Best Propane Smokers of 2022

1. Types of smokers

Smokers come with endless versatility in terms of slow cooking and can successfully replace your infrared grill or gas grill if what you’re after is a tender and flavorful food that tastes like authentic barbecued meat.

There is a bountiful range to choose from on the market, including the popular propane smokers.

Here are the most common options:

• Charcoal smokers: Are perhaps the most traditional and provide an authentic flavor to your dishes. Many of these smokers are inexpensive and easy to use, but it’s often near impossible to have a precise temperature control.
• Wood smokers: Have a construction very similar to the charcoal models, but use wood chips instead of charcoal. Both their advantages and flaws are similar to those of a charcoal unit.
• Propane smokers: Are the most rudimentary after the types described above but they are very effective and easy to use. Propane smokers are powered by liquid propane which burns wood chips placed into a pan above the burner. This process gives a unique flavor to the food, and most models come with easy-start features, easy to control temperature and attractive price points.
• Electric smokers: The easiest to operate and control, the electric smokers are highly efficient but come with a major drawback – they provide no authentic flavor to your food.
• Pellet smokers: Are electrically powered appliances that burn wood pellets to cook and smoke your food. Bringing the best of both worlds, these smokers have the efficiency of the electric units and provide the authentic flavor to wood or charcoal smokers. However, they are quite expensive.

2. Why invest in a propane smoker?

By combining the benefits of the charcoal or wood smokers with those of their electric counterparts, propane smokers are the most convenient.

They are compared with the electric smokers in terms of operational ease and with the charcoal or wood smokers in terms of food flavor.

Propane smokers are also much cheaper than the pellet smokers, a feature that makes them popular among many people.

3. Propane smoker capacity

An important thing to consider when choosing a propane smoker is the capacity of the appliance, which determines how much food you can cook at a time.

Cooking surface

Manufacturers produce these appliances in various sizes and their capacities typically vary from around 250 square inches of cooking surface in the smaller smokers to 2,000 square inches or over in the large commercial smokers.

4. Heat control

Smoking food to perfection requires an even temperature and constant heat, but not all foods have the same heat requirements. This is why heat control is important. There are two essential things that allow you to control the heat, an adjustable temperature feature and a thermometer.

• Adjustable temperature: Adds versatility, allowing you to cook more dishes. A temperature range from 100°F to 500°F is desirable if you don’t want to have limits regarding the recipes you can try.
• Thermometer: The best propane smokers come with integrated thermometers and exterior gauges that allow for a no-frills check of the temperature level inside the unit. Some even have wireless gauges that allow you to check the temperature from the comfort of your couch. If the smoker you like lacks this feature, consider investing in a thermometer to use for this purpose.

5. Workmanship and durability

Another important consideration must go to the workmanship. If you want to invest in a propane smoker that will last for years, it is advisable to check the sturdiness of the appliance and its overall build.

Ideally, the moving parts including food racks and hooks must be made of stainless steel which is rust-resistant and easy to clean. The frame of the smoker must have solid welds and no sharp edges, robust legs and wheels, and must be coated with a water- and rustproof paint.

You should aim for a smoker made of thick steel, as this material absorbs and distributes the heat evenly. The best propane smokers also have dual doors and dampers to prevent heat loss and increase the smoking efficiency.

6. What other features to look for?

• Portability: Surprisingly, not all propane smokers are portable. Large, industrial-grade units often have a freestanding design whereas the smaller home-use appliances come with portability features like handles and wheels. If you want to move the smoker from one place to another, check the unit’s weight too besides the mobility kit.
• Style: The vast majority of the propane smokers are vertical but some manufacturers also propose horizontal units, which are usually larger. Since there are minimal differences between their cooking capabilities, choosing one over the other is a matter of preference.
• Countertop: Some of the best propane smokers come with integrated workbenches that boost versatility. A countertop is particularly useful if you want to use the smoker outdoors.
• Footprint: Before buying a propane smoker, don’t forget to check the footprint of the model you like and make sure it fits in your space.
• Maintenance: Since most foods can make quite a mess, you should also consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your appliance. High-end propane smokers come with drip pans that retain grease and minimize cleaning and maintenance.