The award medallion at right is given to products that are highly recommended, that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
When a product is available on Amazon.com, I often provide a direct link. Amazon.com often has the best prices anywhere, even better than many manufacturers' websites. That's because manufacturers know that if they undercut retailers, these important resellers may drop their products. In addition to low prices, Amazon.com offers fast delivery (often free), no sales tax (in most states), gift wrapping (on many items), and painless refund policies. Amazon's Gift & Wish Registry is a great way to drop not so subtle hints about what you'd love to get for Christmas, Mother's Day, Dad's Day, your wedding, housewarming, graduation, birthday or other event.
Full disclosure.Amazon.com pays me a small referral fee when you purchase from them after clicking on a link on this site, so purchasing from them helps underwrite the cost of operating AmazingRibs.com. If you like all the info I give you for free and would like to help me buy charcoal, copy the link below bookmark it. It takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my code so I get that small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. http://tinyurl.com/yazmwlq
Gas Smokers: Buying Guide, Reviews, Ratings, and Recommendations
Bottom line: If you are looking for set it forget it simplicity and good flavor, go gas.
Gas fueled smokers are almost as easy to use as electric smokers and they some are downright cheap. They produce a lot of clean heat, and that's why gassers are so popular with restaurants. The smoke flavor comes from wood chips, chunks, or pellets. Most consumer units use propane tanks, and some can be adapted to run on a fuel line from your home heating gas supply. This, of course, must be done by a professional unless your goal is to be charred on the outside and rare on the center.
It is much easier to control the temperature of a gasser that a charcoal or wood fueled smoker, and this is very important. Propane gassers don't require access to electricity as do pellet and electric smokers. This makes them more portable. You need to keep spare tanks on hand because they have a nasty habit of running out right in the middle of a five hour cooking session. If the tank is running low, you need to check up on it every 30 minutes to be sure the flame is not as dead as your pig. This is a bit of a pain, especially when you undertake the smoking a nine pound butt for pulled pork, a cooking session that could take 18 hours. For sure it will croak at 2 a.m. If your tank is running low, it's a good idea to remove it and hook a fresh tank when you start. This practice leaves you with several partially filled tanks in the garage. Grrrrr.
When the tank is empty, you can take it to one of many gas stations, convenience stores, drug stores, or groceries that let you swap for a full tank for an empty plus $13-20. There is also a small safety issue. There is an open flame, and the flame is sometimes in a place where a child or dog could get into it by mistake. For an article on handling propane and propane safety, click here.
How much gas is left?
There are a number of gauges that go between the tank and the hose, but the two I've tried didn't work. Another option is the Grill Gauge (at right) which is not much more than a glorified fish scale. An empty tank weight 20 pounds, and a full one is 40 pounds. Hoist your tank and the gauge gives you a pretty good guestimate of how much is left. I take mine when I exchange empty tanks for full ones. You'd be surprised how many are underfiulled.
Here's the least expensive gauge: Take a quart of warm water and pour it slowly over the side of the tank. It will warm the metal where the tank is empty and the metal where the liquid propane remains will remain cold. Run you hand down the side to locate the liquid level.
Of course you do have a backup tank, don't you? And you do backup you computer don't you (one copy on premises and one copy off premises)?
Click the red links for current pricing and more info.
Meathead's Faves
Starting in 2009, the market has seen a number of similar El Cheapo Gassers in the $150 range. They are all very similar and are worth your consideration, especially if ease of use is a high priority.
Pros. They have a separate opening at the bottom for adding water and wood so you don't cool off the meat by opening the door to the cooking chamber. The water pans catch drips and protect the burners. They work better with chips or pellets than chunks.
Cons. I like to smoke at 225°F and my Brinkmann runs at a steady 270°F on low on an 80°F summer day, and 230°F on high on a winter day when it was 20°F with no wind. They are thin metal and the doors are loose so they leak heat and smoke and you will burn more wood than on airtight units. Alas, there are no airtight units! They don't come with a cover or a propane tank so factor them into your price. They are also small, so you will want at least two rib racks in order to pack in enough to feed all the people who will come sniffin around. The thermometers are worthless and can be off as much as 30°F, and this is the case on most grills and smokers, so plan on getting a good digital thermometer.
Bottom line. The food tastes fine, they are easy to use, and the price is right. I recommend them if you are not cooking for a large crowd.
Brinkmann Vertical Gas Smoker (above)
Although it has a small footprint, 17" deep x 17.5" wide x 42" high plus space for the propane tank, it has three racks each capable of holding a slab of ribs split in half, a turkey, or a Boston butt. If you use wire rib racks. you can fit six slabs of ribs in. There is no damper, but you really don't need one. You just leave the chimney open and control the temp with the gas gauge. The water and wood each go in separate removable porcelain pans.
