Best Vertical Pellet Smoker

Pellet grills are one of the best options for smokers because they can be used as both a grill and a smoker. They don’t produce smoke like traditional charcoal or propane but provide all the flavor you could want.

There are many types of pellet smokers to choose from, but one of the most popular styles is a vertical pellet smoker.

What are Vertical Pellet Smokers?

A vertical pellet grill or smoker is very similar in design and function to standard upright charcoal or propane gas grill, except that they use an auger system to feed wood pellets into the firepot, which provides heat to cook and smoke the food.

The design of a pellet grill ensures that pellets burn at an optimum rate with minimal ash, producing a delicious smoky flavor. Because you are cooking your food over an open flame, there is no thermostat or temperature control to maintain consistent cooking temperatures.

Vertical smokers are not as popular as other types of pellet smokers because they do not have the same level of temperature control.

The Good

-Vertical smokers are often much less expensive than other options, and they offer good performance for their price range.

-They are simple to operate with minimal ash and no gas or charcoal needed.

-The design of the smoker ensures even cooking without the need for temperature controls.

The Bad

-Vertical smokers do not have the same level of temperature control as other types of pellet smokers. This can lead to variable results.

-They can be difficult to clean because of the tight spaces inside.

-The auger system can be a bit noisy during operation.

The Vertical Smoker is a great device for those who want to smoke meat without having the hassle of opening up an upright or traditional smoker. Now that you’re aware of what they are let’s take a look at some popular models on the market!

Pit Boss Grills 77550 5.5 Pellet Smoker Review

The Pit Boss Grills 77550 Pellet Smoker is the perfect smoker for any grilling enthusiast.

With its double-wall construction and blanket insulation, this smoker maintains an even temperature, ensuring perfectly smoked food every time.

The five porcelain coated cooking grids provide plenty of space to cook up a storm, while the fully programmable temperature range allows you to smoke your food to perfection.

With a digital LED readout and meat probe, the Pit Boss Grills Pellet Smoker is easy to use. It also has an auto-start and auto shut-off feature, so you can set it and forget it.

Plus, the porcelain-coated water pan and heat deflector help keep your food moist and delicious. And with a 40+ lb hopper capacity, you can cook for hours without having to reload.

Pit Boss PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker Review

The Pit Boss PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker gives you the smoking power you need to create delicious smoked meats and fish.

With 901 sq in. of cooking space, four porcelain-coated grids, a digital LED readout, and a meat probe, this smoker has everything you need to produce restaurant-quality food at home.

The fully programmable temperature range (150 – 450 degrees Fahrenheit) ensures that your food will be cooked perfectly every time.

It has an auto-start and auto shut-off feature, so you can relax while your food smokes.

The porcelain-coated water and heat deflector ensures even cooking, and the 40+ lb hopper capacity means you can cook for hours without having to refill the smoker.

The pellet purge also means that your smoker will be ready to use in just minutes.

PIT BOSS PB7000SP Wood Pellet Smoker Review

The PIT BOSS PB7000SP wood pellet smoker is great for smoking, roasting, baking, braising, and barbecuing.

With a temperature range of 150°F to 420°F, this smoker provides plenty of cooking capacity (1,853 sq. in.) and adjustable cooking racks.

The digital control board makes it easy to dial in your desired temperature for perfect results every time.

This smoker comes with a meat probe to help ensure that your food is cooked perfectly every time.

The large hopper capacity means that you can cook for a crowd, and the heavy-gauge stainless steel construction ensures lasting quality.

The large pellet view window allows you to keep an eye on your food, and the four locking caster wheels make it easy to move from one spot to another.

Camp Chef Smoke Vault, 18″ Vertical Smoker Review

Experience the delicious taste of smoking meats and vegetables with Camp Chef’s 18″ Vertical Smoker.

The smoker comes with two adjustable smoking racks, a jerky smoking rack, and a water pan to help keep food moist.

The heavy-gauge steel wood chip tray lets you add your favourite flavour of smoke, while the removable porcelain base tray makes cleanup a breeze.

With fully adjustable heat-control dials, you can customize the cooking temperature to create the perfect smoked meal every time.

This 18″ vertical smoker is packed with features that will let you dial in your smoking experience like never before.

Three adjustable damper valves give you maximum control over the heat and smoke, while a convenient matchless snap-ignition makes startup a breeze.

It also has an easy-to-read door thermometer that goes from 50 to 350 degrees, so you can always ensure your meat is cooked perfectly.

The cooking tips, ideas, and recipes included make getting started easy, and the protected burner drum ensures maximum heat control for consistent results every time.

Masterbuilt MB20250618 MWS 330B Pellet Smoker Review

The Masterbuilt MB20250618 MWS 330B Pellet Smoker is the perfect smoker for anyone who wants to smoke their favourite meats, vegetables, and more.

