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Bring that authentic smoky flavor to your backyard.
Credit: Southern Living/Russell Kilgore
They are likely smoking something and it is probably tender and delicious.
But you dont have to gooutto get that smoky bliss.
The Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill came with an 8-inch grounded cord, ample for all applications we tried.
Credit: Southern Living
All modes were straightforward and intuitive on both the control panel and the app.
We did love the clear instructions and support that come with this grill.
They are as convenient as an electric smoker but offer the smoky flavor of a charcoal or wood smoker.
The Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill was easy to maneuver despite its weight.Credit: Southern Living
Who Its For:Anyone who wants a low-maintenance, set-it-and-forget-it-style smoker.
The sturdy steel construction and ample 710 square inches of cooking area come at a budget price.
Overall, the simple, beginner-friendly operation coupled with an affordable price makes this a great buy.
Plus, cleanup is a breezewho wants to scrub the grill after youve been smoking dinner for hours?
This, coupled with the indirect cooking required when smoking, led to uneven cooking times.
When it came to the cleaning tests, we found the PK Grills was the most effortless.
And it will last you a lifetime.
We found that the rubberized feet on all legs created a very stable surface, even on uneven ground.
Though pricey, we feel the durability of this smoker is reflective of the product’s overall value.
We were impressed with precise temperature adjustments in 5-degree increments up to 450F throughout testing.
They come fully loaded with all the bells and whistles.
They constantly monitor your cooking temperatures, smoke, and internal protein temperatures, all while self-fueling the pit.
For performance testing, we evaluated heat distribution, temperature regulation, and smoke leakage.
We also looked at maneuverability and ease of use when loading the fuel.
Finally, we thoroughly cleaned each smoker according to the manufacturers instructions.
We noted whether the drip pan was large enough to catch all or most drippings.
In the end, we took all the data and evaluated the value of each smoker.
Southern Living
Tips for Choosing the Right Smoker
Size
For Botello bigger is better.
If you want to smoke multiple proteins at the same time, a larger cooking surface will be required.
Kamado grills, like theBig Green Eggfrom our list, also offer the versatility of grilling and smoking.
We loved the amount of smoke it produced and how that flavored the chicken wings.
We added charcoal and wood easily through the front door, and the sturdy legs provided stability.
However, this was one of the easiest-to-clean smokers in our testing.
We appreciated that it came apart in various pieces and that all the interior components were removable.
The propane tank was also easy to attach with a large knob for tightening.
We appreciated the three cooking grates that provided ample cooking space.
We smoked up to 40 wings at a time and they had a good smoky flavor.
We did appreciate the lightweight construction that allowed easy lifting and transport despite lacking wheels.
Credit: Southern Living
The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker has a sturdy steel construction and a generous cooking area for a budget price.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Southern Living
The PK Grills Original PK300 has a two-wheeled design coupled with a light, 60-pound body that makes transporting it easy.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Southern Living
The Big Green Egg is heavy and difficult to move, but the rubberized feet on all legs created a very stable surface, even on uneven ground.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Southern Living
The Traeger Tailgater has foldable legs, wheels, and a handle so you can bring it along for tailgating, camping trips, or more.Credit: Southern Living
We evaluated each smoker on its heat distribution, temperature regulation, and smoke leakage.Credit:Southern Living
The Cuisinart Vertical Propane Smoker produced wings with a good smoky flavor, but its thin walls led to fast heat loss, requiring frequent adjustments.Credit:Southern Living
