What to Expect When You Get a Bigger BBQ Smoker

Higher Cost

• One of the first things you'll find that's different about a bigger smoker is the price. Costs vary widely based on the type of smoker, with charcoal and wood smokers costing more than electric models. However, larger smokers almost always cost more than comparable models that are smaller in size. Buying a larger smoker is probably more cost-effective than purchasing two small smokers, but buying a smoker that's bigger than you need can mean overspending.

Faster Cooking

• A larger smoker will cook more food in less time. This is the key advantage of a big smoker, and one of the reasons some grilling enthusiasts are willing to spend more on a large model. Large smokers have more interior grill surface area, which means they can accommodate more food at a time than small smokers. Large models also have thicker walls that seal in more heat, allowing the food to cook faster.

Fuel Consumption

• Cooking more food faster comes at a cost in a large smoker, namely in the use of more fuel. Smokers use wood, charcoal or electricity to produce heat. Larger smokers require more energy to get up to operating temperatures, regardless of how much food is inside. While the cost difference for an electric model may be relatively small, buying additional bundles of wood or bags of charcoal can add up in terms of cost and environmental impact.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• A larger smoker will also require more time for cleaning and maintenance than a small model. Each use coats the inside of the smoker with a layer of smoky oil, which will eventually need to be removed. Large smokers also have multiple grill grates, each of which can become coated with burnt food and drippings during use. Cleaning a smoker for winter storage or sprucing it up before a summer of use will take longer than the same process for a smaller machine.