Rushing through the websites to search for the best propane smoker that meet your demands?
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This page is the one-stop solution for all your questions regarding propane smokers.
Table could not be displayed.The propane smokers are simple in design, straightforward in performance, and magnificent in smoking food, that is why they do not put forward any challenge for the buyers. Having said that, the propane smokers are economical and do not break the bank. At an economical cost, you can have a top-class propane smoker.
A propane smoker in your backyard is going to work throughout the year, across the four seasons, and even accompany you on a fascinating adventure. Although the propane smokers are not manufactured with many advanced features, yet it extends such a convenience that you do not need to babysit or tend to the meat for the whole time.
Contents
The Best Propane Smokers Reviewed 2023
Here is the list of best propane smoker:
| Propane Smoker Model | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Masterbuilt MB20051316 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Char-Broil Vertical | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Cuisinart COS-244 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Masterbuilt MB20050116 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Landmann USA 3495GLA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Smoke Hollow 30164G | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| PIT BOSS 77435 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Masterbuilt MB20052318 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
1. Masterbuilt MB20051316 – Best Propane smoker
Masterbuilt MB20051316 Mps 340g XL is the best selling propane smoker in our list. The amazing features in under $250 budget makes it best value for money smoker.
What’s phenomenal?
The thermostat in Masterbuilt’s Thermo Temp is the most fascinating feature of this propane smoker and this is going to wipe away all your worries related to the temperature control. This integrated thermostat controls the temperature of the smoker, hence presenting a perfect smoked food for you every time.
While other smokers use an analog thermometer, which often shows inaccurate temperature readings or gets non-functional with time. The Masterbuilt innovative thermostat is there to handle the temperatures as it regulates the gas flow from the tank to the burner. This propane smoker has no thermometer or you may say it doesn’t need the thermometer because the thermostat is the hero here.
The thermostat is mounted at the center of the rear side of the smoker. All you need to do is to set you requisite temperature between 175 -350, and then the thermostat takes over. It will control the flow of the gas according to the temperature by adjusting the burner.
Design and Construction: On the front of this propane smoker, you will see two doors guarding the cooking chamber. The top door has a viewing window, to let you glance at the meat while it is being smoked. Whereas the second door is the gateway to the wood-chip tray and the water-pan.
The doors contribute to better insulation and heat retention, as you don’t need to open the door often to refill the wood chip tray. The doors are securely locked with the sturdy clamps ensuring no heat is leaked through the doors. Furthermore, the air damper at the back controls the flow of moisture and smoke as you open or close it.
Inside the cooking are, you get four chrome-plated racks with fixed heights. The smoking racks measure 19.5 x 12 inches so you can smoke chickens, turkeys, rib racks, and much more. However, to fit in the turkey, you would have to remove two cooking racks to make the space. The stainless steel propane burner which produces 15,750 BTUs of heat is enough to smoke soft, tender, and juicy food for you.
The propane tank has an integrated fuel gauge to indicate the level of propane in the tank. You can turn on the burner with an electronic ignition system and in case the flame is extinguished the safety valve will switch off the burner.
Cleaning and Maintenance: A grease-pan beneath the chamber will collect the drippings that escape the water-pan. The pan can later be removed and cleaned. The chrome-plated racks resist corrosion so you can clean them with a dishwasher.
2. Char-Broil Vertical – Best Liquid Propane Gas Smoker
From the stylish design to brilliant performance, the Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Smoker is ranked among the top propane smokers for its exceptional performance.
Design: This vertical smoker comes with a cabinet-style front. The door guards the cooking chamber, while you can access the porcelain coated water-pan and wood-chip tray by drawing out the bottom drawer. In this manner, you can directly replenish the chips and water, so that heat is not lost from the chamber.
With the adjustable control damper, you can adjust the flow of heat and moisture across the cooking surface. In addition to this, control knobs on the front allow you to set your required temperature from high to low. This smoker is committed for our safety, so the coiled spring wire around the handles makes them cool to touch.
