10 Best Propane Gas Smokers For The Money In 2022

After testing around 30 gas smokers, I was able to come up with a list of the best propane gas smokers in the world. These ​have collected a lot of reviews from customers who have been using them. You can invest in any of these smokers without having to worry about cost, performance, and durability. 

Without wasting much time, let’s dive into the detailed reviews of our top picks.

	Product	​Name	​Surface (in2)	​Dimensions (in)	​Size (in)	Price
1		Masterbuilt 20050814	​2000	​30.7 x 22.75 x 56.02	​44
​2		Masterbuilt 20051311	​1307	​26.6 x 18.8 x 36.6	​40
​3		​Camp Chef Smoke Vault ​	​600	​24 X 17. 5 X 30. 5	​24
​4		​Smoke Hollow 38202G Vertical ​	​326	​19 x 28 x 47	​38
5		​Weston Outdoor ​	​236	​17.5 x 17.5 x 37.5	​36
​6		​Dyna-Glo DGY784BDP Vertical​	​784	​27 x 19.2 x 47	36
​7		Smoke Hollow 30164G	​326	​19.73 x 22.01 x 39.15	​30
​8		Masterbuilt 20050716 ​	325	​23.03 x 23.42 x 43.11	​30
​9		Cuisinart COS-244 ​	​748	​20 x 20 x 46	36

​Here are some of the best gas smokers for sale:

Reviews of The Best Gas Propane Smoker

1. Masterbuilt 20050814 44-inch Vertical Propane Smoker

The Masterbuilt 20050814 should be your best bet if you are looking for a premium propane smoker. It’s a great buy if you have a huge chunk of money to spend on a smoker. This model is definitely on a class of its own. Below are some of the attributes I like about this smoker.

Solid Performance

The performance of the Masterbuilt 20050814 is definitely a work horse when it comes to food preparation. Its 44-inch space is more than enough to smoke huge amounts of foods. This smoker comes with dual burners so as to achieve the right temperatures as fast as possible.

Incredible Features

The Masterbuilt 20050814 smoker has so many features that are meant to enhance your cooking experience. For starters, it comes with a built-in temperature gauge that helps you to monitor the inside temperatures of your smoker. Secondly, it features a push button ignition that gets you started in a few seconds. The third cool feature is the ash free combustion which makes the smoker easy to clean and maintain.

PROS

• ​Easy to clean stainless steel racks
• ​The water pans and large wood chips eliminate the need for constant refilling
• ​It is durable
• ​High grade steel construction

CONS

• ​I didn’t find any drawbacks worth mentioning

​​

2. Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D Vertical Propane Smoker

The Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D is one of the best propane smokers for the money. It’s a great option especially if you are on a budget. With this smoker, you will be guaranteed of a nice smoky flavor and tasty food as well. Its superb build quality and stellar performance are the key reasons why this model is our first runners up.

Superb Build Quality

The Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D is a two door​ smoker that oozes elegance and quality. It is a cabinet-style vertical propane smoker that features a high grade steel construction. None of the parts of this will need modification. This smoker will last you for years as long as you store it properly.

With the Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D, you can opt for the 30 inch, 40 inch or the 44 inch version. Finally, it has been designed to be a heavy duty, meaning you will find it a bit heavier than other models

Great Features

Just like our top pick, this model has an in-built temperature gauge that allows you to monitor the temperatures of your smoker. What’s more? The dual doors have been designed in way that prevents heat from escaping when you lock the smoker.

This comes with a water pan and a porcelain coated wood chip tray that makes cleaning easier. Besides, it also has an air damper which comes in handy when you want to control the smokiness of your meats.

PROS

• ​It is easy to assemble and use
• ​It is affordable
• ​Comes with plenty of accessories
• ​Durable construction

CONS

• ​No warranty
• List Element
• List Element

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3. Camp Chef Smoke Vault Propane Smoker

The Camp Chef SMV18S is an ideal option if you are looking for a compact propane smoker. Its compact size makes it one of the lightest on the market. Other than its compact size, this has lots of positive features you might like. Let’s see how the Camp Chef stands out from the other gas smokers.

Great for Slow Cooking

The Camp Chef SMV18S is considered to be a good choice if you want slow cooked food. This vault style gas smoker will give the meats that hickory flavor you like. Its door has been secured tightly to prevent heat loss. Besides, you can control the temperatures using the heat control dials so as to achieve the desired heat. You can definitely use this to cook your turkey, chicken, pork, and beef.

