Any individual who does not like how grilled beef or pork tastes, needs to have a check on their taste buds. When these foods are smoked, they have a tasty flavor which comes with it. That is why we created this guide, to help you find the best smoker for beginners!
As regards the preparation of tasty smoked food, there is nothing as fitting, as having to apply the suitable temperature which would ensure that the food is smoked in a regular manner and pattern. Now, irrespective of the kind of smoker you have, a good number of them come with an enhanced technology, which aids your meat in getting smoked in an effortless manner.
With the use of a smoker, you can smoke any type of food according to your discretion. There is no need for you to undergo some form of training before using a smoker.
Having to select your first smokers from a list of smokers, could be a herculean task, based on the fact that there could be quite a number, and as a beginner, you might be at a loss as to how to make the right choice.
However, it is needed for you to have the basic knowledge of how easy there operation would be, and the cost of purchase alongside the performance. With time, you will get to realize that there is a need for an upgrade.
Table of Contents
Best Beginner Smokers
Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E 2020
The Z Grills ZPG-7002E 2020 New Model is an 8 in 1 smoker which perfectly substitutes the want for a grill, thereby enabling a multi-functional environment which would involve baking, grilling, roasting, braising and smoking.
Overview
This is by far one of the best smokers out there due to the fact that it features a pellet as well as a temperature feed control system, which also offers digital control boards, that activates the grill itself and even enables you to calibrate the cooking temperature. Aside from this, there’s the Automated electric feed system which regulates the heat and even gives rise to an appropriate amount of smoke, everything you have to do is to leave it to do its work.
Features
- Barbecue wood fire pellet grill that can smoke, bake, roast, braise and barbeque.
- Offers good flavor
- Extremely easy and convenient to use
- Constantly improved upon
- Multifunctional and Versatile
- 8-in-1 Build
- Easy to Operate
- Very Accurate in terms of temperature calibration
- Gives food amazing flavor
- Heavy
- Difficult temperature control
Masterbuilt 20071117 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
This Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is the best for either a beginner or a professional. Without having to use charcoal or propane, you can achieve great and fast results. Basically, you just need to plug in, calibrate the digital settings and it begins to work.
Overview
The one thing that’s specifically unique about this smoker is the fact that it has a plug-and-play utility function that makes it easy for those who are beginners in terms of smoking. There’s this digital panel that controls a large number of functions of the smoker itself. You can even decide to set the time for cooking or the appropriate temperature. This smoker comes with four racks, and it gives room for more food to be smoked. It’s well-insulated, and as such, the managing temperature can be easy.
Features:
- Digital panel controls can be turned on or off
- Patented side wood chip loading system
- Thermostat-temperature control
- Isolated body
- User-Friendly
- Easy temperature-control
- Durable
- Wood Chips easy to load
- Problems with the temperature gauge
- Swelling Risks
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A
The Z-Grills smoker is a multifunctional one which comes with the wood pellet technology, that allows you to get wood fire at the accessibility of gas or propane. With this smoker, you can cook 20 pounds of pellets for 20 hours.
It is very versatile with a broad temperature range between 180-450 degrees to smoke, grill, roast, bake, braise or BBQ.
Overview
This smoker is recommended for beginners due to the fact that it is easy to use. It has an ignition that even auto-starts, and comes with a digital auto-temperature control alongside a LED temperature display. Its stainless steel build ensures that it lasts a long time.
Features
- 8-in-1 pellet grill
- advanced wood fire technology
- easy to use and clean
- consistent and precise
- Highly Efficient
- Versatile
- Beginner-Friendly
- Gives food great flavor and aroma
- Fault control panel
- Bad Customer Care
EasyGO EGP-FIRE-017
For those who are new to smoking, this charcoal smoker has all the necessary features to help you to your feet. There are stainless steel hooks, about 6 in number, with 3 utensils which can be easily hung on the grill to make your cooking easier.
Overview
The best part about this is the fact that it is well packaged, and can be set up with ease. It also saves space, and you won’t have to complain about where to position it. The special design enables it to achieve as well as regulate the temperature efficiently for hours without end.
