Best Charcoal Smoker – Reviews and Buyers Guide

We all love tasty, juicy and smoked pieces of meat, but spending money at the restaurants purchasing smoked meat can be costly. What if we told you that you can make this type of meat at home yourself? Well, with the best charcoal meat smoker, you can slow cook meat, smoke fish and seafood perfectly.

However, it is sometimes hectic to find the best charcoal smoker in the market since there are many types, brands and the prices also vary. You need to put in mind a lot of factors when buying one. In fact, if you search on Google, you will find different types of charcoal smokers reviewed by different people which could even make it hard for you to know which one to pick

We understand you are busy and you could not have the time to read all charcoal smoker reviews, so we’ve picked the best 5 charcoal smokers available in the market for 2023. We’ve also provided the pros and cons of each smoker as well as a buyer’s guide at the end.

Without much ado, let’s get started.

What Is a Charcoal Smoker?

A charcoal smoker is cooking equipment used to make meat in a way of smoking. The meat is smoked using indirect heat that comes from the coals at a low temperature for some time to give it a tasty and smoky flavor. Different smokers use different sources of heat such as electricity, natural gas, propane or wood charcoal. But many people prefer charcoal since it gives the meat a more conspicuous smoky flavor.

The Best Picks For Charcoal Smokers

Here are the reviews of the top 5 best charcoal smokers on the market.

Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D Best Vertical Charcoal Smoker

If you are looking for a spacious cooking equipment to smoke your meat like a pro, then the Dyna Glo DGX780BDC-D 36-inch vertical smoker is for you. This charcoal smoker comes with a cooking space of 784 sq. inches plus 4 cooking grates that are adjustable so you can make delicious pieces of meat for a large family or in big parties.

The grates are broad, covering 14 by 13 inches long and this makes the smoker a suitable equipment for smoking meat, turkeys, sausages or pork chops. In addition, it features a removable steel ash can for collecting massive amounts of ashes. The greatest thing about this charcoal smoker is that its smoking chamber is designed with heavy-duty porcelain-enameled steel. This makes it very durable for outdoor smoking even when there are weather fluctuations.

Another greatest thing about this meat smoking equipment is that it is made with twin doors to help you access the charcoal chamber plus the meat chamber separately. This way, you can load fuel and charcoal without the smoker losing heat while smoking. You may also purchase a cover separately if you wish but is not required. Setting it up this charcoal smoker is easy, but you are advised to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to stay safe from any damages.

You will love the DGX780BDC-D for its sufficient capacity and the cooking area that can hold different sizes and types of food. You can also carry out a variety of cooking activities on this single equipment. For instance, you can smoke, slice or grill meat.

This charcoal smoker is significantly advanced with a Smart Stainless Temperature Gauge that is meant to regulate temperatures to make quality food.  You also do not need to carry this charcoal smoker from one place to another while cooking which saves time and energy.

Pros

• The equipment is easy to clean and maintain
• It is affordable
• It is constructed with heavy duty stainless steel to last for long
• It is spacious to accommodate more food quantities
• It is made with heat resistance handles
• It features two doors, one for the charcoal chamber and another one for meat chamber so you can feed charcoal while cooking without it losing heat.
• It comes with 4 adjustable cooking grates
• It has a Smart Temperature Gauge for optimal temperature regulations.

Cons

• It tends to leak smoke easily
• It might not be suitable to use in a poorly ventilated place
• The metal sheet is prone to dents since it’s thin

Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain – Best Offset Smoker

Coming from a trusted brand with a history that dates back to 1981, the Weber 721001 Smokey Mountain is the best charcoal smoker for beginners and professionals alike. The reviews and recommendations that this smoker has received on various sites show that it is the best available on the market today.

It comes with a cooking surface of 481 sq. inches, so you can cook large quantities of food at the same time. The material used to construct this charcoal smoker is heavy-duty enamel steel which makes it durable to last longer but you must ensure to maintain and care it well.

The greatest thing about this smoker is the wide door that enables you to feed fuel and charcoal quickly. The 18-inch diameter cooking grates are sufficient enough to cook a tasty meal for your entire family. Another greatest thing is that you will never get burned while handling this smoker since it features glass reinforced nylon handle which is heat resistant.

In addition, the Weber 721001 features a rust-resistant aluminum that charmingly compliments the rust-resistant fuel door. If you love juicy and tender pieces of meat, after smoking your meat with this smoker, you will want to use it for your every night meat cooking. The positive recommendations and reviews show that customers are satisfied after using this smoker.

Pros

• It features all the advanced features of the latest smokers.
• It features a spacious, 481 sq. inches of cooking surface
• It features sturdy construction
• It is designed with a user-safety in mind
• It is an ideal charcoal smoker for beginners and professionals as well.
• It comes from a reputable brand that is trusted for the production of high-quality smokers
• It features rust-resistant nickel-plated cooking grates for longevity
• It is lightweight and portable
• It is easy to use and consistent
• It comes with an inbuilt temperature control system.

