Smoker BBQs Explained: Which Type Is Best for Your Backyard

If you’ve only seen old-school offset smokers like your grandpa’s, you’ll be surprised at how much things have changed. Modern smokers now feature automatic fuel feeds and digital thermostats, making grilling much easier.

With so many smoker options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—especially with all the opinions on the best way to smoke. We’re here to help make your choice straightforward.

Today, we’ll break down the main types of smokers and their key features so you can choose with confidence.

Select Your Smoker’s Fuel Type

When considering smokers, start by thinking about the type of fuel you want to use. It’s not just wood and charcoal anymore—now you can also choose electric, wood pellets, or gas. Each has its own pros and cons, so fuel type is a great place to start.

Wood Burning Smoker

Wood-burning smokers are at the heart of classic barbecue, using only natural wood for fuel. This gives food a rich, smoky flavor that’s hard to match. Different hardwoods, such as oak, hickory, apple, and mesquite, each add their own unique flavor. With these smokers, you have the most control over smoke and temperature. If you enjoy hands-on cooking and patience, you’ll get truly authentic barbecue results.

Wood-burning smokers require you to manage the fire yourself, unlike pellet or gas models. They’re perfect for barbecue purists who enjoy the process. You’ll need to control airflow, heat, and wood choice to maintain steady temperatures during long cooks. Most are made from heavy-duty steel or cast iron, which helps hold heat and spread smoke evenly. Tending the fire, adjusting vents, and working with the smoke turns cooking into a special ritual.

When choosing a wood-burning smoker, look for one that’s built to last, has enough cooking space, and allows for steady airflow. Offset and reverse-flow smokers are especially popular because they maintain indirect heat, which is ideal for slow cooking. These smokers need more attention than electric or pellet models, but the reward is authentic smoke flavor, a fantastic bark, and barbecue that tastes like it came from a pro. If you enjoy the process as much as the food, wood-burning smokers are the gold standard. Some examples are Old Country BBQ Pits ' wood-burning smokers.

Electric Smoker BBQs

Electric smokers are all about convenience, utilizing built-in thermostats to control temperature, much like an oven. Unlike wood or charcoal smokers, you don’t have to manage a fire. Instead, a heating coil burns wood chips in a smoker box to create smoke. This automation and simplicity set electric smokers apart.

Since you don’t need to manage temperature or add fuel during cooking, you can focus on keeping the right amount of smoke and airflow (and expect a small increase in your electric bill). In electric smokers, it’s easy to overcook food due to the large smoker boxes and low airflow. However, this low airflow helps keep dishes like smoked chicken or turkey moist and tender.

Charcoal Smoker BBQs

Charcoal smokers are similar to wood-burning ones because you manage the fire yourself, allowing you to achieve that classic smoky flavor. The main difference is that they use charcoal as their primary fuel, sometimes supplemented with additional wood for increased smoke. They aren’t as automated as electric or gas smokers, but they offer a unique flavor and a hands-on experience that’s rewarding, even if there’s a bit of a learning curve.

Even though there’s a learning curve, the effort is worth it for the flavor you get—especially if you use a temperature controller to help with airflow. You’ll need to keep an eye on fuel and smoke, but after a few tries, managing charcoal becomes easier than you might expect.

You can also add wood right onto your lump charcoal in the firebox, using chips for quick smoke or chunks for longer-lasting flavor. This group includes kamado smokers, too, but we have a separate article if you want more details on buying kamado grills. Here are some examples of charcoal burning smokers.

Gas Smoker BBQs

Gas smokers are easy to use, working much like electric smokers but using a gas burner for heat. They provide steady, reliable temperatures and utilize wood chips or chunks for smoke. Gas smokers stand out because they’re simple to control and don’t need as much hands-on work as wood or charcoal models.

Since temperature and smoke are easy to manage, you can focus on cooking time and checking your food’s internal temperature (a good remote thermometer is very helpful). Gas smokers still deliver great flavor—meats come out tender, smoky, and with a perfect crust.

For best results, if your gas smoker has air vents, keep them open while cooking. This helps prevent soot from building up inside the chamber.

Pellet Smoker BBQs

Pellet smokers are known for their convenience. They handle fuel feeding, temperature, smoke, and airflow automatically, so they’re easy to use. Wood pellets give a mild smoke flavor without needing extra wood, so it’s hard to over-smoke your food. Pellet smokers are great for beginners who want reliable, simple results.

Because wood pellets already give a natural smoke flavor, you don’t need to add extra chips or chunks. The mild taste makes it almost impossible to over-smoke your food, which is why pellet smokers are so beginner friendly.

