10 Best Charcoal Smokers Reviewed: A 2023 Buyer’s Guide

    10 Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Reviews and Comparison Chart

    What could be a better way to slow cook meat than using a charcoal smoker?

    Not only will you be able to cook meat but you can also smoke fish, poultry, and seafood to perfection using an efficient smoker grill.

    And with the best charcoal smoker grill, you will be able to cook tender, delicious food that is packed with flavor.

    Smoking is very different from grilling because the flame does not touch meat.

    Smoking slow cooks food until you get tender, moist, and juicy meat that’s perfect for any special occasion.

    And with an efficient and versatile charcoal smoker, you can cook just about any kind of food you want.

    To help you purchase just the right smoker grill for your needs, here are the top 10 charcoal smokers at a glance.

    Quick Summary: Our Top 10 Picks

    IMAGEPRODUCT
    • Uses affordable, easily available charcoal
    • With built-in thermometer
    • With porcelain-enameled water pan
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    • With versatile hinged cooking grates
    • With a classic kettle charcoal grill and smoker design
    • With built-in lid thermometer to monitor food better
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    • Durable, cast iron grates
    • With double bottom for ultimate heat and temperature retention
    • With adjustable clampers and is easy to clean
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    • With cast-iron cooking grates which are very durable
    • With very large cooking area
    • With a double bottom for added support
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    • With top and bottom adjustable dampers for even air flow
    • With triple-walled insulation to retain heat better
    • This is easy to clean with removable ash pan
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    • With heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate
    • With built-in lid thermometer to monitor food easily
    • With durable porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
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    • Let’s you enjoy home cooked Texas style barbeque
    • Made of very durable materials
    • Removable charcoal drawers to add charcoal easily
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    • You can smoke all kinds of food
    • Comes with two air vents for improved heat control
    • Capable of cooking and smoking two kinds of food with smoking tiers
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    • Compact but with adequate cooking space to cook different foods
    • With durable porcelain-coated smoking racks, charcoal pan and water bowl
    • With built-in lid thermometer for a more accurate temperature reading
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    • With 3 x 12,000 BTU burners in the gas grilling chamber
    • May be used for charcoal or gas cooking, grilling or smoking
    • With durable, porcelain-covered grates
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    Best Charcoal Smokers Reviews:

    Here are the overall reviews of the top 10 most popular charcoal smoker grills:

    1- Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker:

    Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker

    Features:

    • Keeps Authentic Smokehouse Flavor at Home:

    Compact size charcoal smoker with 726 square inches of cooking space.

    Don’t be fooled with the size of this smoker because inside is two-nickel plated 22 ½ inch-wide cooking grates.

    The two durable grills give you a total of 726 square inches of cooking space, enough to cook several cuts of meat, a whole chicken, half a kilo of sausages or a dozen burger patties.

    This charcoal smoker lets you cook all kinds of meat, fish, processed meats, fish and poultry without the need to use a full-size grill.

    You can also keep this away easily because of its compact size.

    • Heavy-Duty Cooking Grates:

    The cooking grates are basically indestructible.

    You can use these nickel-plated cooking grates for any kind of food because it will hold almost any kind of food as well.

    And aside from the heavy duty cooking grates, you also have a heat-resistant nylon handle, porcelain-enameled steel body and aluminum shield!

    PROS

    • Uses affordable and easily available charcoal.
    • Has a built-in thermometer.
    • With porcelain-enameled water pan.
    • With heavy-duty cooking grates.
    • May be used as a water smoker or a dry smoker.

    CONS

    • Complaints of limited cooking space.
    • Complaints of the ill-functioning thermometer.
    • Complaints of poorly-fitting lid.
    What Users are Saying:

    Consumers agreed that the Weber 731001 smoker is a great smoking grill with good features.

    Consumers loved the durable cooking grates and the heat-resistant nylon handle and silicone temperature grommet.

