People love to cook with a charcoal smoker and are somewhat proud of doing it. But before going straight away and buying just another charcoal smoker, you might want to go through this list cum review of best charcoal smokers 2020.
While gas grills are very convenient and way to cook your food quick. But they just can’t infuse and add a texture of smoke essence in the food on your gas grill. But a charcoal grill infuses smokey texture in every food that touches the flame, leaving an original and vintage grill taste.
Since you are looking for a task oriented grill, finding best charcoal grills for smoking would be a hefty task. But to help our audience finding the perfect charcoal smoker, we have tested dozens of grills and shortlisted a few. Based on our experience and tests, best charcoal grills for smoking are:
- Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker – Top Pick
- Char-Broil American Gourmet – Budget Choice
- Char-Griller E22424 Table Top – Perfect Compact Charcoal Smoker
- Cuisinart COS-118 18″ Charcoal Smoker – Best For The Price
- Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue – Unique Texture
By following this list, you will easily avoid buying just another name sake best charcoal grills for smoking and waste your money. All of grills listed are result of weeks of on ground testing and smoking multiple meats like steaks, brisket, ribs, turkey and what not. We have made sure that all of these grills perform outstanding, feature loaded, withstand quality and have high grade materials.
Table of Contents
Best Charcoal Grills For Smoking
We must admit that there is a different level of feel while firing up a charcoal smoker. Maybe because of its interactive nature or more because it needs little skill to work with. Furthermore, if you want original classic charcoal flavored texture then you might want one of the best charcoal smokers for yourself.

So choosing the right charcoal smoker would be an easy task for you as we have compiled a list of best charcoal smokers available online in every range. Moreover, we will be also covering their pros & cons to further help you decide best charcoal smokers.
Here are our quick picks with out the details for..
Top 5 Best Charcoal Grills For Smoking
Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker, Charcoal Smoker | Prime | Buy on Amazon | |
![]() | Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Offset Smoker, Black,Standard | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
![]() | Char-Griller E22424 Table Top Charcoal Grill and Side Fire Box, Black | Prime | Buy on Amazon | |
![]() | Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18" Charcoal Smoker | PrimeEligible | Buy on Amazon | |
Top![]() | Char-Griller 06620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker, Red | Prime | Buy on Amazon |
Best Charcoal Grills For Smoking – Best Charcoal Smokers Reviewed
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker – Rated Best Charcoal Smoker
- Material Type: Steel
- The Weber Smokey Mountain charcoal smoker helps you achieve an authentic smokehouse flavor at home
- It can accommodate a whole turkey and an entire ham at the same time. Item weight- 39.1 pounds
- Made of porcelain-enameled steel, this smoker comes with 2 nickel-plated 18-1/2-inch-wide cooking grates
- Includes a water pan, thermometer, individual vents on bowl and lid, and heat-resistant nylon handle
We don’t think that you need to have a second thought as soon as a product has Weber in its name. Moreover, for a simple but authentic grilling, a vertically designed smoker offers plenty of space and easy to use platform.
With a porcelain-enameled bowl, lid and center heat retain capability gives the initial impression a pure bliss. The package contains two cooking grates, a water pan, and an in-built thermometer. The vent is not only present on the lid but also on the cooking bowl, making it a pioneer in the proper charcoal burn.
The silicone temperature gourmet keeps the track of internal temperature, giving you an easy to monitor the temperature in real-time. In addition, the side panel allows you to add wood chips, charcoal, or even water, that too without disturbing the food.
People who are using this charcoal smoker say that it can cook a big sized turkey, though it might come close touching the sides. As far as the built quality is concerned then this charcoal smoker is built with high-grade stainless steel and comes with a whopping 10 years warranty. This particular charcoal grill is the most focused grill for smoking in our list of best charcoal smokers. Furthermore, this particular model pioneered in competitions and has delivered an outstanding performance. So if you want a tried & tested charcoal smoker with desirable performance then go with Weber smokey mountain cooker.
