Smoker and barbecue gear

32 researched guides. Every one presents a beginner, an intermediate and an expert pick rather than one flat list, and every expert pick says plainly who should not buy it. We compare published specifications, materials, capacity, warranty terms and verified owner reviews. We do not test gear in person and we do not publish hands-on claims we cannot support.

Cookers

Start here if you are choosing a smoker. If you are not sure which fuel you want, the electric versus charcoal and pellet versus offset comparisons are the faster way in than reading four roundups.

Everything else you need

The thermometer is the one purchase not to compromise on. It is the most under-bought item in barbecue and the one that most improves results, because doneness and safety are both decided by a measurement rather than by the cooker.

Single-product reviews

20 reviews of one cooker or one tool each, written for the point where you have already decided what you want and are looking for a reason not to buy it. Every one names the real weakness in its own section, and several recommend something cheaper.

Would you rather buy the whole kit at once?

A roundup answers one category. The complete setups answer all of them at once: three full builds with every item you need, a per-item price, a real running total, and a section on what to skip.

The beginner build at under $500
The intermediate build at under $800
The expert build at under $2,000

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, which is how the site is funded. It does not change which product wins a category: the picks here are chosen on published specifications and owner reports, and several roundups recommend the cheaper option over the more expensive one. Read the affiliate disclosure for the full statement.