The Best Smoker for Beginners
Best smoker for beginners. Are you a beginner smoker looking for the right smoker? Stop looking! This detailed guide will help you choose the best starter alternatives. We’ll discuss charcoal and electric smoker features, advantages, and concerns. This guide will help you pick the finest beginning smoker, whether you’re a BBQ fan or a chef.
The Top Picks for Novice Smokers. If you’re new to smoking and want to know what your best alternatives are, you’ve found the ideal site! You’ve finally made up your mind to purchase a smoker, but the sheer number of choices available makes your head spin. Perhaps you’re in the market for a present but have no clue what to look for.
If you’re just starting with smoking and aren’t sure if you want to use charcoal, gas, an electric smoker, or pellets, don’t stress about it too much. We’ll break down the available choices so you can make an informed decision. To save yourself the hassle of a bad purchase, you should read on to learn about the best smokes for beginners.
Contents
- 1 Our Top Picks
- 2 Best Smoker for Beginners in 2025
- 2.1 1. Best Overall: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill
- 2.2 2. Best for Beginners: Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
- 2.3 3. Best on a Budget: Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker
- 2.4 4. Best Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combo
- 2.5 5. Best High-End: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill
- 3 HOW TO GET STARTED SMOKING
- 4 THE BEST SMOKER FOR BEGINNERS FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS
- 5 FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST SMOKER FOR BEGINNERS
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill
- Best for Beginners: Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
- Best on a Budget: Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker
- Best Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill
- Best High-End: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill
Best Smoker for Beginners in 2025
1. Best Overall: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Digital Charcoal Grill
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The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is a powerful digital charcoal grill and smoker designed for serious BBQ enthusiasts. With 1,050 square inches of cooking space, it accommodates large meals effortlessly. The GravityFed™ hopper allows up to 8 hours of cooking time, while digital controls and WiFi/Bluetooth app connectivity provide precise temperature management. It reaches 700°F in just 15 minutes, making it incredibly efficient. The ability to grill, smoke, sear, bake, and roast makes it versatile. However, occasional issues with the fan and app connectivity have been reported. Overall, it’s a top-tier choice for those wanting charcoal flavor with digital convenience.
Specs:
- Cooking Area: 1,050 square inches
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Temperature Range: 150°F – 700°F
- Digital control panel and WiFi/App connectivity
- Gravity-fed charcoal system
Pros:
- Large cooking area, ideal for hosting or meal prepping
- Easy-to-use digital controls and app connectivity
- High maximum temperature for searing and smoking
- Gravity-fed system maintains consistent heat
Cons:
- High price point for beginners
- Requires regular maintenance and cleaning
2. Best for Beginners: Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
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The Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker is a classic charcoal smoker known for delivering authentic smoked flavors. Its porcelain-enameled body retains heat well, and the two cooking grates provide ample space for ribs, brisket, or poultry. The built-in lid thermometer helps monitor temperature, while the dampers offer precise heat control. It’s easy to assemble and has a water pan to maintain moisture for long smoking sessions. While some users find temperature management tricky for beginners, it’s highly reliable once mastered. This smoker is ideal for those who prefer traditional charcoal smoking with a simple yet effective design.
Specs:
- Cooking Area: 481 square inches
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Temperature Range: 180°F – 300°F
- Built-in Lid Thermometer
- Porcelain-enameled body for heat retention
Pros:
- Classic and reliable charcoal smoker
- Easy to use with simple vent controls
- Compact and portable
- Durable build with excellent heat retention
Cons:
- Limited cooking space for large gatherings
3. Best on a Budget: Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker
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The Masterbuilt Charcoal Bullet Smoker is a compact and budget-friendly option for smoking meats at home. It features a 395-square-inch cooking area across two racks, a built-in temperature gauge, and an easy-access charcoal pan. The porcelain-coated steel body provides decent heat retention. It’s lightweight and great for beginners, though maintaining consistent temperature can be challenging without frequent adjustments. Some users also report issues with airflow and charcoal consumption. Despite minor drawbacks, it’s a solid entry-level smoker for those looking to experiment with charcoal smoking without breaking the bank.
