The slow n sear ring fits in the bottom of the grill and holds a chimney full (80-90) of briquettes. The V-shaped chamber that acts as a divider holds up to 1-quart of liquid, regulating the temperature and adding moisture while shielding the food being smoked from direct heat. Charcoal makes more smoke than gas, with a broader range of tasty flavor molecules, because it is burning complex organic molecules, among them cellulose and lignin.

Think about how many you cook for on average and buy a unit that has that capacity. Most manufacturers will give you a size in square inches, but will also translate the size into a “number of burger patties” figure, which is a much more tangible way to picture how much space you need. Do you need a dedicated smoker or combo grill? Manufacturers have different methods of separating the fire from the meat, and it’s why we have a variety of types and models on the market. Will you smoke meat on Friday and sear steaks on Saturday? A kamado or kettle grill is the right choice.Durable construction– The body of the Weber is made from pressed sheets of steel which are then coated with porcelain enamel. This means you should get many years of grilling out of it without any rust. Just make sure you invest in a grill cover if you leave it outside. No hot conduction points– With conventional smokers, you may get hot points due to fire placement or which part of the meat is touching the grill. By hanging meat from hooks the surface can develop a more even bark Best Charcoal Smokers Reviewed 1. The best all-around charcoal smoker – Weber Smokey Mountain 18-Inch

But if you can’t get your hand on a drum or don’t have all the tools to DIY, then the Pit Barrel Cookermakes for an excellent alternative and a clever twist on the UDS. Go with your instincts on this one. Scrub, rinse and wipe your way to a clean cooking chamber. Again, if you use a wire brush, just be mindful of where any loose bristles may have ended up. Not only is this smoker designed to cook for a crowd, but it is also designed to be easy to use. There is a secondary door that makes accessing the water tray and smoker box nice and easy. The water bowl and smoker box themselves are also generously sized. It is important you get your head around the differences between these two fuel sources. When entering the world of charcoal smokers, you will more than likely be drawn into the never ending debate about the hows and whys of using lump or briquettes. Charcoal briquettes: With the 800 you get a free flat-top griddle insert, and it will be far more economical with charcoal due to the smaller space to heat.

You can use wood or charcoal or both for fuel. The wood needs to be somewhat moist because you want it to burn in a slow and controlled manner rather than blaze it. Plus, the faster the wood burns, the more often you have to refuel as you are cooking.