8 Best Charcoal Smokers in 2024 [Ultimate Buyer’s Guide]

During this season, people are staying indoors more than going outside due to pandemic conditions. So, why not try something at home like the best charcoal smokers on the market? With a charcoal smoker, you can enjoy a restaurant-style BBQ at home. 

Have you ever wondered why steak and bacon taste so good in restaurants? It is a fact that doing BBQ at home using a charcoal smoker has its charm and fun that cannot be denied. 

Charcoal smokers are ideal if you are looking for the perfect smoked meat of all time, but don’t have room for a full-on smokehouse in your backyard. In this article, we will reveal the best charcoal smokers you can even own at home. 

Reviews of The Best Charcoal Smokers

Before diving into the reviews from the experts, I recommend you check out the comparison table for a quick overview of all the smokers.

Image	Product	Feature	Price
Top Pick	Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker	Plated Steel Cooking Grates, Rust Resistant Metal Legs, Automatic Temperature Controller	Check Price
	Masterbuilt MB20040220 Gravity	Two Porcelain Coated Smoking Racks, 560Sq inch Cooking Space, Reversible Smoke Feature for High and Low Cooking Temperature	Check Price
	Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal	314sq inches cooking space, Solid Steel Construction, Adjustable top and Bottom Heat Dampers to Control Temperature	Check Price
	Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill	Well-Sealed Airtight, 22-inch Grilling Surface, Precision Heat Control	Check Price
	Cuisinart Vertical Smoker	Latched Base and vertical hinge door make it sturdy and durable, Ash Cup for easy cleaning, Dual Air Vent System	Check Price
	Dyna-Glo 36″ Vertical Charcoal Smoker	Digital Thermometer, 784sq inch Cooking Space, Vertical Design & Narrow Footprint	Check Price
	PK Grills Original PK Grill & Smoke	Airtight Seal Provides Full Control on Temperature, Dual Shelf System, Grill+Smoker	Check Price
	Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package	Easy to use, Cooking capacity Depend on Accessories, Cooks Quickly	Check Price

1. Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker is the best smoker that you can own at your home. This smoker will render meat that falls right off the bone and the first savory bite that makes the experience worth every minute.

Sometimes we want to go for a simple unique look and this is the best smoker in that sense. It got the highest rating on different platforms and we assure you that it is worth spending money on. 

Main Sections

If we talk about sections of this recommended charcoal smoker there are three main sections of these smokers. The lower section has three adjustable air vents to control the airflow that controls the temperature of the smoker. 

The middle section is the cooking section which contains a water pan, an access door for adding charcoal, and two cooking grates. The upper section is a dome that has a built-in thermometer so that you may keep checking whether your food is cooked or not. 

Larger Cooking Capacity

This smoker has enough cooking space to cook large amounts of food. The 18″ model has two 18-1/2″ wide cooking grates for a total of 481 square inches of cooking space so you can fit a lot of food. It is also a good idea to purchase rib racks to accommodate more food on this charcoal smoker.

Constructed with Excellence

Two nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates are included with this porcelain-enameled steel smoker. It includes a water pan, a thermometer, individual vents on the bowl and lid, and a heat-resistant nylon handle. One whole turkey or ham can be cooked simultaneously inside.

Check out the complete list of the best Weber grills available on the market.

Read Also: How to Smoke on a Charcoal Grill?

2. Masterbuilt MB20040220 Gravity Series 560 – Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker

Masterbuilt smokers are the most loved by reviewers due to their unique and modern look. Its multi-functional features make this product more desirable. You also can grill, sear, and make charcoal-fired pizza with it. Not only is this charcoal smoker great for making smoked brisket, but it also works well for grilling.

Digital Charcoal Smoker

It allows you to set the temperature digitally as per your food demand. You can set the temperature easily on the control panel. There is another feature that is more convenient and technological to connect with Smartphone App. The temperature control is in your own smartphone and it is compatible with Bluetooth and Wifi. 

Easy to Light Up

This Best Charcoal Smoker from Masterbuilt Gravity has a built-in meat probe thermometer and temperature gauge for perfect barbecue results. The double chamber cooking wall lets your food cook completely and the app generates a message when the temperature is too high or too low. 

Loading Of Charcoal and Wood

All of the best flavors seem to come from charcoal and wood. This Smoker has to make loading a dream come true. It is quite easy to load charcoal and wood because there is a separate charcoal loader. The cooking space is larger than its competitors in the market. 

Its temperature can reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit within 13 minutes. Gravity-fed can hold 10lbs of Charcoal and 16lbs of briquettes and you can add both at the same time for more smoky flavored food. You have to change charcoal and briquettes after 12 hours of use.

Read Also: How to use a Vertical Charcoal Smoker?

3. Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal

Kamado Charcoal Smoker Grill is quite popular due to its innovative and unique design as compared to its competitors. Their designs have a unique classic look which makes them more demanding. With a great design, it also has some unique features and functionalities. Cooking temperatures can be maintained from 200-700 degrees Fahrenheit on this versatile grill and smoker made from triple-walled 22 gauge steel.

Affordable Product

This is the most affordable smoker if you want something on your budget and pretty sturdy. The traditional heavy-duty Ceramic which is mostly used in other smokers has been replaced by lighter double-wall 22 gauge steel. 

It enhances the durability of this charcoal smoker making it the best and most affordable. Exterior surfaces are finished with powder-coated steel, while the interiors are finished with porcelain-coated steel. So, you don’t have to worry about the quality of the smoker. 

Cast Iron Cooking Grates

The cast iron grates of this charcoal smoker are made of solid cast iron and have a handy removable center section that allows you to drop wood chunks directly onto the coals as needed. Although the warming grate isn’t as sturdy as it could be, an 8lb piece of meat should still be no problem.

Temperature Control is Easy

It is very easy to control the temperature with top and bottom adjustable dampers. It maintains an even temperature in the smoker for evenly cooked food. The triple wall lets heat remain constant throughout the cooking. The temperature range of this smoker is from  200-700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Read Also: Pellet Smoker vs Charcoal Smoker: Which is Better?

4. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

A product from Webber is again among our top recommendations for the best charcoal smoker. Weber is among the most trusted companies as far as Charcoal smokers are concerned. The Webber has turned a kettle into a smoker amazingly known as a Weber kettle. 

Solid, Durable Material

Solid, durable construction makes this product the best among other smokers. The body is formed from pressed steel sheets, which are then coated with porcelain enamel. You should be able to grill on it for many years without it rusting. Be sure to cover your grill if you intend to leave it outside.

Portable

The wheels attach to its base, making this one of the best portable smokers. The wheels used in this smoker are of high quality and the material in the kettle doesn’t move while moving the smoker. It is lightweight and its parts are dishwasher safe. 

Easy Setup

As the kettle is small compared to other smokers. Keep adding briquettes and charcoal after an hour. This setup takes a regular grill and turns it into a bonafide smoker. It produces great food and is extremely cost-effective. The hooks make organizing and accessing grilling tools very convenient.

Read Also: How To Grill Mushrooms at Home?

5. Cuisinart Vertical Smoker

Charcoal Smokers from Cuisinart are very popular among consumers. They are built sturdily and with proper care they can last for many years. It is a very effective tool to try this season and enjoy some delicious smokey food with a Cuisinart vertical smoker. It has all the features that are required in a  Best Charcoal Smoker. A grill kitchen with this smoker is a great addition to any outdoor space, and it’s ideal for serving delicious yummy smokey food to your guests.

Ideal for Cooking All Types of Food

Cuisinart Charcoal Smoker is an excellent option for people searching for a charcoal smoker that can prepare a variety of foods. It is suitable for both home and picnic use. It has a cooking and grilling surface of 402 inches, which is sufficient to cook a large amount of food. All sizes of the smoker are available, including 16 inches, 18 inches, etc. Charcoal smokers with larger cooking surfaces would offer more cooking space. 

Stainless-steel two-tiered racks

The Cuisinart 16-inch Charcoal Smoker comes with two steel wire racks, which can be stacked within the cooking chamber. You can cook meat twice by cooking food on stainless steel two-tiered racks for delicious smokey food. You can smoke fish, meat, vegetables, or even a whole chicken. It is easy to access the water bowl and lower the grate through a door. 

Two Air Vents

Heat can be trapped inside the smoker with the introduction of two air vents. Controlling the amount of heat is in your own hands. If there is more heat trapped inside the smoker then open the vents to control the temperature.

Read Also: Char Broil Vs Weber: Which is the best grill?

6. Dyna-Glo 36″ Vertical Charcoal Smoker

In terms of Size and cooking space, this is the best charcoal smoker among the above-mentioned smokers. It is designed in a way that doesn’t take up much space. Despite a narrow footprint, the design allows the smoker to enjoy perfect smoking in a comfortable environment.

Adjustable Racks

It has four cooking grates that can be adjusted. There is a total cooking surface area of 784 square inches. The charcoal and wood chips are also placed above the coals for added smoke to cook rich smoky-flavored food. This smoker comes with a steel ash pan that you can use at the bottom to make the cleaning process easier. 

Easy to Assemble

This charcoal smoker has 38 unassembled parts. So don’t worry when you see the package. Stay calm and keep reading, we are sharing the link for your easy understanding.

Additional Features

It features two-door one door is for the cooking area and the other door is for fire tending. The doors have additional latches to stop leakage. With a smoke zone on the stainless temperature gauge, you can determine the ideal temperature to infuse smoke flavor into food. 

