A competition BBQ smoker is the ultimate tool for any pitmaster looking to elevate their backyard BBQ game. These smokers may come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: the ability to turn out competition-worthy meats consistently. With precise temperature control and ample cooking space, competition BBQ smokers allow for low and slow cooking techniques that result in tender, flavorful meats. And with room for multiple racks, these smokers can easily handle a whole hog or multiple briskets at once.
So whether you’re prepping for a competition or just wanting to impress your friends and family, a competition BBQ smoker is the perfect addition to your outdoor grill setup.
What’s the best smoker for a beginner?
The best competition BBQ smokers for a beginner is one that you can afford, that you have space to store and that you’ll use often enough to get your money’s worth. With that in mind, it’s hard to go wrong with the Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM). It’s widely considered the most versatile type of smoker.
Many people who start with an electric or charcoal smoker eventually move up to the WSM because they enjoy it so much. The ability to control temperature precisely, its versatility for smoking, roasting, and grilling at different temperatures, and its relatively low price tag make the WSM fantastic for beginners. A new WSM costs about $250, but prices vary depending on where you buy it and whether you’re getting a new or used model.
If you choose to buy a used one, be sure it comes with all the accessories: the plate setter and charcoal grate are particularly important because they protect your food from direct contact with the heat source. Also, be sure that your used WSM comes with a 9″ charcoal grate—it’s the smaller one on this list of available accessories, so if it doesn’t have that listed as an option, don’t buy it.
Our Top Picks– Competition BBQ Smokers
1. Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill Smoker
The Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill Smoker comes with 513 square inches of cooking area and a 12V DC power port for easy access to power when needed. This allows you to connect the grill directly to your vehicle’s lighter jack for easy access to power when you’re on the go. The Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill Smoker features an attractive black powder-coated finish made from strong, heavy-duty steel parts.
The grill top also has a powder-coated finish, which protects the unit from rust, weathering, and damage. The wood pellet smoker features two large removable aluminum trays underneath the lid of the grill unit. These trays can be removed easily for simple access to add more wood pellets or dispose of ashes when necessary.
Specifications
Brand: Z grills
Material: stainless steel
Dimension: 45.5× 23.3×39.2 inches
Weight: 170.6 lbs
Fuel type: wood
Pros
- Large cooking area
- Replaced easily
- Digital Temperature control.
Cons
- Time-Consuming
2. Oklahoma Joe’s 19202099 Bronco Pro Drum Smoker
This Oklahoma Joe’s smoker is perfect for backyard cook who wants to step up their game. The Bronco Pro Drum Smoker has a large cooking area and comes with various features to make smoking your food easier than ever. The porcelain-coated cooking grates provide even heat distribution and are easy to clean, while the firebox and door gaskets help keep heat in and smoke out. The built-in thermometer ensures that you always have accurate temperature readings, and the heavy-duty steel construction provides lasting durability.
Specifications
Brand: Oklahoma Joe’s
Dimension; 40×28.8×48 inches
Material: steel
Weight: 177. 6 lbs
Fuel type: Charcoal
Pros:
- Large Smoker,
- Durable, convenient temperature gauge
Cons
- Time-consuming and difficult to assemble.
3. Bradley Smoker Digital
The Bradley Digital 4-Rack Smoker is the most versatile smoker available. It offers precision temperature control using advanced microprocessor technology that allows you to set the desired temperature within a range of 100°F and 240°F. This makes it easy to smoke a variety of meats and vegetables, creating mouthwatering results every time.
The smoker’s insulated wood cabinet features four chrome racks with durable, nonstick coatings that are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup after use. The smoker has a large capacity of 725 square inches, allowing for ample room for food. It comes with a drip pan and removable water tray for convenience, as well as an integrated meat probe thermometer that allows you to easily monitor the internal temperature of your food at all times.
Specifications
Brand: Bradley smoker
Material: stainless steel, steel, carbon steel
Dimension: 34×20×18 inches
Weight: 55lbs
Fuel type: Electric
Pros
- Easy to use
- A Drip pan also comes with it
- Push button ignition.