Char-Broil Vertical Propane Smoker (top right)
The Char-Broil has a few advantages over the Brinkmann. There's a damper on the top and a wire rack over it for your sauce pan. It is slightly larger at 21.5" deep x 19.5" wide x 45.5" tall, not counting the tank, and the cooking chamber is taller because the wood tray sits in the middle of the water pan. The door has large hinges, closes fairly tight, and has spring-style handles that stay cool. There are three grates whose height can be changed and in the door. The base has a nice wide stance for stability. There is a dial for temperature control and a rotary ignition and it is capable of 16,500 btu. One reader reports that his can get as hot as 335°F, perfect for turkeys. Click here to see the latest prices for the Char-Broil Vertical Propane Smoker
on Amazon.com.
Master Forge Double Door Propane Gas Smoker
I haven't yet laid hands on this model but it looks very similar to the Brinkmann and Char-Broil with the new double door design that lets you access the wood chips without opening the food access. One reader says he has had no trouble dialing it down to 225°F or below.
Landmann Smokey Mountain 2-Drawer Propane Smoker
Yet another of the ilk, this has a door for the cooking chamber, and two drawers below, one for wood and one for water.
Brinkmann All-In-One Gas & Charcoal Smoker/Grill/Fryer
A cheapo versatile bullet that is best when cooking with gas, but can be adapted to cook with charcoal, and can be used as a smoker, brazier, or deep fryer. This was my first smoker, and it lasted several years although the base eventually rusted out and the aluminum firebox corroded. The thermometer is cheap. Adding water is awkward because it must be poured from the top and can easily get on the food or the lava rocks. Adding wood is downright dangerous because the whole upper unit must be slid partially aside. The newer Masterbuilt 7-in-One (below) is modeled on this unit, only a lot better for little more money. List price is about $180. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Camp Chef Smoke Vault
There are two models. Both are 16" deep and 44" high (the cooking chambers are 30" high), while one is 18" wide with a footprint 24" wide by 21" deep, and the other is 24" wide with a footprint of 30" wide and 21" deep. If you are going to cook full racks of ribs, the 24" unit is the better choice. Both feature a 20,000 BTU propane burner, a stainless steel water pan, a cast iron wood chip box, four removable racks, and a push button ignitor. The 24" unit lists for about $420. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. The 18" lists for about $315. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Series
This is a good smoker, but buyer beware!
There are two models that I have seen of this cabinet-style front loading gasser, but I hear reports of a number of slightly different sizes and configurations depending on where you buy. Apparently the manufacturer makes them custom for several retailers. There is a narrow body that is about 16" wide x 15" deep x 35" high on the inside and about 44" tall on the outside ant a 13,500 BTU burner. The bigger one, users call it the "Big Block", stands about 48" high and is a capacious 24" wide x 15" deep x 35" high cooking chamber and a 18,000 BTU burner. The 24" has five rack positions and four chrome plated racks. This means it is wide enough for any slab of ribs and can handle up to eight slabs. Ten if you buy an additional rack.
It has has a cast brass burner, electronic ignition, three adjustable dampers, a cool grip front door handle that is a bit awkward, a porcelain coated water pan, and a cast iron box for wood. I have heard of people replacing the cast iron box with a cut down coffee can because the cast iron took too long to heat up. I often hear users complain that workmanship is poor, that it leaks around the welds, and the door does not seal tightly, but they don't worry because it seems to operate best when all the dampers are open and the extra airflow doesn't hurt.
Wide stance legs offer good stability and the flame is set where it is not likely to set fire to the dog's tail. There is a temperature gauge located near the center of the door. As with most other thin metal uninsulated units, it gets hot on the outside, especially on the bottom. Users recommend that you put an aluminum pan beneath it to catch grease and protect your deck. One has put tuna cans under the legs to catch drips. Other users have replaced the water pan with a larger capacity stainless steel mixing bowl. The manual has minimal instructions and recipes.
The manufacturer, CFM Home Products of Canada, has no info on these smokers on its website. Nor do they respond promptly to emails. I get emails all the time from people who need spare parts or the manual and the manufacturer is no help. Frustrated users have one-upped the manufacturer by forming a support group with some knowledgeable cooks who have lots of good advice and ideas, recipes, modifications, and tips on techniques. Here's a link to the Smoky Mountain group on Yahoo.
Another word of caution: Before you take it home, open the box. I have heard reports of customers being disappointed by missing parts. Regardless of the poor workmanship, it is easy to use, works great, and the price is right, hence my "Hot Stuff Award." The 16" unit lists for about $100. The 24" unit sells for only $130. For discount pricing and direct ordering for the 16" model from Amazon.com, click here. For pricing on the 24" model from Amazon.com, click here.
Masterbuilt 7-in-One Smoker
This is my favorite of the bullet-shaped water smokers because it is so versatile, but bottom line, I like the cabinet style better. You can use either gas or charcoal as fuel. It converts into a brazier or a tripod for boiling water or deep frying and it comes with a 10.5 quart aluminum pot and basket. Like most bullets, it uses an enamel water/drip pan to put moisture into the cooking chamber. It has a small door at the bottom so you can add wood chips or fill the water pan and a damper at the top to help control air flow. Made of thin stainless steel, the lid dents easily and the plastic handle breaks easily if dropped. A clerk in one store told me that he has had to replace the handle on his floor model several times just because it is knocked off by tire-kickers. It is the only bullet I have seen with a side shelf for trays or tools. Like all bullets, it is not insulated, and there is no wind shield around the burner, so cold temps, wind, and rain will make it hard to maintain constant temps.
