Top 5 Smokers for Beginners 

I've just been using the microwave, mixed results so far...

A FREE Craigslist Weber Kettle is the BEST place to start! 🔥👍🏼🇺🇸

I bought my oaklahoma Joe's offset last year and learned on some short ribs. I found it easy watching your old videos on how to maintain a clean fire. Never left its side while cookin. 👍👍👍

Just came here from the "Cheapest Smoker at Home Depot" video. This is awesome, I want to invest in a smoker this year. Thank you for this video!

Love my WSM, just did a 17lb brisket last week and I have another 24lb brisket I'm putting next week... I prefer it for longer smokes than ribs or chicken, but it's a pretty perfect smoker for the money, add a Party Q fan, a Maverick probe set, use the minion or snake fire methods and you're on temp for 10-15 hours with little to no maintenance. That said I've been eyeing the Old Country Brazos or Vertical (when it's back in stock) or the Rec Tec 700 for a step up in equipment. Solid content on your channel here, thanks for the good watch.

Started on a homemade pit barrel/UDS, then moved onto an offset, and this Christmas will make a full trailer smoker to help cook more and compete better. Each step was great in locking in a specific skill and then moving on to the next level of speciality

I just bought a combo gas charcoal and smoke combo. Used the smoker today and did chicken thighs. I watched a bunch of your videos on fire management before i got started and thanks to you my first c ook went absolutely awesome! I love your content thank you for all of the great information and your analytical mind. My wife is a believer in the smoker now over a propane grill even tho more labor intensive . Yes indeed I know what I’m going to do when I retire

I have a new (4 weeks old) GMG Daniel Boone Prime Plus. I've been doing chicken, ribs, bacon, and cooked my first 13lb packer yesterday~14.5hour cook @ 225 degrees. I wish I could post pictures. Temps are spot on and I love being able to set the grill and get in the pool. I was between GMG/ Rec Tec and so far I'm not disappointed.

Hamrforge Beast and PK360 are my two grills and smokers. The Hamrforge is a reverse flow smoker and works great. Full open vents on the fire box and smoke stack and just manage the temp with the amount of wood. The PK360 is portable and allows me to smoke/grill with direct or indirect.

The Pit Barrel Cooker all the way. This thing cooks some great meat. My only regret is researching for 2 weeks before purchasing. I could have been cooking during that time.

Agreed. I wish I started with a WSM. I'm very experienced with using offsets and more expensive pellet grills, but the WSM is hands down the lowest learning curve and produces amazing results.

Usually these "list" things raise my blood pressure. This one totally makes sense and stays on point. Good job Dog!

Im literal cooking my first whole brisket right now on my smokey mountain cooker. This channel really help me get comfortable enough to do a brisket. Right now she is sitting at 191 internal.

Really nice video Jeremy! My first cooker was the Weber 22 inch kettle. Added the Slow n Sear. It’s a great cooker. Thanks!

Every week I go golfing and I’m gone for hours. I love the Pit Barrel because it is a set it and forget it type smoker for the most part. The flavor I get from the charcoal and wood chunks is great. Plus it’s really light and portable.

I have the Old Country Brazos. Thanks to your sage advice, I am now using smaller splits and holding lower temps. Thank You Sir!

I ended up with the Weber summit charcoal.. expensive I know, but comparable to the kamado joe and I’ve been able to move it around to a few cooks around town which as been great. Super easy to use

I've been cooking on a Traeger Pellet grill I got from Costco about 6 years ago. Works great, and we use it all the time for lots of different applications.

Long-time griller, 1st time smoker. I bought a OklahomaJoe barrel smoker. After 6 months I have made really great pulled pork, ribs, chicken, turkey breast, prime rib. None have been very challenging until last week when wind was 30-40 mph. I burned through 3X the wood on an 8-hour pork shoulder. I worked hard to get it done., but it turned out great.

Like KJ, my BGE is sooo good. Started on 22" Weber, then cheapy box store offset to get the feel for temp control and for the last 25 yrs. on a Big Green Egg. Also use a WSM for Rv travel convenience and portability. The egg is hands down the fave because of its ability to maintain temp no matter the outside weather here in northern NH. This winter got to -24 F. with winds and held temp all night for brisket smoke without moving at all. Every time! Keep up the great vids.

I love my WSM and Fireboard 2/Blower combo! It works great for times where you just want to load in a buttload of charcoal, light a fire, set a temp, and walk away. My first brisket ever turned out great! In summer I'm doing ribs, butt, belly, sausages, pork tenderloin constantly. Finding the right kind of wood to use in an offset here isn't really in the cards. I don't think I could find apple, hickory, peach, or other good cooking woods in anything other than chunks for affordable prices, so this cooker works great for me. Also, the Fireboard 2 controller/blower makes using it as easy as a pellet cooker!