    Many recommend this charcoal smoker for its traditional compact design.

    The Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker gets the job done slowly and keeps flavor inside very tender meat.

    It has a large cooking space inside a compact traditional smoker.

    It is made from durable materials and is very simple to use.

    You can smoke almost all kinds of food making it a truly versatile, efficient, slow cooker that you must consider.

    2- Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill:

    Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

    Features:

    • With a Classic Charcoal Grill Design:

    The Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has a cool classic charcoal grill design that will stick to traditional backyard barbecue styles.

    You will find this easy to use and also versatile so you can use it to cook, grill, and smoke almost all kinds of food.

    You can even cook different kinds of food at the same time.

    • With One-Touch Cleaning System:

    The one-touch cleaning system is made of aluminum steel makes it easier to clean the grill after you cook as well as before you start firing the grill up.

    It is made of aluminum so it’s durable and will be easier to maintain.

    • With Heavy-Duty Porcelain-Enameled Bowl and Lid:

    The large, heavy-duty bowl and lid are made of porcelain which will last for as long as you want to grill or barbecue.

    The lid also efficiently retains temperature and smoke so you can efficiently tenderize and cook meats, fish, poultry, burgers, and sausages easily.

    PROS

    • With versatile hinged cooking grates.
    • With a classic kettle charcoal grill and smoker design.
    • With a built-in lid thermometer to monitor food better.
    • With durable porcelain-enameled bowl and lid.
    • Easy to clean with removable high-capacity ash catcher.

    CONS

    • Some users found this very hard to assemble.
    • Complaints of ill-fitting lids.
    • The lid does not fit well to be used as a charcoal smoker.
    What Users are Saying:

    Consumers who have tried using Weber 14402001 Charcoal Grill agree that this grill was not just a good-looking addition to your backyard kitchen but it also works as a great grill to cook all kinds of food.

    It has durable materials and the most efficient, classic design making it a good grill to use.

    The Weber 14402001 Charcoal Grill might be the outdoor grill and smoker you have been looking for.

    It has great features and the most durable materials making it a quality smoker.

    There may be a few disadvantages but these are remote complaints, All-in-all, this is a good griller and charcoal smoker to try this year.

    3- Char-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Char-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill

    Features:

    • Compact & Easy to Use:

    This is a grill and smoker that is ideal for small apartments, small decks and patios and for smoking or grilling only a small amount of food.

    The Char-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is easy to fire up and to maintain.

    • Durable Materials & Heavy Steel Construction:

    The grates are made from cast iron making it very durable and in fact, when maintained well, will last for a lifetime.

    The grill body itself is made from heavy steel. This might be heavy but will obviously last because it is one of the most durable materials.

    • Easy to Clean With Easy Dump Ash Pan:

    There is no need to tip the grill over just to remove ash and disposable material at the bottom of the grill body.

    A convenient ash pan is located at the bottom of the pan will let you clean the grill more efficiently.

    PROS

    • Durable, cast iron grates.
    • With double bottom for ultimate heat and temperature retention.
    • With adjustable clampers and is easy to clean.
    • Convenient wooden side shelf to hold ingredients.
    • Cook almost all kinds of food.

    CONS

    • Very limited cooking space.
    • Complaints that it was so hard to put together.
    • This model has no thermometer.
    • This model has lacks a built-in thermometer. A handy meat thermometer or cooking thermometer.
    • Should be used to accurately measure temperature.
    What Users are Saying:

    Consumers who have purchased and used this charcoal smoker and griller admit that it may be small and can’t handle large amounts of food but it gets the job done.

    This is not exactly a smoker but it can also be used to smoke small amounts of food and even a whole chicken.

    It is durable and easy to clean and most users recommend it for these good points.

    The Char-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is a handy griller and part smoker.

    It has great features and is made from tough materials making it durable and perfect for any party or gathering.

    It may be small but it works well. It is easy to maintain and clean after every use too.

