Buying guide
Backyard Smokehouse Setup
Updated How we research
Low and slow, done right. The page is split into five sections (Your Main Smoker; Backup Electric Option; Smoke Wood Chunks; Dial In the Temp; Catch the Drippings), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 6.4 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:Mr. Bar-B-Q Variety Pack Wood Chunks 4 x 3.5 lb Hickory Cherry Apple Mesquite. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:BFOUR Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer with 6 Temperature Probes Large LCD. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:MEATER Plus Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer with Repeater. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:GrillBliss Wireless Meat Thermometer 5G Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.4 IP67 Dual Probes. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Your Main Smoker
- Realcook Charcoal Grills with Offset Smokers, Spacious Barrel Charcoal BBQ Grill ComboOur score7.4/10
- SUNLIFER Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker, Barrel BBQ Grill and Smoker ComboOur score7.0/10
- Charcoal Grills Outdoor BBQ Grill Offset Smoker with Wheels Side Fire Box, BlackOur score6.4/10
- vidaXL BBQ Offset Smoker with Bottom Shelf Black XXL Charcoal Barbecue GrillOur score6.4/10
Backup Electric Option
- Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, MB20070421Our score8.4/10
- Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, MB20071117Our score8.2/10
- Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, MB20070122Our score8.2/10
- Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, MB20072918Our score8.2/10
Smoke Wood Chunks
- Mr. Bar-B-Q Variety Pack Wood Chunks 4 x 3.5 lb Hickory Cherry Apple MesquiteOur score8.8/10
- Western Premium BBQ Products Apple BBQ Cooking Chunks 549 cu inOur score8.4/10
- Western Wood Smoking Chunks Variety Pack - 4 Boxes (500 cu in Each) - Mesquite, Hickory, Pecan & Oak - All-Natural BBQ Wood for Grilling, Smoking Beef, Pork, Poultry & More (Variety Pack, Wood Chunks)Our score8.2/10
- Fire & Flavor Hickory Wood Chunks for Smoking and GrillingOur score7.3/10
Dial In the Temp
- MEATER Plus Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer with RepeaterOur score8.6/10
- BFOUR Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer with 6 Temperature Probes Large LCDOur score8.6/10
- TempPro Wireless Meat Thermometer 2 Probes Bluetooth Rechargeable (ThermoPro)Our score8.6/10
- GrillBliss Wireless Meat Thermometer 5G Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.4 IP67 Dual ProbesOur score8.4/10
Catch the Drippings
- NUPICK 20 Pack 6415 Drip Pans Compatible for Weber | Aluminum Pans for Weber Spirit Series, Genesis Series, Q Series Grills, Disposable Aluminum Foil Grease Trays, 8.5" x 6"Our score7.9/10
- Matchwaves Drip Pans for Weber, Disposable Aluminum Foil Grease Trays for Weber Grills, Universal Replacement Liners for Weber Series, 8.6" x 6" - 20 PcsOur score7.7/10
- 25 Pack Grill Drip Pans 8.6" x 6" for Weber Q, Spirit & Genesis Series | Aluminum Grease Tray Liners Replacement Drip Trays for Gas Grills, Easy Cleanup BBQ Accessories, Disposable Foil PansOur score7.7/10
- Firsgrill (18-Pack) Compatible for Weber Model 6498 & 6417 drip pan Liner Aluminum BBQ 11" L*5" W*2.5" D Drip Pans Grill Grease Trays Foil Pan Smoke Fire and Summit GrillsOur score7.1/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Mr. Bar-B-Q's variety pack of wood chunks, 4 x 3.5 lb of hickory, cherry, apple and mesquite for charcoal smoking.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 4 x 3.5 lb bags provide plenty of chunks for many smokes
- + Chunks burn slower than chips for longer smoke on charcoal
- + Variety lets you pair wood with different meats
- - Chunks are too large for gas grill smoker boxes
- - Storage takes more space than chip bags
#2MEATER Plus smart Bluetooth wireless meat thermometer with repeater, a cord-free probe for long cooks and rotisseries.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wireless probe has no cables, so it works on rotisseries and in closed lids
- + Repeater in the charger extends Bluetooth range from the grill
- + App estimates cook time and alerts you when food is ready
- - Single probe tracks one piece of meat at a time, despite reading ambient too
- - Bluetooth range still drops through walls and metal
#3BFOUR's Bluetooth wireless meat thermometer with 6 temperature probes and large LCD, for monitoring many cuts at once.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 6 Temperature Probes cover multiple meats plus grill ambient readings
- + Large LCD on the base shows all readings without needing the phone
