When you speak about summer, some of the most common things that people talk about include fun in the pool, playing games outdoors while enjoying the sun, and of course, the smell of fresh barbeque aroma in the backyard.
With this, if there is one thing that you need at home to make summers more memorable, and to impress your family and friends with the food that you will serve them, it would be the pellet smoker.
If you need a pellet smoker, which one should you buy? Because they come in all shapes and sizes, it is important to never make a decision in haste. Make sure to find time to evaluate the possibilities as you would surely not want to waste your money with a product that will not be able to deliver exceptional quality and functionality.
Are you looking for the best pellet smoker that is avaialble in the market today? We will help you reach a well-informed decision by providing you with insights on some of the most important factors that should be taken into consideration. We will discuss and reviews five of the best choices that can be taken into consideration.
- 700 sq. in. total cooking surface.
- Porcelain coated cast iron grids.
- Digitally controlled burn system.
- Fueled by 100% natural wood pellets.
- Never Use Gas or Charcoal Again: Cooking with wood just tastes better. Traeger created the original wood-pellet grill as the ultimate way to achieve wood-fired taste
- Versatile Barbecue Cooking: Hot and fast, or low and slow, the Traeger Junior Elite pellet grill offers 6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and bbq food to juicy perfection
- Grilled to Perfection Every Time: Integrated Digital Elite Controller keeps temps within +/- 20 degrees F and makes setting the grill temperature as easy as turning a dial
- Easy and Predictable: The Traeger Junior Elite offers consistency you can trust, allowing you to craft amazing wood-fired creations time and time again with the ease of set it and forget it
- Great for Home, Camping, and Tailgating: Enjoy 300 sq. in. of portable grilling space that can accommodate up to 12 burgers, 2 whole chickens, or 3 racks of ribs
- Includes Sense-Mate, a thermal sensor which constantly monitors grill temperature
- Portable, Folded Legs Double as Handles
- 110V or 12V with adaptors for 3 Power Options
- Ultimate Tailgating Grill
Last update on 2018-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker
Being manufactured by one of the most popular brands within the product category, you have sufficient reason to believe that this will make an excellent pick for the best pellet smoker.
It comes with a total cooking surface of 290 square inches from its main chamber. It also comes with a firebox cooking chamber, which has a size of 140 square inches.
It has an integratedsmokestack, which is basically a pipe in vertical position. It has adjustable dampers, which will make it easy for you to adjust heat and smoke depending on what is preferred.
The pellet smoker comes with an ergonomic design, which makes it excellent in terms of being user-friendly.
It has cool touch handle that will allow you to have a firm grip of the smoker without burning your hand.
It also has a shelf on the size with just the right size, providing you with an ample amount of space for warming.
The smoker also comes with grates that are made with porcelain coating. The latter is basically the one that is responsible for being able to resist stain. This is also the reason why cleaning such will be effortless.
2. REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill
If there is one reason why you should choose this for the best pellet smoker, it would be the Smart Grill Technology, an innovative feature that is exclusive to the manufacturer.
The smoker comes with a touchpad that is pressure-sensitive, making it easy to set the temperature and have it maintained throughout the duration of its use.
It also has PID algorithm, another proprietary technology that can maintain constant temperature.
The manufacturer provides a 6-year limited warranty for this smoker, which can be considered as one of the most extensive within the product category.
The exterior of the smoker also comes with commendable construction, making it exceptional when it comes to durability. One of the first things that you will notice will be the stainless steel logo.
It also has handles made from micro-polished stainless steel and shelves on the side and bottom for generous storage space.
This is an ideal choice if you are looking for a smoker with large size as it comes with 702 square inches of cooking area. The headroom is at 9.5 inches, which will make it more than enough even for smoking turkeys.
3. Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Grill and Smoker BBQ with Digital Controls and Stainless Temp Probe
When it comes to ease of use, this will definitely prove to be an option that is exceptional.
Aside from the electronic start ignition, it also comes with dual LED temperature readout. It will be easy to monitor temperature settings and be assured of consistent outcomes.
It is also a good thing that the controls are digital, which makes its operations more intuitive.
In the conventional models of smokers that are available in the market, removing ashes is one of the problems commonly raised by many users. There is no more need to lift the top part of the lid.
There is an integrated knob. Once you have it pulled, it will drop on a clean-out can. This is going to make it easy for you to clean the unit after every use.
As a commendable pick for the best pellet smoker, it is also excellent because it is easy to monitor the right temperature. There is no need to lift the lid, which can cause the smoke to escape and can make smoking inconsistent. You simply have to stick it on the meat and easily monitor its temperature.
3. Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Grill and Smoker BBQ with Digital Controls and Stainless Temp Probe
When it comes to ease of use, this will definitely prove to be an option that is exceptional.
Aside from the electronic start ignition, it also comes with dual LED temperature readout. It will be easy to monitor temperature settings and be assured of consistent outcomes.
It is also a good thing that the controls are digital, which makes its operations more intuitive.
In the conventional models of smokers that are available in the market, removing ashes is one of the problems commonly raised by many users. There is no more need to lift the top part of the lid.
There is an integrated knob. Once you have it pulled, it will drop on a clean-out can. This is going to make it easy for you to clean the unit after every use.
As a commendable pick for the best pellet smoker, it is also excellent because it is easy to monitor the right temperature. There is no need to lift the lid, which can cause the smoke to escape and can make smoking inconsistent. You simply have to stick it on the meat and easily monitor its temperature.
