When it comes to smoking meats, the type of smoker you use can significantly impact the flavor, texture, and overall quality of your barbecue. While traditional horizontal smokers are often the first image that comes to mind, vertical smokers offer a unique set of advantages that can elevate your smoking game. In this article, we delve into the world of vertical smokers and highlight some of the best models available in the market today.
What is a Vertical Smoker?
A vertical smoker, as the name suggests, is a smoker that stands upright. The design typically includes a heat source at the bottom, cooking racks in the middle, and a vent at the top. This structure allows heat and smoke to rise naturally from the bottom, enveloping the food in the middle, and creating a consistent cooking environment that infuses the food with a rich, smoky flavor.
Best Vertical Smokers Review
1. Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker
The Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker is a top-tier model that impresses with its massive cooking capacity and innovative features. It boasts a whopping 1,806 square inches of cooking space, split between four meat racks, three jerky racks, and a sausage rack with twelve hooks.
The smoker can be controlled via Wi-Fi through the Camp Chef app, allowing you to monitor and adjust your cooking process remotely. It also features adjustable smoke settings and a temperature range of 150°F to 350°F, providing versatility for various smoking needs.
One standout feature of the Camp Chef XXL Pro is the addition of a smoke box. This pull-out compartment allows you to burn a few chunks of smoke wood or charcoal for real wood flavor while still running the grill off pellets. This feature addresses a common issue with many pellet grills, which often struggle to generate enough smoke flavor.
2. Weber Smokey Mountain
The Weber Smokey Mountain, affectionately known as the "bullet" for its iconic shape, is a vertical smoker that has earned a stellar reputation among pitmasters. This charcoal water smoker is split into three sections: a fuel pan at the bottom for heat and smoke, a central smoke chamber for the food, and a water pan that maintains a stable smoking temperature and adds humidity.
The Weber Smokey Mountain is simple to use, incredibly well-built, and comes in three sizes to suit your space requirements. The combination of charcoal and wood gives food smoked in this unit a fantastic, authentic flavor. Different wood chunks can be used to adjust the flavor profile of the smoke to suit the food you're smoking.
3. Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro
The Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro is a larger version of the popular drum smoker from Oklahoma Joe's. Marketed towards competition pitmasters, it also makes for an excellent backyard grill and smoker. The Bronco sets itself apart from many other vertical smokers with an attached side table included in the base price, providing a convenient place to set your food before maneuvering it onto the smoker.
The Bronco Pro features an extra-large charcoal basket, allowing for up to 15 hours of continuous cooking. While charcoal smokers often require a steeper learning curve than other types, the Bronco makes it easy with adjustable dampers for temperature control and a built-in thermometer.
4. Masterbuilt MPS 340G Thermotemp XL Propane Smoker
The Masterbuilt MPS 340G Thermotemp XL Propane Smoker is a fantastic option for those who prefer the convenience of gas smoking. This vertical smoker features a patented temperature control system that automatically adjusts the propane flow to maintain the desired temperature. It also has a safety valve that shuts off the burner if the flame is extinguished.
The Masterbuilt MPS 340G offers four chrome-coated smoking racks, providing ample space for your smoking needs. It also includes a built-in temperature gauge and a viewing window, allowing you to monitor your food without opening the door and losing heat.
5. Camp Chef Smoke Vault
The Camp Chef Smoke Vault is another solid gas option for those who prefer propane smokers. This vertical smoker mimics the look of an old-fashioned vault or safe, adding a touch of charm to your outdoor cooking setup.
The Smoke Vault offers two adjustable smoking racks and a jerky smoking rack, providing versatility for various types of food. It also features adjustable heat-control dials, three damper valves, and a door thermometer to help you control and monitor the smoking temperature.
6. Pit Boss 5 Series Vertical Pellet Smoker
The Pit Boss 5 Series Vertical Pellet Smoker is a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on features. This smoker offers a large cooking area with five porcelain-coated cooking racks. It also features a digital LED readout and a fully programmable meat probe to monitor your cooking process.
The Pit Boss 5 Series uses 100% all-natural hardwood pellets, delivering a rich, smoky flavor to your food. It also features a large viewing window, allowing you to watch your food as it smokes.
7. Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
The Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker offers a unique design that allows for maximum heat control and great smoking flavor. The offset design keeps direct heat away from the food, which helps to slow cook and infuse smoke flavor.
This smoker offers five adjustable cooking grates and a total of 1,382 square inches of cooking space. It also features a built-in stainless steel thermometer with a "Smoke Zone" indicator, helping you achieve the perfect smoking temperature every time.
8. Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker
The Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker is a great option for those who prefer the convenience of electric smoking. This smoker offers three adjustable chrome-plated cooking grates, providing 505 square inches of total cooking space.
The Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker features a 1,500-watt heating element with a temperature range from 100 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It also includes a water pan and a wood chip pan, allowing you to add moisture and smoke flavor to your food. The insulated, double-walled construction ensures that heat and smoke are kept inside for efficient cooking.
Conclusion
Vertical smokers offer a unique set of advantages that can elevate your smoking game. They provide consistent heat distribution, efficient use of space, and excellent smoke penetration, resulting in flavorful and tender smoked meats. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a beginner, a vertical smoker can be a valuable addition to your barbecue arsenal.
FAQs
What is a vertical smoker?
A vertical smoker is a type of smoker that stands upright. It typically has a heat source at the bottom, cooking racks in the middle, and a vent at the top, allowing heat and smoke to rise naturally from the bottom and envelop the food in the middle.
What are the advantages of a vertical smoker?
Vertical smokers offer several advantages, including consistent heat distribution, efficient use of space, and excellent smoke penetration. They are also typically more affordable and easier to use than other types of smokers.
What is the best vertical smoker?
The best vertical smoker depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, some top-rated models include the Camp Chef XXL Pro Vertical Pellet Smoker, the Weber Smokey Mountain, and the Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro.
About Grace Rodriguez
Grace Rodriguez is your passionate grill aficionado and the lively host of the Fox Heights Bar and Grill Podcast. With a zest for culinary adventures and a gift for making everyone feel like a friend, Grace brings a warm and welcoming vibe to the world of grilling. From sharing her top-notch tips for crafting the perfect burger to creating an atmosphere of camaraderie around the grill, Grace's genuine charm and relatable style make her podcast a must-listen for both seasoned grill masters and newcomers alike.
