Top 13 Best Drum Smokers – Updated In 2023

You’ve come to the right place if you’re unfamiliar with drum smokers or decided to purchase one. The simplicity and simplicity of drum smokers appeal to many people. When stripped down to its bare essentials, it’s a steel barrel with meat on top and a fire below.

A drum smoker offers a unique design that will appeal to barbecue fans. Its steel barrel design allows for good outdoor smoking due to its ability to ramp up the heat. With our guide to the best drum smokers, you can improve your backyard cooking game.

Smokers with barrels are primitive but powerful BBQ cookers capable of much more than they seem from their simple design. This design is based on a simple steel drum, providing a tight enclosure for high temperatures and good airflow. It is often possible to smoke to perfection meat, often in a fraction of the time, with a drum smoker when you master it.

Although drum smokers in 2023 have traditionally been great DIY projects for backyard barbecue enthusiasts, premade cookers are becoming increasingly popular. Discover what features to look for when buying the best drum smokers for your BBQ setup and what features to avoid. It’s time to get started.

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1. Cuisinart Vertical Charcoal Smoker

A smoker with a large capacity is needed if you feed a large crowd. However, you might not have enough space to accommodate a big, bulky smoker. Thanks to the 510 square inches of cooking area, the compact design of the Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical Charcoal Smoker is a great benefit.

A complete-dimension for this model is 22 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 43 inches high. This heavy smoker quickly moves into the desired position because it weighs 25 pounds. This model includes two particular legs attached to its base to enhance stability.

Featuring two stainless steel cooking racks, this model offers a variety of cooking possibilities. There are top and bottom vents that make regulating the heat especially easy. Using the large temperature gauge mounted on the product’s lid, you can make any adjustments.

These units have large handles embedded in their sides and lids. These handles remain cool to the touch so that you can handle them comfortably while using them. Handles allow you to maneuver the smoker when lifting the lid quickly.

It’s important to note that this model lacks a door-closing mechanism. In other words, the door may open during use, allowing hot air and smoke to escape. Additionally, the shell of the smoker is relatively thin, reducing its ability to retain heat to some degree.

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2. Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

Featuring a 14-gauge powder-coated steel construction, this smoker looks stunning. A truly iconic chimney makes the Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker stand out from the competition. However, you can rest assured that this model offers much more than just a pretty face.

Cook for up to five hours in this smoker’s main chamber, which provides you with an impressive amount of cooking space. Six stainless steel racks can be adjusted to suit your cooking needs. Several of these racks can hold a combined weight of up to 25 pounds.

You’ll be able to satisfy all the meat cravings of a large group of hungry people with this meal. This porcelain-covered wood box is situated alongside the main chamber and contains wood for smoking and charcoal. Heat and airflow can be controlled through the adjustable side damper and smokestack.

Even with all its features and huge capacity, you can easily use this model. Using the large handles on the sides of the smoker makes it easy to move into desired positions. Cleaning this model is a breeze with an ashtray and grease cup that are easily removable.

However, its size and bulk should be noted as it is a rather large and bulky model. A model like this will make you pause for thought if you’re considering taking it on a camping trip. Still, this model’s excellent design and significant capacity make it perfect for backyard gatherings.

3. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

Undoubtedly, the Weber Smokey Mountain is one of the all-time favorites and best-selling times of the year. With thousands of reviews on the Weber Smokey Mountain, it has an excellent track record and proven performance. The BBQ Smoker is an excellent choice for beginners since it’s easy to use and includes everything you need to get started.

The smoker is one of the best-selling smoked charcoal smokers on the market and is very well-liked. In addition, some drum smokers are equipped with bells and whistles, which are nice but add to the price and complexity. Simple is the best way to describe this Weber. Two cooking grates, air vents that are easily adjustable, a water bowl, and a charcoal basket are included.

4. Pit Barrel Drum Smoker

An abundance of capacity isn’t all a drum has to offer. For people looking for a drum that cooks quickly and is easy to use, the smaller Pit Barrel Junior has all that without requiring so much charcoal. Even though the PBJ measures 14 inches across, it still holds a surprising amount of meat if you hang it with the four stainless steel hooks included.

As with the more giant Classic, it is a charcoal drum smoker that can be set and forgotten. Air intake valves can be set depending on the altitude, charcoal baskets can be lit, and the unit can be loaded, and off you go. Although there’s nothing to adjust or check, the MEATER Plus will let you know when dinner is ready, so you’ll never overdo it.

For families with more minor children or groups, the Pit Barrel Junior is an excellent value, as it is small and light enough to be used as a portable drum option.

5. Dyna-Glo Signature Series Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker

The grilling equipment some people use is often fancy and expensive-looking. This smoker is a beauty for those who like glossy black things. In reality, it’s much more than a pretty face. It comprises five chrome-plated cooking grates and a huge cooking surface (1372 square inches).

