Do you love smoked foods? Many people do, and if you haven't tried smoked foods, maybe it's time. Serious connoisseurs of smoking like to tell others that you truly haven't barbequed until you've tended a fire all day to get that perfect smoked brisket, or pulled pork. After all, smoking is the process of Barbecue. Sure, grilling is a lot of fun, but if you are serious about barbequing, you should look into buying a smoker.

There are two basic categories of smokers. There are the vertical water smokers and the Barbeque Pit or Dry Smoker. Within each, there are several different models and styles from which to choose.

Vertical Water Smokers

Vertical water smokers are said to resemble a trash can in terms of its look. They are also often referred to as a bullet smoker. In a vertical water smoker, a water pan typically sits between the heat source and the food and helps regulated the temperature. This ensures that the heat is kept near 212 degrees or the boiling point of water. There are four types of vertical water smokers: the gas, electric, charcoal and wood burning smoker.

Wood burning smokers are often referred to as the traditional or original smoker. These types of smokers take some practice to use and to perfect the smoking process. Learning the right woods to burn (fire has to be clean), how hot your fire needs to be and how your smoker reacts will require a bit of patience and practice. Those who use this type of traditional smoker swear by the taste of the meat. For many, you can't beat the natural smokey flavors you can achieve with the right wood.

Charcoal smokers do require a bit of work and attention, but are affordable and provide a good flavor. Small charcoal fire smokers are highly portable and easy to use. As with a wood fire, you can expect to spend some time tending the fire. If you'd prefer not doing that for a long period of time (some smoking processes depending on the meat can take up to 8 hours), consider a gas or electric smoker.

Gas and electric smokers are convenient and easy to use. Many gas smokers are portable and can travel easily with you, as long as you keep the gas tank full.

With an electric, you get the added bonus of not depending upon any type of fuel source. You just set the temperature and go. Unfortunately, they can't go with you unless you are going to be near a power source. Serious Barbequers are not all that impressed though with the electric smokers often making a comparison between a microwave and fine cooking. They view an electric smoker as a microwave in the sense that it is definitely convenient to use, but not a lot of fun!

Barbeque Pits or Dry Smokers

Professional Barbequers tend to favor a more traditional approach which involves using a barbeque pit-style smoker that uses dry heat as a source to smoke. These types of smokers often feature an offset firebox on one side of the grill and a cooking chamber on the other. Dry smokers do not require charcoal or gas. Instead, they use split logs which serves as their dry heat source. The down side to using wood means that you must constantly maintain the fire to keep the smoker at its target temperature.

Many Barbequers feel that the dry heat source provides a more intense, smokey flavor. Since meats are further away from the heat source, the cooking process is slower and longer. Slower cooking translates into more intense flavor.

For many, the first consideration when selecting a smoker is going to be price. With a wide selection and variety of smokers from which to choose, everyone from beginning smokers to expert smokers will find something within their price range. The general rule of thumb for many when purchasing a smoker is to buy the best smoker you can afford and justify. It may help to purchase that higher-end smoker if you look at it as a long term investment. Many smokers are built to last for years. That's years of smoking enjoyment and tasty meals.

After considering price, also think about:

Fuel

As mentioned, smokers are designed to use a variety of fuel sources. How readily available the fuel source is and how potentially expensive it may become can be a major factor in selecting a smoker. Remember, depending on what you are smoking, you are going to have to use a fuel source, outside of electric, which will require re-supplying for anywhere up to eight hours.

Also if you can't see yourself diligently tending a charcoal or wood fire for long periods of time, you may prefer a gas or electric smoker. However, the flavor from a gas or electric smoker may not be as intense or flavorful as authentic wood or charcoal.

Capacity

How many people do you intend to cook for? Will it just be immediate family and a few friends or are you a hard-core smoker or professional who will cook for anyone and everyone? Again, it’s important to keep in mind how long meats are going to take to cook. If typical cooking times can run upwards of eight hours, you are going to want enough space to smoke everything you want to smoke in one batch.

Portability 

Smokers can range from small and portable grills that are easy to carry to large units that mount onto trailers. Charcoal smokers are generally more portable than gas or electric smokers and are lighter in weight for easier portability.

