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5 Best Entry Smoker Grills
I grew up grilling on the weekends like most of us. There is nothing better than getting friends and family together for hotlinks, steaks, chicken, kababs, and the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs. Grilling screams America during the summer and has been a staple for holiday celebrations since the beginning of cooking itself. But now I've got a lot of my buddies telling me about how their smoker is the new best thing. A smoker is designed to smoke meat placed alongside the heat source rather than directly above it. This setup allows for the addition of fuel without disturbing the meat and takes hours to produce tender and juicy results. I had a hard time believing that allowing the meat to be monitored by electronic probes was going to produce meat as savory and juicy as grilling. After all, all those years of perfecting the skills for heat management, meat preparation and painstakingly learning when to flip the steaks at just the right time, add to the magic of grilling and, IMO, to the overall flavor of the meat. I finally broke down had some of my buddies smoked brisket. Needless to say, I have to get a smoker grill now. Here are the top 5 reviewed Smokers under $1000, because you're going to want one.
The Masterbuilt comes in at $200 and is a great starter smoker at the right price range. What sets this smoker apart is the amount of meat you can fit in it with allowing for 4 whole chickens just to start. The wood chip replacement mechanism is user-friendly and designed for maximum fuel and maximum smoke. This is the perfect smoker if you want to dip your toe into smoking meats without breaking the bank.
What it has to offer:
Digital panel controls on/off, cooking temperature, and time
Electric Smoker dimensions – 20.47" W x 19.88" L x 33.26" H | Max temperature setting – 275ᵒ F | Inside capacity – 2 Turkeys, 4 Pork Butts, 4 Racks of Ribs, 6 Chickens
A patented side wood chip loading system allows you to add wood chips without opening the door
Thermostat-temperature control for even, consistent smoking
The fully-insulated body retains heat
Pro: Price Point Con: Smoker Only
The Char-Broil offset smoker is another great entry-level smoker coming in at just over $100. The offset design allows for the traditional charcoal briquettes and is designed for compact places like patios or porches. The smoker can also double as a grill when needed. Proper care and assembly are key to the success of this smoker. Pay close attention to the first page of the manual for seasoning instructions.
What it has to offer:
Combination Offset Smoker, BBQ & Charcoal Grill
290 square inch cooking surface in the main chamber
140 sq. in. cooking surface in firebox chamber
Adjustable height steel fire grate
Clean-out door for easy ash removal with adjustable built-in damper
Pro: Small and Compact Con: Tough assembly and seasoning is key
The PIT BOSS 700FB is a higher range pellet fueled smoker coming in at around $500. It has an electronic and dial-in control center for heat ranging from 170 Fahrenheit to 600 Fahrenheit. The PIT BOSS allows for both direct and indirect cooking with a flame broiler.
What it has to offer:
700 sq. in. total cooking surface
Porcelain-coated cast iron grids
Digitally controlled burn system
Fueled by 100% natural wood pellets
Owners suggest there is a learning curve for ignition and settings depending on your climate.
Pro: Large heat range for different food types Con: Settings learning curve
Moving on to the the big leagues, the Traeger is probably the most recognized name in the smoker industry. The Pro series 22 electric comes in at around $600. It is equipped with a controller and advanced grilling logic using automated temperature control with built-in dual meat probes eliminating the need to open the lid. Traeger is known for its durability with a sawhorse chassis and powerful steel construction. Traeger is tried and true and will provide the results you want.
What it has to offer:
27" D x 41" H
Weight: 103 lbs.
572 Sq. in
Accommodates 4 Chickens, 5 racks of ribs, or 24 burgers | Main rack – 418 Sq. In. | Extra rack – 154 Sq. In.
Hooper Capacity of 18 lbs.
Advanced grilling logic controller keeps temps within plus/minus 15 degrees
Pro: Grilling Logic and automation Con: Some customer service complaints
Our number one smoker is the Traeger Pro Series 575. What sets this smoker apart is the automation. The Pro Series 575 is fully automated with control options ranging from your cell phone to Alexa. The Traeger app allows you to monitor and adjust your smoker to the temperature you need not matter where you are during the day. The Pro Series 575 comes in at around $900 making it the most expensive smoker on our list. But reviews of customers have it sitting at 5 stars on Amazon.
What is has to offer:
Pellet fed
WiFIRE technology
6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ
575 SQ. In. of grilling space
The 575 is one of the top of the line smokers on the market today that doesn't have to break the bank. It is durable, reliable and provides the best results for what ever you plan to smoke or gill.
Pro: Fully Automated Con: Price
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