Keep in mind that higher temperatures produce less smoke, while lower temperatures create more smoke for a longer period. With pellet smokers, you can use the 'smoke mode' to lower the heat and get a gentle, flavorful smoke. Smokin Brothers pellet smokers are second to none.

Select Your Smoker BBQ Type

After you’ve chosen a fuel type, consider the shape and style of smoker you want. There are many options, so don’t worry if you’re still undecided. You can choose from offset models, compact vertical smokers, or unique designs. Continue searching until you find the style that best suits your grilling needs.

Offset Smokers

Offset smokers feature a separate firebox adjacent to a horizontal, barrel-shaped cooking chamber. They use charcoal or wood to heat and smoke food indirectly. Offset smokers require more attention to maintain a steady temperature and smoke, which is why traditionalists and competitors appreciate them for authentic barbecue.

Managing the fire can be a lot of work, but a temperature controller helps regulate heat and airflow. You’ll still need to watch fuel and smoke levels. Some temperature differences can occur across the cooking surface, but features like large heat baffles and reverse-flow air intakes help maintain even heating. Some great examples of handcrafted offset smokers. 

Vertical Smokers

Vertical smokers have the heat source positioned directly below a tall, cabinet-shaped cooking chamber. They often include a water pan and a wood shelf between the heat and the food, letting heat and smoke rise straight up. Vertical smokers typically maintain more stable temperatures and are easier to manage than offset models, making them a good choice for those seeking consistency and simplicity.

Most electric smokers are vertical, but you’ll also find vertical charcoal, pellet, and gas models. For example, Old Country BBQ Pits or Smokin' Brothers are budget-friendly options in this group. Regardless of the fuel type, ensure your vertical smoker allows for easy access to the firebox for refueling—many models feature doors or sliding trays for this purpose. Vertical smokers can also fit nicely into a BBQ island setup. Have a peak at these custom vertical smokers.

Unconventional Smokers

Unconventional smokers don’t fit into the usual horizontal or vertical categories. Some resemble regular grills, while others feature unique designs. These smokers stand out due to their non-traditional features, offering a custom experience that you won’t find in standard models.

Select Your Smoker’s Configuration

After you’ve chosen your fuel and smoker type, consider how you want to set up your smoker. Do you want a smoker you can move around your yard or take to competitions, or would you rather have one built into your outdoor kitchen? Let’s examine the features and benefits of each setup to help you make an informed decision.

Freestanding Barbecue Smokers

Freestanding smokers are the most common type. Being able to move them around is a big plus, especially when it’s time to clean up after smoking brisket. Smoke creates soot and meat drips fat, so easy cleaning is important. Some smokers are tough to clean, but with freestanding models, you can move them to reach every spot.

Freestanding smokers are also great for competitions and are easier to store when not in use. Ensure your smoker has sturdy wheels and invest in a quality cover to protect it.

Built-In Smoker BBQs

You can definitely build a smoker into your outdoor kitchen. It’s a great way to add versatility and a cool look to your setup. Pairing a smoker with a gas grill lets you cook a wider variety of foods and please more people.

If you want even more options, think about adding a built-in kamado smoker to your BBQ island. This allows you to cook a variety of dishes right in your outdoor kitchen. You can also slide a vertical electric smoker on wheels into a counter cutout, as long as there’s good ventilation, to save space.

Freestanding cabinet smokers can also fit into island openings, provided you follow the owner’s manual for ventilation and clearance requirements.

Key Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Your Smoker

Before you decide, here are a few final tips to help you find the right smoker. BBQ smoking is both an art and a science, as any experienced competitor will tell you. Many factors affect how juicy and tender your results are. Let’s review the key factors to consider so you can maximize the benefits of your new smoker.

Prioritize Insulation

For low-and-slow smoking, keeping heat and smoke in is key. Select a smoker with good insulation for optimal results. Features such as fiberglass mesh or felt gaskets and flanged lips help retain heat, especially in cold weather. Thick metal construction helps the smoker retain and reflect heat, and ceramic smokers excel at this as well.

Check the seals or gaskets on your smoker to keep smoke from leaking out. This helps keep flavor in and saves fuel. Look for a smoker made from quality materials and backed by a good warranty. Good insulation will make your smoking experience much better.

Airflow & Temperature Control

Great barbecue depends on how well you control the temperature. This is especially important for smokers, so ensure you understand how your model manages temperature. Charcoal and kamado smokers utilize dampers or vents to regulate airflow and temperature. Electric and gas smokers may also have dampers to help you fine-tune the temperature.

