0:00
18:23
18:23

What Smoker Should You Buy? (The Brutally Honest BBQ Guide)

Food

Trying to decide which smoker to buy? Offset, pellet, drum, electric, ceramic, weber smokey mountain, kettle, I break down every type of BBQ smoker with brutal honesty, jokes, and real recommendations. Whether you're a backyard beginner or a pitmaster-in-training, this guide will help you choose the right smoker for your style, budget, and attention span. I cover smokers like the Weber Kettle, Weber Smokey Mountain, Old Country Pecos, Lone Star Grillz, Big Green Egg, Gateway Drum, and more. Follow up Article (Buy The Right Smoker or Die Trying): https://www.patreon.com/posts/135189836 Join the Pitmaster's Circle → https://patreon.com/forkandembersbbq Get behind-the-scenes pics, monthly BBQ tips, unlisted extras, access to our private BBQ Discord, merch, and more. Recommended Gear (Affiliate Links) I only recommend products I actually use and trust — some of these are affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you. Weber Rotisserie Kit (for Kettle Grills): Weber Branded: https://shoplowes.me/3ZXFYLx OnlyFire: https://amzn.to/46bNMx4 Weber Branded: https://amzn.to/451caiL Wevac Chamber Vacuum Sealer (CV12) My audience gets 15% off all Wevac products with the links below or coupon code: forkandembers WeVac Vacuum Sealer: https://wevactech.com/products/16050460375313821921492018?source_type=sales_plugin_af&slt=sales_plugin_af&referral_code=KYAG9W89DJ77 Cutter Bag Roll: https://wevactech.com/products/16065371458403051985722210?source_type=sales_plugin_af&slt=sales_plugin_af&referral_code=KYAG9W89DJ77 US: https://wevactech.com/referral/forkembers UK: https://uk.wevactech.com/referral/forkembers CA: https://ca.wevactech.com/referral/forkembers AU: https://au.wevactech.com/referral/forkembers Thermometers: ThermaPro Instant Read — https://amzn.to/3X5LhHN ThermaPro Bluetooth — https://amzn.to/3WTaowD Weber Lid Thermometer — https://amzn.to/4gIsvMW Fire Tools: Weber Chimney Starter — https://amzn.to/4aQH2ne Kingsford Chimney Starter — https://amzn.to/3PVhpcQ Tumbleweed Starters — https://amzn.to/4itehAA Jo Chef Torch — https://amzn.to/3XQ0Va1 BBQ Essentials: My BBQ Kit — https://amzn.to/43xTKoY Nice-to-Have Extras — https://amzn.to/3FnFwPz Oil Spritzer — https://amzn.to/3GKWEz7 Food Prep & Storage: Food Storage Containers — https://amzn.to/4jNx7UA Brining Container — https://amzn.to/44LZldJ Watch Next: Plan Your BBQ Like a Pro → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QfFN5HLZoA Alabama White Sauce & History → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5bTZugyJIY Healthy Grilled Peruvian Chicken → https://youtu.be/VaT6OL1HE0Q Master the Reverse Sear → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9sd_nHkV-I Weber Smokey Mountain | The Complete Guide → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urzz4ak-2Wk Old Country Brazos Offset Guide → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdKk8Yog0Oc Smoked Turkey Made Easy → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFSBCzp_t7c Perfectly Smoked Prime Rib → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb8FN7zXeQo Sugar-Free Smoked Ribs → https://youtu.be/Tso5uO5Vynw How to Truss Chicken (Jacques Pepin): https://youtu.be/VxlcSzMOG9o?si=4P798Cv06u6drYbO Smoked Salmon on a Weber Smokey Mountain → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNLPLOyAFO4 Connect with Me: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forkandembers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joe.stanfield.14/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forkandembers/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:12 Weber Smokey Mountain 3:29 Pellet Smokers 6:38 Offset Smokers 9:58 Weber Kettle 11:43 Ceramic Smokers or Big Green Egg 13:55 Electric Smokers 15:23 Drum Smokers 17:28 Subscribe for More BBQ Content 🎵 Music licensed from Lickd. The biggest mainstream and stock music platform for content creators. I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister, https://lickd.lnk.to/7ETfpFID License ID: wGQm6MEKOv4 If you want to use music from famous artists, try Lickd to get track credits and unlimited stock music: https://go.lickd.co/Get-A-Free-Trial

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments 100

Sign in to join the conversation

Sign in
J
julianafliegner841 1 month, 4 weeks ago

A friend of mine was moving and couldn't take his green egg. I ended up with it for free. After cleaning it up and fixing the seal I absolutely love it. I never would have spent that kind of money on one, but I'm glad I ended up with one.

