Best BBQ Smokers for 2021 Under 500

Best BBQ Smokers for 2021 under 500

Why you need one

Smokers are arguably the most critical factor when getting into or just preparing barbecue in general. It is the tool that allows you to impart smoke flavor through low and slow (LNS) or hot and fast (HNF) cooking and produce the iconic imagery associated with BBQ like bark and the smoke ring. It is possible to replicate smoked food indoors and on a gas grill, but you really sacrifice overall flavor and ease of use. Plus, you miss out on learning new skills and cooking techniques. The smoker is your workhorse and will open up a plethora of new recipes to cook at home or for friends and family Today, we will look at some of the best smokers on the market today in 2021 that you can easily purchase and upgrade your BBQ game!

Is $500 Enough for a Quality Smoker?

$500 can really take you a long ways into the market. At this price range, you can get you a rock solid smoker. Not all of them are great, but there are some incredible grills in this price range. In my opinion, unless you find a sale, $250-300 is my cutoff point for smokers. It seems this is the point where materials decline and capacity is extremely limited. To further the case, people like Harry Soo of Slap Ya Daddy BBQ wins barbecue competitions with a smoker that costs less than $500. Spoiler: it’s in this list.

How to Choose a Smoker

There are a few factors you should consider when choosing a smoker or pit. This is not an exhaustive list, but enough to cover the high points:

1. How involved do you want to be with the smoker and the cooking process?
   • You should consider how much time you want to spend with the smoker tending the fire. With a pellet grill, it is more of a “set it and forget it,” mentality where the temperature is steady and controlled through electricity. With an offset, you are at the opposite end of the spectrum; you will likely have to keep an eye on the temperature for the full cook.
2. How much smoke flavor do you like?
   • People argue that pellet grills aren’t worth it because the smoke flavor is very subtle. However, some people prefer a subtle flavor. Everyone has a different taste and you should consider if you want a heavier or lighter smoke flavor
3. What do you primarily plan to cook on the pit?
   • If you plan to cook a lot of thinks like smoked mac and cheese or dips, a pellet grill may be a better fit due to how quickly they come up to temperature and the amount of fuel they will save you
4. How much capacity do you need?
   • Cooking for a large group should certainly impact your decision. I would recommend getting the smallest cooker that can handle the largest group you expect you will ever have to cook for
5. Do you have a preferred fuel source?
   • The real argument here is pellet vs charcoal. If you have a charcoal grill, it may make sense to go with a charcoal smoker so you have fuel for both at all times. A pellet grill typically runs off of electricity and pellets. This can be a problem if you plan to travel with your smoker.

Our Recommendations for the Best Smokers in 2021 under $500

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1. Weber Smokey Mountain 18″

The Weber Smokey Mountain is out favorite smoker for 2021 and the one we cook on (we used this cooker for our St. Louis Style Ribs, personally. it is a good blend of “hands off,” smoke flavor, capacity and price.  It is a charcoal smoker with a water pan, so the temperature stays steady once it is dialed in. It can also be set up mimic a Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) by removing the water pan. The 18″ is the perfect size for most applications. There are 2 levels in the cooker. Each can hold at least 2 pork shoulders comfortably, plus there are a bunch of accessories out there to increase capacity. The WSM is undoubtedly a proven smoker and reigns king as the best smoker for 2021 under $500.

2. Weber Kettle 22″

 The Weber Kettle is maybe a surprising pick, but is definitely not undeserving. The Weber Kettle was chosen in the number 2 slot due to the versatility. In my opinion, if you want something that you can grill AND smoke, this is the best answer. Plus, it is not mediocre at either. Considering price, space considerations, ability and reputation, it is tough to beat. The one fallback in our minds is cooking capacity. Lots of people have a smoker AND a kettle. There are tons of recipes out there for quick cooks like burgers to multi-hour cooks like brisket. The Weber kettle has been around forever and continues to hold its ground today. 22″ is plenty of room for 2-3 pork shoulders, a few racks of ribs or a bunch of burgers. Plus, it is made by Weber, who is known for very high quality.

3. Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5″

The 18-1/2 in. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package is another staple for a lot of pitmasters. It is one of those cookers that is what you make of it. It will last forever and impart a ton of smoke flavor, plus it can be set up for direct or indirect cooking. Something unique about the PBC is the vertical capacity. Because of that, you gain the ability to hang meat and vastly increase the capacity of the cooker, especially for things like ribs. However, you are not limited to hanging meat. The PBC includes grates for cooking.

4. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crocket

The first pellet grill on the list. The GMG Davy Crocket is a very popular choice in the pellet grill realm. It is Wifi capable and can be temperature controlled through your smartphone (iOS or Android). The grill consistently receives stellar reviews. The main reason it is ranked in the number 4 slot is the limited cooking capacity. The cooking surface is approximately 12″x15″, so quite a bit smaller than the other grills. However, you do gain a hands-off, reliable smoker from the well known Green Mountain Grills. It can run on 120AC or 12V power, so this pellet grill is a good option for portability and reliability.

5. Dyna-Glo Signature Series

The Dyna-Glo is an offset, vertical smoker. So, you get the benefits of an offset, but also the cooking capacity, even heat and space savings of a vertical smoker like the Weber Smokey Mountain. This is another cooker that you can grill some burgers with, so it a very versatile cooker. There is a large cooking are of  1382 spare inches that can be customized based on what you are cooking. The Dyna-Glo is one of the best values for your money, especially for an offset style cooker.

6. Masterbuilt Analog Electric Smoker

The Masterbilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker is a great bang for your buck. Currently, it is sat at the lowest price of all smokers on this list, but has glowing reviews. It provides an adequate amount of cooking space at approx. 20″x22″x40″, a small footprint outdoors and a minimalist setup (just a dial for control. However, this grill uses wood chips. In our experience, chips tend to be a little more difficult to cook with as they have a tenancy to ignite rather than smolder. However, this smoker is certainly one we recommend you take a look at for a solid budget pick.

7. Traeger Tailgater 20

Traeger is a solid option if you want probably the most well-known name in Pellet Grills. The Traeger Tailgater ranks as number 7 due to the high price and limited capacity, but it probably the best option for a grill on the go. Also, you do get the Traeger name and assurance you are buying a quality smoker from a quality brand. The cooking surface is about 300 square inches and can be used most anywhere up to a temperature of 450 degrees. This is a portable pellet grill and is designed to be taken on the go.

These are all of our recommendations for the Best BBQ Smokers for 2021 under 500! This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but contains some great choices.