- Porcelain Enameled Lid, Bowl and Center Section
- Detachable Fuel Door
- Easy to Assemble
- Some people report that the thermometer isn’t perfectly accurate
Char-Broil American Gourmet – Budget Choice in Best Charcoal Smokers
- Combination Offset Smoker, BBQ & Charcoal Grill
- 290 square inch cooking surface in main chamber
- 140 sq. in. cooking surface in firebox chamber
- Adjustable height steel fire grate
- Clean-out door for easy ash removal with adjustable built-in damper
If you are just beginning with grilling stuff and you want a charcoal smoker then Char-Broil American Gourmet would be the perfect option, to begin. This charcoal smoker is simple, tried & tested and it won’t burn a big hole in your pocket.
The Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset smoker is a simple & normal-sized smoker that is suitable for group or family cookout. This grill offers a dedicated area for smoking and a separate firebox for direct cooking and searing.
The temperature monitoring system and multiple vents offer superior temperature tracking & control. The stainless steel fire grate is adjustable which makes your charcoal smoking even easier. As far as maneuverability is concerned, the Char-Broil American Gourmets get a set of wheels which makes it easy to move around.
The ashtray is detachable and the damper is adjustable which ensures that you don’t spend hours cleaning it. With a complete package of combination offset smoker, charcoal & BBQ grill at a price of just $125 makes it a steal deal.
Char-Broil American Gourmet can be your first choice on best charcoal grills for smoking since it offers everything at a really low price. Despite being priced low, this charcoal grill for smoking can excel expensive grills on its job.
- Attractive Price
- Multiple usage – Combination offset smoker, BBQ & Charcoal Grill
- Side shelf to keep food and cooking equipment
- Stainless Steel built
- Used and trusted by many
- Not suitable for a larger gathering
Char-Griller E22424 Table Top (Small Unit)
- Removable ash pan for easy coal clean up
- Offset for Texas style smoking
- Attaches to all Char-Griller barrel grills (#2123, #2828, #2137 and the #5050 Duo Gas and Charcoal Grill)
- Use as a table top grill or horizontal Texas style smoker
- You can go from a grill to a side fire box, once done you cannot go back to the grill
- Fits the Chargriller Pro Deluxe, Wrangler, Outlaw and Duo as a Side Fire Box
- Heavy steel construction, Cast iron cooking grates, 250 -square inch of primary cooking space
- Sliding drawer for easy access to coals and ashes, Easy dump ash pan and Stay Cool hood handle
If you want a small or portable charcoal smoker that you can carry on the go then this smoker should be perfect for you.
Despite just having 225 square inches of cooking space, it is suitable for 2-zone smoking, indirect and direct grilling. This barrel-shaped grill can do wonders in a small gathering or family outing.
As per the name suggest, this smoker is designed to be kept on a table or other flat surfaces. The small legs just hold it a few inches above the ground and but it becomes easy to use once you keep it at a proper height.
One of the most unique options on this grill is that you can convert it to a side firebox. However, you cannot switch it back to the grill once you switch to the side firebox.
This charcoal smoker built with high-grade steel and offers wood covered handles. Moreover, it also features vents on either of the sides and on the inside, you will see built to last cast iron cooking grate.
Char-Griller E22424 is a small but multiple purpose smoker and is built to lang for years. Priced at just $66 this charcoal smoker cum grill can be perfect for a small family.
- Super Portable
- Capable of 2 Zone smoking, Direct and Indirect Grilling
- Can be converted to side firebox
- Heavy steel construction
- Offset for Texas style smoking
- Can’t be used in large gatherings
Cuisinart COS-118 18″ Charcoal Smoker – Best For The Price
- Two 18 stainless steel racks provide 510 square inches of cooking space
- Porcelain enamel water bowl. Dimensions- 22 L x 24 W x 43 H inches
- Top and bottom vents provide a dual air vent system
- Latching base
- Vertically hinged door.MC Cubic Feet: 5.54
One of the most highly rated charcoal smokers is Cuisinart COS-118 18 inches Charcoal Smoker. The main highlights which are duo 18″ stainless steel racks combine to offer a whopping 512 inches cooking area.
The stainless steel water bowl is porcelain-enameled for more durability. This also makes sure that the moisture and tender of meat retain while cooking. The smoker boasts a high-grade stainless steel body that ensures durability. It won’t rust or get damaged prematurely in case you keep it outside, even in bad weather.
Temperature control is such a crucial thing while smoking your favorite food and this is where Cuisinart COS 118 excels. Controlling the temperature becomes easier than ever before with the help of two air vents. One or both of the vents can be opened or closed to precisely control the amount of heat and smoke leaving the chamber.
