Barbecue Meat SmokersBarbecue meat smokers come in all shapes and sizes with different power sources and when I first tried to understand the differences between the many makes and models - well frankly it was a blur. This section of my site is here to help you clear the fog and make an informed decision about which smoker is right for you. What Are The Factors That I Should Consider? There’s a lot made out of the charcoal or gas debate particularly when thinking about grilling but when thinking about smoking the question you need to ask yourself is how much you want to be involved in the cooking process? Charcoal is the “mother earth” method but it does need continuous rending to keep the coals up to temperature but if that’s not for you and you just want to set your meat smoker off and come back to it at the end of the cookout then consider electric. In particular the size of the cooking surface. Consider how you are going to use your smoker, if it’s for a small family then 300 - 500 sq inches will probably be sufficient but if you have a large family or are into big party cookouts then look for a larger cooking area, say 700 sq inches. 
Another way to ask this question is how portable do I want my smoker to be? Most smokers will sit out in the back yard, on a patio or deck but you may be short on space or indeed want to tailgate and in this case a free standing “torpedo” shaped smoker could be the way to go. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution then there’s plenty of choice, many of which are on wheels but how far you go is up to you.
It isn’t a cliché, you pay for what you get. The secret of smoking is about slow cooking so the quality of materials and design are really important. Also look for a multi-year warranty, after all, you don’t want to be buying a new smoker every year. 
Making use of an online store can really help you make your selection in an impartial way because the best ones now offer:-
Of course the basics are still there such as:-
*Note that sales tax will apply to those purchasing in the state where the online retailer is based. The best online stores are:- Grills Direct.com - This store has the most comprehensive range of smokers. Shopping is made easy because you can select your brand and make comparisons. BBQGuys.com - If you're looking for a Kamado then this is the store for you although the range of smokers is not as good as GrillsDirect.com. Amazon What Other Factors Should You Consider? Some meat smokers use wood chips, pellets or bisquettes and it should be clear in each section as to how each brand of smoker is fired. Any brand using wood chips is probably more flexible because the chips are readily available and you’re not tied to buying from the manufacturer. This may influence smoker you want to buy. To help you further click on the links and images below to read more about the various specifications of meat smokers that are on the market.
See Also:-
Barbecue Grills
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- Mainly marketing Weber and Meco but has a tremendous amount of choice when it comes to accessories. Good deals on secondhand stock too. 
