{"id":611,"date":"2020-06-07T23:36:35","date_gmt":"2020-06-07T15:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/?p=611"},"modified":"2024-03-07T13:33:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T05:33:26","slug":"5-cheap-meat-smokers-for-beginners-a-detailed-guide-with-pricing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/5-cheap-meat-smokers-for-beginners-a-detailed-guide-with-pricing\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Top Smokers for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cheap_smokers_large.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cheap_smokers_large.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cheap_smokers_large-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cheap_smokers_large-768x475.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to smoking meat, there are many options available for beginners to choose from. From affordable kettle grills to expensive offset smokers, it can be overwhelming to decide which type of smoker is the best fit for your needs and budget. In this article, we&#8217;ll go over the pros and cons of different types of smokers to help you make an informed decision on the best one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Smoker Type<\/th><th>Pros<\/th><th>Cons<\/th><th>Price Range<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Kettle Grills<\/td><td>Affordable, can be used with charcoal or lump charcoal, easy to control temperature with the Minion Method or Snake Method<\/td><td>May not produce as much smoke as other smokers, may not be as durable as other types of smokers<\/td><td>$200 and up<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weber Smokey Mountain<\/td><td>Easy to control, well insulated, made with quality construction, fuel efficient<\/td><td>May not be as durable as other types of smokers, may not produce as much smoke as other smokers<\/td><td>$200 to $450<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Electric Smokers<\/td><td>Easy to use, stable temperatures, can be used year-round, convenient for busy days<\/td><td>May not produce as much smoke as other smokers, may not have as much flavor as meat from other types of smokers<\/td><td>Varies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pellet Grills<\/td><td>Easy to use, produce tasty meat, can grill as well as smoke, versatile<\/td><td>Expensive, may not produce as much smoke as other smokers<\/td><td>$1000 and up<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Gas Smokers<\/td><td>Easy to use, set-and-forget, produce better-tasting meat than electric smokers<\/td><td>May need to switch out propane tanks or connect to a natural gas line, may not produce as much smoke as other smokers<\/td><td>Varies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Drum Smokers<\/td><td>Cheap and easy to make at home<\/td><td>Difficult to control temperature, may dry out meat<\/td><td>Varies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kamado Grills<\/td><td>Well insulated, good for temperature control once stabilized<\/td><td>Expensive, can get extremely hot and may be difficult to bring down<\/td><td>$1000 and up<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Offset Smokers<\/td><td>Produce a lot of smoke, can cook large amounts of meat at once<\/td><td>Difficult to control temperature, may be expensive<\/td><td>$500 and up<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Kettle Grills &#8211; The Most Affordable Smoker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Kettle grills can be used as meat smokers by adding some charcoal briquettes, smoking wood, and a meat thermometer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To smoke meat on a kettle grill, use charcoal briquettes for even burning and stable temperature. Alternatively, lump charcoal can be used but will burn unevenly, causing temperature fluctuations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To maintain a consistent temperature, use either the Minion Method or Snake Method for arranging the charcoal. Keep the top vent 3\/4 closed and the bottom vent open a crack, and lay wood across the charcoal to create a steady flow of smoke.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kettle grills are affordable, with new ones costing around $200. Secondhand options can also be found online or through marketplaces. Weber kettle grills are versatile and built to last, making them a good investment for learning the basics of meat smoking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Kettle grills are a great, affordable option for learning the basics of meat smoking. All you need is some charcoal briquettes, smoking wood, and a meat thermometer. While the grill area on a kettle isn&#8217;t as large as other smokers, it can still accommodate larger items such as a turkey or brisket. However, it&#8217;s important to note that Weber kettles can be difficult to control at first, so it&#8217;s best to start with smaller cuts of meat like wings, burgers, and whole chickens until you have a handle on temperature control. Once you&#8217;re comfortable maintaining a consistent temperature between 225\u00b0F to 250\u00b0F, you can move on to smoking larger items like pork butts, turkey, and brisket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/weber_large.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/weber_large.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/weber_large-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/weber_large-768x475.