Features
- Multi-Functional 5-in-1 barrel
- Portable
- Beginner Friendly
- Quick Cooking Time
- A truly portable smoker
- Versatile
- Simple to use for just about anyone
- Provides the right temperature for smoking
- Not that easy to use throughout the winter season
Char-Broil Simple Smoker
One of the major differences between a digital electric smoker and a simple smoker is the capacity and size. The Char-Broil simple smoker has a small capacity, which makes it a great unit for both amateurs and professionals.
While smoking, there is no need for you to keep a regular check on the food, because the SmartChef app controller gives you constant updates until when the meat is fully smoked. The smoker also comes with some recipes and cooking instructions for beginners.
Overview
Another interesting fact is that there is a digital controller that can be programmed and has built-in meat inquiry that would always give you information about the cooking and internal meat temperature.
You can change the settings from the smoker to let you know when the meal is ready so you can organize your time to enjoy yourself with friends and family.
Features
- Allows you to monitor meat temperature
- SmartChef app that can send notifications to your device
- Easy to install
- External Smoke Box
- Wi-Fi Connection
- SmartChef app
- Ideal Smoker for Beginners
- Great Design
- Little Monitoring Required
- Difficult to clean-up
- Lacking good recipes
Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill
Here is a fantastic three in one smoker, roaster, and grill by Char-Broil, it is great for cooking up a storm for the whole family as it holds a generous 25 pounds of meat for roasting and has 180 square inches of cooking space on the grills, helping you to get the job done, faster.
Overview
It weights as little as 22.7 pounds, and can be easily transferred around your backyard without putting much strain on you. It is a smoker, roaster as well as grill that can help you cook healthier meals and uses a TRU infrared grilling surface cooking technology that can help produce fried turkey and chicken.
Features
- Amazing Design
- Lightweight
- Temperature Control Levels from 9.000 to 18.000 BTUs
- Easy To Move Around
- Gets the Job Done
- Cooks everything evenly
- Lacks more complex features
What to Look for in Your First Smoker
Before you purchase your first smoker, it is important that you take note of some important features:
1. Build Quality:
This is one of the most essential factors to consider before you get your first smoker, and the build quality is not dependent on the price, and neither the skill level. If you purchase a smoker which has leaks, or very thin walls, it would be difficult to regulate the temperature.
For units which are powered with charcoal, the heating ability is dependent on the quality of the charcoal bought, the same applies to the heating element of a smoker if the propane or electric powered units are not the quality type.
2. Efficiency:
The efficiency of a smoker is dependent on the amount of fuel which the smoker must utilize in having a good solid smoking temperature. This still leads back to the build quality. If heat is leaking from the smoker, and it smokes in places where it is not supposed to, then your smoker might have to consume more fuel to keep up with the temperature.
This might be frustrating with charcoal units, as you would have to remove the food and add more charcoal.
3. Fuel Source:
This is another vital factor which must be considered. Selecting the appropriate fuel source has a prominent impact on your food and the frequency of use. Some people prefer using charcoal because of the flavor, while some would rather use electric and propane because they are very easy to use. So, it is advised that you consider your space and schedule before making a choice.
FAQ
Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E 2020 New Model Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 8 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control
Masterbuilt 20071117 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Model Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control
EasyGO EGP-FIRE-017 Big Bad Barrel Charcoal Barbeque 5 in 1 Can be Used as a Smoker Grill BBQ, Pizza Oven, Table & Fire Pit
Char-Broil Simple Smoker with SmartChef Technology
Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill
The range for a smoker can start at $100 and go all the way up into the thousands. However, for beginners, you can find a good one to get started for around $200.
Vertical smokers are good if you don’t have a lot of space. Because of their design, they can also be more efficient than some of the larger offset smokers. They won’t require as much fuel to operate.
Conclusion
The aforementioned smokers are among the best smokers for beginners who would find useful. So, as a beginner, using one of these would be highly beneficial.
However, it is advised that you take a thorough review of each of the smokers, checking out the features, pros and cons, and make an analysis of the smoker which matches your need.
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