Cons

• Cleaning this smoker can be a hassle
• Although it has a wide front door, it is prone to dents
• Setting up this cooking equipment also takes time

Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain Cooker

Another best vertical charcoal smoker from the Weber brand that offers simple and reliable meat smoking with sufficient space of 726 sq. inches is the Weber 731001. This 22-inch charcoal smoker comes with a rust-resistant aluminum heat shield and is durable since it is made with high-quality stainless steel material. With this smoker, you can prepare large quantities of food for your friends and family members.

The greatest thing about this smoker is that it features an excellent heating and controlling mechanism, built-in thermometer, spacious charcoal door, and a hassle-free cleaning mechanism. The smoker will slow cook meat using charcoal to keep it smoky flavored. The smoker lid and bowl is constructed from high-quality US steel coated with porcelain to keep temperatures regulated.

Moreover, you can cook all kinds of meat using this smoker without the need of using a complete-size grill. It is also compact in size, so storing it is easy. With this charcoal smoker, you have a cooking partner for an extended period of time. Moreover, it features two glass-reinforced handles made of iron which are also heat resistant even when the grill is under high temperatures.

It is no doubt, the Weber 731001 Smokey Mountain is worth the price and a perfect choice for you if you want deliciously smoked grilled meat. Weber is trusted for its ability to deliver excellent and high-quality smokers for an extended period, and this one is no exception.

Pros

• It can serve as a water smoker and a dry smoker as well
• It comes with a built-in digital thermometer to monitor the temperature
• It has a spacious charcoal chamber
• It is made with the heavy-duty materials for heavy-duty uses and longevity
• It features a vast cooking space
• It is easy to clean
• It is easy to set up and operate
• It features dual heavy-duty cooking grates.

Cons

• Temperature gauge may not be precise
• The front door is a bit delicate.

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D – Offset Charcoal Smoker

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D is also one of the best offset charcoal smokers coming from Dyna-Glo, a reputable brand that makes excellent smokers with high-quality materials. This brand is well-known to produce smokers that are well constructed and designed to last longer, and that’s precisely what DGO1176BDC-D offers you.

This is also the best wood and charcoal smoker which comes with double doors and its performance is excellent. The greatest thing about this smoker is that it is not a professional-level smoker but a smoker you can use for personal or individual smoking. Moreover, you can use it to make meals for large-sized families, or institutions, to prepare meat in big parties and also in big restaurants.

Another great thing about this smoker is that it is budget-friendly and comes with a spacious cooking area capacity of 784 square inches. The double door design is meant to minimize heat loss. Moreover, the 6 adjustable cooking grates make it possible to produce large pieces of meat at the same time for large families.

When it comes to cleaning, this smoker features uniquely designed charcoal and ash management system to remove loads of ash to allow hours of maintenance-free cooking. To empty it, you just need to pull the removable steel ash pan and clean the ash. The built-in stainless thermometer will help to monitor temperature to keep it in a perfect smoke zone.

This smoker is surprisingly huge for the price. It’s a versatile cooking friend that will make your delicious meat quickly. However, you will need to monitor it regularly to ensure the temperature is constant and unwavering while cooking.

Pros

• The smoker has a spacious cooking area surface that accommodates large cuts of meat
• The smoker is easy to clean and maintain
• It features a sturdy construction
• It’s easy to set up and use
• Comes from a reputable brand
• Its price is budget-friendly
• It comes with a built-in temperature tracking system

Cons

• • It tends to leak smoke from the cracks but can be sealed with silicone
  • It is prone to lose heat during cooking
  • It may not be suitable for you if you have a limited outdoor space

Weber 14402001 – Best Charcoal Smoker for the Money

The Weber 14402001 Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is sturdy and budget-friendly smoker for beginners and professionals alike. This smoker is versatile, reliable and compact, made of aluminized steel for longevity. It comes with a one-touch cleaning system mechanism which features aluminum steel material for ease of cleaning and maintaining.

Due to its versatile nature and ease of use, you can cook, grill, and smoke various food types at the same time. It also features a large capacity ash pan and a no rust dumper to collect large amounts of ash during cooking.

What’s more?

The glass-reinforced nylon handles are heat resistant, so your hands will never burn while cooking. For portability purposes, the Weber 14402001 charcoal smoker features two caster wheels and another stand to keep it stable.

When you first glance at the smoker, you will notice its attractive color which makes it compliment every backyard. Well, the appearance of the smoker isn’t the only new thing you will notice but the efficiency in cooking you will get from this pocket-friendly will surprise you. When you want to move it from one place to another, you simply push it.

The cooking area is also great. At 363 sq. inch, you can cook large amounts of meat pieces for you, your family and friends.

The greatest thing about this smoker is that it does not have fancy nobs or nooks, so you just empty the ash pan, clean the grate and your equipment is ready for cooking.

