Best Charcoal Smoker Under $200

There’s nothing like a good barbecue with plenty of smokey flavours. You can achieve this on a gas grill, but for the real barbecue experience, you need to go with a charcoal smoker. The flavours and textures that come from this kind of cooking cannot be replicated, and thus your family and friends will appreciate the time and effort you put into your craft. Let’s check the Best Charcoal Smoker Under $200 on the market today.

With that being said, if you’re going to be a real pitmaster, then you need to have the right equipment. You don’t want to break down after 6 hours of smoking only to find out you don’t have enough charcoal or the right smoker. 

This is why it’s important to always read reviews before you make your purchase, and in this case, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best charcoal smokers under $200 that will always deliver flavorful results.

Best Charcoal Smoker Under $200 Reviews

Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet Charcoal Smoker Review

The Char-Broil American Gourmet Charcoal Smoker is a versatile smoker that can be used as both an offset smoker and a BBQ grill. 

The 290 square inch cooking surface in the main chamber, combined with the 140 sq. in. cooking surface in the firebox chamber, gives you plenty of space to cook up a large meal. 

The adjustable height steel fire grate lets you customize the heat level to your liking, so you can smoke your meat to perfection every time.

The easy-to-use design includes a clean-out door for ash removal and adjustable dampers for heat and smoke control, while the temperature gauge on the lid monitors the chamber temperature.

Realcook Charcoal Smoker Review

The Real cook Charcoal Smoker is the perfect smoker for anyone who loves to grill, smoke, roast, braise and bake their food. 

With a built-in thermometer and detailed temperature scale, you can easily adjust the air supply to get that perfect smoky flavour. 

The porcelain-enamelled water pan and charcoal pan ensure your food remains moist and delicious, while the heat-resistant bakelite handles keep you safe from burns.

This smoker is easy to assemble and even easier to use, making it perfect for anyone from beginner smokers to experts. 

The smoker offers 2 pieces of cooking grids, 453 square inches of cooking space, and the ability to use charcoal or wood pellets for smoking. 

The latch locking system ensures that your food will be smoked to perfection every time, while the crossbar and 4 hangers inside the lid give you plenty of space to prepare all your favourite recipes.

This smoker is made of high-quality materials that are resistant to high temperatures, and it features extra-strong legs and functional access doors. The adjustable air vents also allow you to customize your smoking experience. 

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Smoker Review

Do you love smoked meats but don’t have the patience to babysit a smoker all day? Well, this Dyna-Glo smoker has you covered! 

The five chrome-plated cooking grates offer plenty of space to cook up a feast, while the heavy-gauge steel body construction ensures durability. 

Plus, the cool-touch handles and cool-touch spring lid keep your food safe and your hands cool.

The smoker comes with a stainless temperature gauge so you can always make sure your meat is cooked perfectly and oversized steel wheels for easy transportation. 

The removable offset charcoal grate and ash pan also makes cleanup a breeze. And if that’s not enough, this smoker also comes with sausage hooks so you can smoke your favourite sausages right along with your brisket!

Cuisinart COS-118 Charcoal Smoker Review

Looking to tantalize your taste buds with some smoky goodness? Then look no further than the Cuisinart COS-118 Charcoal Smoker! 

This top-quality smoker features two 18″ stainless steel racks, a porcelain enamel water bowl, and a dual air vent system for perfectly smoked food every time. 

This smoker stands 45 inches tall and has 512 square inches of cooking space, so you’ll have plenty of room to experiment with different recipes. 

The steel housing ensures even heat distribution. Plus, the latching base ensures easy transportation and storage. 

This smoker is easy to use and even easier to clean – thanks to the smoker mats and aluminium drip trays. Just light the charcoal, add your food, and let the smoker do its magic. You’ll be enjoying delicious smoked food in no time!

Weber 741001 Charcoal Smoker Review

What could be more fun than spending a lazy Sunday afternoon smoking your own food? 

The Weber 741001 Charcoal Smoker makes it easy to get that smoky flavour you love without all the fuss. 

With its one-touch cleaning system, it’s practically hassle-free – just remove the aluminium ash catcher and dump the ashes. 

The porcelain-enamelled lid and bowl keep heat in, so your food will stay nice and juicy. Plus, they won’t rust or peel, so this smoker is bound to last for years to come.

The lid hook ensures that you don’t have to place the lid on the ground, and the dampers let you easily control the temperature inside your grill. 

With 3D interactive assembly instructions, it’s easy to put this smoker together in no time at all!

Char-Broil Bullet Charcoal Smoker Review

Are you in the market for a smoker that will make your backyard BBQ dreams come true? Look no further than the Char-Broil Bullet Smoker. 

With a 584 sq in cooking surface, this smoker has plenty of room to cook up a delicious meal. 