    4- Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw 1063 Sq Inch Charcoal Grill/Smoker

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw 1063 Square Inch Charcoal Grill/Smoker

    Features:
    • Heavy Gauge Steel Construction Will Let You Grill Rorever:

    The Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw is one of the best charcoal smoker or charcoal grill because it is built to last.

    You can use it to grill all kinds of food: chicken, meats, sausages, vegetables, and fish and it could smoke a number of foods as well.

    The grill body is large and very strong making it a good addition to your outdoor cooking appliance collection.

    • Large 1063 Square Inches of Cooking Area:

    One of the reasons why this has been voted as one of the best charcoal smoking grills is that it has a large 1063 square inches of cooking space.

    With this large cooking area, you can cook a variety of food and can smoke different kinds of meats, poultry, fish, and veggies as well.

    • With an Airtight Flanged Hood to Keep Temperature Locked In:

    Only a few grills and smokers have flanged covers and hoods and this one has one.

    This will effectively keep the temperature in and help keep flavors circulating inside the grill body. The design is a good one for smoking food as well.

    PROS

    • With cast-iron cooking grates which are very durable.
    • With very large cooking area.
    • With a double bottom for added support.
    • Easy to add coals and to fire up without removing the grate.
    • Easy to clean and maintain with the dump ash pan.

    CONS

    • Grease can accumulate at the top cover and drips when you open it.
    • Non-durable wheels.
    • Not too durable wooden shelving.

    This grill is very heavy and together with a full load of food and charcoal it could get heavier and therefore its wheels could break as a result.

    Some users have even gone as far as replacing the original wheels with more durable wheels.

    What Users are Saying:

    Most users who have purchased the Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw swear that this is a griller that can handle large amounts of food and at the same time can handle smoking a variety of food at the same time.

    It is a handy griller to use for special occasions and events because you can cook for a large number of people at a time.

    All-in-all, Char-Griller is a griller and smoker that can handle large amounts of food at the same time.

    It has durable cooking accessories and a heavy-duty body making it an efficient griller and smoker to use.

    This should be considered as one of the best charcoal smokers for your grilling and smoking needs.

    5- Char – Griller 56720 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Char – Griller 56720 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill

    Features:

    • Get a Taste of Kamado-Style Grilling with the Char-Griller 56720:

    You will be able to sear meat and cook chicken or meat to tender with the Char-Griller 56720.

    It retains high heat but will also let you enjoy a slow and low roast.

    It is a roaster, griller, and smoker that will last for a long time because of its solid construction, triple-walled insulation, and adjustable dampers.

    • Easy to Use Temperature Control:

    You will be able to easily adjust the temperature inside the grill using the top and bottom dampers as you grill, smoke, or cook.

    The design is also fuel-efficient and therefore you can save on charcoal when you use this charcoal smoker and grill.

    • Made from Very Durable Materials; Treated for Heavy Duty Use:

    There is no doubt that this smoker is made to last.

    It is from very durable materials that will allow you to retain heat and use it for smoking and grilling all kinds of food.

    The triple-walled insulation lets you cook and grill even the thickest chunks of meat while the cast-iron cooking grates will hold all kinds of food easily.

    PROS

    • With top and bottom adjustable dampers for even air flow.
    • With triple-walled insulation to retain heat better.
    • This is easy to clean with removable ash pan.
    • Will maintain temperatures of 200 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • With large 8-inich front wheels with locking rear casters.

    CONS

    • Complaints that the thermometer is way off and non-adjustable.
    • Complaints of missing parts and dents.
    • Complaints that it could become too hot fast.
    What Users are Saying:

    Users agree that the Char-Griller 56720 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill looks unique but they can also attest that this griller can seriously grill, smoke and cook all kinds of food.

    It may have limited cooking space but still, it works well and cooks well.

    The temperature inside the grill or smoker should be closely monitored through to let you cook food evenly and tenderly.

