Content Summary

Summertime is the best time of year to gather with family and friends for some good old-fashioned fun. Like nicknaming your smoker. And let's be honest, what's better than grilling steaks and burgers out in the backyard?

Vertical pellet smokers are much in demand. If you're looking for the best one on the market, look no further! In this blog post, we will review some of the best vertical pellet smokers on the market.

We'll discuss features, benefits, and why these appliances are a must-have for any summer gathering!

How We Spotlight The Best Vertical Pellet Smokers

It's tough to discover which vertical pellet smoker suits your needs.

With so many different brands and models on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you without spending hours researching.

We did all the research for you and spotlighted the five best vertical pellet smokers based on their capacity, versatility, design, simplicity of operation, and convenience of use.

Check out our finds to spot the best vertical pellet smoker that fits both your cooking demands and your kitchen design. Pick the one that is best for you.

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Cuisinart COS-330 Vertical Electric Smoker

Best Choice For Its Durability

Cuisinart COS-330 Vertical Electric Smoker

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Why We Spotlight It

The Cuisinart Electric Smoker is the perfect addition to any outdoor kitchen. With its compact footprint, it takes up minimal space on patios, decks, and balconies.

This amazing device is perfect for smoking all of your favorite foods, and it's super easy to use. Just set the temperature and close the vertical smoker door, then sit back and relax. Your food will be cooked to perfection in no time.

What Makes It Catchy

The Cuisinart Electric Smoker is a versatile and compact vertical smoker that is perfect for smoking a variety of foods, including vegetables, beef, pork, chicken, ribs, seafood, fish, and large cuts of meat.

With a generous 548 square inches of interior cooking space, this vertical pellet smoker includes three removable chrome plated racks that can be arranged for smoking whole birds and large cuts of meat.

Things You Should Know

Vertical pellet smokers use wood chips to infuse food with smoky flavor, and it has a built-in temperature gauge to ensure that food is cooked to perfection in its generous cooking space.

It also has a drip tray to catch any drips or juices, and it comes with a water pan to add moisture to the smoking process.

Racks and trays are easy to clean, making this vertical pellet smoker a perfect choice for those who want an easy-to-use and easy-to-clean smoker.

This appliance is great for parties and gatherings. Impress your friends and family with deliciously smoked BBQ meals. It's a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime. In the world of vertical wood pellet smokers this one stands out. So don't wait any longer, order your Cuisinart vertical pellet smoker.

Pit Boss Grills PBV3A1 Electric Smoker

Best Choice For Its Simplicity of Use

Pit Boss Grills PBV3A1 Electric Smoker

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Why We Spotlight It

If you love the taste of smoked food but don't want to deal with the hassle of using a traditional smoker, then the Pit Boss Electric Smoker is the best choice for you.

This unit is extremely easy to use, with built-in controls that make it a breeze to get it up and running. An integrated analog control makes it a breeze to get the perfect smoking temperature and deliver super delicious foods.

On top of that, the oversized front load wood pellets tray makes it easy to infuse flavor into your food, giving you up to two hours of smoking time per load.

What Makes It Catchy

The stylish navy blue semi-gloss finish is sure to impress your party crowd. This top vertical pellet smoker features a large viewing window that eliminates the need for peek-a-boo cooking. Meaning you can keep an eye on your food at all times.

Additionally, its elevated frame makes transferring your meal from the smoker to the table a breeze – no more struggling to carry heavy dishes!

With rear wheels and a handle for easy mobility, you can take your Pit Boss Electric Smoker wherever you go. Whether you’re new to smoking or a seasoned expert, experience how Pit Boss redefines the smoker industry in your own backyard today!

Things You Should Know

The Pit Boss Grill and Smoker has a fine temperature range. You can reach temperatures as low as 100°F (for slow-cooking and smoking meats) and as high as 325°F thanks to the double walled cabinet and 1650 watts of power.

This upright pellet smoker differs from other pellet smokers. It features an impressive 684 square inches of cooking space, 4 porcelain coated cooking racks, an analog meat probe, smart smoke technology, a roomy cooking chamber and a great cooking capacity, an adequate hopper capacity, and an external heat indicator.

