Best Charcoal Smoker Under $500

Grilling is a great pastime that brings family and friends together. It is one of the oldest cooking methods that has been used for thousands of years. In today’s society, grills seem to be more of a luxury that people enjoy rather than a necessity. 

There are many different options to choose from, such as gas, charcoal, and electricity. We decided to take a look at Charcoal grills since it is probably the most popular style of grilling in American households. 

Charcoal is easier to start, offers guests more options when cooking, and gives off a more authentic flavour. There are several quality grills that you can purchase for under $500. Check out some of the top Charcoal Smokers Under $500 below. Let’s check the Best Charcoal Smoker Under $500 on the market today.

Best Charcoal Smoker Under $500 Reviews

Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal Smoker Review

The Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal Smoker is the perfect smoker for anyone looking to get that delicious smoke flavour into their food. 

This smoker is made of porcelain-enamelled steel and comes with two nickel-plated cooking grates, so you can cook for a large group. 

The water pan helps keep your food moist and juicy, and the thermometer ensures that your food is cooked perfectly every time. 

The individual vents on the bowl and lid help you control the heat, so your smoked meats come out just how you want them. 

And don’t worry about getting too close to the flames – the heat-resistant nylon handle keeps your hands safe.

With easily adjustable dampers, you can control heat with precision to get that perfect smoked meal every time. Plus, with 3D interactive instructions, you’ll be able to set this bad boy up in no time!

Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Smoker Review

A must-have for any grilling enthusiast, the Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Charcoal Smoker lets you customize your smoking experience. 

This vertical design smoker has six height-adjustable cooking grates, giving you a total cooking space of 1176 square inches. The porcelain-enamelled steel charcoal chamber ensures even heat and long-lasting durability.

With an adjustable flue, you can control the flavour and temperature of your food, while the charcoal and ash management system ensures easy cleanup. 

This top-quality smoker comes equipped with a built-in stainless steel thermometer so you can always make sure your food is cooked to perfection. 

The ‘Smoke Zone’ indicator will let you know when the ideal temperature has been reached, and the easy-to-read gauge ensures that you never have to guess how much charcoal is left. 

Plus, there’s even an offset smoker box so you can smoke meats and vegetables simultaneously!

Dyna-Glo DGSS962CBO-D Charcoal Smoker Review

Dyna-Glo DGSS962CBO-D Charcoal Smoker is the perfect smoker for anyone that loves to barbecue. 

With a total cooking area of 962 square inches, this smoker has plenty of space to cook up your favourite meats and sides. 

The heavy-gauge steel body construction ensures durability, and the removable offset charcoal grate and ash pan makes cleanup a breeze.

It has an analog temperature gauge so you can constantly monitor the cooking process, and the cool-touch spring lid handle helps keep your hands safe while you’re cooking. 

Plus, the oversized steel wheels make it easy to move this smoker around your yard or patio.

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Smoker Review

Dyna-Glo DGSS1382VCS-D Charcoal Smoker is the perfect smoker for anyone looking to get that authentic smokehouse flavour. 

With five chrome-plated cooking grates and cooking space of 1382 square inches, this smoker has plenty of room to cook your food to perfection. 

The heavy-gauge steel body construction ensures that your smoker will last for years, while the cool-to-touch handles keep you safe while you cook.

With a cool-touch spring lid, stainless temperature gauge with “Smoke Zone,” and oversized steel wheels, this smoker makes smoking your favourite meats easy and convenient.

This smoker features a removable offset charcoal grate and ash pan so you can easily clean up after use. 

The analog temperature gauge ensures that your food reaches the perfect temperature, while the sausage hooks make it easy to cook up some delicious sausages.

Broil King 923610 Charcoal Smoker Review

The Broil King 923610 Charcoal Smoker is perfect for anyone who loves to cook outdoors! 

This smoker has a 770 sq. in. total cooking surface, 4 adjustable stainless steel cooking grids, and 1 multi-purpose roast/rib rack, so you can create delicious smoked meals for the whole family. 

The Root-Draft damper technology ensures an even draft for perfectly smoked food, while the Ace-Temp thermometer ensures that your food is cooked to perfection every time. 

With 16 stainless steel meat hooks, this smoker can accommodate large quantities of food, and the double-walled construction keeps heat in and smoke out for maximum flavour.

The secondary door allows you to access the food without having to open the main door and release heat, while the extra-large stainless-steel water bowl and smoker box help keep everything moist and delicious. The stainless-steel fold-down grease catch also makes cleanup a breeze.

Get ready to impress your friends and family with some amazing smoked dishes – the Broil King 923610 Charcoal Smoker is sure to become your outdoor culinary favourite!

Masterbuilt MB20040220 Digital Charcoal Smoker Review

Love the taste of smoked meats but don’t have the time or patience to smoke them yourself? The Masterbuilt MB20040220 Digital Charcoal Smoker is for you! 