    All-in-all, Char-Griller 56720 has been voted one of the best charcoal smokers because of its good features, excellent design, and tough and well-treated materials.

    It can be used as a smoker, griller, and cooker because of its ability to hold extreme heat.

    But at the same time, extreme caution should be observed since the interior temperature of the Char-Griller 56720 could become hotter instantly.

    This is truly a good charcoal smoker to consider especially if you have limited space to cook at home.

    6- Weber 14501001 Master-Touch Charcoal Grill

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Weber 14501001 Master-Touch Charcoal Grill

    Features:

    • Made Durable with Heavy-Gauge Steel Charcoal Grate:

    The Weber 14501001 Master-Touch is made from the most durable materials and therefore you can guarantee that these will last for as long as you want to grill.

    The charcoal grate alone is made from heavy-gauge steel which means that this will remain durable and will take any kind of food.

    • Heavy-Duty, Will Let You Grill Any Time with Porcelain-Enameled Grill Body:

    This grill has a porcelain-enameled body which is very durable and will also last for a long time.

    You can cook, grill, smoke, sear, and barbeque without any worries because the grill body will be able to retain heat and temperature each time.

    • Removable Ash Catcher for Easy Cleaning:

    The removable ash catcher lets you clean the grill body easily.

    No need to turn the grill to the side; all you need to do is to remove the ash catcher tray and throw away the ash or debris.

    You can easily clean the inside with a scouring pad or cloth and the dirt will also accumulate in the tray and can be easily disposed of as well.

    PROS

    • With heavy-gauge steel charcoal grate.
    • With built-in lid thermometer to monitor food easily.
    • With durable porcelain-enameled bowl and lid.
    • With removable, high capacity aluminum ash catcher.
    • With aluminized steel one-touch cleaning system.

    CONS

    • Lacks accessories that comes with your purchase.
    • Complaints that it is too hard to assemble.
    • Complaints that the thermometer breaks easily.
    What Users are Saying:

    The Weber 145010001 Master-Touch Charcoal Grill is highly-recommended by users because it comes with durable parts and grill body.

    This grill is able to take moderate amounts of food to be cooked, smoked, grilled, and seared.

    It may not be big enough to handle large amounts of food but it gets the job done by keeping food tender, juicy, and just the right amount of moisture.

    This charcoal smoker or grill is has a compact design that is perfect for small patios, backyards, and gardens but will grill and smoke almost every kind of food.

    The grill is very durable and will let you cook a variety of food with a design that will let you maintain just the right amount of temperature.

    There are a few disadvantages to its use but all-in-all, this is a good charcoal smoker to consider.

    7- Char-Griller 1224 Smokin Pro 830 Sq Inch Charcoal Grill with Side Fire Box

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Char-Griller 1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill with Side Fire Boxl

    Features:

    • Traditional Charcoal Grill Design with Firebox for Texas Barbeque:

    This is a charcoal grill that will let you multitask; you can smoke, cook and grill different kinds of food at the same time.

    This is one of the best charcoal smoker and griller because it can smoke and cook meat and retain its natural flavor.

    Add spices and herbs to achieve that awesome Texas-style barbecue and cook it really slow; this charcoal grill will let you cook without a fuss.

    • Made from Very Durable Materials:

    This charcoal grill is very durable because it is made from heavy-gauge powder-coated steel.

    You will be hosting barbecues and smoking all kinds of meat, chicken, and sausages without worries.

    You can use this grill over and over again, for any occasion or family event.

    • With Large 580 Square Inch Cooking Area to Cook all Kinds of Food:

    As you can see this grill can hold a lot of food on its large 580 square inch cooking area.

    You can cook, grill, or smoke a whole chicken, large cuts of meat, fish or poultry, and even large sausages at the same time and still get the best results.

