Propane smokers use propane gas to generate heat, which can be easily regulated using the controls on the smoker. This makes it easy to cook food at a consistent temperature, ensuring that it is cooked evenly all the way through.
Propane smokers use indirect heat to slowly cook the meat, resulting in tender, juicy, and flavorful results. Also, they are easy to use and maintain.
In addition, propane smokers typically have a larger cooking area than charcoal grills, making them ideal for cooking large quantities of food at one time. Plus, they’re very portable, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
There are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re thinking about owning a propane smoker. First, propane is a flammable gas, so you’ll need to be careful when handling it.
Second, propane smokers can produce a lot of smoke, so you’ll need to make sure you have plenty of ventilation. Lastly, propane smokers can be expensive, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money.
Propane is a type of gas that is used as fuel in the propane smoker. A propane smoker works as efficiently as a charcoal/ electric/ bbq smoker. It gives the same smoky taste to your food and can be used for cooking various types of food items. In this article, we’ll discuss all you need to know about a propane smoker.
Contents
- 1 How do propane smokers work?
- 2 What to Look for in a Propane Smoker?
- 3 What are Vertical Propane Gas Smokers?
- 4 The Advantages of a Propane Smoker
- 5 The 10 Best Propane Smokers In 2022
- 5.1 Best for Entertaining: Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker
- 5.2 Best LPG smoker: Dyna-Glo Wide Body LP Gas Smoker
- 5.3 Best Overall: Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker
- 5.4 Best Value: Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24″ Vertical Smoker
- 5.5 Best Double-Door: Dyna-Glo Vertical LP Gas Smoker
- 5.6 Best Compact: Masterbuilt MPS 230S Propane Smoker
- 5.7 Best Smoker-Grill Combo: Char-broil the big easy smoker
- 5.8 Editor’s Choice: Masterbuilt 20051311 Propane Smoker
- 5.9 Best with thermometer: Cuisinart Grill Bundle – Vertical Propane Smoker
- 5.10 Fully adjustable: Broil King 923614 Vertical Propane Smoker
- 6 FAQs
- 6.1 Can you use a gas grill as a smoker?
- 6.2 Are propane smokers any good?
- 6.3 What are the major differences between a gas and electric smoker?
- 6.4 How often do you add wood chips to a propane smoker?
- 6.5 How much propane does a smoker use?
- 6.6 Can you use charcoal in a propane smoker?
- 6.7 How hot does a propane smoker get?
- 7 Conclusion
How do propane smokers work?
Propane smokers are often preferred over the electric ones as they give a better flavor to food. A propane smoker is also more easy to use as you don’t need to put charcoal in it to smoke the food. It is like a gas stove so you don’t need to put in much effort to make it function.
Coming to the working of propane smokers, they use fuel to work properly. You will need about two pounds of fuel at a time for a propane smoker. A propane smoker has chambers where the air circulates while smoking/ heating the food; it also heats the food by convection.
We would recommend using wood chips while cooking in a propane smoker as it provides amazing taste and an irresistible smoky flavor to the food. It overall enhances the aroma and flavor of food. Like any other smoker, these also have temperature regulators that you can use to stabilize or control the temperature.
The propane smokers are built vertically with a burner at their bottom and the wood is to be placed above the burner on the pan/ tray to add the smokiness to the food. On top of it there are racks to place the meat/ vegetables etc. Propane smokers have propane tanks that act as a fuel while cooking the food.
What to Look for in a Propane Smoker?
While buying a propane smoker, this question may strike your mind to get the best propane smoker out there for you. In this segment, we’ll tell you about some important things to look for in a propane smoker that’ll suit you the best. These are some features/ aspects that will help you choose an excellent propane smoker:
Size and Space
The first and the foremost thing to look for in a propane smoker is its size and space. The size and space of the propane smoker surely has an effect on the buying decision. If you have less space in your outdoor garden or kitchen, it is quite reasonable for you to select a small to medium sized propane smoker as it will take up less space and also work as much efficiently. If you have a large outdoor area, a larger size propane smoker will be the perfect option for you. The number of people/ size of your family also matters when you’re considering what size propane smoker you should buy.
Stability
Stability is yet another important factor that helps in deciding whether you should buy the propane smoker or not. You should make sure that the propane smoker has a stable temperature and can be regulated easily. This would ensure that it will not produce more heat that can cause damage to the parts of the smoker or harm your surroundings.
Doors
Doors are also an important thing to look for in a propane smoker. The vertical propane smokers come with double doors attached to it and I tell you, they are way more convenient that the normal smokers as you need to open only one door to access the wood chip tray when you have to change them, the main cooking chamber remains unaffected. So, the double doors are for sure a good choice.
