The best vertical pellet smoker is a versatile addition to your house. While it is called a smoker, it can offer multiple functionalities, such as grilling. Aside from its versatility, pellet smokers are also popular because of the delicious and distinct flavor that they add to your food.
Clueless about the right vertical pellet smoker to buy? To help you make the right choice, read on and learn from the insights we’ll be sharing.
Our Top Picks for the Best Vertical Pellet Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports
Below are some of the top products that should be on your list, as well as the features that make them exceptional.
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
The brand name itself can already be a compelling reason to choose this over many of its competitors. Looking at its features, one thing that we like the most about this product is the digital control panel, which makes it user-friendly. From turning it on and off to adjusting the temperature, things will be easy for you.
It comes with an easy chip loading design, which is a patented technology. You will do it from the side. This means that there is no need to open the door of the smoker to replace the wood chips. This will allow you to seal smoke inside the smoker and to make the heat more consistent.
This smoker comes with four chrome-plated grates, which you can customize depending on the size or height of whatever it is you will be cooking. According to the manufacturer, this pellet smoker can fit two turkeys, four pork butts, six chickens, or four rib racks.
Lastly, we also love how it comes with a fully-insulated body. The latter is the one responsible for minimizing the possibility of heat loss.
Pros:
- User-friendly digital control panel
- High-quality cooking grates
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- Not for cooking in low temperatures
- Some might find it to be too narrow
Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
Weber is a brand name that is synonymous with exceptional quality, so you can be confident that this product is top-notch. Despite being from a reputable company, we love how affordable this product is.
The size of this vertical pellet smoker is a double-edged sword. It is small, which means that it is good for tight spaces. On the other hand, if you need to smoke or cook a lot at a time, the size can be an issue. At its size, it is good only for three to four people.
Since it is made by Weber, you can expect exceptional construction. It has plated-steel cooking grates. The handle is glass-reinforced nylon, which is ergonomic and stays cool to the touch. The charcoal grate, on the other hand, is made of heavy-duty steel.
It comes with a built-in thermometer, which makes it easy to monitor the smoker’s temperature. Although, some people complained that the temperature gauge is prone to giving inaccurate readings.
Pros:
- Space-efficient
- Affordable
- Good choice for beginners
Cons:
- Some people find it to be too small
- Temperature gauge can be inaccurate
Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker
If you are looking for a large option for the best vertical pellet smoker, then it will be difficult for you to go wrong with this product. It has a total cooking area of 1,176 square inches, so you will not run out of space.
Inside the smoker, you will find six cooking grates with adjustable heights. You can customize the interior cooking space depending on what it is you will be smoking or grilling.
Another good thing about this product is the charcoal chamber, which is made using high-quality material. Plus, it will allow you to stack the pellets tightly. In turn, burn efficiency will be improved.
The stainless steel temperature gauge is also a nice feature of this product. With the latter, you will easily monitor the heat level of the smoker depending on what a specific recipe requires.
As a bonus, you will also get a free cover when you purchase this smoker. This will protect the smoker from external elements that can speed up its wear, such as rain and snow.
Pros:
- Huge cooking space
- Easy to move around
- Comes with a free cover
Cons:
- Paint can easily flake
- Material used is a thin steel
Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D Gas Smoker
From the same manufacturer as the product listed above, this is another great choice for people who are looking for a large vertical pellet smoker. The total cooking space is 1,253 square inches, which is good enough even for a large family.
With a total BTU of 20,000, this is powerful enough for most smoking and grilling needs. It has more than enough heat for most applications.
This product comes with heavy-duty steel construction. With the material that is used in this smoker, you can be confident that it will withstand the test of time. The smoker also comes with a powder-coated finish, which will allow it to resist rust and corrosion.
We also love how it comes with heavy-duty cast iron burners. Plus, there is an electronic ignition system, which will make it effortless to start using this smoker.
Like the product mentioned above, this smoker is also bundled with a premium cover.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Durable
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Temperature control can be better
- Thermometer can be inaccurate
Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster and Grill
This is one of the classics when it comes to a smoker. This model comes with 180 square inches grilling area, which some of you might find to be quite small. For the smoking and roasting basket, on the other hand, it has 1,200 square inches.
One of the highlights of this product is TRU infrared technology. The latter is the one responsible for ensuring consistent heat while cooking your food. This also means that there will be no flare-ups.
Ease of use is another good reason to choose this product. All that you need to do is to connect it to a standard propane tank, turn the knob on, and you can start smoking, roasting, or grilling, among other functions. In front of the unit, you will see two large knobs, which will make it easy to set the desired temperature. With the latter, you can choose the heat level from 9,000 to 18,000 BTU.
Pros:
- Powerful heating performance
- Large display
- Automatic shut-off feature
Cons:
- Bulky
- Small capacity
Masterbuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker
This 30-inch digital electric smoker is filled with advanced features that will make it an exceptional product. Among others, one thing that we love the most about this product is its Bluetooth connectivity. This will make it easier to control the different functions of the smoker, such as changing its temperature.
There are four chrome-coated racks, which you can also adjust to fit more. The standard capacity of this smoker is six chickens, two turkeys, and four rib racks.
The smoker comes with a convenient wood chip loader that you can find at the side of the unit. With the latter, it will be easy to refill the wood chips when needed. This means that you do not have to open the door all the time. As a result, it traps smoke for more flavor and it also improves heating consistency.
Speaking of the door, we also like how it is transparent. With the latter, you can easily monitor whatever it is you are smoking or grilling even without the need to open the door.
Pros:
- Bluetooth technology
- Comes with a built-in meat probe
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Paint can easily peel
- Temperature may be inconsistent
How to Choose the Best Vertical Pellet Smoker
For the uninitiated, all pellet smokers are the same. However, they are different in many ways. From their construction to performance, take the time to differentiate one from the other. Here are the most important considerations to help you narrow down the possibilities.
Size
Many factors will affect the right size of the vertical pellet smoker to choose. For instance, this will depend on space availability in the patio or anywhere you plan to put the smoker. Also, this will depend on the size of the household or for how many people you will be preparing smoked treats for.
Material
The material used in the vertical pellet smoker is important because it impacts overall performance, including heating efficiency and durability. Steel is the most common material of choice. If you are choosing this material, make sure that it is powder-coated, which will make the material rust-resistant.
Cooking Grates
Look at the quality of the grates as you decide. Like the body of the vertical pellet smoker, the grates should be made using high-quality materials. Also, it should be removable and adjustable, allowing you to customize the height of the cooking space as needed. The grates, along with the other parts of the smoker, should also be easy to clean.
Ease of Use
Find a vertical pellet grill with several features that will make it effortless to use. For instance, it should have controls in strategic positions, which will be easy for you to reach. A built-in temperature gauge is also a must-have, making it effortless to monitor the internal temperature. If you want a smoker that is easy to move around, it will also be good if it comes with wheels. Care and maintenance of the smoker should also be effortless.
Conclusion
With the best vertical pellet smoker, you can enjoy a versatile cooking companion at home. Aside from being a smoker, it also doubles as a grill. Depending on the model that you will choose, it can deliver other cooking functions.
Do not pick a vertical pellet smoker only because it is cheap. From the materials used to ease of cleaning, among other things, consider a variety of factors as you decide. To make things easier, keep an eye on our recommendations above and it will be hard for you to go wrong.