So, look for smokers with dampers that are easy to reach and made from rust-resistant materials. Rusty dampers can block airflow and mess up temperature control. Good airflow and temperature control are essential for great barbecue.

Wood Chips & Chunks

For many smokers, wood is the main source of smoke and adds unique flavors to your food. Try different hardwoods to discover a variety of flavor profiles.
There’s a lot of confusion about using wood chips and chunks. Here’s what we recommend:

Wood chips are ideal for infusing robust smoke flavor during shorter cooking sessions.
Wood chunks provide a steady release of smoke flavor, making them ideal for longer cooking times.

Feel free to use a combination of both chips and chunks based on your smoking needs.
Soaking wood chips is a topic of debate. Some people swear by it, but soaking mostly just slows down how fast the chips light and doesn’t really change the smoke flavor.

Water Pans & Water Smokers

We call them "water pans," but you can fill them with other liquids, such as apple juice, cider vinegar, or beer, to add different flavors. Still, water is the main ingredient because it maintains high humidity in your smoker and helps control the temperature.
Humidity is important for keeping your food moist, especially since smokers can get hot and dry. The water pan also serves as a heat shield, absorbing heat and distributing it evenly for more even cooking.

You can use a smoker without a water pan but adding one makes things much easier. Whether you’re new to smoking or experienced, a water pan helps make the process more efficient and less stressful.

Safety

Smoking meat is a fun hobby, but safety should always come first. This is especially true if you have kids or pets at home. Ensure you understand how your smoker’s parts respond to varying weather conditions to maintain a safe cooking area.

Additionally, ensure your smoker is heat-resistant. Safety is key when smoking meat, so you want to avoid accidents. Look for smokers with stainless steel handles—they release heat well and stay cool to the touch.

Quality

Before purchasing a smoker, inspect its durability and craftsmanship. Look at the materials and how it’s built to make sure it can handle regular use. Additionally, opt for a smoker with a waterproof and rustproof coating to help it last longer.

Stay away from smokers made primarily of plastic or thin metal—they don’t handle high heat well and usually aren’t very durable.

Temperature Control

Being able to control the temperature is crucial for good smoking results. Don’t compromise on this feature when selecting a smoker, as it directly impacts the quality of your food.

It’s essential to be able to adjust the temperature, especially if you enjoy smoking various types of meat. A basic thermostat works, but smokers with digital displays are even better because they make it easier to control and monitor your food.

A reliable thermostat is also very important. It keeps the temperature steady, which is key to successful smoking.

Capacity

When purchasing a smoker, opt for one with ample space if you want it to last and be versatile. If you enjoy hosting or cooking for groups, a larger smoker makes it easy to cook large cuts of meat or ribs without a lot of preparation.

A roomy smoker means you don’t have to cut up meat before smoking, so you get the flavor you want. More space also helps prevent overcooking the edges, resulting in even, tasty dishes.

Budget

Figuring out your budget can be the hardest part. Smokers come in all price ranges, from under $100 to several thousand dollars for top models.

You don’t need expensive gear to make great BBQ, but a bigger, pro-style smoker does have its perks. These high-end smokers make the process easier, so you can focus on the meat instead of the equipment.

The main benefit of high-end smokers is better heat control and longer burn times. This allows you to focus on flavor without getting tired during long cooking sessions.
Picking the right size smoker is important. Think about who you’ll be cooking for—your family, neighbors, or maybe even competitions—and choose a size a bit bigger than you think you need. You’ll be glad you did.

We are not saying you need to buy a huge pit that can hold several hogs—unless that’s your goal! However, it’s wise to consider the future. If you plan to cook larger cuts someday, consider getting a smoker that can accommodate them.

Other Questions to Ask Yourself Before Picking Out Your Smoker

Know how you plan to use your smoker before you make a purchase. Whether you’re new or upgrading, figure out what you need most.

Ask yourself a few questions: Will you mostly use the smoker in your backyard? How often will you use it? Are you thinking about entering competitions? Will you need to cook for big groups?

Considering these factors will help you select the right size and features. It’s tempting to buy the fanciest model but make sure it fits your real needs. Don’t pay for more capacity than you’ll use, but if you might cater, compete, or host big groups, it could be worth the investment.

Still have questions about smoker BBQs? Our experts are here to provide answers and advice, helping you make informed choices. 

Check out Fire Goddess' Smoker FAQ for more tips. 

Now, it’s time to fire up your smoker and get those briskets going!