What Is The Best Smoker For Beginners?

Ready to dive into the world of true, low and slow barbecue? Let me be the first to congratulate you on making a wonderful decision! In a short time, you will be making ribs like those shown in the image above, along with breast, shredded pork and a ton of other amazing smoked meats. But first, you must tackle the difficult task of choosing your first smoker. This article will analyze the best smokers for beginners and give you an idea of ​​everything you will want to know before making a decision.

Types of smokers

The first step in choosing a smoker is to determine what type of product you want. Smokers are generally classified by their fuel source, and there are several types to choose from:

1. Electric smokers.

In my opinion, electric smokers are the most common option for beginner barbecue enthusiasts. They are extremely easy to use and offer great value. With a typical model, just plug it in, add a small number of wood chips and set the temperature you want. "Put it on and forget it," as they say. While electricity smokers do a great job to maintain the temperature and create a deliciously juicy barbecue, keep in mind that they are quite light to smoke and do not produce the same taste of a real fire.

2. Propane Smokers (Gas)

Gas smokers generally resemble electric smokers but depend on propane tanks for heat. Like electric smokers, they have an area dedicated to splinters or pieces of wood. This is the "set it and forget it" style, but you will not normally select a specific temperature rating. In contrast, most models have high / low-style dials that are vaguer that regulate gas flow. It can take a little effort to feel comfortable, and a common complaint with gas smokers is that the chips/pieces burn too quickly.

3. Pellet Smokers

Like electric smokers, pellet smokers are of the "set it up and forget it" type. They maintain the desired temperature by burning wood pellets as necessary. As an additional advantage, they can also be quite hot, sometimes up to 500 ° F, so they can be used as traditional grills. As for the negative aspects, they are a bit weak in the taste of smoke compared to smokers who depend on real fires. However, they still produce more smoke than electric smokers, and you will have no problem getting a good smoke ring with a pellet smoker.

4. Coal smokers

Charcoal smokers tend to be in the form of vertical cylinders, with the heat source directly under their food, but at a decent distance. The combination of coal and wood chips/chunks means that these smokers can create an incredibly deep smoke flavor. The main drawback of a coal smoker is that you will have to keep the temperature on your own, although many people find that the smoking aspect really fun. Temperature control is mainly done by adjusting the airflow dampers, and it can take some practice to master it.

5. Smokers Offset

Smokers who travel rely on real wood fires, which are placed on one side or "displaced" from the main chamber. Pitmasters love these models because of the intense smoky flavor they create, but they are not recommended for beginners for several reasons:

• Controlling fire and temperature in an offset smoker can be very difficult.
• Quality models are made of thick steel, which makes them extremely heavy.
• As these are made for experienced pitmasters, they can make a dent in your wallet.

While you can start with a compensated smoker, it is very easy to overcome it with one. As 'Meathead' Goldwyn from Amazing Ribs says, "after a season of frustration, the owners abandon them and often never smoke again. They kill the curious.

Conclusion

Combo smokers, as the name implies, are smokers who can also be used for roasting at higher temperatures. Kamado grills, like the Big Green Egg, are a popular type of smoking combo. Pellet smokers also qualify as combo smokers. In addition, some compensated smokers allow you to cook directly over the fire. As you can see, the term "smoking combo" is not a class of its own, but is an additional label that applies to some smokers.