Author: Maurice Savaryego, M.Sc.Eng. (Learn More)
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Compare Best Smoker Grills: Charcoal, Electric or Propane? - Weber vs. Masterbuilt
 Weber's Smokey Mountain in action!
Smoking is one of the best ways to bring out the mouth watering rich flavor of various cuts of meat such as brisket and ribs. They simply taste best when they're smoked until the meat melts off the bone.
When smoking, foods are cooked with indirect heat, and therefore the heat source has to be as far as it can be from the foods being prepared. Whether it is charcoal, electricity or propane, the heat source is usually all the way at the bottom level of the smoking unit, with the foods at the top in a vertical setup, with trays or bowls of smoking wood and water in between. The challenge with successful smoking is maintaining the recommended temperature and keeping a steady smoke-flow. In this article we will consider the three most popular types of smokers: |
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1. Charcoal Smokers
The most common charcoal smokers are made of a steel drum that contains a bowl near the bottom to hold the charcoal and one or more cooking racks above it. There are usually one or more vents (either on the lid or the bowl or on both). Often, they also include a water bowl between the charcoal bowl and the cooking grates to add steam to the process so meat stays moist and tender and to maintain optimal smoking temperatures. An additional effect of the water is that water vapor and smoke condense together enhancing the flavor of the smoked foods. The water bowl is also used to catch drippings from the meat that may cause a flare-ups. Wood blocks can be added to the charcoal to enhance the smoking effect.
Though these smokers require some adjustment of the vents until the desired temperature is reached, they are quite temperature stable and require little or no adjustment once the desired temperature is reached.
At the time this article was written, the most popular and best rated charcoal powered smoker was the Weber’s Smokey Mountain described below:
Though these smokers require some adjustment of the vents until the desired temperature is reached, they are quite temperature stable and require little or no adjustment once the desired temperature is reached.
At the time this article was written, the most popular and best rated charcoal powered smoker was the Weber’s Smokey Mountain described below:
(Photo Credits: Weber)
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Weber Smokey Mountain
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Please click the image shown above for price information.
2. Electric Smoker Grills
The most common electric smokers are made of a steel chamber equipped with a heating element with integrated thermostat temperature control for even and consistent smoking temperatures. They come equipped with a wood chip tray, a water pan and one or more cooking racks. When heated, the wood chips produce smoke instead of burning, and the steamed water serves to maintain optimal smoking temperatures and also adds humidity to the smoke chamber which is also equipped with air dampers for smoke control. Some advanced models can be controlled remotely. One major advantage of these smokers is that they are equipped with a thermostat, and once you set the temperature to the desired level, you will no more need to worry about it.
At the time this article was written, the most popular and best rated electric powered smoker among Amazon customers was the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, described below:
At the time this article was written, the most popular and best rated electric powered smoker among Amazon customers was the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, described below:
(Photo Credits: Masterbuilt)
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Masterbuilt Digital Bluetooth Electric Smoker
This Masterbuilt electric smoker is perfect for the beginner or the pro, with this "smart" electric smoker you’ll achieve competition-ready results in your own backyard without the hassle of charcoal or propane. Simply plug this smoker in, set the digital controls, and it does the work! The patented side wood chip loader lets you experiment with flavor without opening the smoker door. The smoker comes with the following features:
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Warranty: Masterbuilt warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship under proper assembly, normal use and recommended care for 90 days from the date of original retail purchase
Please click the image shown above for price information.
3. Propane Smoker Grills
The most common propane smokers are made of a steel chamber equipped with a gas burner located directly under a box or tray containing wood chips that generate the smoke when heated. The box has a few vents on top, and when the burner is turned on, the wood chips in the box are starved of oxygen and generate smoke instead of burning. There is also a water bowl that is placed between the wood chip box and the cooking grates to add steam to the process so meat stays moist and tender and to maintain optimal smoking temperatures. Once again, an additional effect of the water bowl is that water vapor and smoke condense together enhancing the flavor of the smoked foods, and the bowl is also used to catch drippings from the meat.
