The reason why smoking in the backyard is so common is because it is so convenient. It's a great method for elevating less expensive cuts of meat to a fine dining standard. It's also a great way to have some fun. Outdoor grilling is also a great way to spend time with friends and family, and there's nothing like relaxing with a cold drink while the delicious smell of smoked meat wafts over you.
We'll be taking a close look at the best commercial smokers on the market today, and we've included a variety of options so that there's something for everyone. The size and weight of the smoker, the amount of space it provides for cooking, the types of fuel available, and the number of racks are all factors we're taking into account.
We'll take a look at what each of these factors means for the smoker-buying and smoker-using processes and hopefully leave you with a better idea of how to prioritize them for your own needs. We've selected the best five, and the winner is the Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker.
The Best Commercial Smokers Reviews
1. Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker – Best Overall Commercial Smoker
There are only four racks included, but they are strong, nickel-plated, and quite large, measuring more than 16 inches deep and 15 inches wide. You'll find that even big cuts of meat and poultry can fit in here easily.
It's nearly 140 pounds of solid metal that's been finished in a more classic black color; it's also well-made and looks great. For sure, it won't be blown away by the wind. This unit's interior is constructed entirely of stainless steel, making it easy to wipe down and resistant to the development of rust.
The slam locks and strong hinges on the Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker are two particularly great features. If properly cared for, this unit has the potential to last a lifetime with heavy use.
The fact that the manufacturer not only neglected to include castors on this heavy smoker but also charges an expensive amount of money to purchase a set of them is a major letdown. The cost of the castors is over 20% of the total price of the smoker, which seems excessive.
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2. Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker - Best Portable Commercial Smoker
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22-Inch Smoker comes in at number three on our list of the best commercial smokers on the market, and it's a completely different beast from the top smoker. Weber is a highly regarded and well-established company, so you shouldn't have any trouble reaching them if you ever have any questions or concerns about this product.
This is more of a bullet smoker, and the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22-Inch Smoker is on the verge of being classified as a commercial unit, but we're willing to go there for the sake of argument. You only get two racks here, and you're limited by the shape of the smoker rather than the size of the unit, which is 22 inches and respectable in that regard. You can certainly fit a couple of large cuts of meat there, though not as many as you could in a rectangular unit. Because of practical constraints, its capacity is restricted.
The smoker is completely enameled, so it will hold up well against the elements, high temperatures, grease, and general wear and tear associated with smoking. At 68 pounds, it's light enough to carry around easily, but its limited capacity means it's best reserved for situations in which you won't need to smoke a lot of food at once.
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3. Char-Broil 30" Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker- Best Budget Commercial Smoker
When it comes to commercial grade smokers, the Char-Broil 30" Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker is the best option for the money. Those seeking a more classic smoking experience will no doubt give serious thought to this unit.
Our first remark will be about the Char-Broil 30′′ Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, which we feel obligated to make but which is in no way meant as a criticism of this professional-grade grill. The reviews have been very clear that there are problems with the unit's temperature control. The manufacturer has been extremely responsive and supportive of the issue, and it is not the most serious issue that a smoker could encounter. Keep that in mind.
This unit's ridiculously low price point is something to think about in addition to its temperature-related and other features. Being realistic about what you're getting, this is a great buy for someone on a tight budget who wants to start smoking, and it costs less than the castor set for one of the other smokers on this list.
In this pack, you will find an electric smoker with four racks and a convenient removable thermometer for monitoring the internal temperature of your meat. It is what it is with this smoker. Value for money, without a doubt.
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4. KBQ C-60 BBQ Smoker Pit - Best Heavy Duty Commercial Smoker
The KBQ C-60 BBQ Smoker Pit is the next commercial smoker on our list. Because it is made entirely of stainless steel, this unit appears to be a commercial grade cooking machine. That doesn't look like something you'd find at a backyard barbecue; that's straight out of a fancy restaurant kitchen.
According to reviews, however, the product's stainless steel appearance shouldn't dissuade any serious smoker from using it in their backyard. Weighting in at a hefty 92 pounds, this unit exudes quality from every angle.
With its large 60-pound capacity and twelve wire cooking racks, the KBQ C-60 BBQ Smoker Pit can smoke a lot of food at once. Additionally, this unit includes full-size hotel-sized trays. You will have plenty of space to work with.
This smoker requires constant monitoring and cannot be left unattended for long periods of time. You'll need to keep an eye on the firebox on a regular basis. It gets very hot, so make sure to keep children away from it when it's smoking and keep a constant supply of appropriately sized wood to burn.
