9 Best Drum Smoker Complete Reviews and Buying Guide

The more you know about smoking, the more you’ll be surprised. Drum smokers are a popular choice among the many different types of smokers available on the market.

Smoking with the best drum smoker produces superior outcomes while requiring less effort. Drum smokers are ideal for smoking ribs, brisket, or chicken because they have a large capacity and cook food faster than the ordinary smoker.

Some people have had great success cooking hot and fast in a drum, which allows them to cook a complete packer brisket in a fraction of the time that they would have otherwise.

Here you’ll find a list of the best drum smokers accessible, based on our investigation. This eliminates the need for you to sift through hundreds of different types of smokers on the market.

Top Drum Smokers

Examine the best drum smokers in this article and choose the most appropriate model to meet up your requirements and needs.

9 Best Drum Smokers Review 2023

The traits you are searching for should be taken into consideration when considering buying the best drum smoker that consumers can afford. The size and capacity of a model are important considerations since they influence the quantity of food that can be prepared.

To get the most out of your smoker, choose a model that is built to last and has features that are simple to use.

1. Classic Pit Barrel Cooker Drum Smoker

The most popular item Our preferred best drum smoker is the Classic Pit Barrel Cooker, which is 18.5″ in diameter. One of the main selling points of this popular “set it and forget it” drum smoker is that it is operated by a veteran-owned US business.

The Classic Pit Barrel Cooker has a steel construction with porcelain-enameled inside ensuring long-lasting performance and easy cleaning. Simply dump your ashes and you’re done with the cleaning.

Assembling the handles is all that’s required to get begun smoking with the Pit Barrel; it’s that easy.

Because there are no complicated gauges or controls, you can simply follow the directions and fire your drum smoker. Smoking eight racks at a time are possible because of the large amount of vertically hanging space, making it suitable for large gatherings of family and friends.

Customize your setup with corn hangers, turkey hangers, and hinged grates among many other accessories available.

This Classic Pit Barrel Cooker drum smoker delivers unrivaled flavor because of its 360-degree All-Round Heat Dynamics, which allows the fluids from the meat to drip into your coals, resulting in exceptionally soft meat with that trademark smoky flavor.

Because of this, the Classic Pit Barrel Cooker has unprecedented ease of use and setup, as well as its large capacity and low price, it is our top-of-the-line drum smoker.

Alternatively, if you require additional space, you can upgrade to the 22.5′′ PBX.

2. Oklahoma Joe’s 19202099 Drum Smoker

If you want a drum smoker that can handle the demands of competition, go no further than Oklahoma Joe’s Drum Smoker.

Precision management and customization possibilities, together with upgraded fuel power and cooking space, make it ideal for demanding professionals. The Bronco Pro comes through when the going gets tough.

The use of a specialized airflow control system allows for consistent and accurate control of smoking temperature. Its huge, 21.5-inch-diameter cooking surface, combined with a 17-pound fuel capacity, results in performance that is on par with competitors.

Because of its big wagon-style wheels and heavy-gauge steel construction, the Bronco Pro is extremely mobile and easy to load onto trailers.

This straightforward cart is strong and sturdy, and it has a large capacity for holding smoking materials and other items.

This is a very simple way to get started in the smoking pastime since it includes a competition-ready, strong smoker that comes with a number of hooks and an interior that is surprisingly easy to clean.

The Bronco’s huge grilling grate and numerous meat racks allow it to smoke big amounts of meat without being enormous or unmanageable. Its all-steel design is tough and durable, but its porcelain finish makes it simple to clean.

Overall, it is the best drum smoker for home usage that can also produce competition-worthy smoked meats.

3. Orion Cooker Convection BBQ Drum Smoker

Despite the fact that it appears to be simple, it offers a surprising level of performance. Smoking with this smoker is a breeze because of its thick stainless steel body and optimal airflow, which makes it simple to use while still delivering excellent results.

The Orion Cooker is a hybrid smoker that contains characteristics of both drum-style and vertical smokers. It is a compact but well-made smoker that is ideal for novices.

Because it’s constructed completely of stainless steel and uses an innovative indirect heating method, this long-lasting smoker is extremely forgiving when it comes to cooking mistakes.

The Orion has plenty of area for smoking big amounts of meat, thanks to its cooking grate and hanging racks.

In comparison to other vertical smokers, Orion’s indirect heating achieved by putting the charcoal around the base rather than inside it generates a convection current that evenly cooks anything in its drum.

Overall, this is a wonderful portable drum smoker that is small enough for beginning BBQ fans to learn the ropes on, and it is offered at an unbelievable price.

4. Gateway Barbecue Drum Smoker-55 Gallon Capacity

For maximum temperature control, even without the use of an automatic controller, this smoker has two superb air vents. This is made easier by the thermometer’s accuracy and ability to instruct new smokers on the optimum temperatures for specific tasks.

While being the biggest drum smoker in our assessment, the Gateway Drum Smokers 55 gallons BBQ smoker is also the one that is the most similar in appearance to the original DIY smokers that were made popular by barbecue contests.

