Are you a cooking enthusiast? Or are you someone looking to take your cooking to the next level? If yes, then you need to invest in a vertical pellet smoker! Vertical pellet smokers are multifunctional outdoor cookers that do the work of a gas grill, charcoal smoker, and kitchen oven, all in one, and safe space at the same time!
We have compiled some of the best vertical pellet smokers available online for you! We will also be covering all the different factors you need to consider before deciding which pellet smoker is the right one. It’s important to consider the weight, cooking area, hopper capacity, and other factors before buying a pellet smoker.
In order to make your life easier, we have examined some of the best pellet smokers and compiled this list!
Extra features: auto-start 300-watt igniter with auto shut-off; 5 porcelain-coated cooking grids; digital LED readout; meat probe
The Pit Boss Grills 77550 5.5 Pellet Smoker has truly revolutionized the world of pellet smokers. This model provides you with ample cooking space. This pellet grill also has a wide temperature range of 150–450°F which makes it suitable for cooking a variety of different meals. The sleek design is not just great to look at, but its body is made of high-quality porcelain, which makes it sturdy.
Compared to other Pit Boss Pellet Grill Models such as the Pit Boss Analog Smokers, this model has more cooking space as it comes with five racks instead of two. Therefore, this model is a great option if you are looking to cook big meals. The large cooking capacity will also allow you to host big BBQ parties at home!
Extra features: double walled insulation; heavy-duty caster wheels; 6 porcelain-coated racks; 300-watt auto ignitor; 2 full-function programmable meat probes
The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker comes with a big cooking area of 2,059 sq. inches. It has six porcelain-coated racks ensuring that you’ll always have enough space to cook up a big meal. The smoker has a wide temperature range and allows you to cook at 150–450°F. This pellet smoker weighs 143.3 pounds, making it quite heavy and sturdy. The smoker comes with two meat probes which makes it easy to cook your food to perfection.
This model is best suited for those who cook big meals and host parties frequently. The six-rack interior and 2,059 sq inches of cooking space make this smoker ideal for BBQs.
Extra features: auto-start 300-watt igniter; auto shut-off; 4 porcelain-coated cooking grids; digital LED readout; meat probe
The PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker offers 901 sq inches of cooking space and weighs 97 lbs. It has the standard temperature range of 150–450°F which allows you to cook a variety of different foods. The four grids inside are porcelain coated and sturdy. It also has a glass door so you can keep a check on your food. The LED interface makes it easy to use this smoker.
Compared to other models by Pit Boss, this version is more compact and small. This makes it a great option if you cook small to medium size meals. It is also quite light and easy to carry which makes this pellet smoker a portable option. It is also much cheaper compared to the Pit Boss Grills 77550 Pellet Smoker.
Extra features: digital control panel; stainless-steel construction; made in the USA
The Fast Eddy’s By Cookshack FEC100 Pellet Smoker Oven has a unique design. It comes with a digital control panel on the side which allows you to control the temperature of the smoker efficiently. It offers 1,564 square inches of cooking space and weighs 416 pounds, which makes it bulky yet solid. It has a strong and durable stainless-steel body. The best part is that you get 2 years of warranty upon purchase!
Compared to other Cookshack models, this model is quite bulky and heavy. However, it is more durable and offers a way more efficient digital control panel.
Extra features: auto-start 300-watt igniter; auto shut-off; 4 porcelain-coated cooking grids; digital LED readout; meat probe
The PIT BOSS PB5000SP Wood Pellet Smoker comes with 1,513 sq inches of cooking space and weighs 131 lbs. It has a temperature range of 150-450°F which means you can cook a variety of different foods in it. The monitor on this model is simple and easy to read, which makes it easy to control the smoker. It also comes with a meat probe so you can ensure your meat cooks through properly.
Compared to some of the other Pit Boss smoker pellets such as the Analog smoker, this model is much more expensive and bulky. However, it offers more space and has 5 racks. This model also has a much sturdier stainless-steel body while most Pit Boss smokers tend to have porcelain bodies.
