Electric smokers can get quite expensive as well, so be sure that you are really interested in smoking meats before you put down your money on one of these units.

Kamado Grill

You probably recognize Kamado Grills, as they have been made quite popular by the Big Green Egg brand. While they might seem relatively new, they actually use technology that dates back thousands of years! The design is actually based on old clay ovens.

A Kamado Grill uses thick, ceramic walls to keep the heat in. The Kamado grill is built similarly to a traditional BBQ. The food is placed on a grate, and the heat comes from below. The Kamado burns wood chips to produce the smoke, and there is a water tray placed above the chips to add additional moisture and control the smoke levels. The smoke is also managed by vents on the top of the grill.

Kamados often have dual functionality as well, and are able to be used as a traditional home barbecue.

Kamado Grills definitely owe their vast popularity to the Big Green Egg, but there are actually many other brands available.

Pros and Cons:

Unlike the two smokers we mentioned above, Kamado Grills are closer to the “traditional smoking” experience. You have to add wood chips, and the smoke is more difficult to manage. There can be quite a learning curve if you expect to master this grill. From keeping a consistent amount of smoke, to keeping a consistent temperature, to managing it all with the vents on top of the grill. This is quite a complex grill, but the results are more than worth it.

This brings us to the pros. Simply put, these things make fantastic meals when you learn to use them properly. The thick wall keep moisture and heat inside the grill, which results in some delicious, juicy cuts of slow-cooked meat. So long as you take the time to learn how to use the grill properly, you will be rewarded for your efforts.