It also features an front loading wood chip tray, to easily add more wood chips if needed. Plus, the porcelain coated wood chip pan and water pan help to prevent sticking and rusting, while the analog meat probe lets you monitor the internal temperature of your food.

When you're done cooking, the external grease pan makes cleanup a snap. So if you're looking for an electric smoker that is both simple to use and packed with features, then this is one of those upright pellet smokers that is the perfect choice for you.

Bradley 4-Rack Electric Outdoor BBQ Smoker

Best Choice For Its High End Quality

Bradley 4-Rack Electric Outdoor BBQ Smoker

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Why We Spotlight It

Admittedly, this is not one of the most affordable pellet grills. Still, within its high end category it definitely deserves to be labelled "low-cost".

Prepare a feast using only the finest ingredients, with the Bradley smoker's top-notch technology, high-quality materials and powder coated steel.

This remarkable vertical pellet smoker has a high-quality insulated double-wall carbon steel construction to prepare delicious meals smoking through a stainless steel interior and like all Bradleys, a good-looking and durable powder epoxy exterior.

The Bradley Smoker is one of the only vertical pellet smokers that uses 100% natural hardwood briquettes. These briquettes are made from Bradley's own recipe of hardwoods, giving your food a unique flavor.

What Makes It Catchy

This vertical pellet smoker has two independent temperature control systems. One for the oven and one for the smoker. You can set each of them to the temperature you need for your meal. This gives you more control over the cooking process and of course, the final product a meal your guests will never forget.

The smoke diffuser system maintains the flow of smoke, eliminating the old smoke and preventing "black rain" from falling onto your delicious smoked food.

Someone at Bradley's has been listening carefully to users of smokers, and come up with some technical innovations that will help define the future of pellet grills and smokers.

Four fully supported, detachable racks mean it can go for 9 hours without wood refill. The multi-rack design allows for smoking a variety of dishes at the same time. The four standard smoking racks can be removed for easy cleaning.

Did we mention this model's large oven capacity, cooking surface and grilling space? This alone sets this grill apart from other pellet grills.

Things You Should Know

The 572 (4" x 11" x 13") square inches of cooking surface allow you to feed a family, a small group or a large gathering whether you are smoking turkey, chicken, ribs, brisket, or other meats. When not in use, the Bradley Digital Smoker can be stored in a small space.

The Bradley Digital Smoker features an automatic shut-off, a built-in meat probe thermometer, and an external temperature display.

All of the features of the Bradley Original, as well as new technology, are included in the Bradley Digital Food Smoker! For parents looking for a no-babysitting, no-hustle experience, temperature, time, and smoke are now all completely controllable. This may well be the best pellet smoker for your money.

The full stainless steel construction is polished and insulated for ease of cleaning and durability. The double-wall exterior is made of powder epoxy coated carbon steel for strength and stability, with a heat-resistant black paint finish. The interior stainless steel construction is simple to maintain and will not rust.

Reliable pellet grills are easy to find. The Bradley vertical pellet smoker may belong to the range of expensive vertical pellet smokers, but given all it has to offer, it earns its place among best budget vertical pellet smokers.

Masterbuilt MB20071117-30 inch Electric Smoker

Best Choice For Its Economic Price

Masterbuilt MB20071117-30 inch Electric Smoker

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Why We Spotlight It

If you're looking to get into smoking meat, or you want to become a pro who wants a faster and an easier way to do it, the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is perfect for you.

You'll get great results without having to mess with charcoal or propane, and the thermostat control ensures even and consistent smoking. It looks and functions a top of the line, but the price will surprise you.

What Makes It Catchy

Get the perfectly smoked food every time with the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. This vertical pellet smoker is perfect for smoking up to 6 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 racks of ribs, or 4 pork butts. The slow smoker option is a perfect cooking assistant that can handle cheese, fish, bacon, jerky, and so much more.

With its increased height and mobility thanks to the leg kit with wheels, this vertical pellet smoker is perfect for smoking at lower temperatures over longer periods of time.

Things You Should Know

The patented side wood chip loader lets you experiment with flavor without opening the smoker door, while four chrome-coated racks providing plenty of room to smoke your chosen meats.

Additionally, the tough and durable polyurethane-coated cover protects your vertical pellet smoker from the elements.