Additionally, this smoker is constructed with heavy and durable materials. You can also use the temperature gauge to determine the right temperature to infuse the perfect amount of flavor through smoking. In addition, the spring lid and hooks also allow you to grab your food quickly.

Their simplicity and convenience make cooking a breeze. Additionally, the wheels are oversized, making movement effortless. Ultimately, this smoker is well worth its price! People who want their meat to have that classic steakhouse flavor will love this smoker.

The spring handles are also very safe to use due to their cool-to-touch quality. As a result of the ash pan, cleaning up is more accessible. The smoker’s best feature is its smoke zone on the temperature gauge. With this smoker grill, you’ll be able to make the most of both worlds. Simply put, it’s one of the best drum grills on the market.

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6. Realcook Vertical Charcoal Smoker

The Ugly Drum smoker is another affordable, easy-to-use model. As with most two-piece smokers, there is a top section and a bottom section. Smokers can be split and transported to two different locations. The lid has a crossbar and four hooks, which allow you to smoke meat of all shapes and sizes.

The lid has an adjustable air supply and a built-in thermometer for greater temperature control. The porcelain-enameled water pans and charcoal pans are durable and can be used for many years. Cooking, basting, and transport are all made easier thanks to the heat-resistant bakelite handles.

Food is preserved longer in either cold or hot smoking, or flavors can be imparted to food. Designed with two layers, they can be quickly taken apart for transport or cleaning. Depending on your preferences, you can use it as a barbecue grill or a smoker. Having a latch-locking system gives you excellent stability. By opening the second door, you can add more charcoal or wood.

7. Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker

Using an innovative airflow system, you can easily control this charcoal smoker’s temperature. The damper settings are also numbered so that the temperature can be maintained. With 370 square feet of space, it’s medium-sized and can accommodate a small group.

In addition, the body of the smoker is coated with porcelain, which makes it long-lasting and sturdy. Additionally, the ash pan is removable, so you can easily clean it. A lid-mounted temperature gauge is located on the lid, and two chamber-lift handles are available for your convenience.

Besides the steel tube legs, there’s also a neat little feature you don’t always see in smokers – the smoker doors can be accessed without bending or stoping. You can use this particularly if you suffer from back or joint pain and cannot keep bending down to check on the grill constantly.

It might be a good fit if you like your smoker’s simple without any extra features or accessories. The device is very easy to handle and can be used by people who have never smoked before. Aside from that, the smoker is built well and will last a long time.

You can control the temperature efficiently, quickly access the coals, and cook your meat at a lower temperature so that it will be soft and flavorful. With this smoker, you’re sure not to regret your purchase!

8. Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Drum Smoker

Drum smokers are a long-established secret of professional pitmasters, but they’ve only become available to home barbeque enthusiasts in recent years. In large part, this is due to the lack of portability of the average drum smoker. Our top pick addresses this issue beautifully.

A well-equipped, easy-to-use, and portable charcoal drum smoker built on a sturdy wheeled base, the Oklahoma Joe’s “Bronco” charcoal drum smoker is unlike any other you’ve seen. Using the Bronco, you won’t need to rely on two friends to move and set up the smoker; even setting up the grill takes just a few minutes.

Smoking large quantities of meat on the Bronco’s grilling grate with the addition of meat hangers gives it plenty of capacity without making the smoker oversized or unwieldy. With its 100% steel construction, it’s tough and durable, as well as easy to clean, thanks to a porcelain coating. Aside from being the best drum smoker available for at-home use, it also produces smoked meat suitable for competition use.

9. Big Bad Barrel Pit Drum Smoker

Smoking is ideal for preparing significant cuts of meat and whole fish. However, there will be times when you will want to prepare food another way. Using EasyGoProducts’ 5-in-1 Big Bad Barrel Pit Charcoal Barbeque gives you several options in one convenient package.

This model is constructed as two large drums that can be easily used together or independently. This grill rack has a stainless steel construction so that it will be easy to grill shrimp, vegetables, and other small items. A model like this can also be used as a fire pit or a pizza oven.

This model has a wide selection of accessories, making it even better. It comes with six stainless steel hooks for hanging meat while it smokes and a grilling rack made of stainless steel. It is easy to start cooking right away with the grill fork, spatula, and tongs provided.

A unique feature of this model is its ease of assembly and disassembly. Its unique construction also makes it handy to carry around. In addition to reaching temperatures up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit, the whole construction is resistant to rust and peeling.

Despite this, only two air vents are set at the top of the model. The temperature control is thus somewhat inconvenient. The addition of bottom air vents would be excellent, though not necessary.