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5. Masterbuilt 20075315 Front Controller Smoker - Best Compact Commercial Smoker
Here we have the Masterbuilt 20075315 Front Controller Smoker. This will appeal to a particular smoker and a particular kind of yard. Despite looking more like an old-fashioned kitchen appliance than a backyard smoker, Smoker has some great, if not traditionally designed, features.
The first thing you see is what they call the viewing window, but it actually takes up most of the main door and provides a great view of what is happening inside.
The Masterbuilt 20075315 Front Controller Smoker has a facility for loading the wood chips without having to open the door, which is a great idea and will make it much more efficient and achieve more even temperatures and smoking. However, this smoker isn't made to be tampered with too much during the smoking process.
Additionally, this smoker has digital controls, which indicate that small temperature adjustments will be much simpler to make than they would be with many analog units. Those who have trouble clearly reading dials will benefit greatly from this machine.
As a whole, it's a very nice piece of equipment. It weighs 73 pounds, has good insulation, and will get the job done. It has a reasonable capacity. Remember that an electric element provides most of the heat and therefore requires power.
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Things to Consider
Purchasing or upgrading to a commercial smoker is a major decision that requires careful thought. The variety of options can be overwhelming, but we'll cover some of the most important considerations here.
If you're upgrading from a household smoker to a commercial one, you'll have a better idea of what features you should seek. Using a less powerful unit will have taught you a great deal about what provides successful results and, more importantly, about your own preferences and expectations.
Now that you're in a position to make a decision, it would be beneficial to look into some of the features you'll have to consider.
Reasons to purchase a high-quality commercial smoker
If you want to up your game when it comes to smoking and providing a delicious spread at get-togethers with friends and family, investing in a unit of commercial grade is a smart decision that will pay off in spades.
In general, machines of a commercial grade will provide you with a larger capacity for volume, allowing you to smoke a greater quantity of meats and foods in one session. Additionally, you can anticipate having more control over the temperature.
If you're looking to improve your smoking experience in the backyard, upgrading to commercial quality will be a huge help. These machines are generally much better in terms of build quality than domestic-level smokers. They will have more capacity inside in terms of cubic inches or feet to smoke food, and you will typically get a unit that is significantly more controllable with improved heat retention and increased access than some of the cheaper units.
If you've already smoked a little, upgrading to commercial grade will significantly improve your smoking results. If you don't opt for a gas or electric unit, you may have to put in a little more effort to tend to your fire, but the end result of your efforts will typically be a much more professional when it comes to the eating, which is the ultimate test for any smoker and any smoking technician.
It's not a bad idea to go for the gold right away if you're new to smoking. It's possible that the learning curve for a commercial unit will be higher than that of a lower grade, easy-to-use unit, but once you've mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to start smoking properly, the commercial unit will provide many more opportunities to put those abilities to good use.
In other words, you get what you pay for; investing in commercial units will allow you to do more in less time and produce higher-quality results if you put in the necessary effort. Commercial-quality tools or smokers could be more expensive up front, but they will last longer, be easier to repair, and remove the ceiling from your ability to achieve greatness once you've mastered the basics.
Best Commercial Smoker Buying Guide
You'll have to decide how you want to go with regards to fuels and flavor profiles. What kind of flavor you get from your smoking will depend greatly on the fuel you use in your smoker. Because you can get more tones from the actual firebox, most people think that wood fires add another level of flavor, and most smokers who want real and deep flavors every time they light the box would only ever consider running on wood.
One consideration for many of you will be the size of your smoker. Similarly important is having a good spot to set up the smoker.
Some of these machines may get quite hot, so make sure to put them in a well-ventilated location, out of the reach of youngsters, and on a solid, heat-resistant surface. For example, it's not a smart idea to buy a wood-fired smoker and put it on your back deck.
It's important to think about how much food you'll need to make on a regular basis when deciding on a suitable size. You should err on the side of caution and get a size larger than you think you need.
If it's a thing, you might want to put this unit on the truck and go for the hills every now and then. Portability and weight will be important considerations if you frequently host events and gatherings in remote areas. If the unit requires electricity to function, you may want to think about bringing a generator along.
Spark suppression is something to consider if it is wood-fired and you want to take it camping or into the woods. On a windy, dry day, you don't want sparks flying around.
Type of fuel
As we've already mentioned, when it comes to adding rich and flavorful smoke to meats and other meals, the traditional smoking community only considers one fuel. You should give some serious consideration to your unit's needs and the advantages of each fuel type.
The only way to guarantee complete authenticity is to use a stick to burn. Using wood produces richer smoke and more nuanced flavors. But there's a price to pay, and it usually takes a lot of hard work to see positive results that way. The first thing you'll need is access to a continuous supply of good-quality, burning wood that is the proper size for your chosen smoker.