With its fully-insulated body, it retains heat perfectly, ensuring that your food is cooked evenly and thoroughly every time.

Additionally, its comfortable, heat-resistant gloves make it easy to handle hot food without risking burns.

Whether you're grilling, smoking, frying, or carving, this gadget is the perfect choice for those who want to get serious about best results of smoking their food at the most economic price.

Masterbuilt MB20051316-40 inch Electric Smoker

Best Choice For Its Large Capacity

Masterbuilt MB20051316-40 inch Electric Smoker

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Why We Spotlight It

The safety shut-off valve provides a safe smoking experience. The 40-inch ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker makes smoking simple and safe.

No more monitoring or adjusting temperature. Patented thermostat innovation lets you set the desired temperature and walk away. You can trust your Masterbuilt vertical pellet smoker will do the work.

What Makes It Catchy

The smoker is simple to set up and the pellet grill can start smoking in no time. The unit includes a digital control panel that makes it easy to set both temperature and time.

This gas-fueled pellet grill and smoker includes four racks, each with six height settings to accommodate a variety of foods. It has plenty of room with a total of an amazing 961 square inches of cooking space, unique among vertical pellet smokers.

With its large cooking area you can smoke up to 16 chickens, 6 turkeys, 8 racks of ribs, or 8 pork butts. With Masterbuilt, you'll be a pro in no time.

Things You Should Know.

The thermostat adjustment range is from 175°F to 350°F. The heat diffuser distributes the heat uniformly from the burner, allowing for a much broader temperature range than most other cooktops.

This vertical pellet smoker can cook up to 57 hours (based on 430,000 BTUs when full, 7,500 BTUs/hour) with a 20-pound tank of propane (not included). You will not find electric smokers or any charcoal smokers who match that number of hours.

The bottom door is made of stainless-steel. The wood chip tray and chrome-coated smoking racks allow for quick removal and cleaning. For rapid cleanup, the side-mounted grease tray is accessible.

For easy transportation, simply lift the handle and wheels. The foldable legs provide stability and mobility.

Best Vertical Pellet Smoker FAQs

What are the best vertical pellet smokers? One of the most popular outdoor cooking appliances for summer days is a pellet grill and smoker. Vertical pellet smokers are for those who love slow cooking.

There are so many models out on the market, it can be hard to know which vertical smokers will work well with your lifestyle. We've put together this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

These are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding how vertical smokers work and what foods you may cook, as well as what capacity is required and what measures you must take to keep it operating.

What is the difference between a horizontal and a vertical pellet smoker?

The key difference between a horizontal and a vertical pellet smoker: a vertical pellet smoker is purely for 'going low and slow', typically around 250 degrees. A vertical pellet smoker cannot grill at temperatures of 450 degrees and above. Only some horizontal smokers can.

Are pellet smokers worth it?

Pellet smoker grills are worth it, if you want to bring grilling to the next level by adding a smoky flavor to the meat. Regular grilling is fine when you want to cook a few steaks, pulled pork, brisket, ribs or burgers.

If you want to get the most out of a grill, and get even more delicious smoky steak and burgers, consider buying a pellet smoker.

Horizontal smokers are good at fast cooking. Vertical smokers are great at slow cooking and slow smoking meats.

What tastes better, charcoal or pellets?

Although wood pellets cause a fine smoky taste, most people prefer charcoal over pellets. The smoke-infused flavor is richer. It doesn’t matter what you're cooking, if it’s with charcoal, the taste is hard to beat.

Still, taste is very personal; so never disagree about taste. Especially when smoked meat is concerned.

Can I put wood chips in my pellet smoker?

Yes, you can use wood chips in a vertical pellet smoker to add this nice smoky flavor to the meat. But make sure you pack the wood chips tightly; this will improve the burning efficiency - just make sure you don't pack them too tightly.

Pellet tubes add extra smoky flavor to meat without damaging the parts of a pellet smoker.

What is a pellet tube used for?

Similar to a smoker box or foil packet filled with chips, a smoke tube is designed for long-lasting smoke production. You can use a smoke tube to smoke on a gas grill, cold smoke, or get more smoke flavor from your pellet grill.