The smoker has a digital control panel that allows you to set your desired temperature and cook time. 

You can also use smart device control using WIFI or Bluetooth to monitor and adjust your cooking. The DigitalFan ensures precise temperature control for consistent results every time.

It reaches 225°F in just 7 minutes, so you can get your food smoking quickly. Plus, it has a built-in temperature gauge and meat probe thermometer to help you monitor your food’s progress. 

The GravityFed hopper holds 16 lbs. of briquettes, so you can cook for up to 15 hours without needing to refill. 

This sleek, easy-to-use smoker can cook up to 560 square inches of meat at once and comes with reversible smoke & sear grates for slow and low smoking or high heat searing. 

Plus, it has two porcelain-coated smoking racks to keep your food warm while it smokes. 

So stop dealing with dried-out briskets and invest in a smoker that will give you perfectly smoked meats every time – the Masterbuilt MB20040220 Digital Charcoal Smoker!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to smoke meat in a charcoal smoker?

It takes about 10 to 12 hours to properly smoke meat. You should start smoking the meat at least four or five hours before you want to eat it. The meat will take about six hours to cook, and then it should be refrigerated.

You can keep cooking the meats as long as you want, but keep in mind that if you leave it to cook overnight, the meat may dry out. It is best to take the meats off after about 12 hours.

What is the best way to maintain meats after smoking them?

The best way to maintain meat is to cook it and then store it in the refrigerator. Do not leave the meat out for more than two hours since bacteria can grow quickly on food left out in the open for too long. 

If you have meat leftover from the smoking sessions, cook it and then store it in a refrigerator or freezer to maintain its freshness.

What are the safety concerns of smoking meats on a charcoal smoker?

If you have a charcoal smoker, then you have to be vigilant about safety. You should be careful to avoid spilling charcoal or ashes on yourself. It is also important not to let ashes get into the food, either by accident or on purpose. The ashes can contaminate the food if they are not cleaned off before cooking.

You should also watch out for open flames when you are cooking on a charcoal smoker since they can quickly get out of control. Keep the lid closed as much as possible to prevent any flame up, and keep the grill covered with metal foil when not in use. 

What kinds of meats are good to smoke?

Many kinds of meats would be good on a charcoal smoker. This includes sausage, pork shoulder or ribs, and beef briskets. 

You can smoke any type of meat that you would normally cook in your oven, and the results will be just as good. You can also smoke poultry and fish, as well as vegetables such as corn. You can experiment with different kinds of meats to find out what you like the best.

How do I prepare the meats before smoking them?

Preparing the meats for smoking should be done not more than a day ahead of time. It is best to let the meats soak in brine overnight, then rinse them before cooking. 

You can also use marinades or rubs on your meats to add different flavours and keep the meat moist. 

You can use any kind of hardwood or other charcoal if you are using a charcoal smoker to add different flavours to the meats.

Is it difficult to operate a charcoal smoker?

It can be difficult to operate a charcoal smoker, especially if you are used to using an oven. One of the main problems with cooking on a charcoal smoker is that you do not have direct heat.  

It may be difficult to control the temperature of the meat on a charcoal smoker, so you need to spend a lot of time learning how to operate it.

How do I know when meats are done on a charcoal smoker?

One of the main telltale signs that your meat is done on a charcoal smoker is when juices start to form around the edge of the meat. You will also see a nice thick crust forming on the outside of the meat, as well as a flaky texture.

Your meats should not be pink in the centre to be considered done but should have a nice translucency. You can also check the internal temperature of your meats with a meat thermometer. 

How hot does it get with a charcoal smoker? 

A charcoal smoker can reach about 400 degrees, which can be hotter than an oven. Charcoal smokers are actually much hotter than the temperatures listed on the dial, but it is good to check with a meat thermometer to make sure your meats are cooked thoroughly. 

You need to be careful when you first put the meat on, as it can burn quickly if you are not careful. You can also put aluminium foil around the meat to protect it if you want to, but be sure to remove it before serving.

Conclusion

After carefully going through this article, you will find out that a charcoal smoker is a great choice if you want to cook meats with a unique taste. 

The meats are smoked in a different way than when they are cooked in an oven to give them a certain smoky flavour. You can use charcoal to add different flavours to your meats and experiment with different types of meats and foods to cook. You can also check our article on the Best Charcoal Smoker Under $200.

There are many safety concerns when cooking on a charcoal smoker, so you need to watch out for open flames and prevention techniques. You also have to take a lot of time learning how to adjust the temperature and to make sure your meats are thoroughly cooked. I hope you liked our article on Best Charcoal Smoker Under $500.

We hope this article has been helpful, and thank you for reading!