With wood, you'll need to clean and care for it more frequently. Additionally, maintaining a wood fire will require more attention and upkeep. Wood requires more time if you're the kind of person who likes to throw a party, impress everyone with your cooking skills, and keep the party going as the life and soul of the gathering.
It's important to determine which type of smoker you are before hosting a party, as some people find the actual act of smoking to be the most entertaining aspect.
Finding the best propane wood smoker for commercial usage is a good idea if you want to have a party or gathering where the food is the main draw but no one wants to handle much of the cooking themselves.
Cooking area
Really, it's as easy as it sounds. This is the flat surface, measured in square inches, that is accessible to you for placing the food within the smoking area.
You need to think about the cooking space and your needs for the smoker. The first consideration is how much meat you intend to cook in a specific amount of time. The second consideration is the size of the meat or poultry you plan to smoke. If you want to smoke big pieces of brisket, there's no use in having a lot of cooking space available thanks to a narrow stack and a lot of racks and hooks. If you frequently cook really large birds or cuts of meat, you can benefit from investing in the best commercial bbq smoker.
You might also check out some of the best commercial smoker grills, which provide a single cooking area that is much bigger than racks.
Number of racks
This is a factor that is similar to cooking. It's all about how your smoker's volume is divided. More racks are needed to cook a large quantity of small items and cuts, whereas fewer racks are needed to cook a large quantity of cuts of varying sizes. Having more cooking space than is necessary is always a plus. Taking out a rack is simpler than looking for one.
The Size and the Weight
There are a handful of considerations you should make in this regard before purchasing your smoker. You need to know where you plan on putting it. How likely is it that you'll need to relocate it?
In general, a higher weight indicates a superior structure and sometimes even more cooking space. Even though that's a nice feature to have, it might be a problem if you need to be able to move the item about easily for travel or if you want to make your cooking space a dual-purpose area.
If you're not planning on taking your smoker anywhere, quality construction and a large cooking space are more important than portability. Find the balance.
Warranty
A long warranty often indicates that the manufacturer is confident in the durability of their product. It's never a terrible thing. Always look around and compare product warranties, as you would with anything else.
How to clean and care for your smoker?
Larger units are often kept outside in all kinds of weather, making them vulnerable to damage from weather and conditions. If you can't find one that comes with a cover, consider purchasing a separate one as a backup. In addition to extending the life of the smoker, this will make cleanup a breeze. Absolutely necessary.
Aside from that, however, commercial smokers require the same regular cleaning and maintenance as any other smoker or grill. Checking the manufacturer's instructions is also a good idea, in case they have any recommendations unique to their smoker.
FAQ
Will I have to assemble the smoker?
Putting together a smoker may be required in some situations. Additionally, certain smokers will need more assembly than others. The answer to this question relies entirely on the items purchased. When searching in the commercial category, you will notice completely assembled smokers. If this is something you're concerned about, be sure to read the product's specifications.
Can I use it indoors?
Generally speaking, smoking is done in the open air. You shouldn't do this inside your home or anywhere else with a roof over your head.
Can I leave it unattended while it cooks?
Various types of fuel and the type of smoker you choose will have different needs in this aspect. There are smokers that can be left alone for a few hours and still keep a good temperature. Others require much more regular attention. For example, our pick on this list is a traditional stick burner, which requires attention every fifteen to thirty minutes.
Even the best commercial electronic smoker may feature controls that allow for long periods of unsupervised smoking thanks to automatic feeding that maintains a constant high temperature.
Most experts agree that leaving a smoker unattended for long periods of time increases the likelihood of anything going wrong, potentially resulting in ruined food.
Our Verdict
And with that, we think we're done. We've taken a close look at the best commercial smokers and discussed some of the criteria you should consider when making your final decision. When it comes to smoking, though, which is the best smoker?
It is the Backwoods Chubby 3400 Outdoor Charcoal Smoker, a fantastic smoker that provides a great smoking experience thanks to its high quality construction and extensive list of features. And the competition was fierce to make it into this list.
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 22-Inch Smoker came in second. It was clear that this stylish smoker had a lot going for it and belonged in our shortlist of the best commercial smoker.
The Char-Broil 30" Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker comes in at number three. It's a commercial-grade electric smoker model that won't break the bank and comes with an easy-to-read LED screen.
The most important thing to remember about outdoor smoking is to have fun while being safe. Then it's simply a matter of savoring all that delicious, tender meat.
Enjoy your smoking!