If you want to smoke a lot of food, this drum smoker has a lot of space and good temperature control. It’s a crazy expensive but not overly expensive drum smoker that can be used in restaurants and at home.

The huge charcoal basket on the Gateway Drum Smoker might just be our favorite aspect of the whole thing. It can hold up to 10 pounds of charcoal and burn for up to 14 hours on a single filling, which is considerably more prolonged than any other smoker we examined.

There’s no other smoker we’d rather use for smoking whole pig butts, beef brisket, and big chops than the Smokey Mountain.

As you might think, this 55-gallon barrel smoker is extremely tough and sturdy, as well as being extremely easy to clean. That it came completely constructed, complete with welded joints and handles, was something we couldn’t find in any other smoker we tested, which was a nice touch.

5. Weber 14-inch Smokey Mountain Portable Smoker

With the Smokey Mountain Cooker from Weber, you’re getting a product from one of the country’s most venerable portable smoker and barbecue companies. The weight of this offset smoker is much less than that of many other bulkier models, making it a more practical and portable option.

We appreciate the fact that this weber smokey mountain cooker charcoal grill and smoker are intended to boost the absorption of smoky flavor into meats during cooking.

There is no substitute for a traditional charcoal barbeque when it concerns mobility. As if that wasn’t enough, Weber is the industry’s most popular smoker.

Cooking on the fly has never been easier thanks to the Smokey Mountain Cooker, which is both high-quality and simple to use.

Its porcelain-enameled shell, along with its rust-resistant easy dump ash pan and a solidly built-in stand, should ensure that the Smokey Mountain lasts for many years beyond its generous 10-year guarantee.

Furthermore, the huge size, wood chip tray, removable fuel door, combined with the easy-to-clean inside, makes it a breeze to clean when it’s time to pack up and head out on the road.

This award-winning smoker, which is present in three sizes ranging from the extremely lightweight 14′′ to the massive 22′′ monster, takes advantage of its vertical design to expedite cooking times, allowing you to spend less time is required for your hungry guests to do anything.

It’s no wonder that the 14-inch Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker earned our designation as one of the best bargain smokers on the market, given how well it performs at home.

6. Big Bad Barrel Pit Drum Smoker EasyGoProducts

The majority of drum smokers are used for a single purpose: to smoke, of course. The “Big Bad Barrel” pit smoker from EasyGoProducts, on the other hand, was a complete surprise.

It’s a veritable outdoor kitchen, with five grilling capabilities in a single device, as well as equipment for cooking with your smoked meats.

Heat is continually maintained at 225 degrees in the Big Bad barrel, which is the optimal temperature for smoking. You may regulate the temperature by opening and closing the lid’s top vent. Because the barrel is heated uniformly, the meat is cooked to a perfect doneness throughout. According to the thickness and type of meat, smoking takes anywhere from two to six hours.

This heavy-duty grill is constructed with high-quality materials to withstand the rigors of heavy-duty cooking. The grill will always be able to keep up with you!

If you want to cook meat or pizza, you may use the movable rack on the bottom of the barrel as a barbeque smoker, or you can use the barrel as a kid safety barrel by raising or lowering the height of the barrel. You can also hang the meat from the barrel like you would with any other type of vertical smoker.

Can use Big Bad Barrel for more than just grilling in the backyard! In addition to being an excellent tailgate grill, it may also be used as a campfire grill in the winter, an outdoor oven, a pit barrel, or a barrel smoker.

7. Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical Drum Smoker

Kitchenware and appliances manufacturer Cuisinart offers a diverse selection of visually appealing, functional products that are also reasonably priced. Another great illustration of why this product has so many followers throughout the world is this charcoal smoker.

Large families will benefit from the extra cooking space provided by this oven’s 500 square inch cooking surface, despite its small (18-inch diameter) size.

Its subtle black finish will make it a lovely feature to any patio or decking area, no matter how little.

The above-described large cooking area is made possible by two stainless steel racks.

In order to get to the smoker, you don’t have to bend over, because the entrance has vertical hinges.

All of your favorite foods, from cheese and vegetables to fish and meat may be smoked in this device with minimal effort on your part.

Because of the adjustable vents, it is simple to regulate the amount of heat and smoke produced.

Whether you’re looking for a charcoal smoker that’s easy to transport or a permanent fixture in your backyard, this is a great option.

8. Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Smoker 

If you frequently barbecue and smoke meals, the Dyna-Glo Signature Series Smoker is a great option and one of the best drum smokers. This gadget should offer you years of reliable service if you take care of it.

The entire cooking surface size is a gigantic 1382 square inches, and it’s made of tough steel. In order to meet customer requirements, the Dyna-Glo is the best in its class. Even if you have a large family or frequently entertain large groups of people, this item can hold an enormous amount of food and yet fit comfortably within.

Cooking is an option, too, if you choose. Moreover, the multi-tiered cooking environment provides the utmost flexibility, with lots of hanging hooks for all of your favorite meats and seafood.

All of your grilling and smoking preferences are accounted for with a temperature thermometer that shows separate zones for each method of cooking.