    PROS

    • Let’s you enjoy home cooked Texas style barbeque.
    • Made of very durable materials.
    • Removable charcoal drawers to add charcoal easily.
    • With temperature gauge to cook meat and other food more efficiently.
    • Has a large cooking area to let you cook all kinds of food at one time.

    CONS

    • No warming racks to let you warm food.
    • Complaints that it was difficult to assemble.
    What Users are Saying:

    Consumers that have purchased and used the Char-Griller 1224 Smokin Pro agree that this grill is spacious and versatile compared to other griller/smokers.

    Many also recommend this grill for cooking a variety of foods and dishes and also for smoking meats and poultry.

    The Char-Griller 1224 Smokin Pro is a well-constructed and durable grill and smoker combo.

    It has great features that you might be looking for in a grill plus the space that you want as you cook a variety of foods at a time.

    It is efficient but has a few flaws but overall, this could be the best charcoal smoker and grill for you.

    8- Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18” Charcoal Smoker

    Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18” Charcoal Smoker

    Features:

    • Small & Compact but with a Large 510 Square Inches of Cooking Space

    This might be the best vertical smoker and grill you have been looking for.

    It looks compact and small but once you open the lid, a large 510-square inch cooking and smoking space await you.

    You will be able to cook a variety of foods and smoke two kinds of food inside this vertical smoker.

    • With Top and Bottom Vents to Instantly Adjust Heat:

    Control temperature easily using this smoker’s top and bottom vents.

    These will let you cook, grill, or smoke your food to perfection.

    The bottom and top vents also allow even heat distribution and will let you tenderize even large cuts of meat and poultry in a more efficient way.

    • Can Cook & Smoke All Kinds of Food Despite Its Size:

    Again, don’t let its small and compact size fool you because the Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical Charcoal Smoker will let you cook all kinds of food minus the full.

    And because it is easy to take anywhere, you can grill outdoors, at the beach, at the park, and even when you camp out.

    PROS

    • You can smoke all kinds of food.
    • Comes with two air vents for improved heat control.
    • Capable of cooking and smoking two kinds of food with smoking tiers.
    • Portable and compact but with large cooking space.
    • Durable materials are built to last.

    CONS

    • Complaints that it was very hard to assemble.
    • Can become too hot to handle.
    • Complaints that it still lacks cooking space.
    What Users are Saying:

    Users that have purchased and used the Cuisinart COS 118 Vertical Charcoal Smoker laud it for its small, compact, and easy to use features.

    It certainly has a huge cooking space despite its size however many still agree that it is too small to grill for a large family or for a special occasion. But smoker-wise, it is efficient and easy to use.

    The Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical Charcoal Smoker is compact, efficient, and gets the job done.

    It is a good alternative if you live in a small apartment or you want to grill when you camp out or at a picnic.

    There may be some flaws but still it’s a good, compact grill/smoker that could be right for your needs.

    9- Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet

    Features:
    • With Durable Porcelain-Coated Smoking Racks:

    These smoking racks are durable and can withstand high temperatures when cooking a variety of food.

    You can use this to cook, grill, sear or smoke meat, fish, poultry, or vegetables.

    • With Efficient Front-Access Door for Loading Charcoal:

    You can add charcoal or wood chips anytime because of the front access door.

    No need to drop the coals inside as the food cooks and it is also easy to clean with this access door.

    • With Built-In Thermometer so You Can Easily Monitor Cooking Temperatures:

    Monitor the temperature of your food accurately.

    With the thermometer, you don’t need to open the door time and again to check because this can affect the cooking temperature inside the grill.

    PROS

    • Compact but with adequate cooking space to cook different foods.
    • With durable porcelain-coated smoking racks, charcoal pan and water bowl.
    • With built-in lid thermometer for a more accurate temperature reading.
    • Can be used to cook a variety of foods.
    • Very durable and easy to clean.

    CONS

    • No airflow to the charcoal chamber.
    • Complaints that it was too hard to assemble.
    • Lacks a grate in the charcoal pan to keep chips out of the ashes.
    What Users are Saying:

    A huge number of users agree that the Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker does what is expected and have no qualms about its size or its cooking area.