It’s Convenient

Just like most of my picks in this roundup, the Camp Chef SMV18S is easy to assemble as it comes with a manual. Even when it comes to cooking, you will find that it does not give you a hard time. Besides, clean up is no hassle as the water pan and porcelain base tray and the wood chip tray can be emptied easily. At least the smoker comes with recipes and cooking tips.

PROS

• ​It’s compact in nature but offers a large cooking space
• ​It is easy to move around
• ​Hassle-free assembly
• ​Heat control dials

CONS

• ​Does not come with additional accessories

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4. Char-Broil The Big Easy Gas Smoker

The Big Easy model is a smoker that is specifically designed for beginners. Any person can use this without any hassles whatsoever. Most people love the Char-Broil because it can be used as a roaster and a grill. Below are some of the aspects that make it one of the best propane smokers in the market.

High Quality Construction

Char-Broil is a brand that is well known for high quality grills and gas smokers. Things are not different with the Big Easy Propane Smoker. It features a high quality steel construction. Besides, the grates are made from premium steel to prevent your meats from burning.

Awesome Features

As you would expect of Char-Broil products, The Big Easy smoker has several incredible features to rave about. For starters, it uses TRU Infrared technology to ensure food cooks evenly, prevent flare-ups, and burnt food.

With this​, you can easily adjust temperatures up to 18000 BTUs. Finally, the Big Easy Propane smoker comes with a grease collection tray, thermometer, and rotary ignition system.

PROS

• ​Easy to wear clean
• ​Comes with an internal smoker box that automatically loads the wood pellets
• ​TRU Infrared Technology
• ​Great for beginner’s

CONS

• ​No warranty
• ​Small cooking capacity

​

5. Smoke Hollow 38202G 2-Door ​ Smoker

The Smoke Hollow is doing absolutely well in the market as it has received a lot of positive ratings from customers. It is an ideal buy for guys looking for a small and durable. Below are some of the key places that the Smoke Hollow 38202G excels at.

Easy to use

Most of the double door smokers in this roundup have been highly praised because of how easy they are to use. In fact, you can easily adjust the temperatures with the touch of a dial. Besides, the dual door design allows you to feed wood and water without losing smoke and heat.

Stellar Performance

This ​propane smoker does a great job when you are preparing food. Even though it is a bit small, it will accommodate enough food to feed your family. Besides, it is one of the hottest smokers you can ever find in the market as it boasts a 20000 BTU gas output. This is the smoker you should go for if you want to enjoy fast cook time.

PROS

• ​It is fuel efficient
• ​Comes with 4 adjustable shelves
• ​Large water pan and wood chip box
• ​It does the job pretty fast

CONS

• ​The shelves are somehow difficult to handle

​

6. Weston 48-Inch ​ Propane Smoker

The Weston 48-Inch propane smoker happens to be my advanced pick in this roundup. It is the best propane​ smoker for commercial purposes. This massive smoker will cook absolutely anything you need. All in all, you have to be prepared to fork out extra cash to get your hands on the Weston Smoker.

Awesome Build Quality

Since this is on the high end category, it has been nicely built with premium materials. The cooking cabinet is made from steel and it is fully welded to increase durability. Besides, the gas smoker has a black coat that prevents rusting and corrosion. Finally, the Weston Smoker has two cool fo touch handles that come in handy when you want to open the door.

Impressive Features

Being one of the largest gas smokers, the Weston Model comes with a good number of removable cooking racks as well as two sausage hangers. Lighting the smoker is pretty straightforward as it comes with a rotary ignitor that does the job in a matter of seconds.

It also features an adjustable propane system that helps users control the heat. Moreover, the in-built temperature gauge will help you monitor the inside temperatures.

PROS

• ​Plenty of cooking space
• ​One year warranty
• ​Comes with seven adjustable and removable cooking racks
• ​Durable construction

CONS

• ​Might be too large for home style cooking
• ​Pretty expensive

​

7. Dyna-Glo DGY784BDP 36-Inch Propane Smoker

If you are looking for a smoker that can infuse your meats with a tasty smoke flavor, I would suggest that you check out the Dyna-Glo Smoker. It has a dual door design and ample cooking space. Pros and beginners will definitely find this convenient and easy to use.

Durable Construction

Just like most of the Dyna-Glo grills, this​ has been designed in a way that it will last for years. I am saying this because it is made of heavy-duty steel which is covered by a powder coat finish. Besides, its vertical design allows heat and smoke to rise naturally so as to infuse a delicious flavor.