Air Flow Control 

Look for units that have adjustable vents. The ideal temperature for smoking is 200 to 250 degrees. Smokers that have a good venting system will allow for better control of air flow and temperature to maintain that heat.

The Cimarron Limited Heavy-Gauge Charcoal/Wood Smoker & Grill is constructed of fully welded, 1/4 inch thick steel and heavy-duty hinged lids. The recessed lids provide an airtight fit to keep heat and smoke inside. The adjustable side air vents on the firebox and smokestack damper combine to regulate heat and smoke. The large firebox allows for longer cooking times and also converts easily into a grill for cooking smaller meals. Features a temperature gauge, rust resistant steel cooking grills for easy clean-up, hinged firebox door for removing ash, chrome handles that stay cool, extra-large steel condiment shelf for large platters, grease hole in cooking chamber to allow drippings to flow into a grease can, and tough heavy-duty extra large steel wheels and end handle for easy movement. Comes with a 75 year warranty.

The Brinkmann Vertical Smoker will add great smoky flavor to your meat with this affordable, heavy-duty steel charcoal smoker. This smoker is able to hold up to 50 lbs. of meat. The smoker has a space-saving vertical design with a large, locking front door for easy access to food, water and charcoal pans.

It also comes with four adjustable air vents to control heat and smoke, plus a professional temperature gauge. Inside, the smoker has a sturdy chrome wire handle that stays cool to the touch and porcelain-coated water and charcoal pans that slide out for easy clean-up.

There is nothing like the rich taste of wood smoke flavor in barbecued food and the Little Louie Wood Pellet Grill/Barbecue/Smoker proves that. With Louisiana convection oven BBQs, you will enjoy the succulent taste of locked in flavor, smoked or grilled to your liking. Louisiana Grills truly take cooking with wood to the next level.

The Weber "Smokey Mountain" Charcoal Cooker-Smoker is considered to be one of the best charcoal bullet style smokers on the market. Three airflow vents and removable fuel door makes it easy to smoke! This smoker divides into three sections and can even smoke a turkey and a ham at the same time.

Brinkmann's Gourmet Charcoal Smoker Grill is a double grill charcoal smoker with heat indicator and front hinged door. It can convert easily into a charcoal grill. The included two chrome plated steel grills allow you 50 lbs. of cooking capacity.

The Smoke'N Grill Gas Smoker & Grill is a double grill gas smoker with heat indicator and automatic Piezo quartz ignition. Converts easily to a gas grill if needed. The base pan houses an 18,000 BTU stainless steel burner and lava rocks. The two chrome-plated steel grills have a 50 lb. capacity.

The Great Outdoors Grill Co. 34" Smoky Mountain Gas Smoker helps you satisfy that craving for smoked barbecue. This gas smoker will satisfy, and with no charcoal to deal with, cleanup is a breeze. Gas power keeps the heat well-regulated, so you can smoke with confidence. This model's 7,616 cubic inches of cooking capacity is ideal for large families.

Old Smokey's Electric Smoker requires no water. The sealed lid of this electric smoker captures the meat's juices that add to its great taste. Flat–top design provides constant, even basting for more flavorful food. Comes with two cooking racks, drip pan, smoking chips and carrying handles.

The Electric Combo Water Smoker by Mecco Grills gets the job done in half the time. The interlocking base and body section provides 351 square inches of usable cooking surface. The two nickel-plated cooking grids with convenient handles allows for two-level cooking. Sliding access doors lets you easily check and add to the water and wood chip levels.

Smokers are available in a wide range of styles. Prices can range from $50 to $5000 depending on the size, type and quality selected. In the case of smokers, many will agree that spending a little extra will definitely get you better quality, more features and longer life. Super-low priced smokers tend to be low quality, lightweight and flimsy. This in turn will lead you to higher fuel costs and more difficulty in maintaining that needed consistent smoking temperature. So, for a little extra investment, and it is an investment, you can get a better unit that will last you longer.

Charcoal water smokers are considered one of the best values for beginning smokers. Many units start out at under $50. If you are leaning toward a gas or electric unit, you can find a solid smoker for under $100. If you have your heart set on a wood-fired pit smoker, expect to see prices that range from $200 to $600. A good quality wood-fired pit smoker will probably set you back $500. However, many of these units are designed to provide you several years of smoking bliss.