The Best Affordable Smoker In 2024

Sarah Combs By, Sarah Combs
Updated
Best Affordable Smoker
Best Affordable Smoker

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker

This smoker features a patented side wood chip loading system that enables users to add wood chips to the smoker without opening the door. Using the digital panel controls, you can easily set the on/off status, as well as the temperature and length of time. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Dyna-Glo 36" Vertical Charcoal Smoker

This Vertical Charcoal Smoker has a stainless temperature gauge with a smoke zone to ensure the ideal temperature for infusing smoke flavor and a charcoal & ash management system for easy and efficient smoking. Read Review

3. Best Quality: Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Smoker

This large smoker has a built-in thermometer with a detailed temperature scale that is easy to read, an adjustable air supply on the lid for greater temperature control, and a removable porcelain-enameled water pan and charcoal pan for regular use. Read Review

4. Best Durable: Cuisinart COS-244 Smoker

In its spacious 5.45-square-foot interior, this versatile smoker has plenty of room to smoke various meats, vegetables, and other foods. Its vertical footprint is ideal for patios and barbecue kitchens, allowing you to enjoy deliciously smoked meals in your backyard. Read Review

5. Best Adjustable: Royal Gourmet CD1824A Charcoal Grill

This grill serves up to 8-10 people and has 393 square inches of porcelain cooking grates and 205 square inches of warming rack. The porcelain wire cooking grates evenly distribute heat, allowing you to seal in juices and make your meat more tender. Read Review

If you are looking for a smoker that offers high-quality smoking and excellent value for money, the best affordable pellet smoker might be your answer. These smokers will give you a top-notch smoking experience and save you money as they are to purchase and operate. These smokers are perfect if you’re just getting started with pellet grilling or looking for an economical yet reliable smoker that will allow you to smoke all your favorite meats without breaking the bank.

The best affordable smokers are also very easy to use and maintain, one of their most significant selling points. They usually have a small footprint and can easily be stored in a garage or shed, making them ideal for those who live in apartments, townhouses, duplexes, etc.

We think the best affordable smoker of the 2024 is Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker. With this product, you only need to plug in this smoker and adjust its digital controls; it manages everything independently. However, to provide the reader with a wider variety of alternatives, we recommend adding the Dyna-Glo 36" Vertical Charcoal Smoker if you want to purchase another appealing one. It is constructed out of steel that has been porcelain enameled, and it is planned to maintain the briquettes in a secure stack so that the burn efficiency can be increased. Here are the buying guides we specially made for you guys. Follow all the words below for successful shopping!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker
Our Score:
9.8
Masterbuilt

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker is an excellent choice for anybody, regardless of how much or how little experience they have with smoking. You don't need to deal with the hassle of charcoal or gas to achieve results worthy of competing, and you can do so right in the comfort of your garden. You only need to plug in this smoker and adjust its digital controls; the device manages everything independently.

As a result of the innovative side wood chip loader that comes standard on this smoker, you won't have to open the smoker door to experiment with a wide variety of flavor combinations. There is enough room on the four chrome-coated racks to smoke up to six chickens, two turkeys, four racks of ribs, or four pork butts simultaneously. Nevertheless, the cooker is not very large, so you must ensure that the grease is removed frequently, and this is only one aspect of its operation that requires your full attention.

TOP Choice #2 Dyna-Glo 36" Vertical Charcoal Smoker
Our Score:
9.6
Dyna-Glo

You can smoke any of your favorite foods with this vertical smoker from Dyna-Glo. The fuel source, anything from wood chips to charcoal, is entirely up to you. This smoker typically has four height-adjustable grilling grates and a combined cooking surface area of 784 square inches between them. The arrangement of the double doors contributes to reducing the heat lost if it is necessary to gain access to food or fuel.

Additionally, the charcoal chamber is constructed out of steel that has been porcelain enameled, and it is planned to maintain the briquettes in a secure stack so that the burn efficiency can be increased. The ash pan is made of detachable steel and is designed to accommodate enormous volumes of ash. Because of these features make cooking for many hours without performing any maintenance possible. Both characteristics make the ease of operating the device more straightforward. The only disadvantage is that getting heat may take a long time. In general, the design is specific, and the product provides excellent value for money.

TOP Choice #3 Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Smoker
Our Score:
9.5
Realcook

This smoker has a temperature control that has been enhanced by adding a built-in thermometer with a temperature scale with a finer grain, as well as an air supply that can have its volume controlled by the lid. You can smoke a wide variety of cuts and shapes of meat because the two cooking grids each provide 453 square inches of cooking space. This is made possible by the crossbar and the four hangers inside the top.

Because of the construction of the two layers, they are not only simple to transport but also simple to clean. It is up to you to decide whether you want to use it as a smoker or a grill for the barbecue, and having two access doors will provide you with greater mobility. Simply opening the top door of the refrigerator is all that is necessary to determine the present condition of the items stored inside. Adding charcoal or wood will be much simpler if you open the door on the opposite side. Despite this, using an LCD screen to monitor the temperature is highly recommended.

