The Ironwood series also comes with Traeger's Downdraft exhaust, a convection feature that helps circulate smoke rather than channel it upward and out a chimney. While Traeger only offers basic "smoke" and "super smoke" (the latter is only available when cooking at temps lower than 225), the fan helps up the smoke level at higher temperatures far more than we've seen in any other smoker. You can put just about anything you'd eat on a smoker. Meat is what most of us associate with smokers, but vegetables, fruits, and all types of seafood can be extraordinary on the grill. Figuring out the endless options and recipes is part of the fun of taking up smoking as a hobby. There are two that stand out. For the ultimate cooking experience, and the ability to griddle everything up to a whole turkey, the Char-Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill is a great choice. If you just want a simple and cheap BBQ that uses direct heat then the Dancook 7100 will happily do the job. 1. Char-Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill A smoker is a great way to level up your grilling. Smoking is a great way to impart flavor and preserve food. While you can smoke on any grill (read our guide to the best grills for all our favorites), a dedicated smoker is shaped to accommodate larger cuts of meat and impart maximum smoke flavor.

Traeger originated the pellet grill, and the brand makes the hardiest smokers we've tested thanks to the 13-gauge stainless steel exterior, cold-rolled stainless steel interior parts, and double side wall interior. This construction, along with the 36,000-BTU burner, allows for better and higher heat retention (500 degrees Fahrenheit to the Pro model's 450). Charcoal available in supermarkets is normally imported from overseas and won’t necessarily have the same commitment to natural, sustainable production as we do here in the UK. We can guarantee a 100% natural product, with a minimal carbon footprint. White burger buns: Popping these on the grill is an easy way to warm and toast them with defined grill linesIf you’re a foodie with a big budget but a small garden, the Big Green Egg MiniMax will prove hard to resist. It’s a unique-looking ceramic cooker that takes its design from a kamado, a traditional Japanese wood or charcoal-fuelled stove. It’s certainly got the looks, and if it’s perfect small-scale barbecuing you’re after, it’s got the brains, too. At this price, the Char-Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill isn’t for everyone, but for serious BBQers looking for perfect results, it’s a great investment. Read the full review

The main choice with BBQs is whether to opt for a gas or charcoal model. Gas models (not featured in this list) are easier to light and are ready to go whenever you need them. Plus, they cook for as long as you have gas, so you don’t have to worry about topping up with fuel. You don’t quite get that proper BBQ taste, however.Mesquite has always had that traditional-barbecue taste to me,” Israel “Pody” Campos of Pody’s BBQ in Pecos says. “It’s a West Texas staple.” Though it has lost some ground to post oak, mesquite is still one of the most widely used barbecue woods, especially in South and West Texas where there aren’t many other local hardwood options. In a cross section, a thin, light band surrounds the deep red of the rest of the wood, making mesquite the most visually distinctive of the woods discussed here. It burns hot, and produces strong, acrid smoke if the fire is stifled, which gives mesquite a bad name for being too strong. Campos defends it: “If you’re burning clean mesquite, you’re going to get an amazing flavor.” He also says it creates a better smoke ring than other hardwoods he has used, like oak and pecan. Electric smokers are among the easiest smokers to operate. They're insulated, maintain almost perfect temperature control, and can cook for hours and hours without much attention (save for adding wood chips). Masterbuilt's 30" Electric Smoker comes practically preassembled (attach the legs, the digital monitor, a latch, and it's ready) and will be up and running with the press of a few buttons. Size: Depending on the style, some barbecues can cater for large gatherings and others are best suited to two people. Coal distribution will also affect cooking capacity. For example, sometimes it's easier to distribute your coals and achieve even direct heat in barrel barbecues than in dome-bottomed kettle models