The distinct advantage in this propane smoker is the warming rack crowning on the top. It gives you extra space to warm meat, buns, and sauces.
Smoking Performance: The cooking grates are chrome-plated for enhanced protection from rust and corrosion. These three chrome-plated grills heat up by the 16,500 BTU burner after you ignite the chamber with a rotary ignition
The combined cooking surface is 596 sq inches, while the cooking chamber covers an area of 7,566 cubic inches. This is comparatively a large cooking area to smoke meat slabs including steaks, briskets, chicken, and many other recipes.
Cleaning and Maintenance: As you have the direct access to the bottom drawer, you can simply draw out the wood-chip tray and water-tray to clear away residues and drippings. For more convenience the chrome-plated racks have the liberty to move, so you can also clean them with the scrub and dishwasher.
3. Cuisinart COS-244 – 36″ Vertical Propane smoker
Cuisinart COS-244 vertical propane smoker proffers style, versatility, and compatibility as you bring it to your home.
What’s Unique?
The integrated two in one tray, at the base of the propane smoker, is going to catch your attention. The water pan around the wood-chip tray sends an equal amount of heat upwards when it is subjected to heating.
Adding to your convenience is the adjustable knob on the front. It allows you to adjust the burner as you prefer high or low heat. A built-in thermometer on the door will indicate the internal temperature.
Design: This smoker has a well-built stalwart frame, which surrounds the cooking chamber. Through the dual-door system secured with the twist and lock handle, a high-insulation system is conveyed in this propane smoker. As a result, heat is going to remain inside for a longer period, along with that the great smoky flavor imparted in the meat is going to tempt your taste-buds.
This propane smoker has a smoking area of 5.45 square feet, which fit in 4 cooking grates. Each of these cooking grates has a surface area of 14 by 14 inches thus measuring 196 sq inches. These four cooking grates on a whole give you a generous cooking space of 786 sq inches. Smoking rib racks, steaks, chicken, sausage, and turkeys would be viable in Cuisinart propane smoker.
As the 40-inch long hose connects the burner with the tank, providing an efficient supply of propane to the burner.
Warranty: A 3-year warranty period by Cuisinart smokers ensures that if the smoker shows an error or damage you can call the manufacturers and get it repaired.
Cleaning and Maintenance: For cleaning, unfasten the dual-chamber from its position and throw away the drippings and the residual ash. While you can remove the cooking racks and clean it.
4. Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared – Large Size under 300
Get to know a smoker that is more than just a smoker, its a grill as well as roaster. The Char-Broil Big Easy 3 in 1 grill powered by TRU Infrared technology is reviewed here.
What’s Unique
This 3-in-1 grill can smoke, roast and grill for you with its versatile cooking grates. For grilling, the cross-sectional grates are the key. The TRU-infrared technology is employed by the Char-Broil makers, so to prevent any flickering flames. The salient feature of the Infrared technology blended in the cross-sectional is that it locks in the juices and infuses tenderness in the meat.
Design: This propane smoker has a sophisticated exterior design. It stands as a vertically oriented cylinder, with a lid opening from the top and the wood-chip loading system at the sides. The smoker gives you the choice to set the temperatures between 100℉ to 400℉ with the single heat control knob. The smoker is equipped with an integrated meat-thermometer that affirms the attainment of absolute temperature.
Interior: On the top of the inner chamber rest a 180 sq inches grilling grate. This grate embosses the TRU-infrared technology and is large enough to grill chicken, seafood, Newyorker strips along with other cuisines. For smoking a whole turkey, the magnanimous drop-in basket is there for you. It can roast and smoke some delicious food with a sensational aroma.
The interior chamber is powered with a powerful 18,000 BTU burner at the base. The burner sends a consistent even heat upwards to sizzle and smear meat, which locks in the moisture so that you get the perfect result every time. This versatile smoker allows you to smoke, grill, and roast simultaneously. However, lifting the hot grill to access the meat being smoked could be a risky task.
