Would you like to enjoy tasty barbecue regularly? If so, you need a good charcoal smoker. There are different charcoal smokers in the market but two varieties are most popular. These are the vertical smoker and the offset horizontal smoker. The best charcoal smokers available in the market can be classified under these two categories.
Vertical Smokers
These smokers are among the most popular and gets their name from their shape. The smokers are also known as bullet smokers and are less bulky compared to others. Vertical smokers use a water pan between the heat source and cooking grate to keep the meat moist. The smokers cook the meat from a distance above the heat source.
Offset Horizontal Smokers
One feature that distinguishes horizontal smokers from the vertical ones is that the compartment and the meat in the former are kept separate. The smokers have a large cooking surface as well as vents, which allow you to control the heat and keep it within the cooking chamber.
Apart from the vertical and offset horizontal smokers, there are other types of smokers available in the market. These include barrel smokers, electric smokers and gas smokers.
Barrel Smokers
If you love DIY projects, building a barrel smoker is something you should put on your list of things to do. Like the name suggests, a barrel smoker uses a drum that is turned on its side and split down in the middle. You can easily make a barrel smoker on your own within a short time. However, the drum will not be steady and hence won’t last long. You can find out how to make barrel smokers by checking DIY forums online.
Electric or Gas Smokers
Modern smokers are powered by either gas or electricity. However, by removing charcoal from the barbecue process, you will miss out on much of the smoke flavor that makes for an interesting taste. While wood can be used in electric and gas smokers, the taste and flavor of the meat won’t be the same as charcoal would produce. Most people prefer barbecuing with charcoal to enhance the flavor of the meat.
One of the benefits of electric and gas smokers is that they allow for easier control of the heat. Instead of having to keep watch of the burning charcoal, you will only need to play with the dial.
The above is an overview of charcoal smokers you can use for barbecuing. While there are many smokers in the market, the best charcoal smokers are those of the vertical and offset horizontal varieties.
