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1

Why We Love It

Reviewers on Amazon and other sites rave about the authentic smokehouse flavor this Weber smoker delivers. They appreciate the built-in thermometer that helps maintain the ideal smoking temperature, and the water pan that keeps the meat moist during long smoking sessions. Many also praise the smoker's sturdy, rust-resistant construction, noting that it's built to last.

Pros

  • Authentic smoky flavor
  • Built-in temperature gauge
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Small size may not be ideal for large gatherings
  • Charcoal can be messy

Compact charcoal smoker perfect for backyard BBQs

Weber's Smokey Mountain Cooker is a 14-inch charcoal smoker designed to infuse your food with the tasty, smoky flavor of a professional barbecue. It has a built-in thermometer for precise temperature control and a water pan that adds steam to the smoking process, keeping your meat moist and tender. The smoker is made of durable, rust-resistant materials and includes two nickel-plated cooking grates for simultaneous smoking.

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Why We Love It

Reviewers love the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker for its durable construction and excellent heat control features. Users appreciate the built-in thermometer for precise temperature monitoring and the large cooking area that can accommodate multiple food items at once. Its ability to maintain low and slow cooking temperatures makes it perfect for smoking a variety of foods.

Pros

  • Durable construction
  • Built-in thermometer
  • Large cooking capacity

Cons

  • Requires regular cleaning
  • Assembly can be challenging

22-Inch Charcoal Smoker with built-in thermometer.

Weber's 721001 Smokey Mountain Cooker is a 22-inch charcoal smoker made of durable porcelain-enameled steel. It features a built-in lid thermometer, a heat-resistant nylon handle, and two nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates. It has a large water pan that helps maintain low and slow cooking temperatures. The smoker also includes a rust-resistant aluminum fuel door and vents for precise air control.

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Why We Love It

Users and reviewers love the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker for its ample cooking space, making it perfect for large gatherings. They also appreciate its built-in temperature gauge that ensures optimal cooking conditions. Most importantly, the smoker's durability and excellent heat retention capabilities have garnered positive feedback.

Pros

  • Large cooking area
  • Built-in temperature gauge
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Requires more charcoal than smaller models
  • Not portable

18-inch charcoal smoker with built-in temperature gauge and rust-resistant metal legs

The Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker boasts a large smoking area that accommodates a variety of foods. Its durable porcelain-enameled lid, bowl, and center section retain heat and won’t rust or peel. It includes a water pan that adds steam to the smoking process, keeping your meal moist and succulent. The built-in lid thermometer allows for easy monitoring of your smoker's temperature.

4

Why We Love It

The Pit Barrel Cooker gets rave reviews for its unique vertical design and ease of use. Users love the 'set it and forget it' cooking method, and say the cylindrical shape and Hook-and-Hang system deliver consistent, flavorful results. They also appreciate the smoker's durable construction and included accessories.

Pros

  • Unique vertical design
  • Easy 'set it and forget it' operation
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Lacks a temperature gauge
  • May be difficult to control heat

Vertical barrel smoker for consistent, flavorful results

The Pit Barrel Cooker Classic is a versatile and easy-to-use smoker with a unique vertical design. It uses a 'set it and forget it' cooking method - just load the barrel, light the charcoal, and let the smoker do the work. The cooker's cylindrical shape and Hook-and-Hang method allows for even heating and perfect infusion of smoke flavor. It's made of durable steel with a porcelain enamel coating, and includes eight stainless steel hooks and two steel hanging rods.

5

Why We Love It

Reviewers love the Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker for its large capacity, allowing them to cook multiple dishes at once. The adjustable grates are appreciated for their versatility, accommodating different sizes of food. Users also commend the smoker's durable construction, ensuring long-term use. Despite requiring frequent monitoring, users find that the superior taste it produces is worth the effort.

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Durable construction
  • Adjustable cooking grates

Cons

  • Requires frequent monitoring
  • Assembly can be challenging

Vertical offset smoker with heavy-gauge, powder-coated steel construction

The Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker offers a wide range of features that simplify the smoking process. The vertical design optimizes indirect heat flow, which is ideal for slow-cooking and infusing smoke flavor. It features six height-adjustable cooking grates and a total capacity of 784 square inches. The heavy-duty, steel body construction with a high-temp, powder-coat finish ensures durability and longevity.

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Why We Love It

Users love the Char-Broil The Big Easy for its 3-in-1 design, offering the functionality of a smoker, roaster, and grill in one unit. The TRU-Infrared cooking technology is highly praised for producing evenly cooked, juicy meals with a crispy exterior. Despite some cleaning challenges, users find the versatility and the large capacity of this unit to be a great value for the price.

Pros

  • Versatile 3-in-1 design
  • TRU-Infrared cooking technology
  • Large capacity

Cons

  • Short power cord
  • Can be difficult to clean

3-in-1 smoker, roaster, and grill with TRU-Infrared cooking technology

The Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill offers a smoker, roaster, and grill in one high-performing unit. It uses TRU-Infrared cooking technology to deliver juicy results inside and a crispy outside every time. The smoker box allows you to add flavor and the roaster can cook up to a 25 lb. turkey. The grill is perfect for burgers, chops, and more. It also includes temperature control from 9,000 to 18,000 BTUs.

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Why We Love It

The Char-Broil Big Easy is beloved by users for its versatility and ease of use. Reviewers love the ability to smoke, roast, and grill with one unit, and the TRU-Infrared technology gets high marks for even, juicy cooking without the need for oil. Users also appreciate the easy-to-use temperature control and say the unit is easy to clean.

Pros

  • Versatile three-in-one design
  • TRU-Infrared cooking technology
  • Easy to use and clean

Cons

  • Relatively small grilling area
  • May take time to learn optimal settings

Infrared smoker, roaster, and grill for oil-less cooking

The Char-Broil Big Easy is a smoker, roaster, and grill in one, using TRU-Infrared technology for even and oil-less cooking. It has a 180 square inch grilling area, and can hold up to 25 pounds for roasting. The smoker box allows for added flavor and the easy-to-use temperature control allows for perfect cooking every time. The unit is made of durable stainless steel and includes a removable grease tray for easy cleaning.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 3 Products Updated Oct 03, 2025
Product Built-in Temperature Control Cooking Area Material Cooking Method Weight Capacity Ease of Use
1 Weber 711001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker
Yes 286 square inches Rust-resistant materials Charcoal smoking Not specified Moderate
3 Pit Barrel Cooker Co. Classic Pit Barrel Smoker
No Not specified (vertical design) Durable steel with porcelain enamel Vertical barrel smoking Not specified High (set it and forget it)
5 Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill
Yes 180 square inches Durable stainless steel TRU-Infrared technology Up to 25 pounds High
1

Weber 711001 Smokey Mountain Cooker 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker

Built-in Temperature Control
Yes
Cooking Area
286 square inches
Material
Rust-resistant materials
Cooking Method
Charcoal smoking
Weight Capacity
Not specified
Ease of Use
Moderate
3

Pit Barrel Cooker Co. Classic Pit Barrel Smoker

Built-in Temperature Control
No
Cooking Area
Not specified (vertical design)
Material
Durable steel with porcelain enamel
Cooking Method
Vertical barrel smoking
Weight Capacity
Not specified
Ease of Use
High (set it and forget it)
5

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

Built-in Temperature Control
Yes
Cooking Area
180 square inches
Material
Durable stainless steel
Cooking Method
TRU-Infrared technology
Weight Capacity
Up to 25 pounds
Ease of Use
High

Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Smokers

What makes a bbq smokers the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your bbq smokers recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of bbq smokers?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.