    The Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker is a smoker/grill with compact size but a large cooking space.

    It is easy to use, with durable materials and a chamber that will maintain temperature as you cook especially when you smoke food for a long time.

    Despite its flaws, this could be the grill or smoker that you might be looking for.

    10- Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal /LP Gas/Smoker Combo

    Best Charcoal Smoker 2018: Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal /LP Gas/Smoker Combo

    Features:
    • Can Work With Charcoal & LP Gas:

    The Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal/LP Gas/Smoker Combo is versatile smoker and grill because it can work on LP gas and charcoal.

    You can even use the two cooking chambers at the same time.

    • Large 1.060 Total Square-Inch Cooking Surface:

    This grill has one of the largest cooking surfaces.

    This will let you cook as many kinds of food at the same time and food will still come out evenly cooked, tender, and juicier.

    • Durable Cast Iron Grates:

    The cast iron gates are very durable and in fact will hold as much food as you need to grill or smoke.

    You can cook large cuts of meat or fish, or how about grilling two large chickens at the same time?

    These are all possible when you use this Oklahoma Joe’s Smoker Combo.

    PROS

    • With 3 x 12,000 BTU burners in the gas grilling chamber.
    • May be used for charcoal or gas cooking, grilling, or smoking.
    • With durable, porcelain-covered grates.
    • With a very large 1,060 total square inch cooking surface.
    • With wheels for easy transport and storage areas for the gas tanks and other supplies.

    CONS

    • Grill body easily rusts.
    • Complaints that it was hard to assemble.
    • Complaints that it was hard to maintain.
    What Users are Saying:

    People who have used this grill or smoker agree that it is offers a large cooking area and is ideal for cooking food for a party or for a large family.

    It has a few disadvantages to its use but overall, many recommend it as a reliable smoker and grill.

    The Oklahoma Joe’s Charcoal Smoker Combo is a good combo grill to use because it can work with charcoal or LP gas.

    It is versatile, durable, easy to use, and great for a large party or event.

    It may have a few flaws but in the end, it is still a good smoker combo that you can use at home.

    Best Charcoal Smokers – Buyer’s Guide:Charcoal Smokers 

    Many best charcoal smokers are available in the market. You can purchase them from shops or can order them online. From both places, you get the same product depending upon your choice.

    Here are some factors that you should remember before buying a charcoal smoker. These factors can make any normal charcoal the best one.

    Let’s have a look at these features so that you can easily select the best charcoal smoker for you and get a true return for your money.

    Smoking Capacity:

    The smoking capacity of a charcoal smoker should be the first thing that you should consider. Before buying a smoker remember its main purpose.

    If you want a smoker for a small family of 4 to 5 people then a normal size smoker is enough. Because regular charcoal smokers can cook food for 4 to 5 people easily in one turn.  

    But if you want to host a big gathering or have a large family then selecting a large charcoal smoker is the best option. Because it can cook food for many people at a time.

    Also, they have side racks inside them. You can keep the cooked food in these racks while the other food is cooking. In this way, all the food will remain hot and you can serve it at one time.

    Moreover, it is not always the best option to go for a large size smoker. Because a large smoker takes more electricity to cook food. So, if you have a small family then always go for small charcoal smokers.

    In this way, you can grill delicious food and save electricity. Charcoal smokers are available in different sizes you can select the one according to your requirement.

    Budget:

    The other main factor in buying a charcoal smoker is your budget. It is not necessary that only an expensive thing can give you benefits. 

    You can have many useful benefits from the low price products. The same is with charcoal smokers. Many manufactures made high-quality products at low cost.

    Your need decides how much you can spend on a charcoal smoker. If you have a budget you can buy the largest one but if you do not have the budget then go for small or normal size smokers. 