Cleaning and Maintenance: For your facility, the wire-basket can be removed from its location and wash away the sticky grease from its surface with scrub. The grease pan, however, is not dishwasher safe, so wash it with soap and water. Here is a tip for you, line the grease-pan with aluminum so it doesn’t make a mess for you later on.
5. Masterbuilt MB20050116 – Portable Propane Smoker
Planning a tail-gating, camping, or any other outdoor activity, choose Masterbuilt MB20050116 as your companion.
What’s Different?
Its compact size and weighing only 25 pounds is what makes it appropriate for outing adventures. The smoker features compact folding legs due to which it can fit in the patios and backyards. If you have less space for those large smokers in the market, then bring home this masterpiece.
Performance: The smoking chamber of this smoker boards in two mega-size smoking grates. These grates are chrome-plated for endurance and long-lasting performance as they resist corrosion and rust. The grates are customized to smoke rib-racks, more than three chickens at a time, a turkey, and other various cuisines.
The smoker is ignited by the push-button ignition system and the built-in thermometer indicates the internal temperature of the chamber. Controlling the temperature and flame is now in your hands with the regulator knob. The air dampers fixed in the smoker maintain the flow of smoke, moisture, and air.
The Masterbuilt smoker is powered by a 5000 BTU burner, which gives an abundant supply of heat to the cooking chamber.
Cleaning and Maintenance: The smoker has the wood-chip that can be stretched out for removing ash straight from the chamber into the bin. Dismount the cooking grates to wash them and clean them. The smoker can last a long time if taken proper care by covering it and protecting it from harsh environments.
6. Landmann USA 3495GLA – Heavy Duty
A heavy-duty, high-quality smoker is this Landmann USA 3495 GLA Smoky Mountain propane smoker.
What’s Unique
The dual-drawer system at the bottom, which holds the water-pan and the wood-chip tray separately, to provide you direct access to the resources. You won’t need to open the door more often to check the level of water and the number of wood-chips.
In most of the smokers, we have to open the main door to refill water and wood-chips. Consequently, a lot of heat retained in the chamber is lost to the environment thus affecting the performance of the smoker. This is no such worry here in this smoker. Not only you get direct access, but it makes cleaning easier to a much greater extent. The drippings from the food are collected in the pan and later cleaned.
Construction and Performance: The frame of this smoker is built up of heavy-duty steel and the cooking chamber is welded for durability. The efficient rotary ignitor turns on the potential 13,500 BTU burner, which generates flaring heat to smoke steaks, meat loin, chicken, turkeys and so much more. The outcome results will be up to perfection every time.
The smoking chamber contains four chrome-plated racks and attached hooks on the top. These racks resist rust and corrosion and are arranged in an area of 1570 sq inches. The heat from the burner flows across the chamber and then escapes through the top chimney. Air-vents and dampers maintain the moisture and heat content in the chamber.
You might be thinking about the built-up material of the water pan and the wood chip box. Well, the water-pan is coated with porcelain and the capacious wood-chip tray is made up of high-quality steel.
Warranty: The smoker comes with a huge 10-year warranty so don’t worry about the damaged parts, the customer service is going to correct it for you.
7. Smoke Hollow 30164G – Best Budget
Smoke Hollow 30164G 30 inch propane smoker is favored for its well-built design and preparing competition-ready smoked food.
Design: This hefty propane smoker is made from high-quality steel and furnished with a powder coating. Powder-coating ensures durability along with protection for longer periods. It comes as cabinet styled with a single opening door. The handles are made safe to touch as they are enveloped in a coiled-wire spring.
The whole smoker reaches to the height of 30 inches and is 21 inches wide. A control panel on the front contains a push-button ignitor and an adjustable control knob for setting the requisite heat. The in-built thermometer serves to indicate the current internal temperature. However, analog temperatures are prone to inaccuracy.