This smoker can handle up to 12 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 racks of ribs, or 3 pork butts at once. Plus, its digital panel controls make it easy to monitor your cooking progress.

The smoker also comes with a meat probe thermometer so you can ensure your food is cooked perfectly every time.

This smoker comes with preset smoke and cook cycles so you can get the perfect smoked flavour every time.

The pellet hopper holds over 8 lbs. of pellets, so you can smoke for hours without having to refill.

The auger ensures consistent cooking from 180 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while the heat diffuser helps to keep the temperature consistent throughout the smoker.

The air damper allows you to control the amount of smoke your food receives, and the grease tray and pellet ashtray make cleanup a breeze. Plus, this smoker comes with a handy handle and wheels for easy transportation where ever you go.

Vertical Pellet Smokers – Best Brands

PIT BOSS

Pit Boss Grills was founded on the idea that everyone should have access to a great grill at an affordable price. Pit Boss Grills offers a wide range of grills and smokers, each with its own unique features and capabilities.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grill master, Pit Boss Grills has the perfect grill for you. All Pit Boss Grills are made in the USA and carefully crafted with quality materials.

Camp Chef

Camp Chef Pellet Grills began with a simple idea: Great-tasting food is not only found in high-end restaurants; it can be created outdoors, using three simple tools -a bucket, an auger, and a smoke box.

Camp Chef offers several product lines, including the original Woodwind pellet grill, the Summit pellet smoker, and the Lil Tex Elite. All Camp Chef grills are made in America and use premium hardwood pellets to create smoke-infused food that’s as good as or better than what you might find at a steakhouse.

Masterbuilt

Masterbuilt was founded in 1974 with a commitment to quality and innovation. Masterbuilt has become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smokers, with a wide range of smokers for every application and budget.

From the basic smoker to the high-end smoker, Masterbuilt has a smoker that’s perfect for you. All Masterbuilt smokers are made in the USA and carefully crafted with quality materials.

Features to Look for When Buying a New Vertical Pellet Smoker

Temperature Control

Temperature control is important because you do not want your food overcooked or burned.

Look for a smoker that has an adjustable thermostat to achieve the desired temperature range, usually between 180-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, make sure it has multiple vents and controls airflow.

Pro Tip: If you are smoking at lower temperatures, you will want to look for adjustable temperature control that can go as low as 170°F, which is the temperature used by pitmasters.

If you are smoking at higher temperatures, look for a smoker with adjustable temperature control that goes up to 450°F.

Construction

The best pellet smokers are made of heavy-duty materials like stainless steel, which not only add to the overall durability but also make it easier to clean. Make sure to look for a smoker that has a porcelain-coated cooking grate and an ash pan that can be easily removed for quick cleanup.

Ease of Use

Vertical pellet smokers are typically very easy to operate. Many models come with a start/stop button, making it easier to control the cooking process.

These pellet smokers also feature removable parts like the ash-catcher for easy cleaning and advanced features like an electric auto ignition system that starts your smoker up in only 15 minutes.

Cooking Area

The cooking area refers to the size of the grate that you will be able to fit on your smoker. The bigger, the better. Larger grates allow for more space between grill grates which allows you to cook larger cuts of meat faster and with less hassle than trying to crowd everything onto one small rack.

Pro Tip: Consider purchasing a pellet grill with a rotary ignition system. These systems typically start the smoker up in 15 minutes or less and can also be used as a source of indirect heat when needed.

Hopper Size 

Some pellet smokers have a built-in hopper for holding wood pellets, while others require you to purchase an external one. You can buy a three-pound or four-pound hopper, depending on how much food you plan on smoking at once.

Pro Tip: If you are buying a smoker without a hopper, make sure it has an external one that can easily be added on.

Heating Element

Vertical pellet smokers can be powered by either electricity or wood pellets. When choosing a smoker, consider how you want to power it. If you are going to rely on electricity for your fuel source, look for a smoker that can run off of 120 volts and at least 12 amps.

Most vertical smokers that use electric heat sources have internal fans to circulate the heat and smoke, which is a feature you will want to look for.

Water Pan Capacity

Some smokers come with a water pan that helps to regulate the temperature and smoke. If you are looking for a smoker with this feature, make sure to choose one with a large water pan capacity, as this will help to keep your food moist.

Price

Pellet smokers are generally costlier than traditional charcoal smokers, but the advanced features and durable construction make them a worthwhile investment. When shopping for a vertical pellet smoker, be sure to compare prices and find the one that fits within your budget.

Warranty

No one wants to deal with a smoker that constantly breaks down. When shopping for a vertical pellet smoker, be sure to look for one that has a good warranty. The best smokers come with a minimum one-year warranty, but some can go up to five years.

