The Automatic Charcoal Smoker Top Picks: Updated In March 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Automatic Charcoal Smoker
Automatic Charcoal Smoker

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Charcoal Smoker

Now you can smoke all your favorite foods, including cheese, vegetables, and meats, with the Cuisinart 16-Inch Charcoal Smoker. It is easy to install and includes everything except charcoal and wood chips. Read Review

2. Best For Price: Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker

This device is designed to give you the best smoking and grilling experience ever. Thanks to the adjustable air dampers and multi-layer design, you can easily change the best type of grill according to your needs. Read Review

3. Best Performance: Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

This multi-functional smoker does it all with grilling and smoking power. You can increase the cooking space with the transfer when grilling sides or dishes that require different temperatures. Read Review

4. Best Control: Masterbuilt MB20040220 Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

The special thing about this product is that the rotatable cast iron grates are perfect for smoking or grilling, and this grill reaches 700°F in just 13 minutes. With Masterbuilt, you can master the art of charcoal grilling and smoking. Read Review

You need an automatic charcoal smoker if you love your meat and want that smoky flavor and the perfect barbecue taste. These smokers not only give you the ability to smoke food but are also one of the best ways to preserve it. Moreover, these smokers are much easier to use and maintain than traditional smokers.

Many of them even come with built-in thermometers that make it even easier to know when your food is done. This article will explore everything about these smokers, so read on if you're curious about how they work and if they would be right for you.

We have chosen many of the available good items, including Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Charcoal Smoker - our favorite. We also provide you with the Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker model that you may consider if the top product is not your choice. You will be surprised at the information we are about to share below! 

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Cuisinart COS-116 Vertical Charcoal Smoker
Our Score:
9.8
Cuisinart

This product has a porcelain-enameled steel bowl to hold water and a vertical side door for easy access to water and fuel. The vertical barrel design distributes heat evenly throughout the kitchen, and you can adjust the temperature and amount of smoke by adjusting the small vents. 

Moreover, the Cuisinart 16-inch Charcoal Smoker makes controlling heat and smoke easier. Both vents can be opened or closed to adjust the amount of heat and smoke leaving the room. You can lift the lid to access the food to be smoked easily. It is also easy to maintain and easy to clean. 

TOP Choice #2 Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
Our Score:
9.7
Realcook

The Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker has a built-in thermometer with a detailed temperature scale and adjustable air supply on the lid for better temperature control. The Porcelain enameled water pan and charcoal pan offer you regular use. Heat-resistant Bakelite handles make carrying, brushing, and cooking easy. 

In addition, two cuisines provide a  total of 53 square inches of cooking space. With the help of the crossbar and the hangers inside the lid, you can smoke meat of different sizes and shapes. 

This multi-functional smoker does it all with a grill and smoking power. The smoke and offset cooking grates allow for maximum heat transfer and cooking, and a professional stainless steel temperature gauge with "Grill Zone" and "Smoke Zone" indicators maintains the ideal cooking temperature.

Besides, it features five other cooktops and 1,382 square inches of cooking space. The thermometer has a smoke zone that shows the ideal temperature to create the perfect smoke flavor. In addition, cool handles allow safe access to fuel and food. 

The Masterbuilt MB20040220 helps you smoke, grill, brown, roast, bake, and much more. You can set the temperature from the digital control panel or your smart device, and then the digital fan will maintain the desired cooking temperature.

Other than that, the GravityFed charcoal holds over 12 hours of charcoal, and gravity provides constant fuel for the fire. It also features two porcelain-coated heating/smoking grills for 560 square inches of the kitchen and reaches 225°F in 7 minutes or 700°F in 13 minutes.

This product has a GravityFed coal tank that holds up to 8 hours of coal, and gravity provides constant fuel for the fire. The Swing-out cast iron grates and FoldAway heated smoke grates add up to 1,050 square inches of cooking space. With Masterbuilt, you can master the art of charcoal grilling and smoking. 

Besides, with one push of a button, the digitally controlled fan directs the airflow from the funnel to the cooking chamber and maintains the desired cooking temperature. The Collapsible heated smoker shelves provide additional cooking space, while a stainless steel front shelf increases prep space.

Enjoy great Oklahoma River smoking in a highly functional and reliable combination grill. The 3-in-1 heavy-duty steel construction allows the user to choose the cooking method. You can conveniently access the fire, multiple dampers, and three professional temperature indicators, giving the user complete control and delicious and juicy results. 

Moreover, this versatile charcoal gas grill, fixed-fire smoker, and grill let you grill the way you want. The Porcelain-coated cast iron grates and thick steel construction ensure easy cooking and delicious food every time, with durability in mind. 