I have a Kamado Joe and a 22" WSM and I can do anything and everything with that combo, love it.

As always, great and informative video! I'm a proud owner of a WSM 22'' and have made some mighty tasty barbecue (imho.) Thanks for all you do for the barbecue community!

Solid list. Weber kettle, and Weber Smokey Mountain are what I always tell folks too. Great starting point.

I absolutely love my Char Griller Akorn Kamado grill. So versatile!

I had a small offset as my first smoker. I agree with you that it was great to learn how to manage a fire. It was difficult managing temperature. Now I have a custom 250 gallon reverse flow smoker. This smoker is easy to maintain temperature and I can get a lot if meat on the double racks. I appreciate learning about wood in another one of your videos. I am working to refine my long cook times and fuel management. Love your channel.

Nice solid list for those entering the world of BBQ. My first and only smoker is the Weber Smokey Mountain. Bought it five years ago as a retirement gift to myself. I don't use it often enough and still haven't really mastered anything. I'm a total failure at brisket, though I do make edible ribs and chicken. Pork butt is always just so-so. Still, as you said, it's easy to use. Once I get the temp leveled out, I don't need to check it very often. It holds temp really well when I use the minion method. My only regret is that I bought the 18.5 inch version and now wish I had sprung for the extra $100 and got the 22". I've wanted to cook larger quantities a few times and it would have been much easier on the 22". Thanks for the excellent bbq videos. I've learned some nice tricks by watching them.

I've used the Weber Smokey Mountain for over a decade, maybe 15 years. One of my favorite things is it's ability to hold a temperature. Once you figure out how much charcoal to light in the chimney (using the "Minion Method"), taking into consideration wind and outside temp, you can get pretty close to the temp you want. I've smoked things from 150F to 300F . Adjusting up and down is easy with the vents and it will keep that temp for a long time. Overnight smokes are no problem. PS. I ended up on this video because I was watching videos on offset smokers. Having second thoughts about adding one now :-)

Loved your video i agree on the WSM suggestion. I got the 22 inch and its and incredible smoker. Keep up the great job!

Lonestargrillz offset, 22” WSM, and a kettle take care of me quite well.

I just purchased my first "Smoker" and love it! I got a MasterBuilt 560 gravity Series and even as complete novice I have been able to produce some great meals. I don't know about the longevity yet but the simplicity and smoke capability are amazing.

I used a barrel cooker for several years and made some ridiculously good BBQ. Loved that thing.

these are not only great choices for those who are just starting out, but also great for those of us who don't want to fire up those big boys all the time. very easy to use, less work. great video!

I started smoking in early 2000's on a New Braunsfels vertical cabinet smoker. It was $150 "used" at a yard sale - it had probably been used twice. Not the greatest smoker ever, but I learned a lot with it and I made a lot of really good BBQ on it. I've since upgraded to an Old Country Angus, defiantly would not recommend for a beginner but great for moderate sized family gatherings.

Pecos is hands down the best stick burner for the money! I’ve done a few modifications to mine to make it run a lot better than it comes from the factory and I absolutely love using it!

The accessory for the Weber kettle you were trying to remember the name of is the “Slow ‘N’ Sear.”

Out of everything on this list, I’m most impressed with the proper use of the word “myriad.”

Started on WSM since my uncle gifted it to me. I love my WSM. Been cooking with a lot of bigger custom off sets lately and with pellet smokers but just did a brisket on the WSM last weekend and man I was reminded how easy it is to use. And it really does make great bbq. Set it and forget it as long as your vents are dialed in.

I have own a PBC for about 6 months now it’s very easy to use and it does make great bbq I have also have a pellet smoker and and since I’m from California I have a Santa Maria pit also. Great video. I’m going to be buying another smoker soon something that I can control the fire. Love the channel

A great alternative to the Kamado Joe is Vision Grills sold through Home Depot. It's about half the price and does a great job.

I've been on the fence... barrel or smokey mountain. So glad I watched this video before making a purchase!

Great video! I just ordered a Yoder YS640S to replace my Weber Genesis E-330. I chose Yoder because i wanted to start smoking like you.. but needed something easy to control temps, ease of getting and storing pellets, gets hot enough to sear and can replicate grilling, and will last forever.i can't have a dedicated smoker and a dedicated grill. I felt the Yoder was the right choice over Traeger, Recteq, Weber Smokefire etc.

I have both the 22" kettle and a PBC... love them both!!