Front Loading
Front-loading is way more convenient and practical than the top-loading as you can place/ load the wood chips and food easily in the propane smoker. So, do look for this feature while buying a propane smoker.
Price
The next most important factor is the price of the smoker. This is also one of the perks of a propane smoker as they come in your budget and are quite affordable. The price of a propane smoker can range from $200-$1000 or more. You can get a decent, efficient-working propane smoker for about $300-$450.
Temperature ranges
The temperature range is also an important thing to look for in a propane smoker before buying it. Most propane smokers have temperatures that fall somewhere between 100 degrees to 500 degrees. We would recommend to keep the temperature of your propane smoker in between 150 degrees to 300 degrees. It will restrain the smoker from overheating and the food will be smoked perfectly. You should also look for a temperature to cook different food items at so it becomes easier for you to regulate the temperature.
Adjustable Shelves
The propane smoker should have adjustable shelves so that you can put the food accordingly. It often happens that you need to cook some food in large amounts and some in less, the adjustable shelves are quite useful in those situations.You can adjust the shelves/ racks based on your needs.
What are Vertical Propane Gas Smokers?
Vertical propane gas smokers are totally different from regular smokers. These are designed vertically. The racks in these are made up of steel. These have doors; they can be single or double doors. The burner is at the very bottom of the smoker, bove that there is a wood tray to place the wood chips while smoking. And a vertical propane smoker has racks stacked one above another so you can smoke various food items in it at one time. It has a front-loading design. The propane smokers with double doors are more practical as you don’t need to open both doors to access the wood chips. They are easy to use as you can stack the food just by opening the doors directly. Also, they take up less space making it easy for you to cook.
The Advantages of a Propane Smoker
Here are some advantages of a propane smoker:
- They are inexpensive and quite affordable; a propane smoker is equally efficient as any other smoker and also comes in less price. The propane smokers are relatively less costly in comparison to charcoal, pellet or electric smokers.
- These use gas as a fuel to smoke food. Yet another perks of a propane smoker as you don’t need to put large pieces of charcoal or pellets to cook the food.
- These are faster than other smokers.
- These take up much less space in comparison to various other smokers and are easy to store too.
- The temperature regulation is easy in propane smokers.
The 10 Best Propane Smokers In 2022
Best for Entertaining: Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker
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Best LPG smoker: Dyna-Glo Wide Body LP Gas Smoker
Read Review
Best Overall: Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker
Read Review
Best Value: Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24″ Vertical Smoker
Read Review
Best Double-Door: Dyna-Glo Vertical LP Gas Smoker
Read Review
Best Compact: Masterbuilt MPS 230S Propane Smoker
Read Review
Best Smoker-Grill Combo: Char-broil the big easy smoker
Read Review
Editor’s Choice: Masterbuilt 20051311 Propane Smoker
Read Review
Best with thermometer: Cuisinart Grill Bundle – Vertical Propane Smoker
Read Review
Fully adjustable: Broil King 923614 Vertical Propane Smoker
Read Review
Best for Entertaining: Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker
This smoker uses a patented control system that regulates the temperature inside the smoking chamber, ensuring that your food comes out perfectly cooked every time. The built-in meat probe lets you check the internal temperature of your food without opening the door and losing heat. Also, it has a safety valve that shuts off the burner if the flame is extinguished.
In addition, the four chrome-plated smoking racks provide plenty of space for large cuts of meat or multiple racks of ribs, and the removable drip pan makes cleanup a breeze. It features a porcelain-coated water pan that helps to prevent rust and corrosion. This pan is also removable for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Fuel gauge for propane level indication
- More accurate temparature with thermostatic control
- Safety Sensor And Fuel Gauge
- Two Doors Access
Cons
- While testing, we found door was not able to properly get sealed
Best LPG smoker: Dyna-Glo Wide Body LP Gas Smoker
The Dyna-Glo gas smoker comes with six adjustable stainless steel racks, it provides plenty of space for smoking a variety of foods. The dual door design allows you to easily add wood chips or water without losing heat, and the built-in temperature gauge ensures that your food will always be cooked to perfection.
The double-wall construction helps to ensure even cooking, while the digital controls make it easy to set and maintain the perfect temperature. Its 1,235 square inches of cooking space, makes it a great choice for smoking large cuts.
Pros
- Good for adding smoky flavor
- Smoker box is larger than most of it's competitors.
- Temparature guage is near to accurate.