In order to facilitate easy access to the charcoal, the pan and grate are positioned at an angle.

Even though this smoker has received mostly positive feedback from customers, there are mixed feelings about the quality of the company’s customer support services. In the event of a setback, be sure to bring plenty of tolerance with you.

9. Barton Multi-Function Barrel Pit Drum Smoker

You can take the Barton Barrel Pit best drum Smoker anyplace, whether you’re going camping or throwing a party. It weighs only 19.6 pounds.

The stainless steel grilling grate, six stainless steel hooks, and three more utensils are included in the lightweight variant. The cooking grate features a height-adjustable feature that allows you to move the food closer or further away from the flames.

The 246-square-inch cooking space of this model makes it capable of preparing a lot of food. In addition, the model is equipped with a lid that contains a thermometer for monitoring the cooking temperature of the smoker. Smokers include built-in ventilation systems that make distributing heat easier.

Because the metallic handles grow heated, you should wear gloves when handling them. This three-part smoker may be easily erected and dismantled as needed because it is made up of three distinct sections.

If you’re looking for the best drum smoker that’s easy to move or store like other drum smokers, look no further. This smoker is perfect for the job. You have 30 days to return a defective smoker if you discover it during your testing period.

Consider the Following Things When Buying a Drum Smoker:

When purchasing a smoker for outdoor use when electricity is not possible, a pellet grill smoker or electric smoker may not be the best drum smoker; however, portable or drum smokers will function quite well in this situation.

https://youtu.be/qPPOnNUGYCM

Cooking Space

One of the most crucial factors to consider when purchasing a drum smoker is how much food it can hold at one time. In terms of plated steel cooking grates, the more substantial the smoker, the better!

Smoking meat for 10 to 18 hours, or even longer for very large pieces, necessitates a large grill with plenty of room for the charcoal that is used in the process. An 8-pound capacity charcoal basket is a good starting point.

You may adjust the temperature of your meats by changing air vents or using multi-level racks. You can monitor your smoker’s temperature without having to open the cover and lose heat by using an integrated thermometer.

Dimension

In view of the fact that drum smokers are built on 55-gallon and 30-gallon containers, these two sizes tend to be the most popular. The Pit Barrel Junior, for example, is a 16-gallon drum variant that is available in a variety of sizes.

In spite of the fact that they are less powerful, smaller models are more convenient to transport and may be used for tailgating, camping, and trips to the beach and friends’ houses.

Another aspect to bear in mind is that larger versions feature a bigger fire basket or oversized charcoal basket that can hold more coals. This means that most of the larger models will burn for a longer period of time than the smaller ones.

Material and construction durability

When shopping for a drum smoker, make sure to opt for one that’s built to last and composed of sturdy materials.

Most drum smokers are constructed of extremely robust steel, which is frequently coated with a weather-resistant coating to ensure that your drum smoker can withstand the elements.

Porcelain enamel is a common choice for the coating on the interior of some models. This helps to protect your drum, enhances heat retention, and makes cleaning your smoker a lot less difficult.

You should also verify the materials used to construct the numerous handles, grates, and hanging rods to confirm that they are all of the same high quality.

Expense

Despite their recent resurgence in popularity, the majority of drum smokers are still quite affordable. While you can spend more money on more costly versions, you won’t see the same boost in performance as you would with your ordinary drum smokers when you spend more money.

Despite the fact that more expensive versions may include additional features, you can often smoke meat just as well and as easily with a mid-range or lower-priced model.

If affordability is a concern, you can always elect to make your own drum smoker, which will save you several hundreds of dollars in the process of buying one. Unlike other outdoor cooking gadgets, most drum smokers don’t rely on pricing to determine the performance levels.

FAQ’s

Here added some drum smoker-related frequently asked questions.

In order to smoke, what sort of drum smokers do you use?

For an excellent BBQ grill and smoker, you only need a 55-gallon steel drum, some power tools, and a little elbow sweat.

What are the benefits of drum smokers?

Most other forms of charcoal smokers give subpar results with a lot more work than drum smokers do. Drum smokers are ideal for smoking ribs, brisket, or chicken because they have a large capacity and cook food faster than the ordinary smoker.

What exactly is the purpose of an upright drum smoker?

This is how it all works. Simple and straightforward, the drum smoker is nothing more than a metal drum with a firebox at the bottom and a cooking rack affixed to it on top. Heating and cooling controls can be adjusted via vents built into each part of this appliance and the entire unit is sealed together to avoid smoke escapes.

Is it possible to use a drum smoker to cook food low and slow?

A Gateway Drum Smoker’s adaptability is, in fact, one of its many outstanding advantages. If you’re cooking Low and Slow, you may want to reduce the intakes and use a water pan instead of the Gateway Drum Smokers, which are built to cook Hot and Fast.

What is the substance that is used in the smoking method?

Meat and other things are smoked using a fire to cook. The smoky flavor is achieved by the best drum smoker is cooking the dish over wood chips, which are placed on the fire during the cooking process. Smoking and drying are two different things. Food preservation is just a minor benefit of smoking because it imparts flavor to meat, fish, and poultry.