Also Reviewed: 8 Best Wood Pellet Smokers in 2024

7. PK Grills Original PK Grill & Smoke

PK grills charcoal smokers earned the highest rating for their exceptional performance and sturdy construction. This charcoal smoker has a pretty design that is really attractive, and it makes a great addition to your kitchen. 

Cooking Zones

The product is ideal for cooking and grilling meat quickly. Aside from its cute design, it has some great features that are difficult to find in charcoal smokers. It has 2 cooking points that are connected with its unique shape making this product ideal for both direct and indirect cooking. 

4-Point Venting System 

Inside the grill capsule, the four-point cooking system allows for exceptional airflow. You need to pay attention to whether it is able to maintain heat properly before purchasing. It shows how important it is to maintain a constant temperature inside the smoker. 

Safe To Use

It is nickel-plated which is safe to use. A 300 sq inch cooking surface lets you cook enough food for your family. Rustproof indestructible Hinge increases the lifespan of this smoker.

Read Also: Camp Chef vs Traeger: Which is the best pellet grill?

8. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package

This smoker is convenient and durable and its drum shape provides a large cooking space for food. The work here is excellent, and rightly so. This charcoal smoker is unique because of how it cooks vertically. Reducing the cooking time, without regulating temperature or smoke, makes a fantastic barbecue for beginners.

Heavy-Duty Construction

This fire pit is made from 18-gauge steel and coated in porcelain enamel for an extra fiery feel. In addition to eight stainless steel hooks, two steel hanging rods, one grill grate, and a wooden hookbreaker, you will find everything you need right here.

Stress-Free Cooking

You can purchase additional items such as a turkey hanger, hanging basket, and Pit Barrel Co rubs to broaden your repertoire. The unit even comes with pre-drilled mounting holes so you can add a bottle opener. 

This kitchen model is completely designed to meet the needs of a chef. This will ensure that you cook with no stress and have results that a pro would be proud to demonstrate.

Affordable

This charcoal smoker is well-made and simple, and it does everything that it’s supposed to. It is budget-friendly with the best features. It got good ratings among the best charcoal smokers online. So this product is worth buying.

Read Also: Why are built-in grills so expensive?

Before Buying the best Charcoal smoker in 2024 it is good to have some knowledge about the type of smokers available in the market. They all work in the same manner but there is a little bit of difference. So, one must know which type of charcoal smoker is best for you.

1. Kamado Smokers

Kamado Smokers are made of ceramic and have different styles and shapes. It is an insulating material that distributes heat evenly throughout the smoker. This insulation means that there would be less use of charcoal and wood chips.

That’s why it’s considered to be the best smoker for outdoor use. These ovens can be used to cook any type of food. If you are looking for something sturdy then don’t mind spending some more money to get kamado smokers.

2. Vertical Cabinet Smokers

Although most cabinet-style smokers use electricity or gas, you may come across a charcoal model. Smokers of this type allow you to easily access your food and charcoal, unlike bullets and kamados.

The heat from above the cooking chamber of the vertical charcoal smoker causes food to cook faster which makes it ideal for cooking fast-cooking foods. Grilling and searing at a higher temperature are only possible using vertical smokers.

Vertical smokers generally use charcoal and wood, but there are also models that use electricity or gas. Gas and electric vertical smokers are easier to control than charcoal vertical smokers. But if we talk about our recommendation for the reader, vertical smokers made of wood and charcoal are the best. 

3. Bullet Smoker

Bullet Smokers are the most popular smokers among charcoal smokers types. These types of smokers are very famous among consumers. In this type of design, Grill racks store food on top of a water pan, which sits on top of a ring that holds charcoal and any smoking wood. The vertical charcoal smoker stabilizes the temperature and creates a moist smoking environment.

4. Barrel Smokers

Barrel Smokers are Horizontal smokers who have maximum cooking capacity. They are also known as Offset smokers. There is a separate box to add wood chips and charcoal without opening the smoker. It allows direct grilling without installing cooking grates over the fire because these grates are already there. 

Additionally, the large size of the cooking chamber cooks a large amount of food. Neither electrical circuitry nor moving parts can burn out. So, getting an offset smoker is good if you are looking for a sturdy charcoal smoker to cook food for a large gathering.

Charcoal smokers are still the best smokers because of their rich smoky flavor in food and amazing features. Undoubtedly, all the Charcoal smokers are the best that is mentioned- above in the list. 

But according to tradition we have to select our top recommended product for our users. All these smokers are economically good and user-friendly. 

Of the above-mentioned products, the Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker is the top recommendation. A Smokey Mountain charcoal smoker allows you to recreate the authentic smokehouse experience at home. It’s a simple, inexpensive, and efficient charcoal smoker that creates a strong but not overpowering flavor.

Check out our FAQs section, if you still have any queries in your mind.