Specs:
- Cooking Area: 395 square inches
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Temperature Range: 180°F – 350°F
- Two cooking grates
- Built-in temperature gauge
Pros:
- Affordable entry-level smoker
- Compact and easy to store
- Simple setup and operation
Cons:
- Smaller cooking space
- Lacks digital controls or automation
4. Best Electric Smoker: Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker Combo
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The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 offers the perfect balance between digital convenience and traditional charcoal flavor. With a 560-square-inch cooking surface, it’s great for family cookouts. The GravityFed™ hopper holds enough charcoal for hours of cooking, while the digital control panel and app connectivity allow precise temperature control. It reaches 700°F in 13 minutes, making it excellent for smoking, grilling, and searing. The included cover adds protection from the elements. However, some users note fan and temperature fluctuations and occasional app connectivity issues. Overall, it’s an excellent mid-range option for those wanting the ease of digital controls with the taste of real charcoal.
Specs:
- Cooking Area: 560 square inches
- Fuel Type: Charcoal
- Temperature Range: 150°F – 700°F
- Digital control panel and WiFi/App connectivity
- Gravity-fed charcoal system
Pros:
- Digital temperature control for ease of use
- Fast heat-up time
- Versatile for smoking, grilling, and searing
Cons:
- Requires frequent charcoal refills
5. Best High-End: Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill
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The Traeger Pro 780 is a high-tech wood pellet grill and smoker that delivers unmatched wood-fired flavor. It boasts WiFIRE® technology, allowing users to control the grill remotely via the Traeger app. With a 780-square-inch cooking area, it easily handles large meals. The temperature maxes out at 500°F, making it suitable for grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising, and BBQing. The D2 Direct Drive system ensures consistent heat and smoke production. While pellet consumption is high at max heat, and WiFi connection can be spotty, its set-it-and-forget-it functionality makes it one of the best pellet grills for both beginners and experts.
Specs:
- Cooking Area: 780 square inches
- Fuel Type: Wood pellets
- Temperature Range: Up to 500°F
- WiFi/App connectivity with digital controls
- 6-in-1 cooking versatility
Pros:
- Set-and-forget operation with digital controls
- WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring
- Even and consistent heat distribution
- Large cooking area
Cons:
- Higher cost than traditional charcoal smokers
Related category: how to choose the best smoking machine for beginners
HOW TO GET STARTED SMOKING
Now that you have a smoker, you can get the party started! Read these guidelines for novice smokers before lighting up your cigarette. Don’t go for the big brisket right away; ease into it. Instead, I recommend starting with a less expensive and more beginner-friendly piece of beef.
One of the finest things about barbecuing is seasoning it any way you choose. You shouldn’t ignore this because you’re just starting. Keep your distance. You’ll need some time with your smoker before you feel comfortable using it. Don’t try to let the food cook by itself just yet!
THE BEST SMOKER FOR BEGINNERS FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS
What is the best type of smoker for beginners?
Pellet grill smokers and electric and gas smokers are among the easiest to use as they can maintain a consistent temperature with minimal help from the chef. These types of smokers also don’t require adding fuel during the smoking process.
Is a smoker easy to use?
Pellet grill smokers, electric, gas, gravity-fed, and portable smokers offer the easiest process of smoking food. Direct temperature control on these smokers makes the process simple. Most of these smokers can also replenish wood externally. There is a range of factors when it comes to how easy a smoker is to use.
What are the best materials for a smoker?
Whatever material you choose to use, it needs to be durable enough to withstand the temperatures. It needs to take the abuse over time and not contain parts that will break down or produce fumes. Stone, brick, and metal are all good choices.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST SMOKER FOR BEGINNERS
Do you want the greatest smoked chicken ever? Once you’ve determined the ideal grill for your requirements, you should always prioritize safety. Making sure the meat is at the ideal internal temperature is the first step in smoking it. You don’t want anybody to become ill.
The second most important consideration is to enjoy yourself. Start with tried and true recipes, then venture out to create your own as you gain confidence. Leave a comment telling me which smoking device you’ve decided to purchase. Did you choose one of our top-rated starter cigarettes?
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