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Smoke Meat on a Kettle Grill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Charcoal briquettes are the best choice for Weber Kettles because they burn evenly, helping to maintain a stable temperature. While lump charcoal can also be used, it burns unevenly, causing temperature fluctuations. Kettle grills often come with two charcoal baskets, which are useful for indirect cooking. Another popular method for arranging the charcoal is the Minion Method or Snake Method. With these techniques, a charcoal Snake or Minion can hold a temperature in the mid-200&#8217;s for several hours with minimal attention. To maintain a slow and stable temperature, keep the top vent 3\/4 closed and the bottom vent open a crack. Lay wood across the Snake or Minion to create a steady flow of smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Do Kettle Grills Cost? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New kettle grills cost around $200 and can be purchased on Amazon or directly from the Weber website. Alternatively, you can find secondhand options through online marketplaces or by searching locally. A secondhand kettle, such as a classic 1989 Weber Kettle, can be a great way to practice the basics of meat smoking before moving on to more expensive pits. Weber grills are versatile and built to last, making them a good investment even if you own other smokers. With proper care, a kettle grill can last for many years. Check out the most up to date prices on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00MKB5TXA?tag=mshq0320-20\">Amazon<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about smoking on a kettle grill, check out another article I have written: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/can-you-smoke-on-a-weber-kettle\/\">Can You Smoke on a Weber Kettle? <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ww5umi9xv_0\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"How To Set Up A Charcoal Grill For Smoking\" title=\"Play video &quot;How To Set Up A Charcoal Grill For Smoking&quot;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ww5umi9xv_0<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ww5umi9xv_0\" title=\"How To Set Up A Charcoal Grill For Smoking\">How To Set Up A Charcoal Grill For Smoking (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ww5umi9xv_0)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Weber Smokey Mountain &#8211; A Good First and Last Pit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Weber Smokey Mountain is a popular and affordable charcoal smoker that is easy to control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is well insulated and made with quality construction, including welds instead of fasteners, resulting in fewer leaks and stable temperatures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is fuel efficient, with users reporting that a full bag of charcoal can last up to 20 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Smokey Mountain is available in three sizes, ranging in price from $200 to $450 depending on the size<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Weber Smokey Mountain is a popular and affordable charcoal smoker that is easy to control and well insulated. It is known for its quality construction, including welds instead of fasteners, which helps to prevent leaks and maintain stable temperatures. The Smokey Mountain is highly fuel efficient, with users reporting that a full bag of charcoal can last up to 20 hours. It is available in three sizes, ranging in price from $200 to $450 on Amazon. The sizes available are 18 inches, 22 inches, and 14 inches (mini).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are interested in learning more about the Weber Smokey Mountain, check out my detailed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/weber-smokey-mountain-the-complete-wsm-guide\/\">Weber Smokey Mountain Review.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rmsJ4yyNd4Y\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Which Weber\u00ae Smokey Mountain Cooker should I buy? 37cm, 47cm or 57cm?\" title=\"Play video &quot;Which Weber\u00ae Smokey Mountain Cooker should I buy? 37cm, 47cm or 57cm?&quot;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rmsJ4yyNd4Y<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rmsJ4yyNd4Y\" title=\"Which Weber\u00ae Smokey Mountain Cooker should I buy? 37cm, 47cm or 57cm?\">Which Weber\u00ae Smokey Mountain Cooker should I buy? 37cm, 47cm or 57cm? (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rmsJ4yyNd4Y)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Electric Smokers &#8211; The Perfect Smoker For Beginners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Electric smokers are the easiest to use, making them perfect for beginners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They have stable temperatures, with no fluctuations, and are easy to control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can be used year-round and are convenient for busy days when you don&#8217;t have time to fire up another smoker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some people say that the meat from electric smokers doesn&#8217;t have as much flavor as meat from other types of smokers, but it is still good and can be enhanced by using a smoking tube<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electric smokers produce less smoke than other smokers, but this can be compensated for by using a smoking tube<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Electric smokers are perfect for beginner due to their ease of use. If you know how to cook a roast in a conventional oven, you can easily smoke meat in an electric smoker. Simply fill the wood tray, place your meat on the grate, set the temperature, and turn it on. Unlike other smokers, electric smokers do not have temperature fluctuations, making them true set-and-forget smokers. Smoking low-and-slow requires a stable temperature of 225\u00b0F to 250\u00b0F, which can be difficult to achieve with a charcoal or wood smoker. However, temperature control is not an issue with electric smokers, as they are the easiest to control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-1-copy-25.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-1-copy-25.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-1-copy-25-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-1-copy-25-768x475.