Now that you have familiarized yourself with some of the best vertical pellet smokers available, it’s time to go in-depth! In this buying guide, we will be covering in detail the factors you should consider before purchasing a pellet smoker. While you may be impressed by the range offered by the Pit Boss vertical pellet smokers or maybe leaning towards the Louisiana Grill, there are some important aspects you should think about to ensure that the model you buy meets all your requirements.
In case you are still not convinced of the benefits of owning best vertical smoker, let us break them down for you.
Vertical pellet smokers are not built like normal grills. They are also quite different from horizontal pellet smokers. When buying a vertical pellet smoker there are some aspects you should carefully consider.
Think wisely about how frequently you will be using the smoker and how many people you will be cooking for so you can decide the cooking area and build you need.
You should also look at the hopper capacity and temperature range offered by the smoker to ensure you can use it to cook the things you need. We will be covering all of these factors and more in detail.
The cooking area determines how much you can cook at a time. In case you are looking for best pellet smoker to cook for a small household, a vertical pellet smoker with a cooking area of around 900 sq inches is offered by the PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker.
However, in case you have a big family to cook for, or frequently host large BBQs, you should consider a pellet smoker with a larger cooking area of about 1500 square inches. The Fast Eddys by Cookshack FEC100 Pellet Smoker Oven offers 1500 square inches of amazing cooking space to grill, BBQ, and braise your meat. Smokers that offer more cooking space tend to be larger and bulkier so make sure you have the space to store them!
Hopper capacity refers to how many pellets the smoker can contain at a time, and this obviously determines how long it can run. Most smokers can contain enough pellets to run for 24 hours. While 24 hours is now considered the standard, not all pellet smokers can run efficiently for 24 hours.
The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is a great option that is known to run reliably for 24 hours as it has a hopper capacity of 65 pounds!
Another thing to consider with hoppers is that you should not leave pellets inside the smoker for longer than two weeks as they can damage your smoker. So make sure you clean and maintain your hopper frequently after use!
Another aspect you should consider is the temperature range offered by the vertical pellet smoker. The wider the temperature range, the more diverse the type of cooking you can do!
Pit Boss Grills 77550 5.5 Pellet Smoker has a temperature range of 150–450°F which allows you to use a variety of different methods where you can change the temperature.
Another consideration here is insulation that ensures the smoke stays inside. So you should also pay attention to the quality of insulation.
A sturdy build not only ensures your pellet smoker is strong and durable but also gives it a sleek look. Most pellet smokers are made of either porcelain or stainless steel. Stainless steel smokers tend to have a sturdier build and are usually more long-lasting. The Fast Eddys By Cookshack FEC100 Pellet Smoker Oven have a stainless steel body which gives it a sturdy build.
This is an important factor to consider since the size and dimensions of the pellet smoker should be convenient for you. The size matters a lot since you will have to make room to place the pellet smoker and also store it later if need be.
Weight is also an important factor to consider. Some pellet smokers that are too bulky and heavy become hard to carry. It gets difficult to transport them to different locations. If you are looking for a lightweight option, then check out the PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker which only weighs 97 pounds.
When it comes to purchasing expensive cooking equipment, it is best to play it safe. So make sure the pellet smoker you pick has a good warranty. Warranty can be a life-saver if there is some issue in the build quality of your smoker or if something goes wrong. The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker has a warranty of a mind-blowing 5 years!
We have explored in great detail some of the best vertical pellet smokers and what factors you should consider before making a purchase.
Our Editor’s Choice is the Pit Boss Grills 77550 5.5 Pellet Smoker which has been rated highly for its versatility, amazing cooking space, and user-friendly interface!
Our Premium Pick is the Fast Eddys by Cookshack FEC100 Pellet Smoker Oven which comes with an entirely unique design and a sturdy stainless-steel body.
The PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker is our best value pick as it is a compact and economical option compared to the others.
You should also consider our most efficient and the largest pick as the PIT BOSS PB5000SP Wood Pellet Smoker and Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker respectively. They are both sturdy and reliable options as well.
We wish you luck in your journey of picking the best vertical pellet smoker and hope you are able to make the right decision!
Happy cooking!
