The 5 Best Propane Smokers [For Speed Smoking]

November 1, 2022
by Jack Lyons
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Like anything, the internet is filled with hundreds of different propane gas smokers, and it is impossible to separate them all and decide which one is right for you.

It can get very overwhelming trying to choose the right one!

Propane gas smokers are outdoor cooking devices that are used to smoke food.

They are great outdoor cooking devices that are easy to set up and easy to use, at the same time as being very affordable.

Whether you’re looking for excellent gas efficiency or a great taste in the food, there is a propane smoker out there for you!

So, let’s read on for some detailed reviews of the five best propane smokers out there. This should give you more guidance, helping you to choose the best propane smoker for you.

Masterbuilt 340G XL Propane Smoker 40 Inch

Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker with Thermostat Control, 40 inch, Black

This burner can get quite hot as it has a BTU level of 15,750. It is made of stainless steel and so is very durable and high quality.

It contains four smoking shelves.

These racks are chrome-coated and they allow for 961 square inches of cooking space.

This propane smoker has lots of additional features that other smokers will not include.

For instance, the temperature sensor allows you to control the smoker to keep it at the temperature that you wish the food to be cooked at.

There is also a safety feature on the smoker which means that the burner will turn off if the flame goes out.

The Masterbuilt 3450G is very large, meaning you can fit lots of different things in there to cook!

It is great if you are looking for a smoker to host large events or cook for a lot of people at once.

Pros

  • Fantastic temperature control. This is such a good feature to have in a propane smoker as it means that you won’t be burning your food!
  • Safety features to turn off the burner for you.

Cons

  • Hard to assemble. Some users commented that it took them a long time to assemble this smoker.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault

This product is of great size and quality, being not too big and not too small.

It is a portable propane smoker, great for taking on camping trips or storing easily in your garden.

However, it is also powerful enough to do all of the cooking that you want. This design is simple and durable.

It is also very easy to put together and will be up and running in no time.

This smoker comes in either a 24-inch or 18-inch size.

If you have space and don’t mind any added storage space, you should go for the bigger smoker as it allows you more space to cook.

The bigger the smoker, the more sturdy it feels, too.

The interior design of this smoker is great, it has two cooking grids available and one Jerky Rack.

It also has three different adjustable damper valves on each smoker.

There is a thermostat built into the smoker which can read between 50 degrees and 550.

It is easy to read and placed on the door so that it can be checked regularly without having to disturb the cooking.

There is also a one-touch ignition which is convenient and means you don’t need lighters or matches to get it going.

Another benefit of choosing this propane smoker is that it comes with recipes and cooking ideas.

You will need to place your cooker away from the wind otherwise it will be quite difficult to maintain a constant temperature which will affect the way that the food will cook.

Pros

  • Both portable and powerful.
  • Great interior design with lots of different cooking grids available.

Cons

  • The thermostat can sometimes be inaccurate.

Cuisinart COS-244 Propane Smoker

Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker with Temperature & Smoke Control, Four Removable Shelves, 36', Black

This smoker is very large, with plenty of room inside to cook a variety of different meats. It also has room for extra things such as vegetables.

It is vertical, so it is great for use on patios. It contains lots of removable shelves and so you can remove these to make space for bigger birds and larger cuts of meat.

It has four of these 14-inch removable shelves.

These are dishwasher safe and allow for easy cleanup, which is great when it comes to fatty meats.

This smoker has a built-in thermometer on the door so that you are able to monitor the temperature inside.

This means that you can monitor the food without having to open the door of the smoker to let the heat out.

Not only does this smoker have a thermometer built in, but it also has excellent temperature control.

There are dials that allow you to control the amount of gas that enters the smoker, which, in turn, controls the heat.

The door on this propane smoker is very secure and it has a twist lock door and secured handle. The tray that holds the water and wood chips is made of porcelain and is easy to keep clean.

Pros

  • Removable shelves. This propane smoker comes with 4 removable shelves meaning the interior can be changed according to how you want it.
  • Built-in temperature controls.

Cons

  • Some users have reported that there have been missing items in their box when they have received it. However, this has been rectified by the company when they are alerted of the problem.

Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36 Inch

Dyna-Glo DGX780BDC-D 36' Vertical Charcoal Smoker Black

This product contains 4 cooking grates and provides 784 square inches of cooking area.

It is made of durable stainless steel and it contains a temperature gauge that indicates the temperature of the smoker.

It comes with many removable shelves so that you can set up the interior in any way you want to.

This product is great value for money and it is a great additional feature that you can refuel the smoker without the need to open the cooking space.

This means that you don’t have to let any of the heat out when you refuel the product.

This smoker is easy to set up and will last a very long time as it is durable.

You should always place this propane smoker out of the wind so that it can get up to temperature. Sometimes, this can be an issue with this smoker in cold weather.

Pros

  • This product is very big and has plenty of space to cook lots of different meats and vegetables.
  • You can add fuel to this smoker without opening the main door and letting the heat out.

Cons

  • This product does not have temperature controls.

Masterbuilt MPS 20B Portable

Masterbuilt MB20050116 MPS 20B Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker, Black

This product is perfect for using on your patio for a smaller number of people, or on the go.

It can be lit very easily with the one-touch ignition so you won’t need to carry a lighter or matches around with you.

It also comes with an accurate temperature gauge which will allow you to track the temperature and achieve great results.

There is also a temperature knob that lets you regulate the size of the flame in the smoker.

There are two racks in the smoker, which will easily allow you to cook 4 chickens!

