The 10 best BBQ smokers to buy in the UK
A great investment for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, BBQ smokers cook food with an unforgettable taste and aroma. Suitable for everything from ribs and brisket to chicken and seafood, barbecue smokers offer fun and versatile outdoor cooking. However, with so many products available and features to consider, finding the best BBQ smoker is not always easy. So, be sure to check out our handy buying guide! It covers all the most important information that you need to know to find the best BBQ smokers.
What are BBQ smokers?
A BBQ smoker is an outdoor cooking appliance that uses low temperatures to slowly cook food over several hours. While designs vary for each model, most smokers feature a large smoking chamber where food rests on a wired grill. The cooking chamber is connected to a large firebox, where fuel like charcoal and woodchips are burned to produce a smoke that slowly cooks the food. The best barbecue smokers feature variable heat settings, letting you slow cook at different temperatures for the perfect smoked finish.
Why should you buy a good BBQ smoker?
Most barbecue smoker grills cook food with an unforgettable smoky smell and flavour. The incredible taste offered by BBQ smokers is impossible to replicate with other outdoor grills, making it a must-have for anyone who enjoys that smoky barbecue flavour. Furthermore, a good BBQ smoker slowly cooks food over several hours, leaving it soft and tender. Even the tougher cuts of meat end up melting in your mouth when left to slow cook inside of a smoker.
How to choose the right BBQ smoker in 2024?
Finding the best barbecue smoker is not always easy for first-time buyers. Here are some things to look out for when choosing a BBQ smoker:
- Fuel Source: BBQ smokers are available with various fuel sources, each one impacting the flavour and overall cooking process. For example, charcoal and wood smokers offer a distinct BBQ flavour but require more hands-on cooking to ensure the best finish. Pellet grill smokers use electricity and wood pellets to smoke food but don’t produce quite the same distinct BBQ flavour. However, they’re low-maintenance so easy to operate, making them a good choice for people new to grilling.
- Size and Capacity: Each type of BBQ smoker comes in various size options, although they’re often larger than a traditional barbecue grill. Make sure to consider the size of the smoker, ensuring it has enough capacity for the number of people you’re cooking for. Also, the size of the smoker will impact its storage, so think about where it’s being placed outside and stored when not in use. Larger smokers let you cook a lot more food, including larger cuts that don’t always fit in smaller smokers. However, they will cost more and take up more storage.
- Temperature Range: While BBQ smokers cook at lower temperatures, it’s a good idea to choose an appliance with a variable temperature range. A smoker with variable temperature settings can cook a wider range of foods while giving more control over your cooking, ensuring the best results possible. So, be sure to look out for barbecue smokers with multiple temperatures for more versatile cooking.
What is the best kind of BBQ smoker in the UK?
Struggling to find a suitable BBQ smoker for your outdoor cooking? Here are some of the main options available:
- Charcoal BBQ Smokers: Charcoal smokers are usually barrel or drum-shaped, using a combination of charcoals and wood chips to slowly smoke food. It’s the best type of smoker for that classic smoky barbecue flavour and aroma but does require a hands-on approach to ensure even cooking temperatures.
- Gas BBQ Smokers: These types of smokers are cabinet-shaped appliances that use gas or propane as a fuel source. They’re simple to use, making them the best barbecue smoker for beginners, but do lack the smoky depth of charcoal smokers. Because they use gas as fuel, these smokers need wood chips to help create a smoky taste and aroma.
- Pellet BBQ Smokers: Pellet smokers use a combination of electricity and wood pellets for simple yet tasty smoking. They’re easy to use and produce a nice smoky smell and flavour, using an internal thermometer to maintain consistent heat.
Top 10 list of BBQ smokers in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their BBQ smokers. Which grill is the best?
- Portable and Easy to Assemble The twolayer design can be easily taken apart for transport…
- Large cooking space The Sunlifer charcoal grill has 2 large cooking grates so you…
- Access Doors The charcoal grill with lid has 2 access doors it is more flexible to…
- Storage Ease: Two foldable side tables provide ample prep space and easy storage…
- Convenient Design: Thoughtfully designed with a built-in bottle opener and four hooks;…
- Heat Distribution: Variable heat zones; cook different types of meats at their optimal…
- DESIGNED FOR CONVENIENCE: Enjoy the ease of a portable barbecue that doesn't…
- OUTDOOR COOKING INNOVATION: Our bbq grill is designed for the BBQ enthusiast with…
- CAMPING ESSENTIAL: For those who love camping and cooking, this coal BBQ is a must-have.…
- Adjustable ventilation lets smoke out to help cool the temperature down
- Thermostat allows you to monitor the cooking temperature without opening it up
- Triple chamber design gives you space to cook meat and vegetables separately
- Dimensions: Height - 76cm, Width - 40.5cm & Length - 47.5cm
- Suitable for use with charcoal, smoking logs & wood chips
- Practical 3 chamber steel construction, with adjustable ventilation and temperature…
- Full of Features - The barbeque also has a built in thermometer on the chamber lid,…
- Adjustable Air Flow - The BBQ is suitable for use with charcoal and wood fuels and…
- Dual Chambers - Featuring 2 smoking chambers, the BBQ gives ample space for a large…
- Versatile for Various Occasions: Suitable for backyard garden BBQ or camping trips,…
- Durable and User-Friendly: A sturdy barrel BBQ grill with secure connections between…
- Easy Mobility and Storage: This portable charcoal BBQ grill is designed with cart-style…
- 2 Years Warranty - all parts including the burners.
- Cart Wheels - Easily move your grill around your backyard or patio.
- Damper - control the grill temperature by opening and closing the dampers.
- Portable Convenience: Foldable side tables and two castor wheels provide easy storage…
- Multi-Zone Cooking: Variable heat zones enable simultaneous cooking of different…
- Temperature Control: Integrated temperature gauge, chimney, and adjustable air vents…
- Portable Convenience: Foldable side tables and two castor wheels provide easy storage…
- Multi-Zone Cooking: Variable heat zones enable simultaneous cooking of different…
- Temperature Control: Integrated temperature gauge, chimney, and adjustable air vents…
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