If you buy this smoker, immediately go get yourself a good thermometer. The thermometer that comes with it sucks. The two 15.5" cooking grates are just a bit too small for some large slabs. To get max capacity, I have to cut slabs in half, but I can get eight half slabs on it easily. You can also roll the slabs and get about six slabs on this way. It is similar to the popular Weber Smoky Mountain, which burns only charcoal, but the Weber is built from heavier metal with an enamel finish. Electronic ignition. Lists for about $130 for the black enamel and $325 for the stainless with the shelf (above). For discount pricing and direct ordering for the black enamel from Amazon.com, click here. For the stainless model, click here.
Vermont Castings Propane Gas Smoker
Double-walled cabinet with a brushed stainless steel exterior 36" high x 24" wide x 16" deep. Cast brass burner with electronic ignition. Silicon gel door gasket with cool grip locking door handle and heavy duty carrying handles. Wide stance. Cast iron wood chip box and porcelain coated water pan. Propane only, tank not included. Lists for about $650.
Tell Meathead what you think, or ask him a question
But please, please, please read this first:
1) Please use the sitemap or the search box, at the top of every page. There's a good chance the answer is already on this site.
2) Please read this article about thermometers.Chances are your thermometer is the problem! I cannot help you troubleshoot unless you tell me that you are using a digital oven thermometer at meat level (not in the lid), and/or a digital meat thermometer. You simply cannot believe your grill's built-in bi-metal dial thermometer. They are often off by as much as 50°F!
3) Please tell me everything I need to know to answer your question.
4) Please don't ask me "What grill (or smoker) should I buy?" Read my Buyer's Guides and follow the links. I've shared just about everything I know on those pages. I cannot pick the right cooker for you any more than you could pick the right car for me. But I've explained everything you need to know to make your decision.
AmazingRibs.com is all about the Zen of barbecue, grilling, and outdoor cooking, with great BBQ recipes and techniques: Barbecue baby back ribs, spareribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, steak, burgers, chicken, smoked turkey, lamb, barbecue sauces, rubs, and side dishes, with the net's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and grills. It is written, photographed, illustrated, and coded solely by Meathead.
My philosophy about food is simple. First of all it must taste great. It must be easy to make and emphasize fresh seasonal products with a minimum of processed ingredients. I think that people need to know why as well as how, and that there are no rules in the bedroom or dining room.
About Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards. Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites I truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first. Advertising policy. I do not accept ads from products that I review such as grills, charcoal, etc. Click here for more on my advertising policy.
Meathead's Personal Privacy Promise.I promise to never sell or distribute any info about you individually without your express permission, and I promise not to, ahem, pepper you with email or make you eat spam. Click here for more details of my privacy promise.
Disclaimer. The information on this website is for educational purposes only. All material within comes without warranties of any kind. I am human, and capable of mistakes, so I make no guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or safety of the information. Under no circumstances am I liable for any damages that result from use of the site (so you can't sue me if you burn your tongue on hot ribs, or get a tummy ache, OK?).
GrillGrates are the best new product I have tested in years and the best thing to happen to beef since salt and pepper. The base superheats, eliminates hot spots, smokes, and blocks flareups. This is the concept behind the expensive new infrared grills. Click here for more about GrillGrates.
The Smokenator:
A Necessity For Weber Kettles
If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the amazing Smokenator and Hovergrill. The Smokenator turns your grill into a first class smoker, and the Hovergrill can add capacity or be used to create steakhouse steaks. Click here to read more.
ThermoWorks Pocket Thermometer - No More Guessing
A good thermometer is why I never serve overcooked or undercooked food. No more guesswork. This one has a very thin tip with a tiny thermocouple so it gives an accurate reading in just six seconds. I cannot recommend it more highly. It will improve your cooking overnight. And it is inexpensive. Click here for more about thermometers.
This link takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my affiliate code so I get a small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. Low prices, fast delivery (often free), good refund policies, and often there is no sales tax, are the best reasons to buy from Amazon.com, but clicking on that link before you shop helps me devote more time and money to you. Thanks!
The award medallion at right is given to products that are highly recommended, that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
is a great way to drop not so subtle hints about what you'd love to get for Christmas, Mother's Day, Dad's Day, your wedding, housewarming, graduation, birthday or other event.
There are a number of gauges that go between the tank and the hose, but the two I've tried didn't work. Another option is the 
(at right) which is not much more than a glorified fish scale. An empty tank weight 20 pounds, and a full one is 40 pounds. Hoist your tank and the gauge gives you a pretty good guestimate of how much is left. I take mine when I exchange empty tanks for full ones. You'd be surprised how many are underfiulled.
Meathead's Faves
on Amazon.com.
Brinkmann All-In-One Gas & Charcoal Smoker/Grill/Fryer
Camp Chef Smoke Vault
This is a good smoker, but buyer beware! 
Vermont Castings Propane Gas Smoker
With a $25 donation you'll get a 100% cotton brushed twill adjustable low profile cap with the AmazingRibs patch sewn on. I'll even toss in a small bag of 