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10. Barton Barrel Smoker BBQ Grill

With a weight of 19.6 lbs, you can easily carry the Barton Multi-Function Barrel Pit Charcoal Smoker wherever you go, whether to camp or a party. Made of durable steel, this lightweight grill comes with six stainless steel hooks, as well as a grilling grate and three other utensils. Food can be moved away from the flames or closer to them by adjusting the height of the cooking grate.

The cooking surface on this model is 246 square inches, which means it has a large cooking capacity. In addition to the lid’s thermometer, the smoker is equipped with a thermometer that monitors its cooking temperature. A system of airflow is built into the smoker, so fanning the heat is not a problem.

Metal handles can get hot, so you should wear gloves. Three separate parts allow the smoker to be reassembled and disassembled as needed. Who would like a model that is easily portable and storable? There is no better smoker than this one. There is a 30-day return policy in place if the smoker proves faulty.

11. PitmasterIQ BBQ Temperature Regulator Kit

Want to upgrade your Pit Barrel Cooker? Here’s one of the easiest and most effective ways. Smoking meat and fish requires being able to control and monitor the temperature. Owning the PitmasterIQ IQ110 BBQ Temperature Regulator Kit for Pit Barrel Cooker makes this easy.

A special temperature control kit provides very precise temperature control. This eliminates the guesswork involved in precision smoking. This device is very easy to install as you need to attach it to the smoker’s hose.

This model is reliable for keeping the preset temperature steady for optimum convenience. Using this model will also reduce the amount of fuel that is required. The smoker can smoke meat for twelve hours with one load of charcoal.

Note that this model does not come with a drum smoker. Even though it is compatible with many smokers, some have varied designs. For this reason, it is essential to check the specifications before making a purchase.

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12. Hakka Multi-Function Barbecue and Charcoal Smoker Grill

Hakka’s 16-inch Charcoal model can be used for several cooking tasks, including baking, braising, grilling, and roasting. With a weight of 35 lbs, the small model is suitable for patios and gardens of small sizes. A hook on the smoker allows you to hang meat and a grill rack allows you to grill food.

Steel is used for the exterior, and porcelain enamel is used for durability. You can easily track the temperature of the food in the barrel smoker since it has a thermometer on the lid. Using the chimney and air intake compartment, stoke the fire if it is not producing enough heat.

Assembly and disassembly are easy with this model’s two sections interlocked for a compact design. Disassemble the drum smoker, clean it, and pack it together into a box when you want to store or transport it. A handle is fitted to the smoker so it can be easily moved. There is no assembly or use difficulty with the drum smoker, but the manufacturer offers a 30-day return policy if there are any production flaws.

13. Gateway Barbecue Drum Smoker

We have designed Gateway Drum Smokers to deliver various backyard grilling flavors. Smoking your favorite foods has never been easier with the Gateway Drum Charcoal Smoker, which features three cooking levels. This product only comes with one cooking grate. If you need to expand your cooking capacity, you can easily buy another one or two.

You can precisely control the smoking process thanks to two welded side vents and a lid vent on the Gateway Drum. Adjusting the temperature and smoke level to perfection ensures that your food is always cooked to your liking. A high-quality steel drum is seamless and made from high-quality materials. This method results in a very low loss of heat and smoke.

Furthermore, it comes with a high-temperature powder coat paint finish that can withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s no need to worry about your smoker getting damaged by heat.

Buying Guide: Best Drum Smokers

As you have seen, it is possible to find top-of-the-range drum smokers in various styles. A complete novice may find it quite challenging to choose the right style for their needs. There are a few essential factors to consider when choosing a drum smoker.

Size

First, you should take the time to determine the size of your drum smoker. Make sure you have enough room in the smoker to smoke all your meat and other items. You will need a different size according to how many mouths you feed.

Make sure you take note of the dimensions of the drum smoker as well as its storage capacity. Most drum smokers come with vertical designs that make storing them more accessible. They are also usually fairly light, making moving into their desired position easier.

Temperature Management

Getting the perfect temperature and maintaining it is essential when smoking meat. As a result, you should be provided with vents or ducts that can be adjusted. Temperature gauges mounted on lids make monitoring temperature incredibly convenient.

Accessories

For the most part, drum smokers provide simply the drum smoker itself. Many models feature a wide range of cooking accessories that make it possible to start cooking immediately. It is crucial to ensure that the accessories included with the drum smoker are also high quality.

Ease of Use

Most people prefer drum smokers because of their ease of use. This dictates that the design should be as straightforward as possible. Any advanced features must be intuitive and designed to save time and trouble.

Versatility

The most sophisticated models can also be used for various tasks besides smoking meat and fish. You can grill small items such as shrimp and vegetables using them. Some models can even function as a pizza oven in a pinch.

Durability

Lastly, you should ensure the drum smoker you selected is built to last. Quality is usually determined by the type of warranty that the drum smoker comes with. Several different warranties are available for drum smokers, from one year to a limited lifetime warranty.

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Frequently Asked Questions