best Smoker for Beginners

There are many types of smokers for beginners. But many newbies prefer electric smokers and pellet smokers due to their convenience and affordable price. In the beginning, getting comfortable with the smoker is of utmost importance. Else you might lose interest if faced with difficulties while using the smoker that needs a certain level of experience. 

Entry-level of Best Smoker for Beginners

Master Built Electric Smoker is preferred as the best entry-level Smoker for beginners because it is easy to use compared to other types of smokers. You can start the smoking experience that gives you a hassle-free experience. Check here best smokers for beginners.

Best smokers for beginners reviews

Now let’s look for different types of best smokers for beginners. 

1.Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker –  Best Pellet Smoker for Beginners

Traeger Grills Tailgater is a simple-to-use best Pellet smoker for beginners that you can easily carry on trips. Its foldable wheeled legs make it easy while travel. It has a large capacity to accommodate food that helps serve a large family. It has good temperature control that is distributed evenly. The ‘Keep Warm’ feature ensures that your food remains hot even after a long duration. 

Description:

Brand: Traeger

Power Source: Electric and Wood Burning

Color: Black

Weight: 62 pounds

Dimensions: 37X18X36 inches

Type of Fuel: Electric

Performance:

Traeger grills Tailgator has a 300 sq. in area capacity and a large pellet hopper. Its capacity is 8 pounds, and the pellets move into the fire pot as needed. The temperature control unit helps maintain the temperature within our desired degree and is displayed on a digital LCD.  It can sustain high temperatures and be used for grilling and cooking. The product is made with high-quality material ensuring endurance.  It is helpful for family gatherings and also, being portable, is easy to carry. It keeps the food warm for a longer period. 

Comparison:

As compared to other pellet smokers, it is easy to use and is of high quality due to the material used. This ensures that the product is long-lasting though being lightweight. 

Usage:

With a temperature control facility, you get food cooked at an accurate heat that gets distributed evenly. The Traeger grill is also very easy to use, where you can assemble the parts efficiently. 

Pros:

• Enough space 
• Energy efficiency
• Portable and EZ folding legs
• Easy to clean
• Durable

Cons: 

• The plastic handle can melt

What’s New?

The Traeger grill has a Digital Arc Controller that helps with a precise and consistent temperature. It also comes with a ‘Keep Warm’ mode. This ensures that food is served hot whenever you are ready.

Why you should purchase it?

Beginners will find this useful as it is easy to use, lightweight, and durable, and food tastes better as food is cooked for a longer time. 

2.Master Built 20070910 Electric Smoker-  Electric Best Smokers for Beginners

Master Built is the electric best smoker for beginners as they are easy to use and have a ‘set it and forget’ method that doesn’t need constant checking. It doesn’t produce much smoke like charcoal smokers but gives the same flavor to the food. The outer layer of the machine is thick and made from high-quality material.

Description:

Brand: Masterbuilt

Model name: 20070910

Power Source: Corded Electric

Color: Black

Item Weight: 45.86 pounds

Dimensions: 20X17X33.5 inches

Fuel Type- Electric

Performance:

It has 4 Chrome-coated cooking racks and a digital control panel. Inbuilt thermostat temperature control evenly distributes the heat while cooking from 100 to 275 degrees F. The wood loading system is helpful for beginners. Good insulation makes it comfortable to work in cold weather too. It has a large cooking capacity and is inexpensive and easy to use for beginners. It occupies less space. 

Comparison:

As compared to other electric smokers, Master built is inexpensive and easy to use. The ‘Set it and forget’ method is convenient for many beginners and makes it hassle-free. An inbuilt thermostat evenly distributes the heat that helps in perfectly cooked food. 

Usage:

This product is best for beginners who don’t want the smoke produced like charcoal smokers and want an affordable and easy-to-use smoker. 

Pros

• Digital Panel and inbuilt Thermostat
• Easy to use
• Can cook large quantity food 
• Even cooking

Cons

• Irreparable Internal Thermostat
• The drip pan gets twisted. 

What’s New?

The Digital Control panel helps to set the exact temperature, and no need to check the food while it is cooking constantly. 

Why you should purchase it?

It is easy to use for beginners, is affordable, needs little space, and gives you a rich taste of food, adding smoke and flavor to the food. 

