Who wants an ugly drum smoker? This answer is you if you want an easy to use smoker that produces great tasting food.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?
Drum smokers may not be as pleasing to the eye as the latest Kamado grill, but are they are great for traditional low and slow smoke cooking or for cooking hot and fast if you are in a hurry.
Drum smokers have a vertical orientation. The heat source in vertical drum smokers is positioned right below the cooking chamber.
They are easy to use. Just place your food on a rack inside the drum and add wood chips (or chunks) to the fire to produce smoke.
With a variety of models available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.
To help you make that decision, I researched the best drum smokers on the market today.
I am a lifetime BBQ enthusiast who loves everything BBQ.
I actually spent a few days going through thousands of Amazon and manufacturer customer reviews to come up with a list of the best drum smokers.
And I found that the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Smoker is the best overall drum smoker on the market today.
Each of us has different needs. That’s why I’ve included reviews of the best drum smokers for several categories.
So, let’s get started.
Contents
Our Best Drum Smokers
- Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Smoker (Best Drum Smoker Overall)
- Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker (Best Budget Drum Smoker)
- Gateway 55 Gallon Drum Smoker (Best Premium Drum Smoker)
- Pit Barrel Cooker Classic Package (Best Drum Smoker for Beginners)
- Big Bad Barrel Pit Smoker (Best Versatile Drum Smoker)
5 Best Drum Smokers Reviewed
All drum smokers included on this list are the highest rated and most used by BBQ enthusiasts based on customer ratings and feedback. Whatever your needs are, these smokers have what it takes to meet them.
- Cooking System: Charcoal
- Outer Material: Steel
- Item Weight: 178 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 30″ W x 25″ D x 43″ H
- Warranty: 2 years on all parts
The Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro comes in at No. 1 on our list. It is a premium smoker that offers many features and benefits for competition level performance.
The Bronco Pro Drum Smoker comes with a side table for meat prep and wheels for maximum portability.
Made of heavy-gauge steel, this smoker is durable and can withstand frequent use.
The cooking grate can be placed at one of two different cooking levels depending on the size of the meat you’re cooking. Or if you prefer, you can cook larger quantities of meat using the 9 meat hooks that come with it.
Adjustable air intake and exhaust pipes allow you to control the temperature with ease, allowing you to cook low and slow or hot and fast.
This smoker also doubles as a charcoal grill, making it perfect for any outdoor cooking need.
The charcoal basket holds up to 17 lbs. The result is 15 hours of smoking time without the need to refuel.
Simplicity, durability, and capacity. That’s why the Bronco Pro is our choice for the best overall drum smoker.
- Cooking System: Charcoal
- Outer Material: Aluminum
- Item Weight: 68 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 24″ W x 23″ D x 49″ H
- Warranty: 5-yr limited
The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker is an excellent drum smoker for beginners. The combination of size, value, and ease of use make it one of the best smokers that you can buy.
It has two cooking grates and 726 square inches of cooking space. You will have more than enough space to smoke large amounts of food.
The fuel door is removable. This makes adding charcoal and wood easy. You can also maintain your cooking temperature since you don’t have to remove the lid to add fuel.
The Smokey Mountain Cooker has a unique airflow system consisting of four dampers (1 on top and 3 on the bottom). You can control the airflow heat and cook your food to perfection.
A water pan is included as a standard feature. It will allow you to control the heat even better by adding moisture. Some users have pointed out that adding water in the middle of a smoke can be challenging.
The lid, bowl and center section are all porcelain enameled, making them durable and easy to clean. The porcelain enamel will prevent rust and will not chip or peel.
Weber also makes the Smokey Mountain in a 14-inch and 18-inch size if you don’t need to cook as much.
Gateway Drum 55 Gallon Charcoal Smoker
- Cooking System: Charcoal
- Outer Material: Stainless steel
- Item Weight: 150 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 48″ W x48 ” D x 40″ H
- Best for: Premium
Gateway Drum Smokers are designed to deliver intense backyard grill flavor.
With three cooking levels, the Gateway Drum Charcoal Smoker gives you plenty of options for smoking your favorite foods. Only one cooking grate is included. But you can easily buy one or two more to expand your cooking capacity.
The Gateway Drum is equipped with two welded side vents and a lid vent to give you precise control over the smoking process. You can fine-tune the temperature and smoke level to perfection, ensuring that your food is cooked the way you like every time.
The drum is seamless and made from high quality steel. The benefit is very little heat and smoke loss.
To top things off, it is finished with a high temperature powder coat paint finish that can tolerate temperatures up to 1000 F. You won’t have to worry about heat causing damage to your smoker.
This user friendly smoker is perfect for any BBQ enthusiast, whether competing at a barbeque competition, tailgating at the big game, or entertaining in the backyard.
- Cooking System: Charcoal
- Outer Material: Porcelain coated steel
- Item Weight: 57 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 21″ W x 21″ D x 31″ H
- Warranty: 1 year
The 18.5” Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Package is a favorite among backyard Pitmasters. It’s unique design ensures you get great results every time without a lot of fuss.
The Pit Barrel Cooker is known for its large cooking capacity. It uses a rod and hook system that allows you to cook several items at once.
Mastering the Pit Barrel Cooker involves next to no learning curve. This makes it a great option for beginners.
You can set it and forget it, and get the perfect smoked flavor every time.
It has a porcelain enamel finish, making cleanup a breeze.
Straightforward settings give you just the right level of smoke and heat for consistent results.