Impressive Features

One of the reasons why most people praise the Dyna Glo smoker is its incredible features. The DGY784DBP is popular because of its smart heat maintenance system and the grease management system.

Lighting this is pretty fast and straightforward as it uses the push button ignition system. Additionally, it comes with a 15000 BTU cast iron burner that ensures heat is evenly distributed across the cooking cabinet.

PROS

• ​It locks heat perfectly because it’s a dual door smoker.
• ​It is convenient and easy to use
• ​One year warranty
• ​Durable construction
• ​Large capacity

CONS

• ​It is expensive
• ​Takes a bit longer to assemble

​

8. Smoke Hollow 30164G, 30-Inch 

My final pick in this roundup is the Smoke Hollow 30164G. It is one of the best propane gas smokers for families on a budget. You can actually use it on daily basis to smoke your food. Below are some of the features you might like about this awesome smoker

Build Quality

The 30164G is a small sized smoker which has been nicely built to enhance performance and durability. It features a high-quality steel construction to ensure that the smoker serves you for an extended period of time. Besides, it is fixed with a spring wire door handle which is safe to touch without gloves. The legs have also been constructed well to ensure that they provide enough support to the entire smoker.

Good Features

Even though this smoker happens to be my last pick, I can’t deny that it has some great features. For instance, you can adjust the temperature using the control knob on the smoker. Secondly, it comes with an efficient 10000 BTUs stainless steel burner that makes temperature control so easy. Finally, this smoker comes with a built-in thermometer which displays the inside temperatures on the gauge.

PROS

• ​It is affordable
• ​It comes with 3 chrome-coated smoking grids
• ​It is easy to use

CONS

• ​Does not have a separate compartment for wood chip tray and water pan

​

9. Masterbuilt 20050716 ​Vertical Gas Smoker​

Masterbuilt is definitely one of the top brands when it comes to smokers. There is a lot of top notch Masterbuilt smokers and the 20050716 model is among them. Below are some of the major features of this awesome propane smoker.

Easy to use

The Masterbuilt 20050716 model is one of those smokers that is easy and fun to use. Once you turn on the dial, the smoker will do the job perfectly as you sip on your beer. This possible because the flame will adjust automatically to maintain a consistent temperature in the chamber.

Moreover, the Masterbuilt ThermoTemp has a safety shut-off valve that ensures you get a safe smoking experience.

Great Performance

If you are looking for a performance oriented propane smoker, then you should consider checking out the Masterbuilt 20050716. It has four smoking racks that provide ample space to smoke your foods and meats. This smoker is absolutely great if you prefer slow smoked foods.

PROS

• ​Dual door design
• ​Thermostat controlled temperature
• ​Has a temperature sensor that controls the burner
• ​It is easy and safe to use
• ​Large food capacity

CONS

• ​It’s so cumbersome
• ​Pretty expensive
• List Element

​​

10 .Cuisinart COS-244 ​

Cuisinart is a well known brand in the home and kitchen appliance industry. Their propane smokers, panini presses, griddles and sandwich makers are on definitely top notch. The COS-244 is one of the few cool smokers by Cuisinart and below are some of its impressive attributes.

It’s Fun To Use

The COS-244 is an ideal gas smoker for any barbecue chef who wants to smoke food in the patio. It is easy to set up especially if you want to make something really quick. You can actually use it to cook pork, ribs, whole birds, vegetables, fish and seafood.

In addition, the Cuisinart COS-244 allows you to control the amount of smoke and heat that is in the cooking chamber. What’s better? It has an easy to read thermometer that is fixed on the front door.

It’s Versatile

The COS-244 is one of the most versatile that you can get in the market. It comes with four removable stainless steel racks that allow you to smoke large chunks of meat.

This compact grill gives you a whopping 5.45 square feet of cooking space. You can smoke all kinds of foods you want.

PROS

• ​High quality construction
• ​Features a twist-lock handle that seals the door tightly
• ​Ample cooking space
• ​Allows you to control heat and smoke
• ​Comes with a built-in thermometer

CONS

• ​Shallow water pan

​​

Best propane smokers buyers guide

If you are a sucker for amazing meat cuts, then it is time to move away from the grilling mindset and get yourself a specialized gas smoker. A propane gas smoker is perfect for people who love full flavor not to mention texture when it comes to their homemade meals. When buying a new propane gas smoker, there are a few things that should be put into consideration and these are;

Price

One of the main considerations when buying anything, propane gas smokers included is the price. Unless you are one of those people who have no problem spending their money, then considering the price of gas smokers is very important. Before you make your purchase, you should go through all the models, see their features, see their prices and see which one gives you value for your money.