At the time this article was written, the most popular and best rated propane powered smoker among Amazon customers was the Masterbuil4 MPS 340G (MB20051316) Propane Smoker described below:
At the time this article was written, the most popular and best rated propane powered smoker among Amazon customers was the Masterbuil4 MPS 340G (MB20051316) Propane Smoker described below:
(Photo Credits: Masterbuilt)
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Masterbuilt Propane Smoker
The Masterbuilt MPS 340G makes propane smoking simple and very safe. You will no more monitoring or adjusting temperature. The patented new ThermoTemp innovation lets you set the temperature and walk away. The safety shut-off valve provides increased safety and the four smoking racks provide all the room you wil need to beautifully smoke up to 16 chickens, 6 turkeys, 8 racks of ribs, or 8 pork butts. The smoker comes with the following features:
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- The propane tank retention bracket provides stability for propane tank.
- The stainless steel wood chip tray is mounted on the lower door for easy access.
- There is a side-mounted grease tray for easy access and quick cleanup.
- Type 1 regulator with hose
Please click the image shown above for price information.
So which of the three smokers should you get?
The three smokers considered here are excellent products as shown by the average rating each had received from Amazon customers at the time this article was written. Indeed, the Weber charcoal smoker had received an astounding 5 stars out of 5 stars, while the Masterbuilt electric and Masterbuit propane smokers had received respectively 4.5 and 4 stars. There is a good chance that you would be quite happy with any of these three smokers.
However, before you decide which to get, we recommend you read the following which emphasizes the important aspects of each of the three smokers:
However, before you decide which to get, we recommend you read the following which emphasizes the important aspects of each of the three smokers:
- Weber's 18.5" Smokey Mountain is a great smoker, but if you are looking for a set-and-forget type unit, this is not for you as it will take a little bit of work and time to use and maintain it properly. But you will obtain great results. With this smoker, it’s important to start early in order to give the charcoal enough time to start up, and the liquid in the water pan to get up to temperature before you place the food. You will then make sure that the temperature stays as stable as possible by adjusting slightly the vents. The built-in temperature gauge on the lid makes monitoring the temperature very easy. Note that temperatures as high as 350 °F can be reached with this smoker though the recommended smoking temperature is 200°F-250°F. All in all, Weber’s Smokey Mountain works flawlessly, is easy to use and clean up, and delivers mouth watering succulent authentically smoked meats. Keep in mind that it also received an average rating of 5 stars from Amazon customers, a pretty rare achievement!
- Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker is perfect for the beginner or the pro. It will allow you to achieve excellent results without the hassle of obtaining charcoal or propane and without having to pay too much attention to the process. Simply plug this smoker in, set the digital controls, including the desired temperature, and it does the work! The digital thermostat temperature control helps you keep the smoker at the right temperature without having to adjust vents. You can set your preferred temperature and then just focus on keeping the wood tray filled, the foods on the racks, and you're good to go. Also, because it runs on electricity, it requires smaller amounts of wood for the smoking process, rather than needing larger amounts of wood and charcoal. This allows for a more affordable smoke.
In addition, this unit supports Bluetooth, so you can control it also from your smartphone or tablet. - Masterbuilt Propane Smoker is a workhorse, with plenty of room to smoke all of your favorite foods. It is a great smoker for those just starting. Temperature control with this gas smoker is quite easy as it works just like the gas burners on your kitchen range. With its push-button ignition, you just need to turn the flame up or down as needed, and with the built-in temperature gauge, you’ll achieve competition-ready results in your own backyard.
Recommended Smokers of Each of the Three Types on Amazon
The above described smokers of each type are also available below.
Please click the Amazon US link image below for the smoker of your choice to see exact price information or to purchase.
Please Note: For non-US customers, when you click the links below, you will be provided with the Amazon links for your country (such as Canada or UK), if the product is available in your country.
Please click the Amazon US link image below for the smoker of your choice to see exact price information or to purchase.
Please Note: For non-US customers, when you click the links below, you will be provided with the Amazon links for your country (such as Canada or UK), if the product is available in your country.
Weber 721001 |
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