Some users noted that the temp increases a lot when you remove the lid. Many recommend purchasing a dual probe wireless meat thermometer to monitor both meat temp and cooker ambient temp to eliminate this problem.
The Pit Barrel Cooker is compact, lightweight and portable. It can be transported in most vans, SUVs, and trucks.
And if you want to cook even more food, you can upgrade to the 22.5″ PBX. Or if you don’t need to cook as much, the 14” Pit Barrel Junior may be just what you are looking for.
- Cooking System: Charcoal
- Outer Material: Stainless steel
- Item Weight: 45 lbs
- Item Dimensions: 20″ W x 18″ D x 20″ H
- Warranty: 1-yr limited
If you’re looking for a smoker that can do it all, the Big Bad Barrel is the one for you.
It is basically five items in one package. Use it as a smoker, grill, pizza oven, table, and fire pit.
As a smoker, it is designed to maintain a steady temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit for many hours. The result is delicious and perfectly tender meat every time.
The Big Bad Barrel includes 6 stainless steel hooks to hang your meat on. This allows you to cook significantly more meat in the provided space.
A spatula, tongs and fork are even included. They conveniently hang on the smoker, giving you everything you need at your fingertips when you cook.
The two-piece barrel design also makes it portable and easy to store. It is only 3 feet tall when fully assembled. And, when it is separated it is only half that size.
It doesn’t matter how much experience you have in the backyard, this smoker’s unique design will allow you to cook just about anything you desire.
Guide To Buying A Drum Smoker
What is a drum smoker?
A drum smoker is a type of smoker that uses a cylindrical drum as the smoking chamber. The drum is typically made from steel or aluminum, which helps to conduct heat evenly and produce consistent results.
The food is placed on racks inside the drum, and the hot smoke is generated by burning wood chips or charcoal in a firebox.
Drum smokers are often used by professional chefs, as they can produce large quantities of food at one time. However, they are also popular among home cooks who enjoy smoking their own food.
Thanks to their efficient design, drum smokers are able to produce high-quality smoked meats and fish with minimal effort with a shorter cook time.
What to look for in a drum smoker?
If you’re in the market for a drum smoker, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. A good drum smoker is easy to use, has adequate cooking capacity, and is made of solid materials.
Cooking Space
First, consider the size of the unit. You’ll need to make sure that it’s large enough to accommodate your needs, but not so large that it’s cumbersome to use. Smokers with meat hooks can cook 4 times more than using cooking grates.
Construction Material
Second, take a look at the construction. You’ll want to choose a unit that’s made from high-quality materials that will stand up to repeated use and last a long time.
Ease of Use
Third, think about ease of use. You’ll want to choose a unit that’s easy to set up and use so that you can focus on enjoying your smoked meats instead of wrestling with the equipment.
Value
Lastly, prices can vary a lot. Like in most cases, you get what you pay for. But drum smokers perform just as well as other types which are much more expensive.
With these factors in mind, you’ll be sure to find the perfect drum smoker for your needs.
What are the advantages of a drum smoker?
There are a number of advantages to using a drum smoker for your smoking needs.
Heat Distribution
One major advantage is its ability to evenly distribute heat, which ensures that your food will cook consistently and produce perfect results every time. And since the charcoal is contained in a circular chamber, it’s easy to control the temperature and prevent flare-ups
Capacity
Another advantage is the large capacity of most drum smokers, which makes it easy to smoke large quantities of meat or fish at once.
Short Learning Curve
Learning to use a drum smoker is not very hard. They are typically very easy to use, so you can focus on enjoying your smoked food rather than struggling with the equipment.
The drum design makes it easy to add more fuel or wood chips without having to remove the food. A drum smoker is the way to go if you’re looking for a smoker that’s easy to use and produces delicious results.
What are the disadvantages of a drum smoker?
Cost
One downside is that they can be more expensive than other types of smokers. Everyone is reviewing their options before making major purchasing decisions these days.
Physical Size
Drum smokers tend to be large and bulky, so they may not be the best choice for those with limited space. Others can be quite small, which means that they may not be able to accommodate large cuts of meat.
Despite these drawbacks, drum smokers are still a popular choice among those who enjoy smoking their own food.
How do you use a drum smoker?
While there are many different ways to use a drum smoker, the cooking process is similar. Hot coals are placed in the bottom of the smoker, and wood chips are added to create smoke.
The food is then placed on a rack above the coals. The lid is closed to trap in the smoke.
As the food cooks, it absorbs the flavor of the smoke, resulting in a delicious smoky taste.
Drum smokers are relatively simple to use, and they can be used to cook all sorts of food, from chicken and ribs to fish and vegetables.
Final Verdict
Drum smokers are perfect for folks just starting out on their barbecue journey as well as experienced pros.
Some people prefer the classic method of using a traditional charcoal smoker, while others opt for electric or propane smokers.
But for those who want the best of both worlds, a drum smoker is a great option.
When it comes to cooking, we all have different needs. That’s why we have identified the best drum smokers on the market.
But the best of the best is the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Smoker. It is an excellent choice for a reliable, durable drum smoker.
FAQs About Drum Smokers
How do drum smokers work?
A drum smoker is a type of BBQ pit that uses indirect heat to cook food. The food is placed in the center of the drum, away from the coals, and allowed to cook slowly.
Do you need a water pan in a drum smoker?
No. In a drum smoker moisture is produced when drippings from meat fall on the charcoal.
What are the types of drum smokers?
One of the most popular types is the bullet-style smoker, which is also known as the water smoker. Another popular type of drum smoker is the barrel smoker.
