A Beginner’s Guide To BBQ Smokers

Hey there my BBQing newbies and welcome to a beginners guide to BBQ smokers. So, if you are new this whole BBQ and smoking thing, then, as you have probably guessed, you will need to invest in a smoker in which to create your low and slow delicacies – wow, that was a lot of fancy words. However in simple terms, you need a smoker to smoke meat!

The thing is , that when it comes to BBQ everyone has an opinion and/or preference as to what type of smoker you should purchase. I myself started with a charcoal smoker and moved to a pellet smoker as I was after the set and forget aspects of it all. Wood smoking afficionados however will probably tell you that offset types are the best as you can really manage your craft which results in a superior outcome.

Pellet Smokers
Charcoal Smokers
Offset Smokers
Electric Smokers

Propane Smokers
Kamado Grills

A Beginners Guide To BBQ Smokers – Smoker Types

Personally, I think that as long as you have some type of protein in some type of smoker, then you are ahead of the game. So to help you out, here is a list of your options:

1. Pellet Smokers

Pellets smokers are ideal for beginners due to the fact that they offer a ‘set and forget’ aspect to BBQ. They are fueled by pre made pellets and that are fed from a hopper into a burn pot using an auger. The pellets are ignited by an electric heating element where an internal fan circulates heat and smoke throughout the cooking chamber.

The temperature is controlled electronically, which again, makes it perfect for beginners as temperature control is one less thing they need to worry about.

Pros:

Precise temperature control via digital panels.
Versatile, capable of smoking, grilling, baking, and roasting.
Produces great smoke flavor with minimal effort.

Cons:

Requires electricity to operate.
Can be expensive compared to other types of smokers – pellets aint always cheap.
May not produce as intense a smoke flavor as some other smoker types.

Check out my: Best Pellet Smokers under $500

beginners guide to BBQ smokers.- Traeger pellet smoker- Traeger Pro Series 22

2. Charcoal Smokers

As the name suggests, charcoal smokers use charcoal as the primary heat source and often include wood chunks or chips for added smoke flavor. These require a little more work than pellet smokers however are still not a bad options for beginners.

Charcoal is easy to burn and the heat can be managed by the amount you add – in fact many manufacturers will outline the number of ‘lumps’ needed for particular temperatures on the packaging. Additionally, the heat and smoke can be controlled quite easily by adjusting air vents, which regulate airflow and combustion.

Pros:

Produces rich, authentic smoke flavor.
No need for electricity.
Often more affordable than pellet or offset smokers.

Cons:

Requires more attention and skill to maintain a consistent temperature.
Can be messy and time-consuming to clean.
Temperature control is more challenging than with pellet or electric smokers.

3. Offset Smokers

Chances are, if you are watching any sort of BBQ cooking competition or show on television, you will see the participants using an offset smoker. This is the smoker type that has a firebox attached to the side where wood chunks are burned to generate heat and smoke flow into the main cooking chamber, cooking the meat indirectly.

This design allows for great scalability with some even bult onto their own trailers. They are capable of cooking large quantities of food, however, offset smokers require significant attention to control the fire and maintain a consistent temperature.

Pros:

Produces deep, rich smoke flavor.
Great for smoking large quantities of meat.
High heat control flexibility through adjusting the fire and airflow.

Disadvantages:

Requires constant monitoring to maintain the correct temperature.
Can be difficult to use for beginners.
Takes up more space due to its large size.

4. Electric Smokers

Perhaps the simplest option of all for beginners, electric smokers use electricity to power a heating element, which creates heat to cook the food. The BBQ flavor is then generated via wood chips that are placed in a tray above the heating element, which generates smoke.

Electric smokers are incredibly easy to use—just set the temperature and time, and the smoker does the rest. While they don’t produce the same level of smoke flavor as charcoal or wood smokers, they’re ideal for those looking for convenience.

Pros:

Very easy to use with minimal monitoring required.
Consistent temperature control.
No need for fuel management—just plug it in and go.
Good for portable requirements such as camping or picnics

Disadvantages:

Lacks the depth of smoke flavor compared to other types of smokers.
Requires access to electricity.
Typically smaller cooking capacity than charcoal or offset smokers.

5. Propane Smokers

Propane smokers are essentially the same beast as electric smokers above but use a gas burner as the heat source rather than electricity. Smoke is still generated with a tray of wood chips above the burner and the lack of electrical needs may make them better for camping and picnics etc.

Pros:

Easy to use and control, especially for beginners.
Portable and doesn’t require electricity.
Provides consistent temperature control.

Cons:

Lacks the deep smoke flavor of charcoal or offset smokers.
Requires a propane tank, which needs refilling.

6. Kamado Grills

You may have heard the term ‘big green egg’ which is a common nickname for the Kamado grill. Although not always green, these are ceramic, egg-shaped cookers that are highly efficient and can maintain steady temperatures for long periods, making them perfect for smoking meat.

The thick ceramic walls retain heat exceptionally well, allowing you to use less fuel while maintaining consistent temperatures. They can also reach very high temperatures, making them suitable for searing too.

My friend has one of these and swears it is the easiest thing he has ever used to smoke foods on which makes them another good choice for beginners – albeit with a high price tag compared to others listed here.

Advantages:

Retains heat extremely well, requiring less fuel.
Versatile: can be used for smoking, grilling, baking, and more.
Produces excellent smoke flavor with minimal effort.
Make for a good pizza oven as well as a smoker.

Disadvantages:

Can be heavy and challenging to move.
Often more expensive than other smoker types.

Which Smoker is Right for You?

Look, as a beginner, you could rightfully pick any of the above and with a little research and practice, master it over time. I actually started out with a charcoal smoker myself and whilst it took a bit of time (and some really big failures at cook time), I did manage to get it working quite well. I then went to pellet smoker because I wasn’t using the charcoal smoker as much as I simply didn’t have the time to monitor it all day:

For your own consideration, here is a breakdown:

For Beginners: Consider a pellet smoker, electric smoker, or propane smoker for ease of use and the ability to “set and forget”.
For Purists: If you really want to do traditional BBQ and the long learning curve that goes with it, go for a charcoal smoker or offset smoker.
For Versatility: If you want a smoker that can also grill and bake, a kamado grill is a great choice – the learning curve is not as steep as the purist option but you will need to learn about charcoal loads etc.

Conclusion

There you have it, a newbies guide to smoker options. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below. I would also love to hear abut your smoker purchasing considerations as well.

Are there any other products you have been looking at but want to know more about? If so, please comment below and I will do my best to get some details for you.

Until next time

Have fun and get smoking!

Paul