    Before buying a smoker, it is considered better to think is it worth it to buy a heavy smoker. Take some time to search for the one that fulfills all your requirements.

    In the market, you can find different types of charcoal smokers. All smokers have different functionalities from one another. Most of the smokers have some extra functionalities that some people do not actually want.

    If you have a normal budget then try to ignore the smokers that have extra functionalities than you need. Because these extra functionalities increase the overall cost of a smoker.

    Portability:

    Portability is one of the things that makes a normal smoker the best. It allows you to cook food at any place. Moreover, if you have a large gathering then to avoid the smoke you can cook at another place.

    When you have done cooking you can bring the smoker to the gathering to serve food. In this way, you can keep the audience away from smoke and make the environment clean.

    Also, if you love traveling or picnics, a portable charcoal smoker helps you a lot. With the help of a portable smoker, you can install it anywhere outside the house. 

    Remember one thing you can only take the small-size smokers with you during traveling. Charcoal smokers do not need any electrical connection to cooking food.

    For this reason, you should always select portable charcoal smokers for the outing as they reduced your many efforts. If we talk about heavyweight smokers, they are not good to use while traveling.

    You should only buy them when you have large gatherings. If they are portable then you can only move them inside the home. This portability feature helps you when you want to change the location of the smoker.

    Also, if the smoker has wheels you can easily move them. With the help of wheels, you can easily clean the smoker as you can wash it in a separate place without creating more mess.

    Quality:

    The quality of the material defines the durability of the charcoal smoker. If a good material is used then the smoker has high durability.

    But if the low-quality material is used in the construction then the smoker’s durability is very low. High-quality steel is used in the construction of heavy-duty smoker.

    Due to this reason, many people prefer a large smoker. Also, the charcoal smoker becomes heavy. While the normal smoker is made up of low-quality material.

    They are available at a low price but stops working in a short time. But if we see heavy-duty smokers, we can say that they last for a long time. 

    To prevent steel from rust best charcoal smokers apply a good coating layer. Some famous brands in the market provide good quality material.

    If you are buying a new charcoal smoker then select one of the trusted brands. Also, you can read reviews about the product when you get confused among trusted famous brands.

    People reviews help you a lot as they clear all your confusion and you get all the information about the pros and cons of the smoker.

    Warranty:

    A warranty helps you to regain your money if the smoker does not work or has a fault. Warranty can be for short-term or long-term. It depends on the manufacturer.

    Due to this reason, some products come with a warranty or some do not have a warranty. If you buy a Weber charcoal smoker then you get a warranty of 10 years. 

    The type of warranty is long-term. Most of the time people forget about it when they buy a charcoal smoker. But it is also an important factor to remember. 

    If the product has a long-term warranty then it means it is made up of good quality material or in simple words the product is durable.

    User Manual:

    User manual helps you to install the charcoal smoker. If you do not anything about the smoker then this is an important factor that you should consider while buying the smoker.

    It contains the details of all components and how to run a smoker. You can easily take help from the manual as they give a step by step guide from scratch.

    If you have a manual you do not have to ask anyone or google anything. You can get your answers from the user manual. You can easily grill anything even if you are a beginner.

    With the help of a user manual, you can cook like an expert and serves delicious food. Besides the guide, it tells you about all the precautions. 

    To successfully use a charcoal smoker, it is necessary to follow the manual. Otherwise, there are chances of a mishap.

    Temperature Management:

    Temperature is a very critical factor in cooking food. You have to maintain a normal temperature all the time so that food gets cooked evenly.

    But if somehow temperature increases the food will not get properly cooked or get burnt. In manual smokers, you have to sit around it all the time until food is cooked.

    It takes a lot of your time and during this time you can not do any other work. But if you use an automatic smoker that has a temperature sensor in it you can leave the smoker anytime.

    A temperature sensor shows you the current temperature and maintains the temperature all the time that you set. Many charcoal smokers have temperature sensors make sure to get this one.