Mid-ranged are the best for home based chefs. Going for the cheapest might not give you value for your money because the unit might not produce the amount of smoke good enough to cook food. The best thing is that mid-range propane gas smokers’ prices start from $150; you can get high quality units without necessarily needing to break the bank

Dependability

Make sure whatever unit you buy comes from a reputable company and it is a company that’s actually dependable. The market is flooded with tons of propane smokers and it’s your duty to choose the one that will give your food the best flavor.

Sturdy units that have good insulation are able to maintain the temperature inside the cooking chamber thus cooking your food properly. Units that don’t have good insulation will smoke your meat alright but the heat variations will not cook your meat to perfection.

Materials

The type of material used to make your propane smoker matters a lot and it can change the quality of the unit as well as the taste of your meat. Heavier units that use thick steel, as well as heavy insulation, are best because they are able to retain heat for long. When you buy a gas smoker made with thin metal and less insulation, when heated it warps and loses the heat thus not cooking the meat properly. Thick and heavily insulated propane smokers are the best when used outside on a cold day or night.

Easy cleaning

When you are cooking your meat inside a propane smoker, fat, meat juices and seasonings will scatter everywhere inside the unit. If your unit has a removable drip pan, rack and water pan, then your cleaning becomes a walk in the park. Just before you make your purchase, make sure you can remove the three parts (drip pan, rack and water pan) to make cleaning easier.

Size

Before you buy your propane smoker, make sure you ask yourself some questions like; where will ​it be stored? How much meat will be smoked per session and will the answers change in the near future? Depending on your answers, go ahead and buy one that matches with your answers.

Fuel

Propane smokers are reliable, user friendly and easy to transport; this means you can use electricity in your house and you might find yourself using a cooker in the event you go camping. Therefore, choosing the right unit is very important because the same unit should be useful at home and still be useful if you go camping.

Using your propane smoker for the first time

You have already got your hands on the best propane gas smokers but it’s just sitting on your patio because you are still not sure how to use it. Before you try anything, make sure you read the manual because it was not put there to add weight to the packaging. The manufacturer’s instructions are very useful especially if they are self-explanatory. It is however unfortunate that most people rarely read the instructions and more often than not, they end up messing up big time.

Before you put your meat cuts in, you should light it up first and season it to remove any residues like oils that might have been left during the manufacturing process. This might take some time especially if you are eager to try cooking your meat but it is definitely worth the wait.

After the smoker is seasoned, the second thing to do is to fire it up. Line up the water tray with a foil as it will come in handy when it is time for cleaning since it’ll make it easier. If you can find a disposable metal tray; the better because it will make the container bigger to hold more liquid thus reducing the number of times you have to replenish the water during a smoke. Fill your tray with water, cider or beer; cider is great for pork

Connect your propane tank with the smoker then open the valve. Make sure the door is opened before you light it even if you are using a piezoelectric starter. Follow the user guide and turn on the burner. If the burner does not light the first time, switch off the valve and any gas that might have leaked into the cooking chamber will be let out; attempt lighting it a second time.

Once the flame has been established, you should set the temperature to 230F/110C because this is perfect for a slow low smoke. You need to refer to the user guide again to see if the control has been calibrated as low, medium or high so that you can determine which of the three corresponds to the right temperature.

After that, leave ​it to get heated which takes about 15 minutes at most. To regulate the heat, use the dampers on the side or on the top. Put wood chunks or chips in the tray at the bottom; you’ll be able to tell if the insides of the smoker are ready when the smoke starts to get out from the dampers and the vents.

Arrange your meat inside the and begin cooking slowly. This might take several hours and you should keep checking to see if the water or the wood needs replenishing or if the flame is still on.

To check the internal temperature to ensure your meat is fully cooked, a probe thermometer comes in handy. Once the meat is cooked to your satisfaction, remove the meat and let it rest. It is time to turn off the gas at the valve. Make sure the ​it has completely cooled down before you can clean it.

Should you go for propane or an electric one?

Liquid Propane Gas smokers are quite simple devices. Most manufacturers are now offering both electric and gas versions of the same product. A gas smoker heats up quicker as compared to an electric; any chef knows this. Gas smokers are more portable as compared to electric smokers. However, there is not much of an advantage when it comes to heat retention.