G
genaro.chavarría 1 month, 4 weeks ago

Yep, My Lonestar offset is great and will outlive all of us.

C
colleen_woodard 1 month, 4 weeks ago

My wife watched this video and bought me a Traeger for my 40th Birthday. She later told me that she thought I would have wanted an offset, but her and my kids don't have the time for that.

valentim_darocha
valentim_darocha 1 month, 4 weeks ago

Weber kettle guy here… have been smoking on it for 12 years. Being lazy has brought me to this video, looking into pellets 😂

S
silvia_garcía 2 months ago

I smoked my best turkey ever with a Kamado smoker on sale at Costco for $400. I used it for everything, and yes, you are right, put it where you dont have plans to move it again.

T
tony_johnson 2 months ago

I don't even have a smoker right now but 30 seconds into this video, you earned a new subscriber

M
madeleinedelahaye639 2 months, 1 week ago

I’m the guy in a hoodie staying up all night making sure the entire neighbourhood smells like BBQ by breakfast time. I’m a stick burner offset guy. Honestly you buy whatever BBQ that will make you happy. There’s no right or wrong.

M
maria_evans 2 months, 1 week ago

Hilarious- and accurate. I cut my teeth on off set smoker and Webber kettle years ago. Not an easy road but gives me an excuse to drink liquor and smoke cigars all day instead of doing what my wife wants me to do!

M
maríacristina_deanda 2 months, 1 week ago

Rocking with my $200 charbroiler kamado. Smoking . Not ceramic all metal but work the same.

G
georgesnight77 2 months, 2 weeks ago

A real bonding moment between me and my brother in law was during new years this year. We made a brisket on a cheap off set smoker. We stayed up all night baby sitting that meat and finished around 12 the next day. Hands down the best brisket I’ve ever had, but I believe it was because of the time and labor we put into it. 10/10 wanna do it again. I just bought a house and I’m currently saving up for a nice off set smoker.

I
irmela_bärer 2 months, 3 weeks ago

For years I ran a WSM and a kettle. Between the two there was no BBQ beyond my reach in my modest little patio.

L
lauragallegos937 3 months ago

Accidental masterpiece: My first 14lbs brisket on my first ever pellet smoker was a Thanksgiving family potluck. I didn't know what I've done until I sliced it at her sister's house..... The flat was falling apart and the point was as good. I can't replicate that spot on results a year later 😭

T
trinidad_apodaca 3 months ago

I like the cut of this guy's gem.

gesine_schinke
gesine_schinke 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Big Green Egg guy for years. This was friggin hilarious! Shared this with a co-worker who’s a pellet guy…he loved it!

R
raagini_dhar 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I loved all the stereotypes 😂. Pellet, kamado, and newly offset 😅

matthewmist72
matthewmist72 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Best ribs I’ve ever had came out of barrel made into a grill with hog fence as grating

taylorsmith924
taylorsmith924 3 months, 4 weeks ago

“Everyone that turns 30….” GUILTY !

A
alix_legendre 4 months ago

I remember watching Alton Brown make an electric smoker from an old thrown away filing cabinet and a hot plate.

F
frédérique_weiss 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Old school burn barrel BBQ is where it's at. I'd rather be standing out in the rain shoveling coals than inside watching "Love Island" Thanks fork love the videos brother, I only take BBQ advice from other big boys

diego_almeida
diego_almeida 4 months, 3 weeks ago

LMAO - I started with a stick burner for a year. It was like watching a 4 month old with it's need for constant attention. 100% on target!