- + Great for big cookouts with brisket, ribs and chicken going together
- - Wired probes can tangle when running into a lid or smoker door
- - Bluetooth range is shorter than Wi-Fi models
#4ThermoPro's TempPro wireless meat thermometer with 2 probes, Bluetooth and a rechargeable battery, for everyday grilling.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Rechargeable design cuts down on buying disposable batteries
- + 2 Probes track meat and grill temperatures together
- + ThermoPro's app is simple for setting target temperatures
- - Bluetooth only, so range is limited compared with Wi-Fi units
- - Wired probes must be routed carefully through the grill lid
#5Masterbuilt's 30-inch digital electric vertical BBQ smoker (MB20070421), an easy set-and-forget smoker for beginners.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Digital controls set temperature and time with push buttons
- + Vertical cabinet stacks food on racks for a compact footprint
- + Electric heat removes the need to manage charcoal or fire
- - Needs an outdoor outlet and does not produce a deep bark like charcoal
- - Wood chips must be added through the loader during long cooks
#6Western Premium BBQ Products apple BBQ cooking chunks in a 549 cu in bag, a mild fruit wood for pork and poultry.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Apple wood gives sweet, mild smoke for pork and chicken
- + 549 cu in bag supplies several long charcoal smokes
- + Western chunks are consistently sized for steady smoke
- - Single apple flavor limits variety unless you buy other woods
- - Mild apple smoke may be too subtle for brisket
#7GrillBliss' wireless meat thermometer with 5G Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, IP67 rating and dual probes for remote cook monitoring.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth 5.4 lets you check temperatures near or far from the grill
- + Dual Probes track two cuts, or meat and ambient, at the same time
- + IP67 rating means the probes handle rinsing and splashes
- - Newer brand, so app support over the long term is less proven
- - Wi-Fi setup requires the grill area to reach your home network
#8The Masterbuilt 30-inch digital electric vertical smoker (MB20071117), another take on the brand's compact digital cabinet.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Side wood chip loader lets you add smoke without opening the door
- + 30-inch cabinet fits ribs, chicken and fish on multiple racks
- + Digital panel makes long smokes simple for first-time smokers
- - Model differences from other 30-inch versions are not clear from the title
- - Electric smokers give a milder smoke ring than wood-fired cookers
#9Masterbuilt's 40-inch digital electric vertical BBQ smoker (MB20070122), a taller cabinet for bigger batches of meat.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 40-inch cabinet adds rack space for large holiday or party cooks
- + Digital temperature control holds steady heat for hours
- + Vertical design fits more food per square foot of patio
- - Taller smoker is heavier and needs more storage space
- - Electric element can struggle to recover heat in cold weather
#10The Masterbuilt 40-inch digital electric vertical smoker (MB20072918), a large electric cabinet for high-volume smoking.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Big 40-inch capacity smokes multiple briskets or pork shoulders
- + Easy digital controls suit people new to barbecue
- + Electric operation is quiet and clean compared with charcoal
- - Check for Bluetooth or WiFi if you want remote monitoring
- - Large chip tray still needs refilling for long overnight smokes
#11Western's variety pack of smoking chunks: four 500 cubic inch boxes, one each of mesquite, hickory, pecan and post oak. A way to try the classic barbecue woods side by side before buying one in bulk.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Four full-size boxes of 500 cubic inches each, so the pack holds enough wood for many cooks and is more than a sampler
- + Mesquite, hickory, pecan and post oak run from bold to mild smoke, and include the oak and pecan that fruit-wood packs leave out
- + Listed as 100 percent natural, chemical-free hardwood cut into large chunks that burn longer than wood chips
- - No fruit woods in the box, so anyone who wants apple or cherry smoke needs to buy a separate bag
- - Sold by volume instead of weight, and four boxes take real storage space if you only smoke a few times a year
#12NUPICK 20-pack of 6415 aluminum drip pans for Weber Q, Spirit, Genesis, Pulse and Traveler grills, 7.5 x 5 inch base.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Listed to fit many Weber lines, including Q, Spirit, Spirit II, Genesis and Traveler grills.