That’s more than enough space for the average Joe.

It is not only the size that allows you to transport this propane smoker easily, it is also the compact design.

You can fold up the legs of the propane smoker, making it easy to store.

It is 5000 BTU which may sound low, however, for its size, this is plenty to get the propane smoker nice and hot to cook the food that you need to cook.

As well as being a fantastic propane smoker, this product allows you to fry, steam, and boil food in one single product.

Pros

  • Great size and easy to transport and use on the go.
  • Temperature controls are included which make it very easy for the temperature to be regulated to stop the food from getting burnt.

Cons

  • Not as big as some other smokers, if you are cooking for larger groups of people it may not be big enough.

Best Propane Smokers Buyer's Guide

There are many things that you should consider when you are purchasing a propane burner.

Materials

Propane smokers require a lot from the material that they are made from.

This material needs to be able to withstand heat, weather, and smoke and so you will need to carefully consider which material your propane smoker is made from.

Steel is a great material to make one from as it is durable and a good sign of quality.

This is a great material for use on things like cooking grates, water trays, and wood chip trays.

Another great addition to a propane smoker is a powder-coated exterior. This is because it is more able to stand up to abuse and damage.

It also provides an extra layer for insulation.

Capacity

One important factor is how big you would like your propane smoker to be. This will be affected by how many people you usually cook for.

If you are cooking for two or three people, you will need a much smaller propane smoker than if you are looking to buy one for larger groups or to host parties and events.

Usually, the bigger sizes are big enough to cook a full bird and some extra meats and vegetables.

So, you should always bear the size in mind when you are shopping for a propane smoker.

When you are shopping for a smoker, it will usually be made very clear the width of the oven.

For instance, the 18-inch, 30-inch, and 40-inch measurements are usually in reference to the width.

British Thermal Units

BTUs are a way to measure energy, and in the case of propane smokers, they are a way to measure the amount of heat output of a burner.

The more BTUs a smoker has, the more heat it will put out.

So, if you are looking for a burner that needs a lot of heat, the higher the BTU number, the better.

If you are looking for cold smoking, you won’t need such a high BTU. Expect the BTU to be between 10,000 and 20,000.

Doors

You should consider the way that the propane smoker is opened, as this will affect the way that the smoker cooks the food.

A two-door model is a lot better than a single-door model because it means that you won’t have to lose as much heat when you need to check on your food, add wood chips or add water to the smoker.

You should also consider whether your model has separate drawers for wood and water. This will allow you to have more temperature control, so it is preferable.

Make sure that your door has a secure latch.

Temperature Controls

This is a bit more of an advanced feature. It is very useful to have accurate temperature readings and the ability to change the heat levels easily.

For instance, some propane smokers may have vents, damper valves, and adjustable gas supplies which will all help you to adjust the temperatures well.

This is a great feature, however, not all propane heaters use this feature.

It is important to have a smoker with an accurate temperature reading, so integrated thermometers are important.

Easy Ignition

Lots of propane smokers have one-touch ignition and this is a great feature to look out for.

You don’t want to be messing around with matches and lighters where this is not necessary.

Instead, you should consider looking for a propane smoker that has a button ignition.

Interior Design

Lots of propane smokers have racks on this inside that allow you to have lots of different meats and vegetables cooking at the same time.

You can get lots of differently designed propane smokers, and so you should choose one with an interior that will help with the specific things that you will be cooking.

If you are hoping to cook whole turkeys in your smoker, then you will need a different interior to if you are looking to cook lots of smaller meats.

Price

Price is a big thing to consider when you are purchasing any item, and it is no different when it comes to propane smokers.

If you opt for an inexpensive smoker, you will find that you are able to get a small-bodied smoker that is quite portable.

However, you will find that there is not much space or cooking power in the smoker in this case.

If you are looking for a mid-range propane smoker, you are more likely to be able to get a larger and more powerful burner, as well as some of the great features that will make your propane smoker much easier to use.

For instance, one-touch ignition and two doors.

The high-end smokers are made of great materials and include temperature controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are few FAQs to review before deciding if a propane smoker is right for you.

How Do Propane Smokers Work?

Propane smokers are great cooking utensils for people who don’t want to create too much smoke when they are cooking outdoors.

This is great for when you are cooking in small spaces, or when you are cooking on a campsite.

These smokers look a lot like a cupboard, with metal shelves inside the door. At the bottom of the product, there is a burner that provides heat.

This is fuelled by propane which is connected via a hose that leads to a propane tank.

You will need to place some wood chips in the wood pan.

These wood chips get burned by the flame, and whatever you are cooking will become infused with this flavor when they are cooked.

Above this, there is a water pan which adds moisture to the food.

Will I Need Wood Chips?

You will need to add wood chips to your propane smoker. This is what makes the meat taste smokey.

You should consider adding more wood chips about every 5 hours, or whenever they are low and need replacing.

How Long Will A Propane Tank Last?

The length of time that propane tanks will last depends on a few things. Cooking temperature and manufacturer are two things that can impact this.

Usually, a propane tank will contain about 4.8 pounds of propane.

You can test how much you use by weighing the propane tank when you start and weighing it after you have finished cooking.

You can then divide the weight difference by the number of cooking hours and you will be able to figure out how much propane you will use per hour on average.

Final Thoughts

So, while the sheer amount of choice on the internet can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing the best propane smoker for you, this list should have helped you to narrow down your decision.

Without further ado, go out and buy your best propane smoker and get cooking!

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