    Care and Maintenance:

    You can increase the lifetime of a charcoal smoker by taking good care of it. A smoker needs proper care to work efficiently. Always clean the smoker when you are done using it.

    To make your cleaning purpose easy many smokers have removable trays. You can easily remove the tray and clean it separately. First, wash the trays and then use a clean piece of cloth to make them dry.

    In the same way, you can clean the smoker. Some smokers have dip trays in it. These trays are used to collect the grease that comes out from the food during cooking.

    With the help of a dip tray, half of your cleaning work becomes easy. Instead of cleaning the whole smoker, you can just clean the trays. But always make sure to properly clean the charcoal smoker before storing it for the next time.

    Moreover, some charcoal smokers have an extra place to put charcoal pieces. In this tray, you can easily add more charcoal while your food is cooking. In the end, remove this tray to wash the ash. 

    Because if you do not clean the smoker you can not use it next time. The grease on the tray destroys its quality and it can not work properly for the next time.

    This is your buying guide to select the best charcoal smoker. You should find all these factors in one smoker before buying it. If a smoker has all these factors then it makes your grilling experience exciting.

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    What Are Charcoal Smokers?

    A charcoal smoker is a cooking appliance that will slow cook food using hot charcoal.

    Meat is cooked at low temperatures on top of live coals while hardwood chips are also added to create that smokey taste.

    Basically, a charcoal smoker has an area where live coals are placed; grills are placed several inches on top of coals and this is where food sits to cook.

    The smoker has a cover or hood to seal in temperature to slowly and evenly cook food.

    How to Use Charcoal Smokers?

    The first thing that you need to do is to prepare your coals for a long and slow cook. Light a full chimney of charcoal and pile these on either side of the grill.

    Place a small pan with hot water in the middle of the coals

    Once you have achieved a hot and even temperature, add smoke wood. This improves the flavor of food  giving it extra flavor. You can choose from a variety of hardwood.

    Make sure that your cooking temperature is at 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit before placing your food.

    A thermometer on the grill will help you monitor the internal temperature. Use vents on your grill to reduce or increase the temperature inside the grill.

    Place the meat or any food that you want to grill on the grate. Cover and wait till your food is cooked. Avoid opening the cover because this will only affect cooking temperature.

    How to Use Smoker box in a Charcoal Grill?

    If your grill has a smoker box then you may use this to smoke food. Using this is similar to preparing an ordinary smoker.

    You will also need to prepare your charcoal which is also located at the bottom of the smoker box.

    Add hardwood chips if you wish and then wait till the temperature of the box reaches 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit before placing food in.

    Cover the smokebox and do not peek. Open the smokebox when your food is ready.

    Which is the Best Charcoal Smoker Model?

    When you consider all the features and the overall design of the smoker/grill, the Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker champions all charcoal smokers.

    It is VERY EASY to see why.

    This grill/smoker has a very simple yet efficient design that lets you smoke or grill using charcoal that sits at the bottom of the cooker.

    The body and cover of the grill are made from premium-grade materials while the wide cooking grates are also very durable.

    Basically, you can cook almost any kind of meat, fish, poultry, sausages, vegetables, or seafood easily and more efficiently with the Weber 731001. 

    It is compact and easy to take anywhere as well.

    You can grill at home, beside the pool, at camp, at the beach, at the park, or wherever the event is. 

    It is portable, efficient, durable, and very easy to use, all the characteristics you might be looking for in a charcoal smoker model.

    Final Verdict!!!

    Based on our review, the Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker is the best charcoal smoker of 2018 simply because of its excellent design and features.

    It is made from premium-grade materials and therefore it’s very durable.

    You can cook almost any kind of meat, fish, poultry, sausages, vegetables, or seafood easily and more efficiently.  It is compact and easy to take anywhere. 

    It is portable, efficient, durable and very easy to use truly a good charcoal smoker to try this 2018.