What are the best wood chips for meat?

Oak: it works best with briskets, beef and other meats where your aim is to get an intense smoked flavor. Oakwood chips have an acidic and an assertive flavor and it is able to mix well with other wood chips.

Maple: this is a moderately intense smoky and sweet flavor that comes out well when you want an intense flavor on lighter meats like poultry. It works better with vegetables and ham.

Hickory: it has a pungent smell that’s almost a bacon-like flavor. This smoke adds some great smokiness to the meat. The moderate the flavor, the better for the meat; strong flavors are best for beef and they can also be used for cheese, pork, wild meat, and poultry.

Peach/pear: this is a somewhat sweet flavor that has a woodsy overtone. This flavor works well with light meats like poultry, wild game, and pork.

Cherry: this is a sweet flavor with a mild fruity scent and it works well with poultry, game, and pork

Alder: this flavor is delicate and mild. It’s best used for swordfish, salmon and other lighter meats like poultry and pork.

Apple: this is a mild flavor but is also sweet with a dense fruity flavor. Works best for ham, beef, poultry, and game.

Instructions for using ​propane smokers

Even the best propane gas smokers need some sort of home assembly; therefore, follow instructions and complete your assembly. Most ​propane smokers resemble a cabinet with a front door and a chimney at the top. The burner is always at the bottom, immediately below there’s a tray where wood chips are placed for meat flavoring. Above the wood tray, there is the water bath that keeps the smoker’s atmosphere a little humid to prevent the meat from drying. The top of the smoker is the hottest and this is where you place your meat.

Smoking is not like grilling; it takes time. Barbecuing and smoking need low heat and they cook slowly for a long time.

1. ​Gather all the utensils you’ll need before you start smoking to make your work easier. Some of these utensils are; probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the smoker and a pair of tongs to handle and turn the meat.
2. Just before you start smoking your meat, make sure the smoker has been seasoned. Seasoning ensures that all contaminants arising from the construction process are removed by burning them off. Also, you should allow the smoker to have a layer of smoke before you start cooking. To season, put in some wood chips and get the smoker heat on for a short while. The heat should go up to 400F/204C then turn it down to 225F/107C.
3. Trim off the excess fat from your meat but leave some to add flavor and moistness to the meat. Rub the meat liberally with herb, salt, and spices; the rubs can be ready made from the grocery store or you can make your own. Wrap your meat with a plastic film and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or 24 hours if you like.
4. Once you are ready to smoke your meat, remove it from the refrigerator and leave it on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes or until it gets to room temperature. Meanwhile, soak up your wood chips in water and let them (wood chips) rest for 30 minutes before placing them inside the smoker. The water helps to keep the chips from burning fast once they are lit and it also helps them to smolder thus releasing the wood flavor. Use packaged wood because the ones around your home might contain chemicals that are toxic and dangerous.
5. Make sure the supply pipe and the propane tank connection is clear and that the burner is clear and not blocked with anything. Remove the water bath from the smoker, line it with an aluminum foil, fill in water and put it back. Fill the smoker box with the wet wood chips.
6. Partially open the air vents on the chimney at the top and on the sides of your burner. With the door open and burner off, turn on the propane tank. Turn on the lighter but only after holding down the lighter for a few seconds. It doesn’t light, turn off the gas supply then attempt to light it.
7. Turn the burner to high temperature then close the door. Once the wood chips start to smoke, it is time to put in your food inside the smoker. Place the meat on the bottom rack and the fat side should be down. Smoke at least one pound (0.5 kg) per hour; keep the temperature between 225-250F (104C-120C).
8. Keep checking the temperature and resist from opening the door to keep the smoke from escaping. Flip the meat after two hours and refill the smoke box if the wood chips are no longer smoking. You can spritz the meat with water or water and vinegar or apple juice while at it; you can also add some extra water on the water bath.
9. Two hours before your cooking time elapses, remove the meat from the propane gas smoker and place it on a pan. Spritz the meat with water and vinegar mixture then cover with aluminum foil and put it back inside the smoker; let it stay for another two hours.
10. Remove the meat from the smoker and let it rest for 15 minutes; it is time to enjoy your meat.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned a lot about propane smokers, I believe you will be in a much better position to choose the gas smoker that suits your needs. Feel free to consult me if you have any burning questions about any of these best propane smoker reviews.