3.Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22-inch – Best Smokers for Beginners

Weber 22-inch smoker is considered to be the best meat smoker for beginners. It helps cook the meat at an accurate temperature from all sides evenly and consistently.  It gives the perfect smoky flavor to the meat. The product is of high quality, and bullet-shaped. You can easily monitor the temperature due to the built-in thermometer. A porcelain-enameled water pan helps in adding steam to keep the meat moist. The two cooking grates give ample room to smoke a large quantity of food. By easily adjusting the dampers, you can control the temperature. 

Description

Brand: Weber

Model name: 731001

Power Source: charcoal

Color: Black

Weight: 68 pounds

Dimensions: 24X23X48.5 inches

Fuel Type: Charcoal

Performance

Weber grills are preferred mostly as it performs well in backyard grilling. Whether you are cooking a small or extensive meal, a weber smoker is designed perfectly to give you better results. It helps keep the meat moist and tender, gives the perfect smoky flavor, and can cook large quantities of food. 

Comparison

Compared to other smokers, Weber’s 22-inch smoker is best regarding the tenderness of the food. No one likes to eat a smoky piece of meat that is dry. Also, you can cook large pieces of meat in one go, thus making it easy. 

Usage

It is fuel-efficient. There is a separate door to add fuel without disturbing the cooking process. A charcoal smoker is best for meat lovers as it gives an authentic smoky flavor to the meat.

Pros

• Fuel-efficient, high-quality smoker
•  Separate fuel door 
• Double-layer cooking racks
• Easy Temperature Control

Cons

•  No hook to hang the hot lid
• Small leaks of smoke around the door 

What’s New?

Weber 22-inch smoker has Extra Smoking capacity. The two cooking grates provide ample space for cooking large food items like turkeys or two chickens at once.  You can cook for more people at once. 

Why you should purchase it?

If you want to have the best authentic taste of BBQ, then Weber 22-inch smoker is the best that will give you the perfect experience that you are looking for. 

4.Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-inch- Best Charcoal Smoker for Beginners

Weber Charcoal Smoker is the best charcoal smoker for beginners. It comes in a capsule-sized, consuming little space.  Made of porcelain-enameled steel, giving an authentic smokehouse flavor at home. Grates are steel-made easy to clean, last longer, and don’t rust easily.  Removable metal legs make it easy to store.

Description 

Brand: Weber

Power Source: Charcoal

Color: Black

Weight: 39.1 pounds

Dimensions: 21X19X41 inches

Fuel Type: Charcoal

Performance

Temperature control is the most important aspect when it comes to smoking. This product has a built-in thermometer that helps control the temperature. It ensures proper cooking and provides sufficient smoke to the food items. Includes a water pan, working as heat resistance keeping the temperature stable. There is an adjustable vent on the lid and a nylon handle that stays cool. The smoker is tall enough to accommodate a large amount of food at once.   It is easy to use and does not produce much smoke. So you need not worry about your eye irritation due to the smoke. 

Comparison

Compared to other charcoal smokers, weber smoker gives you the authentic taste that your heart desires. Also, it is lightweight and durable with high-quality material that doesn’t rust easily. Hence, it is easy to clean. 

Usage

It has two cooking grates that help smoke multiple food items at once. The dampers are easily adjustable, which helps in precision heat control. 

Pros

• Easy to reassemble
• Durable
• Good Temperature Control
• Perfect size for large families
•  Versatile

Cons

• No clear instructions in the user guide
• But the parts can be assembled easily

What’s New?

It can convert the smoker to a grill and is mostly loved by customers, making the product versatile and convenient to use. 

Why you should purchase it?

This product is best for you if you want to cook large and tall food items in more quantity. Comes with a good warranty period. 

FAQs

1.Is Charcoal Or Electric smoker Better?

It depends upon your choice. If you want convenience, then an electric smoker is better. And if you love the best smoky flavor, then a Charcoal smoker is the best. As a beginner, you should try an electric smoker. Gradually, with experience, you can go for a charcoal smoker. 

2.What Smoker to use for flavor?

As per the reviews, the Masterbuilt 30-inch Electric smoker is the best. It comes with a wood chip door allowing you to add in the flavor of your choice.