4. Traeger Pellet Grills BBQ155.01 19.5K BTU Pellet Grill
If you research about the history of pellet smokers, you will find that Traeger is the brand that has started it all.
By being made by a pioneer in the industry, there is no doubt that this will be an option that you will not regret for the pellet smoker.
Compared to those that have been mentioned earlier, it comes with a smaller cooking area, which is only 292 square inches.
If you are a small family and if you do not smoke frequently, such size should not be a problem.
To make this fare well when it comes to ease of use, it comes with an electronic auto start. Once the switch is turned on, the pellet will automatically be heated and will be fed directly to the auger. The induction fan and auger will work together to provide consistent heat.
The digital thermostat control is one more thing that gives this an edge above others within the competition. Guesswork can be eliminated and you can be assured of consistent results all the time. The temperature is automatically detected to determine the right amount of pellets that will be fed.
5. Camp Chef PG24S Pellet Grill and Smoker Deluxe
This product is built with the needs of home smokers in mind. Even if you have not smoked anything in the past, you will not have any problem in the use of this product as it comes with a user-friendly design.
It has a temperature readout to ensure consistency and to eliminate the need to keep guessing.
The Ash Cup Clean Out System is one more reason why it will make an exceptional pick for the best pellet smoker.
This is a patented technology and basically the one that is responsible for making it effortless to take out ash.
One more thing that you will enjoy with this product is the diverse heat range. With this, you can easily select the temperature that is perfect for how you want to use the product, whether it is for grilling or smoking.
The pellet hopper is also commendable because of its large capacity. With this, there is no need for frequent refilling of pellets. One load will already be good for an extended period of smoking.
What Makes Pellet Smokers Different
By now, most of you are most probably wondering what a pellet smoker is and what makes it different from other smokers in the marketplace.
The biggest difference, as the name implies, is the use of wood pellets in smoking.
Pellets are from sawdust and wood shavings, which are traditionally used in furnaces. With such, the wood pellets are used as the primary agent for creating smoke.
For many people, the use of wood pellets is preferred over other materials for smoking basically because it is all-natural. No petroleum, binders, and chemicals are used, yet they can deliver excellent smoking performance and robust flavor.
There will also be no flare-ups and the ash produced after every smoking will be minimal. It produces a natural smoky flavor without the need to use wood chips.
Benefits of Using Pellet Smokers
If you are wondering why you should own one, the following are some of the reasons that might convince you to immediately look for the best pellet smoker available in the market today:
- Ease of Use: Generally speaking, all pellet smokers are easy to use. All that you have to do is plug the smoker, add pellets, and set the desired temperature. At the end of the day, however, this will still all depend on the specific model of the pellet smoker that will be chosen.
- Consistent Temperature: When it comes to smoking, maintaining consistent temperature is essential to achieve the best outcomes. Luckily, such will never be a problem if you are using a dependable pellet smoker.
- Versatility: Do not make the mistake of thinking that pellet smokers are made specifically for the purpose of grilling. They are preferred by many because they are multifunctional. You can also use it for barbequing, roasting, and grilling, among others.
- Variety of Flavors: The flavor of whatever you will smoke will depend on the pellets that will be used. Some of the most popular include pecan, cherry, maple, apple, hickory, alder, and bourbon.
- Keeps Food Moist: Another good thing about pellet smokers is their ability to retain the moisture that is found in the food being smoked, especially meat. Unlike in the case of other smokers, you never have to worry about dryness.
Factors to Consider in Choosing the Best Pellet Smoker
To easily differentiate the options that you will be confronted with, make sure to consider the factors that will be mentioned below.
- Price: It is undeniable that most people will use this as the basis of the decision that they will make. If you are on a budget, make sure to settle with one that has minimal accessories and functions. On the other hand, if you do not worry about your budget, look for those with more extensive functionality, which will allow you to maximize the use of your pellet smoker.
- Space: To decide on the right size of the pellet smoker to purchase, consider the available space in your house. In addition, consider the quality of what you will smoke. Do not buy one that is too large for your needs or for the space that is available at home.
- Durability: The best pellet smoker is one that will be able to withstand the test to time, even if it is used for frequent smoking. Take a look at the materials that are used and see to it that they will be long-lasting.
- Ease of Use: Look at the different features of the pellet smoker and see to it that it will be user-friendly. Especially if you have not used a smoker before, you might end up being frustrated and not using your pellet smoker after the first failed try.
- Ease of Cleaning: In order to prolong the functional life of your pellet smoker, it is important to have it cleaned thoroughly right after every use. If it is hard to clean, dirt will accumulate on the surface and this will have a negative impact on its functionality.
- Warranty: Many people who are shopping for the best pellet smoker will most probably not consider this in spite of its importance. If there is an extensive warranty, this is tantamount into the commitment of the manufacturer to ensure that their product will last long.
- Portability: This will make it easy for you to transfer the smoker from one place to another. More often than not, for it to be portable, the product is integrated with wheels. In addition, being lightweight will also have an impact on its portability.
- Feedbacks: At the end of the day, do not forget to consult with what other people have to say, mostly in the form of online reviews. Through their experiences, it will be easier to weigh the pros and cons of the options that you will be confronted with.
Conclusion
Looking for the best pellet smoker should not be a hard task and more importantly, you should never make a decision in haste. If you are unsure about which one to pick, keep in mind the options that we have enumerated below. From our reviews and based on the feedbacks provided by others, you can be confident that they are indeed some of the best within the product category.
