What Is the Difference Between a Barbecue Smoker & a Charcoal Smoker?

Charcoal Smokers

• Charcoal smokers, sometimes called vertical smokers, are often used in backyards and are more user-friendly due to their consistent heat levels. They are designed with the heat source on bottom, usually using charcoal or wood, and a water pan in the middle. The heat rises to the water, which can contain added spices and flavors. As the water heats up and smokes, it slowly cooks and adds flavor and moisture to your meat, which is contained in the top section. You can add wood chunks to the charcoal to incorporate a smoky flavor.

Barbecue Pit Smokers

• Barbecue smokers, if not referring to charcoal smokers, usually means the commercial-style smokers used in competitions and sometimes referred to as "pit smokers." They are designed to heat the smoke in a firebox, using wood or wood pellets. The smoke moves into a separate chamber called the "pit," which may be offset from or on top of the firebox. The resulting smoke slowly cooks the meat. Many competition-style cookers are designed with thermometers and have hinged doors for easy addition of wood. Common in large-scale, competitive and commercial applications, pit smokers are capable of holding lots of meat.

Electric Smokers

• While both barbecue pit smokers and charcoal smokers can use charcoal, some barbecue smokers use alternative heat sources. An electric smoker is just like a charcoal or vertical smoker, but uses electricity. The heat element is in the bottom section and is surrounded by soaked wood pellets. In the middle section is the water pan, while the smoker racks lie in the topmost section. Usually these types of smokers are for home use and are not common in competition.

Choosing a Smoker

• With so many interchangeable labels and varieties, it can be difficult to choose the right smoker for your home. The capacity of the appliance is an important consideration. Select one that can cook all your food at once, since smokers take hours to cook and cannot cook in shifts. Some smokers have multiple racks or are very large to handle producing food for a large cook-out. You should also consider the ease of cleaning the appliance. It's hard to go wrong with a smoker, and whatever smoker you choose is sure to cook tender and flavorful meat.