The Oklahoma Joe's is the only way to go, changed to peacan wood from mesquite and at times used Oak, never looked back, done Brisket, pork shoulder butt, and various Ribs, all have came out excellent, the only thing I would recommend is the cover to protect it from moisture and periodically slightly oiling the outside to prevent rust and to extend the life of the smoker, best purchase I've made in my life. Several family members and friends have already made comments to get into the BBQ business, I would say maybe after I retire in a couple of years, that would be a strong possibility, great videos and recommendations, you are definitely my go to advisor on the Q ! Stay safe and God bless you !

I’ve had my Weber Kettle and WSM forever, love them, got the Daniel Boon last summer, love that thing as well. Thanks for great videos!

Well done- Agree 100% on WSM- small footprint- lot of us don’t have room for offsets.

I bought my WSM around 1990 and my wife said I would never use it. I still have the same one and use it all the time and I often leave it outside with no issues but I store it with the grates removed. They are the best

love these types of vids... super helpful

I have been watching videos from you and others non-stop for the last month, with the WSM near the top of the list. Based on the points you make here, it really sounds like the WSM is the way to go for me.. now I just need to convince my wife that I need a Weber kettle as well :) Thanks for all of the great content - as a scientist myself, I really appreciate how you dig into that side of things as well. Keep up the great work!

Never made good barbeque until I bought a Weber Smokey Mountain cooler. The Weber Kettle is more of a grill, and I couldn't maintain consistent temps with the offset smoker, but the WSM was a game changer to me!

I have used a Pit Boss vertical pellet smoker for 4 years, and when I saw a WSM 18 for $20 at a yard sale, I added that to my fleet of outdoor cookers. The Weber Smokey Mountain is great for sane day smokes like ribs and sides dishes, but for overnight smokes, I still love the pellet smoker. Convenience matters!

I have an Old Country Pecos smoker, bought in September, and I am very happy I chose this pit. It came fully assembled and at just 102.00 dollars shipping to Mass. cooks way better than my River grille smoker that I started with and I have smoked 7 rib prime roasts on that. I can't wait to try that on the Pecos.

Pit barrel cooker is a solid choice love mine

Great review! Well thought out and honest. I use the Weber kettle and 18" WSM with PID blower.

I have a Green Egg and a Pit Barrel Cooker. My favorite is the PBC---don't have to worry about the temperature rising or dropping like the Green Egg. I use the Green Egg for quick cooks; steaks, hamburgers, etc. For long cooks I use the PBC; don't have to watch/regulate the temperature just the time.

Great list! Very helpful. Thanks man.

I have a Oklahoma Joe offset smoker and I know its small but I love it. Thanks for sharing the info

My first smoker was a brinkman offset smoker. Still have it after 10 years. Fire box isn’t looking so hot now though haha. I also have a pellet cooker for when I’m lazy (which is often now).

I have the old country pecos and I agree with everything Jeremy said about it. I am happy with it and how it performs, I would suggest cooking in areas with very little wind as wind really causes some issues with heat management. I am though, very happy with what it offers for the price. Edit: I've had it for about three years now and it's still in great shape.

picked up an Oklahoma Joe Bronco. highly recommend it. Has oven gaskets at the closer, light enough to move and cooks super flavorful.

I started with the PBC and it truly got me addicted. Moving up slowly.

I’ve had my 22” wsm since 2012. I’ve leant it to my brother and my buddy who both love smoking meats now. Best smoker for the money.

Started with charbroil electric cabinet smoker. Learned about seasoning but the end result was never great. Then just started smoking in charcoal grill just by cooking indirect and got better. Bought the Brazos 2 weeks ago. It’s work learning temp management but I’m learning a lot each cook and the results are at another level. Managing the fire is 1/2 the fun. Thx for great info.

Very good short list! You can't imagine how lucky I am that my wife doesn't watch your channel. I was totally up for the Weber Smokey Mountain (which, she said, I don't need because of the results I had on my Weber Kettle) and then .... I found the Joe's 16" Reverse Smoker, which I bought. Well. maybe not THE smoker for beginners, but I am so glad I have it. With every time I use it I learn. And that's something I really enjoy: good food and learning!

Talking about the Kettle, or any cooking equipment, it’s just a tool to use, at the end of the day it’s the cook that makes the food delicious

Still saving for the "launch into space kettle accessory." Wife is rolling her eyes as we speak

I love my OC Pecos. Bought the heat tape to seal the doors better, and a pair of Tel-Tru thermometers. Last cook I had a 18 lb brisket and 3 racks of ribs. Pellet smokers are for people who think Bill Miller's is the best barbecue they've ever eaten. I paid 399 and added another 200 in accessories. You can keep your $1,000 Traeger.