Performance: After you press the ignition button, a 10,000 BTU burner gets the flame. This heats the cooking chamber, in which three chrome-plated racks are arranged. Smoke a variety of meals by rearranging the racks according to your preference. Moreover, the removable racks make swift cleaning possible.
At the base, the wood-chip tray is placed which you can fill with various flavored wood-chips to infuse a lavish smoky flavor in the meat. Above the wood-chip tray is the water-pan for imparting moisture and to catch the food-drippings. You can simmer the drippings in the water-pan to cook a savory sauce. Both these trays are porcelain-coated to shield themselves from rust.
8. Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D – Best for Liquid Propane
Dyna-Glo is among the most trusted brands that manufacture some top-class kitchenware. This Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D Propane smoker is the magnificent example of excellence from Dyna-Glo.
What is going to catch your interest?
The huge 1,235 sq inches of cooking capacity as the four chrome-plated racks are arranged in the smoking box. The total width of the chamber is 36 inches, so it is a magnified area for smoking ribs, whole chickens, turkeys, seafood recipes, sausages, and vegetables.
The chamber is heated up by two stainless steel burners giving out a heat of 20,000 BTUs. These burners get the rapid ignition from the push-button ignition system. The flame intensity of both of the burners is set by the adjustable control knobs on the front.
Interior: The interior chamber is guarded by the dual-doors on the front. The front door locks the smoking box, whereas the wood-chip tray and water-pan are in your reach as the second door is the gateway to them.
The water-pan has a voluminous size so to hold the maximum quantity of water, to avoid the need to frequently refill the pan. The wood-chip tray and water-pan both are enameled with porcelain and this makes them resilient towards rust.
A smoke zone built in the temperature gauge guides you with the ideal temperature.
9. PIT BOSS 77435 – Vertical Gas Smoker under 300$
PIT BOSS 77435 may be the best choice if you want a a vertical LP gas smoker in a budget under 300.
Design: A large window glass pane on the front, an inbuilt thermometer, a control knob, and a push-button ignition system all are the components of the peripheral design of the PitBoss 77435 LP gas smoker. The smoker weighs around 52 pounds and reaches to the height of 47 inches. The wood-chip drawer and the grease tray are accessed from the front side.
Interior: The cooking chamber of this propane smoker covers a luxurious 800 sq inches of area. Prepare, marinate, place the meat on the cooking grates, set the temperature, and leave the rest on the smoker.
Through the adjustable controlling knobs, you can set the temperature between 100 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
The three porcelain-coated racks will make sure the meat is smoked evenly and the taste is perfect for the diners.
The chamber gets the heat from two burners. One of these burners provides 10,000 BTU heat to the smoke the food, while the second burner serves to burn the wood-chips to enhance the smoky flavor.
The front access wood-chip tray has made things quite simple for you. It won’t require opening up the chamber to replenish the wood chip.
10. Masterbuilt MB20052318 – 30-Inch Propane Smoker
Another masterpiece on the list is from Masterbuilt and its MB20052318 propane smoker.
What’s in the chamber
You can smoke whole chickens, rack of ribs, turkeys in the smoking box. The smoking box contains four chrome-plated racks, that can be rearranged to adjust large pieces of meat. The stainless steel burner with 15,000 BTU generates fiery flames, to quickly raise the temperature of the smoker. The push-button ignition system set the burner on fire.
Take smoking to another level with the feasibility, this propane smoker proffers. The removable water-pan is in your reach through the lower chamber. You can refill the water whenever required. Moreover, the water-pan collects all the drippings that drop off from the meat.
Design: This smoker is equipped with a dual-door system which is secured by the latch-locks. This results in an improved insulation system. The handles on the doors are cool-to-touch so that you do not face any injury when working with the smoker.
Another interesting aspect is the porcelain-coated flame disk bowl, which holds the wood-chips and makes the flame reach the burner. The Flame-disk bowl acts as a shelter to protect the burner from the drippings and grease.