The Cuisinart COS 118 is portable enough to take anywhere and everywhere. It is made for cooks, chefs, and grilling enthusiasts who understand the quality this brand is known for.
With the price of just $131 and so much to offer, Cuisinart COS 118 is one of the best Charcoal Smokers you can opt at this price range.
- Perfect For Smoking All Foods
- Dual Air Vents
- Two Tier Steel Smoking Racks
- Stainless Steel built
- 510 Inches Cooking Space
- Easy To Use and Sturdy
- The Temperature Gauze Is Not Very Accurate
Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker
- 314 square inches of primary cooking space, warming rack 133 square inches for a total of 447 square inches
- Assembled Dimensions: 45 L x 31 W x 47 H | Weight: 97.0 lb
- Insulated design means more heat uses less charcoal and less airflow means insulated heat for juicy meat
- Cooking surface is cast iron, Body is constructed of 22 gauge steel, Exterior finish is powder coated steel, Interior finish is porcelain coated steel
- Cart is constructed of tubular steel w/rubber wheels, locking caster on front, Indexed damper is numbered so you can note the position of the damper
- Features Locking Lid, 2 folding black metal shelves, Easy dump ash pan, Double wall insulation, Heat gauge
You will find a lot of typical charcoal smokers but Akorn Kamado Kooker is somewhat astonishing. It is designed in such a way that the food tastes like it has been cooked in a clay oven.
If you ever had food came out of clay oven then you might relate what we are talking about. The clay coating allows the food to reach a certain temperature and flavor which is not possible otherwise. However, this product is not made from clay, but this unit cooks the food like in the clay oven.
What else you would want from a charcoal smoker which can bring a taste not found anywhere else.
With a total space of 447 square inches consisting of 314 square inches of primary cooking space along with a warming rack of 133 square inches. The adequate space and unique design make it one of the best charcoal grills for smoking you can buy. It is so perfectly insulated that it burns less charcoal and has less airflow, resulting in juicier meat.
The cooking surface is made of cast iron, body built with 22 gauge steel, the external surface is powder-coated finish, the internal side is porcelain enameled steel. The manufacturer has putten the utmost care of building this grill smoker’s best materials, no wonder why it is loved by people.
Akorn Kamado Kooker features everything that you would want from a perfect charcoal smoker cum grill. This charcoal smoker can deliver all your grilling needs and has the potential to make you talk of the neighborhood. Furthermore, if you like the texture of clay oven then Akorn Kamado Kooker is one of the best charcoal smokers for you. You’d surely want to give Akorn Kamado Kooker a try!
- Super Quick To Assemble
- Burns Less Charcoal
- Makes Unique Flavoured Food
- Maximum Temperature Range
- Strong Built
- The temperature might show 15 degrees up/down
F.A.Q. For Best Charcoal Smokers
Can these charcoal smoker only be used for smoking, not for charcoal grilling?
Despite being in our list of best charcoal grills for smoking, most of these charcoal smokers are capable of charcoal grilling as well.
Which is better, Vertical or Offset charcoal smoker?
The answer is relative to what you want from you a charcoal smoker. Most users claim that offset charcoal smokers deliver the original and authentic taste whereas vertical charcoal smokers use less fuel and have faster cook times.
What foods can be used for smoking?
Meats including but not limited to Joints, Chicken, Ribs, Fish, Pork. Other food items like Garlic, Cheese, Pepper, Paprika, Vegetables, etc.
Smoking vs traditional BBQ?
Barbecue requires skill and timing, you barbecue well only when the charcoal is neither too hot nor too cold, furthermore, you require to continuously watch. However, Smoking is a leisure process, you add the meat, fire up the fuel and leave it to cook.
Which among this list of best charcoal smokers is your favorite?
This list is a result of weeks of testing and smoking multiple food items like chicken, ribs, steaks, fish, cheese garlic and what not. Charcoal grills listed in this article withstood all our tests and performed exceptionally good.
All of the grills in this list of best charcoal smokers are best in their own area, some are best in budget while the other are best in strength or quality. But what we can assure you that all of charcoal grills in this list are perfect balance of every parameter you want in best charcoal smokers.
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