The porcelain-coated cooking grates help keep your food from sticking, while the innovative airflow control system ensures that your food will be cooked evenly every time. 

And with numbered damper settings, you’ll be able to get the perfect smoked flavour every time.

The removable ash pan makes cleanup a breeze, while the two chamber-lift handles make it easy to move your smoker around. 

The lid-mounted temperature gauge ensures that your food is cooked perfectly every time, and the steel tube legs provide stability.

Plus, this smoker comes with a 1-Year warranty, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality product.

Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Smoker Review

Looking for a smoker that will help you take your backyard BBQ skills up a notch? Look no further than the Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Smoker! 

This offset smoker is designed to provide even heat and smoke circulation, while its easy-to-open side door makes adding charcoal and wood chunks a breeze. 

Plus, with 811 square inches of cooking space, this smoker is perfect for feeding large groups of hungry guests. 

With two levels of height-adjustable charcoal pans, you can easily smoke up to 4.4 lbs. of coal. 

The lid-mounted thermometer gauge ensures that your food is smoked perfectly every time, while the front and side tables provide extra space to prepare your food. And with the bottom shelf, you can store all of your smoking supplies in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How frequently do we need to add charcoal as fuel to the smoker?

This depends on the type of smoker and how much food you are smoking. You can add charcoal when you see that all the previously added fuel has already burned. It should not be necessary to add fuel 12 times or more. 

If you are smoking for a long period of time, say 14 hours, for example, add fuel before you add food. You do not need to add charcoal when the smoker is just heating up, i.e., when there is no food being smoked.

Is smoking meat healthy?

Smoking meat is healthy if you do not use too much salt and sugar. As with all cooking methods, keep the amount of salt to a minimum. You can always add more later if you think the dish needs it. 

If using a smoky sauce, such as soy sauce or barbecue sauce, choose low-sodium varieties. 

When smoking meat, use natural sugars instead of refined white sugar to reduce the risk of developing health problems.

Is smoking meat safe?

Yes, smoking meat is safe as long as you do not burn the meat directly over the charcoal. This will produce carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. 

Avoid placing the charcoal too close to the bottom of the grill, as this may also cause a flare-up.

The best option is to use a separate lighter and place the charcoal around the edge of the grill so that if there is a flare-up, it will not reach the meat.

Is it dangerous to breathe in the burning charcoal smoke?

The charcoal smoke is not dangerous to breathe in. In fact, if you put a pot of water on one side with the meat over the other, you can breathe in the smoke from the burning coals as it rises. 

There may be a small amount of inhaled carbon monoxide from the coals, but there is no danger from this.

Make sure the lid of the smoker is closed while smoking meat so that you can block most of the chemical fumes.

What is the distinction between a charcoal smoker and a charcoal grill?

A charcoal grill is a portable grill. It can be carried from one place to another and used anywhere you want to grill your meats, vegetables, and other foods. A charcoal grill is not designed to be an outdoor cooking machine. A charcoal grill has a lid and vents to help the user control the heat inside. 

A charcoal smoker, on the other hand, is designed specifically for outdoor cooking. It is larger than a charcoal grill, usually round or rectangular shaped, and it has an oven attached to one side. The oven is used to heat food. 

Charcoal smokers have a chimney to help control the heat, and they are usually designed with an open bottom which allows the user to add charcoal as needed. 

It is much better to use a charcoal smoker outdoors because it produces a higher heat than a charcoal grill does. A charcoal smoker can be used almost anywhere outdoors, even in the snow or rain, because it is designed to be weather resistant.

What is the difference between cold smoking and hot smoking?

Cold smoking is the process of smoking food at temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, usually done to foods such as cheeses and meats. Cold smoking helps the food retain its natural flavours and colours. 

Hot smoking is the process of cooking foods at temperatures higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot smoking cooks the food while imparting its own flavours on it. 

It is much better to cold smoke foods because they retain their natural flavours. 

Cold smoking is better for meats, especially beef or pork. Hot smoking cooks the meat, which might affect the flavor of the meat.

For cheese, cold smoking is recommended because it allows the cheese to retain its natural flavors.

Conclusion

If you are a beginner, then you might need a smoker that is easy to use. You do not want your first experience with smoking to be difficult or frustrating. You want your first experience to be rewarding and enjoyable, just as smoking should always be.

If you know for sure that you want a smoker, then the best thing to do is make a list of all the things you will use it to cook. This will help you find the best smoker for you. You can also check our article on the Best Charcoal Smoker Under $1000.

If you are still not sure about buying a smoker, then why not consider buying a charcoal grill instead? This is an excellent way to learn the smoking process and decide whether or not it is something you want to invest time and money into. Once you have learned all about smoking and how fun it is, then go out and get a smoker! I hope you liked our article on Best Charcoal Smoker Under $200.