Pros

• It comes with a built-in thermometer to keep the temperature on track during cooking
• It is lightweight and portable – comes with two caster wheels
• Features a one-touch cleaning system and a removable large capacity ash pan.
• Sturdy construction
• It features durable porcelain-enameled bowl and lid
• Spacious cooking area of 363 sq. inch.

Cons

• The porcelain-enameled lid is thin and thus heat is prone to escape to the exterior of the smoker
• Setting it up is not easy

Best Charcoal Smoker Buyer’s Guide – Factors to Consider when Buying a Smoker

Even though you may have read loads of reviews of the best charcoal smokers in the market today, you might still have some doubts which you could want to ask the experts.

Remember, a simple Google search about the best charcoal smokers will display tons of results and this can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time, or if you are not used to buying charcoal smokers. To clear the doubts that most people have when purchasing charcoal smokers, we have listed some of the crucial factors to consider before settling on any type of charcoal smoker.

Read over to know what to consider when buying a charcoal smoker.

• Build Quality

Products come in various quality and every smoker has a different build quality too. Low-quality smoker models feature thinner materials, particularly sheet metal that is not coated. Most of these smoker models are prone to have leaking doors and seams, thus maintaining a constant temperature while cooking is almost impossible.

Great quality smokers like the Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D have thick walls, fitted seams, and sealed vents. When choosing a smoker, ensure it has sturdy door handles and locks to enable great smoking. However, smokers with thicker walls are costly but less heat is lost during cooking which makes the smoker to produce quality food and to last longer.

• Size

The size of a smoker is entirely dependent on the type of smoker you pick. For instance, Offset smokers tend to be huge and have a barrel style grill or a lengthy square chamber where the smoker is fixed on one side. Vertical smokers tend to be smaller but taller and with limited surface area. If you want a smoker you will use it in one place, a larger one will be better. If you want one that you will be carrying from one place to another, then a smaller smoker will be better.

• Brand

Well, just because a charcoal smoker comes from Weber or Dyna-Glo doesn’t guarantee that it will be excellent quality. However, it is crucial to know the brands that are trusted and have a good reputation for producing quality smokers.

If a smoker you want to purchase comes from a brand that seems to be new or you have never heard of before, you need to do enough homework to understand many things such as the company’s customer support and the workmanship of their products. You could head over to online reviews to learn more about the company before committing yourself to buy their product.

• Cooking Area Capacity

The capacity of the cooking surface of the charcoal smoker is a crucial factor to consider. The last thing you want to see is having large cuts of meat with no space to cook. Remember, you will want to smoke racks of ribs, cuts or brisket and more which are usually in big chunks.

Vertical charcoal smokers usually have two more cooking grates. In this case, you will want to avoid settling with a smoker that measures 16 to 18 inches since it will have limited cooking area.

Offset charcoal smokers like the Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D usually have one spacious cooking area. Often times they come with a warming shelf or wood chamber.

• Your Budget

Your spending power is also another important factor when it comes to buying a charcoal smoker. The amount you want to spend will determine the type of smoker to buy. Remember, you need to know how much you want to spend on a smoker and ensure to stick to it, else you may be tempted to buy a smoker that is packed with great features but the cost is higher than what you had planned to spend.

Although the price depicts the quality level of the charcoal smoker, if you are starting to buy one it’s advisable to pick one that is simple with fewer features and at an affordable price. You also need to put in mind the cost of running the smoker such as buying charcoal.

• Durability

Durability is the ability of the charcoal smoker to last longer without any kind of failure.  You only need to choose a smoker that will serve you for a longer period of time without developing failures. Take into considerations all the components that come with the charcoal smoker and the materials used in construction.

In this case, you will want to settle with one that is made with aluminum or steel. Steel is easy to clean and will last longer the same as aluminum.

• Portability

Portability is the ability to move the charcoal smoker from one place to another with ease. Remember, there are smokers which are portable while others are not. Large charcoal smokers usually are suitable for bigger parties or institutions, so portability is never an issue. Vertical smokers are generally large and not portable.

However, some smokers are portable and you can use them for personal smoking. You can carry it to your hotel and in different places. These sometimes come with wheels, for instance, the Weber 14402001, which comes with two wheels and stand meant to keep it in position while cooking.

These are just a few of the factors to consider when buying a charcoal smoker, so ensure you are knowledgeable about what to put into consideration before you decide what type and model of a charcoal smoker to settle with.

Final Words

This best charcoal smoker reviews and buyer’s guide will help you to narrow down your search of the charcoal smoker options on the market today. With a good knowledge of the factors to consider, your search for the best charcoal smoker can become simple and easy. Charcoal smokers are no doubt the best cooking equipment to slow cook meat and make it tasty, delicious and with a smoky flavor.

The greatest thing about these smokers is that they are easy to set up and use. They are also easy to clean and maintain. So grab a well-made smoker from our list and enjoy the taste or quality food every time.