7 PK Grills Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Our Score:
9.2
PK Grills

The versatile Grill and Smoker is perfect for hot and fast grilling or low and slow smoking. Easy to install thanks to the unique capsule shape combined with point ventilation and a real h-free grill. 

Additionally, it includes two adjustable air inlets and two adjustable outlets for maximum heat management in the cooking rooms. You can adjust the heat for slow-cooked meats, brisket, tender pork ribs, and steaks. With 360 square inches of marine-grade stainless steel cookware and included shelves and base, the PK360 sets a new standard for premium charcoal cooktops.

More To Consider

10 Big Wood Smoker Heavy Duty Charcoal Cabinet Smoker
Our Score:
8.4
Big Wood Cooking

What to Look For in a automatic charcoal smoker?

To buy any product seems easy, but to choose the best one is not straightforward. The time you take to research its outcome is significant. The same matter also comes to automatic charcoal smoker of 2024 that we include in this article. But you can relax instead of spending too much time learning the products. It’s our duty!

Here are the main features of automatic charcoal smoker that all of you guys should keep in mind when deciding to make a purchase:

Construction

Although construction materials may vary in quality, the main thing you should look at when choosing a smoker is whether it can retain heat. The smoker's heat is emitted from thin construction, meaning that the smoke does not cook the food. The heat escape can cause temperature fluctuations that could lead to dry and tough foods. Worse, you may find your fuel running out.

Size And Cooking Space

There are many sizes and shapes of smokers. This affects not only the amount of cooking space but also how much land they take up on your deck or patio. Because they are tower-shaped, bullet and vertical smokers have the smallest footprints. This type of smoker will measure approximately 20 by 20 inches in width and depth, and provide 500 to 700 square inches of cooking space.
The pellet smokers can hold more meat because they are both shorter and wider. The entry-level pellet smoker is approximately 41 inches in length and 22 inches deep. It has a cooking area of 60 square inches.

Material And Build Quality

A smoker must be capable of maintaining a constant temperature throughout the day. It must be constructed from high-quality materials to achieve this. Smokers are usually made from steel coated with thick powder coats that prevent rust.
Smokers should fit tightly together without visible seams. This will prevent heat from escaping. The lids and doors must be tightly fitted together without any gaps where heat could escape. Multiple flues are required for pellet and charcoal smokers. These flues allow you to adjust the heat by closing and opening them.

Fuel Type

Although chips are easy to find, they require frequent refilling the chip boxes during smoking. The versatility of pellets is great across all heat sources, but special orders may be required by the manufacturer to reduce the chance of spontaneous barbecues. Charcoal generates considerable ash. Wood produces an equally large amount of ash, but it requires more space storage and log splitting.

Heat Source

Do you prefer electric, natural gas or charcoal? Are there restrictions on the fuels you can use in your area? For even temperatures, electric is an excellent and consistent fuel choice. While gas provides the same heat and control as electric, it is not as convenient to have an outlet nearby. However, a propane tank or gas line has limitations in terms of ventilation and storage space. Wood and charcoal take some time to discover the right cooking temperature.

Portability

Smokers of full size can weigh in at between 50 to 100 pounds, and they are large. Because they are bulky, full-size smokers cannot be moved and must remain on the patio or back deck. You can also find smaller, lighter smokers, which weigh in at less than 20 pounds. These are small enough to be carried along with you to tailgate events.

FAQs

How Do Smokers Work?

Two chambers are needed to make a smoker: one chamber houses the heat source and the other chamber holds the food. Cooking the food for a prolonged period of time is possible by heating the fire chamber. The trays that hold wood chips or water bowls are also available to smokers. These help add flavor and keep the food moist.

How Long Does A Smoker Last?

Smoker grills can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years depending on the way it is maintained and how good the smoking material. You can extend the smoker's life by cleaning it frequently and covering it when it is not being used.

Can You Smoke On A Gas Grill?

Yes. Because of their low ignition temperatures, wood chips are the preferred choice. You have many options for pans and boxes that can be used inside of a gas grill. To add a bit of spice, some people prefer to soak their chips in rum and bourbon to enhance the flavor.

What Is The Difference Between Smoking And Grilling?

Slowly cooking food for 5-12 hours is what smoking involves. Indirect heat at low temperatures (around 220°C) is used. Grilling is cooking meat directly at higher temperatures, 350-500 degrees for shorter periods.

Do I Need To Clean My Smoker After Every Use?

Your smoker, just like your grill needs to be maintained regularly if it is going to produce the best results and keep its value for many years. After each use, clean up any food, grease or ashes. You may also need to periodically reseason your smoker to keep its protective coating intact.

Is A Smoker Easy To Use?

The type of smoker will determine the ease of its use. The easiest smokers to use are the electric or gas smokers, as they maintain consistent temperatures with little help from the chef. They don't need fuel to smoke.

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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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