Best Type of Smoker for Beginners in 2024

If you have decided to enhance your grilling skills by taking a plunge into the world of smoking, you are probably considering investing in the best smoker in the market. As a beginner in smoking meat, you can find this new world a bit intimidating, if you do not know your way around meat smoking processes. One of the most important things you need to do is invest in the best type of smoker for beginners.

Here is everything you need to know about buying your very first smoker.

Types of smokers for beginners

Smokers come in different types, mostly distinguished by the fuel source. Numerous designs are available in the market, which means that there is always something for everyone.

Charcoal smokers

These types are smokers use charcoal as their main source of fuel. They are the most common types of smokers in the world. A charcoal smoker is made in a traditional design that allows you to smoke your food using the aroma of burning coal. You can add special wood pellets in the burning coal to get the perfect balance of smoke and taste in your food.

A benefit of a charcoal smoker is the ability to turn it into a grill if you want to make BBQ meat. This versatility makes it one of the best features of this smoker. The most challenging part of a charcoal smoker is getting the temperature right. This can often be an issue for a beginner.

Propane smokers

If you have zero experience using smokers, propane-fueled smokers may be the best choice for you. A gas smoker looks like an electric smoker only that its main fuel source is gas. Just like charcoal smokers, propane has smokers come with a box for wood pellets. This is where you add wood pellets to enhance the flavoring of the meat with natural woody taste. Propane smokers can be termed as automatic smokers because of the advanced features they come with. They have temperature control knobs for easy regulations. This makes a gas smoker the best type of smoker for beginners. A common complaint when it comes to gas smokers is that the wood pellets burn out too fast, which means you have to use more than you would in other smokers.

Electric smokers

These are the most common type of smokers amongst beginners. This is because of their ease of use and the great value they deliver. With an electric smoker, you only need to plug it into a power source to have it up and running. They also come with pellet boxes to ensure you can give your smoked meat the delectable taste of different woods. The best type of smoker for beginners in this category comes with an automated temperature control system and an LED display to make your smoking process as seamless as possible. This easy temperature control ensures your smokes mead is juicy. The downside with electric smokers is that they do not produce the same quality of smoke as a real fire. This may fail to give your smokes food the smoky taste you crave.

Pellet smokers

Traditional pellet smokers rely on electric heat to smoke meat. These are also some of the best smokers for beginners. Their primary source of smoke is wood pellets, which have a designated burning chamber on the smoker. These smokers can reach temperatures as high as 500° F, ensuring you can use them as regular grills. They produce enough smoke to ensure the meat is engulfed with the sweet aroma of the pellets.

Combo smokers

A combo smoker is a type of smoker that can also be used to grill in high temperatures. Pallet smokers can be termed as combo smokers, while some offset grills also allow you to cook directly onto the fire.

Offset smokers

These are some of the best types of smokers in the market. Offset smokers rely on fire from burning wood situates aside from the main smoking chamber. Smoking masters love using these types of smokers because of the intensity of the smoke produced and the smoky flavor in the food. However, offset smokers are not suitable for beginners.

Controlling the temperature and fire can be difficult for a novice enthusiast of smoking. The construction of offset smokers is one of the best in the business. The best models are made from high-end thick steel material, making then sturdy and long lasting. Offset smokers are also expensive.

Recommendations for the best type of smoker for beginners

Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker

This smoker measures 14.7” W x 14.7 “D x 31.4″ H and weighs 24 lbs. This makes it easy to move around the garden when smoking your meat. It comes in 13 1/2 X 13 1/2″ cooking grid dimensions with a main grilling area that measures 143 Sq. Inches. This gives you a total grilling area of 286 Sq. Inches. This Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker reaches approximately 190°F oi inside temperature.

Masterbuilt 20070411 30-Inch Top Controller Electric Smoker 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LK2SAYA

The 730 sq. inches of cooking space on this smoker comes with four chrome-coated smoking racks to allow you to smoke up to 100 lbs. of food in one go. It is made with RF Remote controls and monitors for chamber temperature, time, internal light on/off, and meat temperature. The Thermostat temperature control ensures even cooking thanks to the cooking probes, and the grill can run temperatures of up to 275 degrees F. It has a convenient side loading wood chips box, removable drip pan, and a top air damper. The viewing window allows you to watch as your food cooks.

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX PG24 Pellet Grill

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BWN72TW

This was voted as the best value Full-Feature Pellet Grill and Smoker in the Industry in 2017. As one of the best smoker for beginners, it is made with a patented Ash Cleanout System, Pellet Purge, and a Grease Management System. It has the ability to reach cooking temperatures of up to 500 Degrees with a heat range of 25,000 BTU/hr. With this smoker, you will enjoy 570 Square Inch cooking space, hopper cleanout, meat temperature probe, and an auto-ignitions system.

Conclusion

If you want to test your hand on meat smoking, investing in the best type of smoker for beginners is the first step. With this article, you will be able to choose the best smoker for your needs. With the best choice, you will be able to perfect your smoking skills in no time.