Smoker grills are the backbone of all barbecues. Without one, it is next to impossible to get that smoky flavor that makes barbecue stand out in a class of its own. In the world of barbecue, not all smoker grills are created equal. When you are ready to make a purchase, you want to know which characteristics make the best smoker grills on the market to ensure you haven’t bought one of the lemons that will break or not cook your food properly. So how do you know which are the best smoker grills on the market? Look for these 10 important features that will ensure that you have hours of enjoyment and pounds of delicious barbecue. Grill Ace can also be a great help to find the best grills.
The Most Important Key the Best Smoker Grills Share
The key to all smoker grills is in the construction. Good grills take the work out of making great barbecue. Smoker that are designed well distribute heat over long periods. The only thing you need to do is to find the right combination of meat, wood or charcoals, then call your friends to enjoy the feast. If you are looking for a propane smoker grill under $300, we recommend checking the BBQ Insider website.
10 Things the Best Smoker Grills Share
- Sturdy legs and a level base
- It is essential that the base is either a part of all smoker grills or attached to the grill itself with sturdy support. The last thing you want is for the legs to wobble or come loose when you are smoking and grilling.
- Heat resistant exterior paint (make sure it is not an epoxy, which is toxic)
- Sheet metal or steel construction
- Wood box door is wide enough to easily load wood logs and charcoal. Smoker grills will not give you the results you expect unless you keep the temperature constant.
- Cooking area is large enough to cook the widest thing you plan to cook
- Grill is level and supported from the side not just a middle post
- Air vents function when it is hot. Smoker grills need excellent ventilation
- Ash pit is deep enough to contain all residue from one use
- Handles remain cool enough to touch when hot
Choosing Between Smokers and Grills
When looking for a smoker, there are several things to consider. Price, of course, is a big consideration. If you smoke food regularly, it might not be outrageous to pay the asking price of $10,000 that some smokers cost. However, if you will only be smoking occasionally, you will probably be happier with one of the models that are considerably less expensive; usually around $100.
The product design is something that can also affect the price of the food smoker. If you will be smoking food on a regular basis, purchasing one of the large grills might make a lot of sense. These grills are also set up to cook more indirectly which can help keep the meat from burning, thus making it a healthier product.
One thing to consider when purchasing a meat smoker is the type of fuel that it uses. This is important because the fuel does affect the taste of the meat that is being cooked. For meat with a more authentic taste, use a smoker that is fueled by charcoal and wood. Charcoal is very traditional and inexpensive to use.
Using an electric smoker is often a more expensive option, although they are probably the most convenient to use. One of the downsides though is that users say that the flavor and personality that traditional smokers add to the meat is absent when using an electric smoker.
Using a pellet smoker will require using wood pellets as fuel. This version is the best of both worlds; electric and charcoal, because it offers convenience as well as the character and flavor.
The size of the smoker is also an important consideration when making your purchase. It is important to note that even a small smoker can cook a fair amount of meat, feeding up to 20 people. However, if you are going to be cooking for larger groups, there are larger smokers available.
As with many products, the name brand affects both price and customer support. It can be expected that a lesser known brand may cost less; you will likely get very little when it comes to customer support and warranties. Researching to find out what other people like will help you in making the right purchase decision.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right food smoker for your needs. Examining the size, the design and what type of fuel the smoker uses will allow you to ensure that you choose a smoker that is right for you.