Brand

There are many brands of pellet smokers available. Look for a well-known brand that has good customer service and warranty options, and don’t forget to investigate its return policy before purchasing.

Customer Service 

When shopping for a vertical pellet smoker, it is important to look at the brand’s reputation and customer service. If you purchase a new smoker and encounter any issues, be sure that the company will stand behind their product and offer assistance in fixing the problem.

APART FROM THE ABOVE FEATURES, THERE ARE ALSO THESE ADDITIONAL FEATURES TO CONSIDER:

Efficiency 

Pellet smokers are the most efficient way to cook food. If you are looking for a smoker that will save you time, look for one with an automatic shut-off feature that turns the smoker off after a predetermined amount of time.

Remote Control

Some smokers come with remote controls, which make it easier to adjust the cooking temperature and smoke without having to leave your seat.

Wi-Fi Enabled

If you want to be able to control your smoker from anywhere, choose one that is Wi-Fi enabled. This will allow you to change the settings on your smoker no matter where you are.

Temperature Probe

If you do not want to constantly monitor the heat inside your smoker, choose one with a temperature probe. This will allow the smoker to maintain a consistent temperature and smoke, so you can focus on other things.

Portability

If you need to take your smoker on the go, look for one with a collapsible side shelf and an attached cover. This will make it easier to transport from place to place without damage.

Vertical Smoker vs. Horizontal Smoker – Which One to Buy?

When it comes to smokers, there are two main types: vertical and horizontal. Both have their pros and cons, so which one should you buy?

Vertical smokers are more compact and take up less space, making them ideal for small yards or patios. They also tend to heat up faster than horizontal smokers. However, they don’t do as well with indirect cooking and add a smoky aftertaste to the meat.

Horizontal smokers are known for their even heating and nice smoke flavors, which is why they’re preferred by many experienced cooks. They come with a water pan and require less monitoring than vertical smokers but will take up most of your yard and additional space in your garage.

So, which smoker should you buy? If you’re a beginner and don’t have a lot of space, a vertical smoker is a way to go. If you’re an experienced cook who wants great smoke flavors and even heating, go for a horizontal smoker. Whichever you choose, make sure to do your research first and read reviews from other buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) Why should you purchase a vertical pellet smoker?

A) Vertical smokers are easier to use and maintain than traditional horizontal smokers. The cooking chamber is also taller, which allows you to smoke larger items.

Q) Is a vertical pellet smoker worth the money?

A) Yes, a vertical smoker is a great investment for anyone who wants to start smoking meat.

Q) Which foods can I cook in a vertical pellet smoker?

A) You can cook virtually any food in a vertical pellet smoker. However, some foods are better suited for smoking than others.

Q) Can I use a vertical pellet smoker to smoke ribs?

A) Yes, you can use a vertical smoker to smoke ribs. In fact, smoking ribs is one of the most popular things to do in a vertical smoker.

Q) How long will pellets last?

A) Pellets will last for about 2-4 months, depending on the type of wood and the humidity level.

Q) What type of wood should I use in my pellet smoker?

A) You can use any type of hardwood when smoking meat in your pellet smoker. Mesquite, hickory, cherry, etc., are all great options.

Q) How often do I have to add pellets?

A) You should add more pellets every 30-60 minutes to maintain the appropriate temperature range.

Q) What is the best brand of vertical pellet smoker?

A) There are a number of great brands on the market, but we recommend smokers from Camp Chef, Pit Boss, and Masterbuilt.

Q) Is a vertical pellet smoker safe to use indoors?

A) No, a vertical pellet smoker should not be used indoors. The smoke and fumes from the smoker can be harmful to your health.

Q) Can I use a vertical pellet smoker for cold smoking?

A) No, you cannot use a vertical pellet smoker for cold smoking. Vertical smokers are not designed for this type of smoking.

Q) How much money should I expect to spend?

A) You can expect to spend between $200 and $500 on a good vertical smoker, depending on the features of each model.

Conclusion

A quality vertical smoker is a great investment, which is why you should choose one carefully. Read reviews and research brands before making your purchase so you can get the best smoker for your needs. We hope our reviews of the top-rated smokers on the market help you with this process. You can also check our article on Best Pellet Grill for Searing.

No matter what type of food you enjoy cooking, a vertical smoker is the best option for you. Vertical smokers are easier to use, more compact, and affordable than their horizontal counterparts.

The main con of vertical smokers is that they don’t do well with indirect cooking, but this can be fixed by adding water pans or placing drip pans underneath the meat.

Take your time when shopping for a vertical smoker, and you won’t be disappointed.

We hope this article was useful for you and we wish you a delicious meal! Remember to share our articles with your friends. Thank you! 🙂