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Convenience.<\/strong>The best thing about electric smokers is that they can be used year-round and on busy days when you don&#8217;t have time to fire up a pit. Owning an electric smoker is especially useful in the colder months when other smokers use a lot of fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How Does the Meat Taste on Electric Smokers?<\/strong> One criticism of electric smokers is that the meat does not taste as good as meat cooked with actual fire. Charcoal and wood smokers produce better-tasting meat because they use actual fire. Electric smokers use a heating element similar to an electric oven. While the meat may have less flavor, this is no reason not to buy an electric smoker. The meat on electrics is still good, especially if you use a smoke tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Not enough smoke.<\/strong> Another common criticism of electric smokers is that they don&#8217;t produce enough smoke. Electric smokers have a wood tray that can be filled with wood chips, but they still produce less smoke compared to other smokers. To get around this, you can use a smoke tube filled with pellets or sawdust for continuous smoke for hours. This is what a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00CS6YFIC?tag=mshq0320-20\">smoking tube<\/a> looks like on Amazon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>lHow Much Is An Electric Smoker?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07CN38M23?tag=mshq0320-20\">Masterbuilt Electric Smokers<\/a> are the best of the bunch in terms of value and quality.&nbsp;You can pick up a decent electric smoker for $200-$300. MES has a devout following online, even by the most hardcore smokers because of their ease of use. The MES is a popular choice on Amazon and has hundreds of reviews.&nbsp;There are many other electric smokers on the market, and all different prices. I\u2019ve written an in-depth article on electric smokers and review a wide range of models. You can find the article here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/electric-smokers-what-are-they-and-some-models-we-like\/\">Are Electric Smokers Good? The Pros &amp; Cons (Plus 6 Models)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kocPi4Drf4o\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"BEST ELECTRIC SMOKERS! (2020)\" title=\"Play video &quot;BEST ELECTRIC SMOKERS! (2020)&quot;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kocPi4Drf4o<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kocPi4Drf4o\" title=\"BEST ELECTRIC SMOKERS! (2020)\">BEST ELECTRIC SMOKERS! (2020) (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kocPi4Drf4o)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Pellet Grills &#8211; Expensive But Great Smoker For Beginners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Pellet grills are a good option for beginners because they are easy to use and produce tasty meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pellet grills are different from electric smokers because they use wood pellets as fuel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wood pellets come in different flavors and add a unique smoke flavor to the meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pellet grills can also grill meat and are more versatile than other smokers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Entry-level pellet grills can cost around $1000, with more expensive options available<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Traeger Pro Series is a popular choice among pellet grill users.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Pellet grills are a great option for beginners due to their ease of use and versatility. They make smoking meat just as simple as electric or gas smokers, but produce tastier results. In addition to smoking meat, pellet grills can also be used for grilling, giving steaks a smoky flavor. Like other set-and-forget smokers, pellet grills allow you to learn all aspects of meat smoking without having to worry about fire management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is a Pellet Grill?<\/strong> Pellet grills are sometimes mistaken for electric smokers, but they are quite different. While they do require electricity to operate, wood pellets are the primary fuel source. These pellets are small capsules of compressed sawdust that are stored in a hopper and fed through an auger into a fire pot. Other smokers, such as kettle grills or drums, get their smoke from a combination of charcoal, wood, and grease dripping onto the fire. Pellet grills, on the other hand, produce smoke solely from wood pellets. These pellets come in various flavors such as apple, cherry, hickory, and maple, each of which adds a unique smoke flavor to the meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How Much is a Pellet Grill?<\/strong> Pellet grills can range in price from several hundred to several thousand dollars. A decent entry-level pellet grill will cost around $1000. The Traeger Pro Series has been the world&#8217;s top-selling pellet grill for many years and is a popular choice for beginners. Traeger was the first company to manufacture pellet grills, and many other companies have since followed suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Gas Smokers &#8211; An Easy Set-And-Forget Pit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Gas smokers use a gas source (propane or natural gas) to cook meat with real fire through jet burners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The meat cooked in a gas smoker tastes better than in an electric smoker, which uses an electrical coil for heat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gas smokers are easy to use and set-and-forget, similar to electric smokers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One potential drawback of gas smokers is the need to switch out propane tanks or connect to a natural gas line to avoid running out of fuel while smoking large cuts of meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For more information on gas smokers, see the article &#8220;Are Gas Smokers Any Good?