Cleaning and Maintenance:Â Since both the chambers have separate access, you can open the lower chamber, then remove the eater pan and flame disk bowl and clean them with a dishwasher.
We are now heading towards the buying guide, that will let you know the spec and features you have to consider before buying the best propane smoker.
What to look for when buying the Best Propane Smoker?
Choosing a best propane smoker to buy is different from an offset smoker, we know that very well. A propane smoker is supposed to give a consistent and long-lasting performance. They have to withstand external temperatures and harsh environments. Having this point mentioned, you have to first look for it its construction and built-up quality.
Top-rated propane smoker usually employs heavy-duty stainless steel to construct the peripheral body. The legs on which the smoking box stand must be compact, sturdy, and strong enough to carry the load of the smoking box.
Another aspect that is worth mentioning here is the insulation. Stronger the insulation, stronger the heat-retention, better the is smoking game. Therefore make sure that the propane smoker you are going to buy has a well-built construction quality and improved insulation system.
Compact size: In pursuit of the compact size, many propane smokers have the cooking chamber that is not capacious enough to accommodate rib racks. You need to cut down the pieces of meat to fit them in the box. Therefore the solution to this is checking out the width of the chamber.
This would give you an estimate of the smoking capacity of the chamber. However, don’t ignore the fact that being compact is equally essential for the smoker for it will fit in smaller areas. Compare the dimensions of the smoker with the area where you have to place the smoker, this would help you in buying the appropriate smoker.
Doors: The companies have introduced smokers with various styles of doors. Most of them have a single door, and on the flip side, there are two doors separate for both chambers. A dual-door system is normally preferred over a single door because of the compliance it provides.
Firstly heat is not lost and the temperatures do not get disturbed when you open the top door. Secondly, the gateway to wood-chip tray and water-pan is the second door for refilling the extinguished fuel.
Quality of cooking grills: Cooking grates are the primary elements in the smoking box. Hence there durability and reliability are the significant factors to foresee. Most of the manufacturers have their cooking grates made up of stainless steel or cast iron.
The grills are either chrome-plated or they are given a porcelain furnish. Such enameling enhances its performance. As they are subjected to regular cleaning, the top coating protects them from corrosion and rust. Along with the grilling racks, a bonus point will be the coated finish of the wood-chip tray and water pan.
Burners: The burners are the heating elements of smokers. Since smoking is a time-consuming activity, the burners have to provide continuous flames. The burners installed in the propane smokers have different powers that are measured in the British Thermal Unit or BTUs. Burners with high BTUs are considered efficient in providing continuous heat throughout. The burners are powered by the propane tank. The fuel gauge on the propane tank indicates the level of propane in the tank, this allows you to arrange a backup tank if required.
Thermometers: These temperature gauges indicate the internal temperature of the chamber. However, it is observed that the thermometers start indicating inaccurate measurements after some time. Analog temperature gauges are now considered as an inefficient method of indicating temperatures. But the solution to this problem is a digital thermometer. Install in a digital thermometer for knowing the accurate temperature.
Propane Smoker FAQs
Do you soak wood chips for propane smoker?
It is a concept that soaking the wood-chips results in more smoke, hence more flavor is instilled in the meat. However, it is the steam that rises when you place soaked wood-chips on the hot pan. Still, if you want, you can soak the wood-chips in the water for 30-minutes before smoking the food.
How long will a 20lb propane tank last on a smoker?
It is observed that a standardized 20 lb tank is going to last for straight 15-20 hours, whereas a normal 14 to 16-ounce tanks will work for 6 to 8 hours. Here is a tip for you! Always keep a backup tank with you.
Which one is the best propane smoker?
Masterbuilt 20051316 Propane smoker is rated as the top smoker for its durable performance and super smoking capabilities. The thermostat is the unique feature that makes it stands out from other smokers.
Hope you enjoyed the in-depth review. Here you can check our post on Pellet Smoker and Grill Reviews.
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