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BBQ smokers present new adventures in summer barbecuing . They range from small steel smokers that are simple to use all the way up to brick smoke houses and grills installed in a counter in the kitchen. You can employ propane to heat the wood chips, but the fans will swear that charcoal is the only way to go .

A lot of charcoal grills and smokers are pill- or barrel-shaped and stand upright. A few barrel-shaped smokers sit horizontally and have legs with wheels, the same as regular grills. The charcoal and wood chips sit on the bottom, and a couple of grilling racks provide an area to smoke at various temperatures.

Depending on their make and sophistication, BBQ smokers go in cost from 55 bucks to 2,000 bucks and more . A few have multiple doors so you can check on the meat without opening the lid and letting a lot of heat escape . Others come with a water pan for steam smoking. Some have chimneys, others have vents. Others are smokers on stands , others are equipped with baskets, tables, enormous grilling space, several cooking compartments and more. The fanciest have separate smoke areas and stainless steel counter space.

While many charcoal BBQ smokers have thermometers standard, a lot of smoker reviews complain that they’re worthless and recommend buying a proper meat thermometer. Other reviewers said they found little advantage in stainless steel shells over the less costly powder black coating on steel.

There are many fewer propane -powered smokers and while gas BBQ smokers are inexpensive, reviews said that they run too hot. One benefit, however, is that propane smokers eliminate the need to open the lids to pile on more , keeping the smoking compartment a consistent temperature.

Smaller upright smokers are compact and made for a couple smoking ribs or pork chops . The larger horizontal smokers are good for having parties.

Because smokers can get very hot, use your head when smoking with them on wooden decks. Check with your apartment or condominium managers to check if they are allowed. Managers sometimes think they’re a greater fire risk because they are left unattended for longer periods of time than a conventional grill.

BBQ smokers and reviews suggest making notes each time you smoke meat, so you’ll be able to adjust temperatures, the kinds of wood to use with certain meats, and how long to smoke.

Look out for BBQ Smokers at a BBQ Sale and you could save $$$$