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Gas smokers are similar to electric smokers in design and ease-of-use, but the main difference is the fuel source. Gas smokers run on gas and need to be connected to a propane tank, or alternatively can be connected to a natural gas line. Gas smokers cook meat using real fire through jet burners, which results in a better tasting product than electric smokers, which use an electrical coil for heat. One potential drawback of gas smokers is the need to switch out propane tanks or connect to a natural gas line to avoid running out of fuel while smoking large cuts of meat. For more information on gas smokers, check out the article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/are-gas-smokers-any-good\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Are Gas Smokers Any Good?&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Drum Smokers: Easy To Build, Hard To Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Drum smokers are popular with newcomers because they are cheap and easy to make at home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, drum smokers can be difficult to control, which may be stressful for a person new to meat smoking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To avoid drying out the meat, it is important to maintain low temperatures in drum smokers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My recommendation for the beginner starting out with an Ugly Drum Smoker (UDS) is to do a few dry runs without meat before cooking with expensive cut<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-42.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-42.jpg 950w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-42-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-42-768x475.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Drum smokers are a popular choice for newcomers because they are cheap and easy to make at home. However, they can be difficult to control, which can be stressful for someone new to meat smoking. One issue with drum smokers is maintaining low temperatures, as they tend to get hot and are hard to bring back down. Inability to control the smoker can be frustrating when you have an expensive cut of meat, like brisket, on the grill. Meat can easily dry out if exposed to high temperatures for too long. To avoid this, my recommendation for beginners using an Ugly Drum Smoker (UDS) is to do a few dry runs without meat before cooking with more expensive cuts. Once you have good control over your drum, try smoking cheaper cuts of meat like chicken before working your way up to brisket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Build a Drum Smoker<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can make your own drum smoker by purchasing a UDS kit. An Ugly Drum kit will cost anywhere from $150 to $300 (check the latest price <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/recommended-gear\/best-meat-smokers-for-beginners-under-300\/\">here<\/a>). For a detailed look at drum smokers, check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/smoking-meat-in-a-ugly-drum-smoker\/\">Drum Smoker Guide: From the Built to the Cook<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_f0m_CSXfi8\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Vertical Drum Smokers | Ugly Drum Smokers - What You Need To Know About Drum Smokers HowToBBQRight\" title=\"Play video &quot;Vertical Drum Smokers | Ugly Drum Smokers - What You Need To Know About Drum Smokers HowToBBQRight&quot;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_f0m_CSXfi8<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_f0m_CSXfi8\" title=\"Vertical Drum Smokers | Ugly Drum Smokers - What You Need To Know About Drum Smokers HowToBBQRight\">Vertical Drum Smokers | Ugly Drum Smokers &#8211; What You Need To Know About Drum Smokers HowToBBQRight (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_f0m_CSXfi8)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Kamado Grills &#8211; Are Big Green Eggs Suitable For Beginners?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Ceramic kamado-style smokers are ideal for the beginner because they are so well insulated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Temperature control is one of the hardest things to learn when starting out, and kamado smokers hold temperature well once it has stabilized<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The danger with kamado grills is they can get extremely hot and can take a while to bring back down<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To avoid an out-of-control kamado, bring it up to temperature slowly and be careful not to overshoot your target temperature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Kamado grills are ancient ovens made of ceramic materials, such as the Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and Primo. These grills are extremely versatile and can grill, roast, smoke, and bake, and are popular for making wood-fired pizza. Kamado grills are ideal for beginners because they are well-insulated and easy to control, making them a good choice for those still learning temperature control. However, be careful not to overshoot your target temperature when using a kamado grill, as they can get extremely hot and take a while to cool down. One of the best features of kamado grills is their ability to smoke meat year-round, as they are fuel efficient and weather-proof, allowing you to smoke a brisket in the snow. While they are expensive, they are worth the investment and will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best features of a kamado cooker is the ability to smoke meat year-round. Very few smokers can cook a brisket in the snow, but ceramic grills are so well insulated, the outside weather has little effect. Although ceramic grills are expensive, they are extremely fuel efficient so you will save a lot of money on charcoal, especially in the colder months. To learn more about Kamado cookers, check out another article I have written on Kamado cookers: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/smoking-meat-on-kamado-grills-big-green-egg-and-kamado-joe\/\">Ceramic Egg Smokers \u2013 Are They Worth The Money?