- Light weight makes it easier to relocate
Cons
- There is no thermostatic control
Best Overall: Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker
The Cuisinart Vertical propane smoker is an efficient and easy-to-use smoker. This smoker gives your food a delicious smoky flavor, while the built-in thermometer lets you monitor the internal temperature at a glance.
The double-wall construction helps to keep heat in, while the porcelain-coated water pan prevents rusting. With its four 14″ x 14″ removable smoking racks, it can accommodate up to 50 pounds of food, making it perfect for large gatherings.
This smoker also includes a 40-inch hose and a regulator for your convenience. The door on this unit is designed to stay tightly sealed, ensuring that heat and smoke remain inside the unit where they belong. In addition, the door seal also helps to prevent heat loss.
Pros
- Removable racks
- Value for money
- Smoke control is available
- Cleanup is easier than charcoal ones
Cons
- Better customer service is expected
- Product assembly could take a while
Best Value: Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24″ Vertical Smoker
The Camp Chef vertical smoker features two smoking racks, which provide plenty of space for cooking a variety of meats. The smoker also has a temperature gauge, so you can easily monitor the temperature inside the smoker and ensure that your food is cooked to perfection.
The smoker also features a snap ignition system that makes it easy to get the fire started and a temperature gauge that ensures you always know what’s happening inside the smoking chamber. The door thermometer allows you to smoke from 50 to 550 degrees, giving you complete control over the cooking process.
It has three adjustable damper valves that allow you to control the amount of smoke and heat that escape. It also comes with a drip pan, which helps to catch any drips or spills. This smoker is very easy to assemble and use.
Pros
- Huge and removable water tray
- Reliable for long term usage
- Protected burner drum controls heat better
Cons
- Smoke Leaks From The Door
- Lesser accuracy of temparature
Best Double-Door: Dyna-Glo Vertical LP Gas Smoker
The Dyna-Glo vertical gas smoker has a double-door design that provides easy access to the chamber, making it simple to add wood chips and water as needed. The unit also features a powder-coated steel body, porcelain-enameled steel water pan, and four chrome-plated cooking grates that offer a total of 732 square inches of cooking space.
The temperature gauge lets you keep an eye on the internal temperature, so your food comes out perfectly every time. For additional convenience, the smoker has a push-button ignition and adjustable temperature control that allows you to smoke at your desired temperature.
Pros
- Larger cooking space of 784-square inch
- Large wood chip box of porcelain enameled steel
- Larger water bowl ensures tender meat with smoky flavor
Cons
- Temperature Control is inefficient
Best Compact: Masterbuilt MPS 230S Propane Smoker
The Masterbuilt MPS 230S propane smoker has four chrome-coated smoking racks that provide ample space for smoking various meats and fish. This smoker has a built-in temperature gauge so you can easily keep an eye on the internal temperature of your food. It offers push-button ignition to light the burner quickly.
Additionally, the smoker’s door is designed with a double-walled construction to help keep the heat in and the cool air out. The unit also has a porcelain-coated removable water pan that adds moisture to the smoking process, helping to prevent your food from drying out.
Pros
- Built in thermostat for better heat control
- Larger chip tray
Cons
- Product assemble could take a couple of hours
Best Smoker-Grill Combo: Char-broil the big easy smoker
The Char-Broil smoker uses TRU-infrared technology to evenly cook food, meaning that there are no hot or cold spots. The result is perfectly cooked meat every time. In addition, it is extremely simple to use. Simply load the food onto the racks, set the temperature, and let the smoker do its work.
It has a sizable cooking area of 180 square inches, making it large enough to accommodate a decent amount of food. Additionally, the smoker can hold up to 25 lbs of food, making it ideal for larger families or groups. The smoker also features an adjustable heat control, so you can cook your food at the perfect temperature. Cleanup is also a breeze, thanks to the removable drip tray.
Pros
- Infrared technology for evenly cooking
- 180 square inches of grilling area
Cons
- Non responsive customer support
Editor’s Choice: Masterbuilt 20051311 Propane Smoker
This smoker has 717 square inches of cooking space, allowing you to smoke multiple items at once. Additionally, the four chrome smoking racks provide plenty of space for your food, and the racks are also easy to clean. The smoker also features a built-in temperature gauge, so you can easily monitor the temperature and ensure that your food is being cooked properly.
This smoker also has push-button ignition for easy lighting. The removable water bowl also helps to add moisture to the smoking process, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat. It also comes with a types 1 regulator and hose, so you can easily hook it up to your propane tank.