4 Cuisinart COS-244 Smoker
Our Score:
9.4
Cuisinart

Utilizing the Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker will allow you to realize the full potential of your outdoor cooking endeavors. You can smoke various types of meat and several trays' worth of vegetables thanks to the ample interior space of 5.45 square feet. When smoking whole birds or large chunks of meat, each of the four racks is made of stainless steel and can be easily removed. This makes the smoking process much more efficient. The thermometer, which is displayed prominently on the front door so that it can be easily read by anyone entering or exiting the building, makes it simple to keep track of the temperature inside.

A variable gas supply makes it possible to regulate the amount of heat produced. In addition, there are two doors that allow for optimal access to the smoker, and there is also a rear vent that can be opened or closed to control the amount of heat and smoke released from the oven. Because the wood chips and the water are contained in the pan, which is made of porcelain enamel steel, the device is straightforward to clean after each use. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a timer, but other than that, it has an excellent level of performance.

5 Royal Gourmet CD1824A Charcoal Grill
Our Score:
9.2
Royal Gourmet

You'll be able to take pleasure in the tantalizing aromas produced by cooking on the Royal Gourmet 24-Inch Charcoal Grill. You will have more than enough space to grill anything you want, as the primary cooking surface measures 393 square inches, and the secondary cooking space measures 205 square inches. The porcelain that makes up the grilling grates of this charcoal grill is complemented by the heavy-duty metal that makes up the lid. Plus, the charcoal pan can be adjusted to various positions thanks to the handle that turns a crank. 

Because the device includes a temperature gauge, you won't have to worry about the food getting overcooked. The large, detachable ash pan that covers the entirety of the bottom of the grill makes cleaning it much more straightforward. You can organize your tools by using the bottom shelf in addition to the two side shelves that are fixed. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that you need to utilize it carefully to prevent it from becoming broken.

6 Royal Gourmet SE2801 Smoker
Our Score:
9.1
Royal Gourmet

The Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker has a total cooking surface area of 457.86 square inches, distributed across three chrome-coated smoking racks. This electric smoker has a heating power of 1500 watts and a digital controller that is fully adjustable and detachable. In addition, it features a thermometer built right in for a speedy check on the temperature inside. The only drawback is that operating when the temperature is lower than usual will be more challenging.

This analog electric smoker has a chip box with a lid and a water pan made of removable stainless steel. It features an independent grease cup, which makes your life easier by allowing you to clean up in a way that is both quick and convenient. The smoker can also meet various requirements due to its versatility. A cool-touch spring door handle, which prevents scalding, a latch system that ensures a good seal performance, and two handles on the side for more accessible transport are all included in the design of this product.

7 Cuisinart COS-118 Smoker
Our Score:
9.0
Cuisinart

The temperature and the amount of smoke produced can be easily adjusted using the Cuisinart 18-inch Charcoal Smoker. This smoker makes it easier than ever before. Adjusting whether or not the two vents are open enables you to control the amount of heat and smoke permitted to leave the chamber. You can raise the cover to allow for speedy and uncomplicated access to the smoked meals while they are prepared. It also has a porcelain enameled steel bowl to retain water and a vertical side door that allows easy access to the water and the fuel. 

This item includes two steel wire racks positioned anywhere inside the smoking chamber, with a surface area of approximately 0.35 square meters. It is the perfect accessory for an outdoor grill kitchen and will allow you to provide your guests with a delectable meal that has been smoked. For the exterior to withstand the effects of being subjected to the elements, it has been treated to prevent rusting. Unfortunately, controlling the temperature is a bit hard the first time, but you can be used to it after some use.

More To Consider

8 Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker
Our Score:
8.9
Char-Broil
9 Outsunny 48" Smoker
Our Score:
8.7
Outsunny

Tips for choosing the most appropriate model among the list of best affordable smoker

Perhaps as a customer, you may be looking for a best affordable smoker that may provide you with just what you want, such as being environmentally friendly, freely selected, and so on.

In this section, we will discuss with you the buying guides and main factors to consider when planning to buy the product from e-commerce websites, so that when the time comes to make your final selection, everything would be laid out in front of you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

What are the benefits of using an affordable smoker?

An affordable smoker can provide a great way to cook delicious food at a fraction of the cost of more expensive smokers. Affordable smokers also take up less space and can be easier to use and maintain.

What type of wood chips should I use in an affordable smoker?

It’s best to use wood chips that are specifically designed for smoking. Common types of wood chips for smoking include hickory, oak, mesquite, and apple.

What temperature should I use for smoking?

The temperature you should use for smoking depends on the type of food you are smoking. Generally, you should use temperatures between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

How often should I clean my smoker?

You should clean your smoker after every use. This will help to ensure that your smoker is free of any built-up grease or residue, which can affect the taste of your food.

Conclusion

In summary, the best affordable smoker is the one that will provide you with exactly what you want. Provided that you are not satisfied with the models listed above, we propose Oklahoma Joe's Smoker for you. 

If you are unclear about how to select an item for yourself or someone else at any time in this post, please let us know! Our team of professionals is always pleased to help you find the best match.


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About Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs
Sarah Combs is a visual editor who loves to travel and hike. She enjoys taking photographs of her journeys, which help her to remember the beautiful places she's been to. Sarah is grateful for the opportunities that she has had to see the world and looks forward to continuing to explore new places in the future. Sarah is the editor of CampfireHQ since 2021 and has written on a variety of topics, from camping, and hiking to other outdoor guides.

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