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-11-copy-2-1024x633.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-11-copy-2-1024x633.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-11-copy-2-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-11-copy-2-768x475.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Copy-of-Blog-Pictures-11-copy-2.jpg 1046w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Brinkman Bullet Smokers- Are They Worth it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Kamado grills are ancient ovens made of ceramic materials, such as the Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and Primo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These grills are extremely versatile and can grill, roast, smoke, and bake, and are popular for making wood-fired pizza<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kamado grills are well-insulated and easy to control, making them ideal for beginners learning temperature control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be careful not to overshoot your target temperature when using a kamado grill, as they can get extremely hot and take a while to cool down<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kamado grills are fuel efficient and weather-proof, allowing you to smoke meat year-round<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While they are expensive, they are worth the investment and will last a lifetime<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kamado grills, such as the Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and Primo, are ancient ovens made of ceramic materials. They are extremely versatile and can grill, roast, smoke, and bake, and are popular for making wood-fired pizza. Kamado grills are well-insulated and easy to control, making them ideal for beginners who are still learning temperature control. However, be careful not to overshoot your target temperature when using a kamado grill, as they can get extremely hot and take a while to cool down. One of the best features of kamado grills is their ability to smoke meat year-round, as they are fuel efficient and weather-proof. While they are expensive, they are worth the investment and will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kg2F_kOIIt4\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"Quick Video on Helpful and Cheap Smoker Mods\" title=\"Play video &quot;Quick Video on Helpful and Cheap Smoker Mods&quot;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kg2F_kOIIt4<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kg2F_kOIIt4\" title=\"Quick Video on Helpful and Cheap Smoker Mods\">Quick Video on Helpful and Cheap Smoker Mods (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kg2F_kOIIt4)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Offset Smokers &#8211; Why The Beginner Should Avoid Stickburners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Offset smokers, also known as stickburners, produce the best-tasting smoked meat but are difficult to control and require a lot of time to manage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are not recommended for beginners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cheap offset smokers sold in stores may look like stickburners, but they are made with thin metal and are poor heat insulators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offset smokers have two chambers: a cooking chamber and a fire chamber, which allows the meat to cook with indirect heat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are best used with wood splits or logs, but the wood burns unevenly, causing temperature fluctuations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offset smokers can cost between $1500 to $2000, and shipping costs may add an additional $500<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Offset smokers, also known as stickburners, produce the best-tasting smoked meat but are difficult to control and require a lot of time to manage. They are not recommended for beginners. Cheap offset smokers that are sold in stores may look like stickburners, but they are not true offset smokers and are made with thin metal, making them poor heat insulators. Offset smokers have two chambers: a cooking chamber and a fire chamber, which allows the meat to cook with indirect heat. They are best used with wood splits or logs, but the wood burns unevenly, causing temperature fluctuations. Offset smokers can cost between $1500 to $2000, and shipping costs may add an additional $500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more on offset smokers, check out my Guide to Stickburners. In this article I review all the best offset smokers, including some affordable models: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/electric-vs-pellet-smokers-which-set-and-forget-is-best\/\">Electric vs Pellet Smokers \u2013 Which \u2018Set-And-Forget\u2019 Is Best?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t Buy a Cheap Smoker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When starting out your meat smoking journey, you want to buy a pit that will allow you to practice the fundamentals of smoking with no additional problems. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is buying a brand new smokers for under a hundred bucks. The market is full of el\u2019cheapo smokers that look almost too good to be true, but once you cook on one of these pits, you will regret buying it immediately. The problem with these cheap smokers is they are difficult to control and the temperatures fluctuate enormously. Brinkman is the most common smoker in this category. With a few modifications, a Brinkman can still perform reasonably well, however, there are far better options out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:49px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My Favorite Meat Smoking Tools <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for checking out this article. I hope you learned a few things. Here are some of my favorite tools I use when smoking brisket that may be useful to you. These are affiliate links, so if you decide to purchase any of these products, I\u2019ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the tools I recommend to my family and friends who are just starting out.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meat Thermometer<\/strong>: There are dozens of fancy thermometers on the market, but I still use my trusty TP20. For around $50, I have a high-quality meat thermometer with two probes, and can track the temperature of my smoker with one probe, and my meat with the other probe. The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01GE77QT0?tag=mshq0320-20\" target=\"_blank\">ThermoPro TP20<\/a> is an Amazon Best Seller because it\u2019s the easiest thermometer to operate, is durable, highly accurate, and comes with pre-programmed meat settings.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instant Read Thermometer<\/strong>: Arguably, the second most important tool you need is a fast and accurate instant-read thermometer. These tools play an important role in the latter stages of the cook when the meat needs regular checking in multiple areas. I use the ThermoPro TP19 because it can do everything a ThermaPen can do, but for a fraction of the cost. You can check out the TP19 on Amazon <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07R18W3W1?tag=mshq0320-20\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07R18W3W1?tag=mshq0320-20\">.<\/a>    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wireless Thermometer:<\/strong> The latest thermometers on the market have no wires and can be controlled by wi-fi via your phone. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tappecue.com\/#a_aid=mshq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Airprobe 3<\/a> is the best of this technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Butcher Paper<\/strong>: Wrapping brisket in butcher paper has become a huge trend in barbeque thanks to Aaron Franklin. Wrapping your brisket in paper will give you a nice brisket bark. However, you can\u2019t just use any old paper, it has to be unwaxed, food grade paper. You can find it on Amazon&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0776JH663?tag=mshq0320-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here.<\/a>       <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Advanced Thermometer and Automatic Temperature Controller:&nbsp;<\/strong>Once you\u2019re ready to take things seriously, the FireBoard 2 Drive is a six-channel Bluetooth\/Wi-Fi thermometer that can monitor up to 6 pieces of meat, control and graph your cook sessions on your smartphone, and attaches to an an automatic blower that will convert your charcoal smoker to a set-and-forget. This is one of the most advanced meat thermometers on the market. You can check it out on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fireboard.com\/shop\/fireboard-2\/?fba_ref=23&amp;campaign=Fireboard2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FireBoard website&nbsp;here.<\/a>                           <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meat Thermometers &#8211; Your Most Important Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/how-to-choose-a-thermometer-for-smoking-meat\/\">The Beginner\u2019s Guide To Meat Thermo<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/how-to-choose-a-thermometer-for-smoking-meat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">meters<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/the-8-best-meat-thermometers-under-50\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Best Meat Thermometers Under $50 (We List the Top 8 Choices)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/the-best-thermometers-for-smoking-meat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Best Thermometers for Smoking Meat<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/best-wi-fi-meat-thermometers-for-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best Wi-Fi Meat Thermometers (We Review the 5 Top Models)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/the-5-best-instant-read-thermometers-for-smoking-meat\/\" target=\"_blank\">Best Instant-Read Thermometers for Smoking (Top 6 Picks)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/what-are-automatic-barbeque-temperature-controllers-the-complete-buyers-guide\/\">What Are Automatic Barbeque Temperature Controllers? The Complete Buyers Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/meater-wireless-thermometer-is-it-any-good-the-complete-buying-guide\/\">MEATER Wireless Thermometer \u2013 Is It Any Good?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to smoking meat, there are many options available for beginners to choose from. From affordable kettle grills to expensive offset smokers, it can be overwhelming to decide<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":1803,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cheap_smokers_small-300x185.jpeg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/611"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=611"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/611\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13164,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/611\/revisions\/13164"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}