Pros
- Decent space to cook plenty of items at once
- Push Button Ignition
- Easier to setup
Cons
- Difficult to keep consistent temparature
Best with thermometer: Cuisinart Grill Bundle – Vertical Propane Smoker
The Cuisinart grill bundle propane smoker has a spacious 785 square inch interior that provides plenty of room for smoking large cuts of meat, and the four stainless steel removable racks make it easy to customize the smoking space.
The double-wall construction helps to ensure even cooking, and the built-in temperature gauge makes it easy to monitor the internal temperature. It also includes a water bowl and wood chip tray, making it easy to add flavor to your food.
The smoker has two doors and a rear vent, so you can control the temperature and smoke level. The grilling tools are made of stainless steel and have long handles to keep your hands away from the heat.
Pros
- Removable and dishwasher safe steel racks
Cons
- Smoke may leak from the door sometimes
Fully adjustable: Broil King 923614 Vertical Propane Smoker
The Broil King propane smoker features 770 sq. in. of total cooking surface, making it large enough to accommodate a wide variety of foods. With 4 cubic feet of overall cooking capacity, it also has plenty of room for large cuts of meat or multiple racks of ribs.
The smoker also has a porcelain-coated water pan that provides moisture to the meat during the cooking process, resulting in juicy and flavorful food. In addition, the smoker has a built-in temperature gauge that allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the smoker so that you can cook the meat to perfection.
It has 4 fully adjustable stainless steel cooking grids. The double-walled construction helps to retain heat, while the secondary door allows you to add wood chips or water without opening the main chamber.
Pros
- Double walled construction with secondary door
- Sturdy Construction
Cons
- Expensive
FAQs
Can you use a gas grill as a smoker?
Yes, you can most definitely use a gas grill as a smoker, you just need to put in more wood or charcoal to create smoke to add smokiness to the food. Or if you have a gas grill that is equipped with a smoke chamber, you don’t need to put in any effort to smoke the food in your gas grill. Though, a gas grill eventually can’t provide the food the flavor and aroma to that of a smoker.
Are propane smokers any good?
Propane smokers are exceptionally good as they are not only fast and efficient but also come at a reasonable price. They don’t need charcoal or pellets to create smoke, are inexpensive, save space, are versatile, convenient and what not. So, according to us they are as good as any other smoker. Although a propane smoker can have some drawbacks, nonetheless that doesn’t make them any less useful.
What are the major differences between a gas and electric smoker?
An electric smoker uses electricity to smoke the food, but is not quite versatile whereas a gas smoker uses gas to smoke/ cook the food and is much more efficient than an electric smoker. A gas smoker is fast, portable and versatile while an electric smoker is just the opposite of that. A gas smoker cooks the food faster and can be set at higher temperatures whereas an electric smoker cooks food slowly at lower temperatures. Both the smokers have their own purpose and uses and they function differently.
How often do you add wood chips to a propane smoker?
It’s up to you how often you want/ choose to add the wood chips to a propane smoker. That depends on the quality of the smoke, if it’s good then you don’t need to add more wood chips. If the quality of smoke is bad according to you, just add some wood chips on top of the previous ones. We would suggest adding the wood chips to your propane smoker every 6-7 hours. It will keep the smoke good enough to cook the food.
How much propane does a smoker use?
It will depend on how much food you are cooking in the smoker and at what temperature. If the amount of food and temperature of the propane smoker is more, it will naturally use more propane to create smoke. On an average basis, a propane smoker can use about 2 pounds of propane/ fuel. It is the amount required for one cooking session; if you use the smoker for a longer time, you will need more propane.
Can you use charcoal in a propane smoker?
We would not recommend using charcoal in a propane smoker as it may cause damage. The propane smokers use wood chips and propane as a fuel to smoke the food. Though, if you want to use charcoal in a propane smoker, you can always do that. Charcoal won’t work properly in a propane smoker as they are not designed for that.
How hot does a propane smoker get?
There is no hiding in the fact that propane smokers have high temperatures. The temperature of a propane smoker can range between 100 degrees to 500 degrees depending on the size and type. A propane smoker can heat upto 450 or 500 degrees. You should always keep the temperature in check to avoid overheating because that can be harmful and cause damage.
Conclusion
Propane smokers are a great way to cook food outdoors and they come in all shapes and sizes. The best propane smokers are those that can offer a great smoking experience while using less fuel. With so many different smokers on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive list of the 10 best propane smokers on the market. They are easy to use, provide great results, and are often more affordable than other types of smokers. If you’re looking for propane smokers that produce delicious food, these are a great choice.