Cons
- A bit difficult to adjust.
4. PK Grills PKO-SCAX-X Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker Combo
The PK Grills PKO-SCAX-X Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker Combo come with almost all the accessories you need to make an amazing BBQ. It has a charcoal kettle grill, an accessory basket, a charcoal grate, a wire chip tray, and tongs. The smoker comes with a smoker box, a water pan, cooking grates, and hooks so you can hang your food.
The smoker’s lid has vents that can be opened or closed depending on how much smoke you want in your food. The charcoal kettle grill features 2 wheels, so it’s easy to move around. It has two shelves for hanging your meat and 4 adjustable-height cooking grates so you can find the perfect temperature for whatever you’re cooking.
Specifications
Brand: Pk grills
Material: aluminum, steel
Dimension: 16×35×35.5 inches
Weight: 45 lbs
Fuel type: charcoal
Pros
- Even heat distribution.
- Precise Temperature control.
- Multiple grates for temperature adjustment
Cons
- Time-consuming assembly
5. Masterbuilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker
The Masterbuilt 20070210 is a highly accurate electric smoker that allows you to create perfectly smoked foods and meats. The unit is designed with an analog control panel and a large LED display, making monitoring your smoking process easy. The temperature control ranges from 100-275 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to cook at the ideal temperature for any type of food. The cooking element is also adjustable from 0-300 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can adjust the heat output based on what you are cooking.
Specifications
Brand: Masterbuilt
Material: stainless steel
Dimension:20×21.69×40.15 inches
Weight: 49.9 lbs
Fuel type: Electric
Pros
- Can cook almost meat.
- LED Display
- Built-in Thermostat.
Cons
- Lack of insulation
Buying Guide- Competition BBQ Smokers
When choosing your new competition barbecue smoker, be sure to make a note of these characteristics:
Size:
The size of the unit; some smokers are built for only one or two people, while others can smoke enough meat for three teams
Material:
The materials used in its construction; some competition smokers are made from lightweight materials that can be easily transported, but others are more heavy-duty and sturdy
Controls:
Its controls; some have built-in temperature gauges and digital displays, while others work with simple dials or even just an open vent with a thermometer inside.
Price:
The price is undoubtedly one of the most important things to check when looking for a competition barbecue grill. Competition-quality grills are not cheap; therefore, you should make sure that the one you’re about to buy is worth the money. You can compare prices online or through magazines.
A number of burners:
Not everyone has the same amount of space on their property, nor have they had the same needs or wants from their barbecue grill. For example, if you plan on cooking for large groups of people, then you might need more burners than someone who only uses them for personal use.
A number of cooking grids:
Grids are very important because they allow you to cook different types of meat and food simultaneously. As such, you should always ensure that your competition barbecue grill has enough grids available to do what you want it to.
Fuel source:
There are two main types of fuel sources used by competition BBQ smokers: propane and charcoal briquettes.
Conclusion
As competition BBQ continues to grow in popularity, smokers have more options than ever. The market is crowded with competition-ready rigs, from traditional offset smokers to electric and pellet models. While each type of smoker has its own advantages and challenges, they all have one thing in common – the ability to produce amazing BBQ.
So whether you choose a new high-tech model or stick with a trusted old-school offset smoker, remember that at the end of the day, it’s all about the flavor of your finished product.
FAQs
Q: What is the competition for BBQ smokers?
A: It’s a smoker that has been built or modified to cook ribs, briskets, and other meats with precision at high temperatures. The most common modifications include adding charcoal and wood chips to the firebox, replacing the metal grates of a standard grill with stainless steel wire racks, and installing extra-large dampers that allow you to control airflow more carefully.
Q: What makes these smokers popular?
A: They’re used in competitive barbecue cooking competitions where the goal is to cook meat quickly without drying it out.
Q: How much do they cost?
A: If you buy one new from a store like Amazon or Smokin-It, expect to pay between $600-$1,000 for a basic model. If you go through the process of building it yourself (which is easier than it sounds), you can find all of the parts on Amazon for under $200.