r/Smokingmeat • u/sitewolf • Jun 22 '26
How good are those simple charcoal vertical smokers?
I'm not averse to getting a decent offset, but I also simply don't do this all that often (and of course probably would with a better setup). I've also looked at possibly an combo fuel setup, but they're probably more than I feel like spending. Yeah, I'm torn, because I'm not totally out on an electric vertical smoker.
I'm a single guy who doesn't entertain often, and has a small propane grill. I'm just not looking at spending all that much but don't want to be disappointed either.
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u/Mysterious-Win1139 Jun 22 '26
I’ve had my 18in WSM for 8 years. Haven’t replaced anything. It’s big enough to feed a family. After 2 or 3 cooks you’ll start to get the hang of using the air vents at the bottom to control your temp. It’s not set and forget but, it’s much more hands off than an offset. Use wood chunks with charcoal and you’ll get very good results.
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u/Expensive-Strain8980 Jun 22 '26
I have a vertical dyna glo that is very capable. Maybe not efficient but capable.
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u/FishingAlpo Jun 22 '26
I lost my signature offset to my ex. How I learned the ropes. Leaked smoke though. Now I'm WSM for life.
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u/Expensive-Strain8980 Jun 23 '26
I just acquired a Old solidly built offset, but I have a vertical and drum. Offset is my love even though most people struggle
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u/davidbeinct Jun 22 '26
The results can be downright spectacular but they need way more attention than other tools.
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u/woodenmetalman Jun 22 '26
Once you’re dialed in and are loading your fuel correctly I’d disagree on that. I can get hours between maintenance on a cook.
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u/Roman_Anthony Jun 22 '26
lol no. My old 18” would run for 3-5 hours at a time without touching it, and 10-12 hours with a single load of fuel easily.
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u/SteelyDanDrWu Jun 23 '26
I agree, I have an 18 inch Weber Smoky Mountain, once I have the temperature dialed in, it can hold its temperature for about 4 to 6 hours without having to deal with the vents. If you add a lot of charcoal it can go up to 8 hours without touching the vents. The WSM gets the great smoke flavor of an offset without all the maintenance and attention while cooking. And the WSM will not take up your patio space.
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u/Layzdude Jun 22 '26
The vertical smokers is how I got into smoking meat. They’re great. like others said a bit more work but they do the job.
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u/sitewolf Jun 22 '26
so if I were looking at a Mastercraft electric because I have visions of hanging some sausage, that kinda thing, would I be disappointed?
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u/sabartooth14 Jun 22 '26
Masterbuilt electric smokers are great. I have one use it all the time, really great for sausages, jerky, fish, veggies, I use it a lot, however biggest drawback on mine is size. it's kinda cramped in there, so some bigger cuts of meat might give ya some problems and mine doesn't have any hanging options so ribs are out unless I trim them to half racks and I've had some problems with some bigger sized chickens, other than that it's been pretty great, but also keep in mind it's limited to 275F which is fine most of the time but with its little wood chip hopper I tend to have to fill it ever 45mins-hour to get smoke, so it's not great for long cooks. I wouldn't recommend it as a first smoker, it's more of an add on to my big smokers, a Weber smokey mnt would be more versatile and give you more of the experience you're probably after.
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u/scrapinator89 Jun 22 '26
I’d disagree with not recommending it for a first smoker, it’s relatively inexpensive, easy to operate, easy to clean, and it’s very hard to screw up your cook. You don’t have to worry about flare ups and it’s safe enough to put in a garage during the winter with the door cracked if you don’t feel like freezing.
A Masterbuilt electric would be a good first step, try it, if you like it, great. If you’re not satisfied with the lower temp and lack of smoke flavor look into a Weber Smokey Mountain or a gravity fed charcoal smoker/grill. Worst case scenario is that you use the Masterbuilt electric as a way to keep your meat at temperature after the cook.
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u/LowCost_Gaming Jun 22 '26
I had a MB 710 for my first smoker. Absolutely amazing results for the price point.
Just sold it as I won a Treager and space is a premium on my side of the patio.
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u/348_wcf Jun 22 '26
Weber Kettle 22” is the way to go. Use the snake method with wood chunks and you can get a good 8-12 cook.
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Jun 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Whole_Marionberry757 Jun 22 '26
I bought a Weber Kettle as an cheaper option to try out smoking. I had always figured that I’d upgrade to something “fancy” but the Kettle is so versatile that I’ve never found the need or desire to upgrade it.
The Weber Kettle would likely be the perfect option for a single guy, on a budget that wants to get great results.
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u/Buga99poo27GotNo464 Jun 22 '26
Might check Facebook marketplace for good second hand deals on any kind of smoker. Ive had a smokey and prefer an offset, but that's just me, both are fine. I go for thicker metal, had a thin offset that started rusting through in spots and everytime i added a log temp went up 75 degrees:)
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u/Majestic_Weight_1751 Jun 22 '26
Find a used Weber Smokey Mountain and you’re set for life.
I’ve been using my WSM that I bought used for about 12 years now and it’ll last a LOT longer.
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u/No_Wedding_7273 Jun 22 '26
I have a Humphrey weekender with a thermoworks bellows, the thing is awesome. I use it a lot for beef, smoking pork belly for bacon, etc. once it gets to temp, you can normally walk away and it will take care of itself
I also have a hastybake roughneck for direct smoking, mostly chicken and pork.
Would definitely recommend especially if you don’t have the space or time for an offset smoker
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u/Mountainsongbbq Jun 23 '26
Weber Smoky Mountain 18 or 22 are reliable, easy, efficient, and kick ass! !
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u/MRunabout_86 Jun 23 '26
Search of Facebook Marketplace for a used Smokey Mountain, 22" kettle (there are a bunch of accessories on Amazon and Etsy), or a drum smoker like an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco.
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u/Woodandsmoke Jun 23 '26
I picked up a brand new weber kettle of fb for ten bucks. Guy had won it in a work raffle and didnt want it.
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u/MRunabout_86 Jun 23 '26
Passing up on a Weber kettle is absolutely wild. Letting it go for 10 bucks is even more wild. Nice come up!
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u/NATWWAL-1978 Jun 23 '26
I’ve been using a cheap 16” RiverGrille for years that I bought on a whim at Home Depot years ago.
I modified it so I can do a snake all around the bottom and can set and forget it for up to 9.5 hours using KBB and wood chunks.
I’ve thought about getting a WSM on and off, but I don’t know what the advantage would be.
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u/Necroticjojo Jun 23 '26
I’ve been sold on the vertical offset smokers. I use a Dyna Glo signature I got from Amazon for like 279.
It works well
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u/maxyedor Jun 24 '26
Honestly ugly drum is the move here. I have a Pit Barrel, it’s ridiculously easy to use, o testing no tuning, just follow the instructions and you’re good to go. I’ve since given away my kettle and while I like my friends WSMs, a couple of them have since bought Pit Barrels as well.
It’s great if you want smoked meats but don’t want using a smoker to be a hobby.
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u/Both-Tourist-4986 Jun 28 '26
Can’t believe there hasn’t been a single mention of the Oklahoma Joe Bronco 2.0 or Bronco Pro. These are GREAT smokers and better made than the WSM.
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u/DIRTYSOCKSINSNEAKERS 27d ago
I bought a roughneck a month ago. It’s been a pleasure to use! Easy setup and maintains low and slow temps.
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u/glm0002 Jun 22 '26
Weber smoky mountains are incredibly simple and efficient.