Love my WSM & with the BBQ Guru UnltraQ it’s a set it and forget it temp control ..like magic. I grill on it as well. Half logs fit perfectly in the charcoal basket and over an open flame the bottom rack is perfect height For grilling/searing. Kind of like Santa Maria style. Works great. Thanks for the great content 👍🏼

I haven't checked your entire library but a video similar to this but maybe "top 5 accessories for beginners" would be a great addition. I'm assuming a temp probe would be on this list but some other ideas would be very helpful. Love your content!!

I own a Traeger Lil' Tex Elite. Had it since 2012 and love it. It all comes down to personal preference.

Finally! Someone that gets right to the point! Thanks for this helpful information!

You’re dead on with this list!

Good list. Your #1 is my #1.

I have owned all the smokers listed except for the drum, and I agree with Mad Scientist. I bet the drum is very similar to the WSM, made great BBQ on each of them. The Kamado is probably the most versatile, as far as capabilities, but don't expect to go from smoke to sear quickly. Right now for an aspiring pitmaster, I think the weber kettle provides the most value, as out of the gate it will start you off, and if it doesn't do what you want you can always buy an accessory to do it. If you have more money to spend I would go for the weber smoke fire, as that can do it all, but it can go from smoke to sear in 6 minutes flat. The kamado can do the same but it takes an hour to go from smoke to searing temperatures. All the grills on this video are great choices, and cook very well, great job Mad Scientist. From my experience what you want to do in this order to learn good BBQ is first to learn how to set up your grill to the temperature you want to cook at. Second figure out the recipes that you like the most. Third learn how to fuse Temperature, Time, and Recipies to make the best BBQ you have tasted. Then when you graduate from the basics, learn about how you can make even better BBQ, by doing things like reverse searing, and how temperature can change the product you cook from good BBQ to awesome BBQ. Rember you don't have to spend alot of money to make good BBQ or even great BBQ. It just takes time and patience.

Awesome content! Thanks for sharing!

WSM is such a great smoker. If I want "BBQ" or smoked brisket or shoulder I always use my WSM. If I want smoke as an ingredient along with flavors of rubs/sauces, I use my traeger. Nice video!

My master built was $150 from Lowe’s had it for 6 yrs and works great lol!!!

No one asked me but I completely agree! 🤣. I wouldn't call myself a professional pitmaster but I've been doing it awhile and #1 is still my go-to.

Fantastic video. I had a WSM that ended up rusting in my backyard and I used it for grilling like a dumdum but when I smoked steaks low'n'slow it was great. Last year I bought a kamado joe and it is just good game past that. Love it

some good tips for the newbies 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

I completely agree with this list. although you can sear steaks, and with slight modification you can easily grill on the wsm. I absolutely love mine.

Thank you - this was VERY helpful - greatly appreciated!

I have the wsm 22, several kettles, and the Brazos. The flavor I get from the wsm and brazos are neck and neck. I use the wsm like a pbc only one vent open.. I love them all...

You have a really great list and I agree with all your picks including the rankings. Next is the mid and high range smokers list.

Much appreciated, trying to get into bbq and this was a great place to start.

Love my Pit Barrel. It's a rib smoking machine.

Awesome video. Thanks for the knowledge.

New to your channel and I was so happy to hear that you have the weber kettle in your list! I have been smoking brisket, pork, ribs, chicken on those for years now! Perhaps it's time to graduate to the next level...thank you for the tips and looking forward to watching the rest of your videos!

Just found this video tonight. I've been using my Weber Smokey Mountain for a few years now, an it's been great. Doing a pork butt tomorrow and my mouth is already watering.

Thank you sir I’m new to smokers this video really helped

I have the old country Brazos, it’s been great but as was pointed out in a previous video the weld and cut quality is a bit spotty, so would look them over and pick the best one.

Good list. Got started on a WSM cooker about 12-13 years ago, then bought a Big Green Egg. Looking to add an offset to the backyard soon.

Awesome video. Had me hooked and I’ve been BBQ’ing for years lol.

Learning a lot about bbq from this channel. I was hoping that you would include a kamado grill since I had always wanted, and just bought, exactly that (An Akorn). Planning on my 1st brisket this weekend thanks to you. And I didn't forget the tallow! Thanks for the videos and the 15% off.

A modded Weber can be a blast and is the best bang for you buck. I have had mine since 1978. Now that’s a grill. Lid hinge, temp probe access, and others.

Wonderful list from the mad man himself. Thanks.

Thanks Jeramy very helpful. See you next time!

A reverse flow oaklahoma joes highland and a weber premium kettle is my weapons of choice.

Thanks for your well done and fun videos. I'm about to pull the trigger on a back yard size offset smoker. Not sure which one yet but the little one you have looks enticing.

WSM number 1, sweet. I’ll be getting one in the next few month. Man I can’t wait!