- + Aluminum pans withstand up to 500 F and can simply be thrown away when full.
- + A 20-count pack at a low price covers a whole grilling season.
- - Sized for Weber's 6415 tray, so it is not a fit for other grill brands.
- - Foil pans are single-use and thin, and they do not replace a permanent grease tray.
#13Matchwaves disposable aluminum drip pans for Weber, 8.6 x 6 inches, with thickened foil and a reinforced rolled edge.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Designed to fit the Weber 6415 size for Spirit, Genesis, Q and Ninja grills.
- + Thickened foil with a rolled edge is listed to help the liner hold shape and resist tearing.
- + Large-capacity liners that also work for food prep, baking and roasting.
- - Priced higher per pan than some other Weber-size packs.
- - Foil is disposable, and the listing does not say how many liners are in the pack.
#14Boxential 25-pack of 8.6 x 6 inch aluminum drip pans for Weber Q, Spirit and Genesis grills.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Fits a long list of Weber models, from Q Series through Spirit II and Genesis II 300 series.
- + Aluminum construction is listed as resisting punctures, tears and grease leaks.
- + Twenty-five liners per pack, and they can double as food prep trays.
- - Smaller pack than the 50-count pack it replaces, so it costs more per pan.
- - Single-use foil pans only, and each tray is shallow at 1.4 inches.
#15Realcook's spacious barrel charcoal grill with offset smoker, a combo cooker for grilling and smoking at family gatherings.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Spacious barrel gives plenty of grate room for large batches
- + Offset smoker adds true indirect wood smoke flavor
- + Realcook offers a middle ground between generic and big-brand smokers
- - Seams and doors may need high-temp gasket upgrades
- - Assembly of a barrel and firebox takes time and two people
#16Fire & Flavor's hickory wood chunks for smoking and grilling, a classic hickory choice for ribs, pork and bacon.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Hickory smoke is a go-to flavor for pork and ribs
- + Chunks provide long-lasting smoke on charcoal grills
- + Fire & Flavor focuses on natural cooking woods
- - Check the bag weight to compare value against other brands
- - Hickory can turn bitter if too much is used
#17Firsgrill 18-pack aluminum drip pans, 11 x 5 x 2.5 inches, sized for Weber SmokeFire, Summit and Genesis II 400 and 600 grills.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Deeper 2.5-inch trays hold more grease than shallow liners, sized for Weber's larger grills.
- + Listed for Weber SmokeFire, Summit 400 and 600 series, and Genesis II 400 and 600 models.
- + Recyclable food-grade aluminum can also be used as a cooking pan in a grill, smoker or oven.
- - The bigger size does not fit Weber Q, Spirit or Genesis 300 grills that use the smaller 6415 liner.
- - The listing gives little detail beyond fit and size, and the pans are single-use.
#18SUNLIFER's charcoal barrel grill and offset smoker combo, a budget pick for backyard grilling plus traditional stick-style smoking.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Offset firebox lets smoke and heat flow across the main chamber
- + Barrel design doubles as a charcoal grill when you are not smoking
- + Combo unit saves buying a separate grill and smoker
- - Budget steel leaks heat, so temperatures need frequent attention
- - Title gives no cooking area, so capacity is unclear
#19A black outdoor charcoal grill with an offset smoker side firebox and wheels, a generic barrel smoker for backyard barbecue.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 7/10
- + Side fire box enables indirect smoking for ribs and pork shoulder
- + Wheels help move the heavy barrel smoker around the patio
- + Can run as a straightforward charcoal grill for weeknight meals
- - Generic listing omits cooking area and steel thickness
- - Thin offset smokers can burn fuel quickly on cold days
#20vidaXL's XXL black charcoal BBQ offset smoker with bottom shelf, a large barrel smoker for backyard cookouts.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 7/10
- + XXL size gives lots of room for smoking and grilling at once
- + Bottom shelf stores charcoal, wood chunks and tools nearby
- + Offset firebox supports classic low and slow smoking
- - vidaXL steel is lightweight, so heat retention is limited
- - XXL footprint takes a lot of patio space
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Grill Smoke Craft curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.