A pellet grill tube is an enclosed cylinder that is inserted into the body of a grilling device. The purpose of the tube is to help circulate heat and smoke around the food being cooked.

This ultimately provides more options for taste and texture. There are different types of pellet grill tubes, each made with specific materials that affect how heat conducts within the pellet grill.

Why are pellet grills so popular?

A pellet grill can maintain a low, steady temperature for hours without needing adjustments. That's what you want when it comes to slow-cooking, slow-smoking, smoke-infused-tasting steaks, ribs, brisket, or pulled pork without burning or drying out the food.

Do you soak wood pellets before smoking?

Wood pellets have been processed from sawdust by pressure. This generates heat, and any contaminants inside the wood are eliminated. This results in a clean smoking wood product. So, there is no need to soak wood pellets before smoking.

What is cheaper, pellets or charcoal?

Wood pellets are usually more expensive than charcoal. Pellets come in large bags and many flavors. If the flavor is not to your liking, then you’re basically stuck with it.

Charcoal on the other hand is cheap and widely available. If you know how, you can even make it yourself.

Again, no way to discuss taste. This is very personal.

Buyer's Guides

To assist you in making an informed purchase among all different types of vertical pellet smoker, for your convenience we have compiled a buyer's guide. Read on!

1. What is the difference of Pellet Grill and Charcoal Grill?

There are a few key differences between pellet grills and charcoal grills. For one, pellet grills use compressed pellets of wood or other biomass materials for fuel, whereas charcoal grills use, well, charcoal.

Pellet grills also have ignitors that make it easier to get started, and they typically offer more control over the cooking temperature than charcoal grills. Perhaps most importantly, pellet grills tend to produce less smoke than their charcoal counterparts.

Horizontal pellet smokers cook fast; vertical pellet smokers cook slow. Many  steak gourmets prefer the slow-cooked variety. They may insist on temperature control, and being able to adjust cooking temperatures.

So which type of vertical smoker grill is right for you? If you're looking for an easy-to-use grill with plenty of temperature range control options, a vertical pellet smoker may be the way to go. On the other hand, if the smell of charcoal is just irresistible, just go for a charcoal grill.

2. What is the difference of Pellet Grill and Pellet Smoker?

While both pellet grills and pellet smokers use wood pellets as fuel, there is a distinct difference between the two. Pellet grills are designed for cooking food directly on the grill, whereas pellet smokers are designed for smoking food indirectly.

With a pellet grill, you simply load the pellets into the hopper, set your desired temperature, and let the grill do its work. The great thing about pellet grills is that they’re very easy to use – even a beginner can achieve professional level quality results.

A pellet smoker on the other hand, is designed for smoking food indirectly. This means that you’ll need to set up a water pan and heat diffuser to use one. While pellet smokers take a bit more effort to set up, they can be great for those who want to smoke food without having to watch it constantly.

So, there you have it! A pellet grill is perfect for those who want an easy-to-use grill with plenty of temperature control options. A pellet smoker is ideal for those who want to smoke food without having to watch it constantly. While the horizontal pellet smoker is fast, the vertical pellet smoker may, according to the experts, deliver the best quality smoked products.

No matter which type of grill you choose, you’re sure to enjoy delicious summer BBQs all season long!

3. Is a pellet smoker better than a regular smoker?

Pellet smokers definitely have some advantages over regular smokers. For one, they're much easier to control and regulate temperature with, so you're less likely to end up with overcooked or undercooked meat.

Additionally, pellet smokers use pellets made from natural hardwoods, which produce a tastier smoke than lump charcoal or briquettes.

Finally, pellet smokers are typically more expensive than regular smokers, but many feel that the extra cost is worth it for the improved performance and flavor. Your choice will be to decide for a horizontal or a vertical smoker.

4. Do pellet smokers give good flavor?

Yes, pellet smokers do give good flavor. The smoke from a pellet smoker, in particular a vertical smoker, for low and slow cooking at a consistent temperature, is very smooth and flavorful. In fact, many people believe that it tastes better than the smoke from a horizontal smoker or a traditional smoker, like charcoal or propane smokers.

The delightfully smelling smoke is caused because the pellets used in a pellet smoker are made of hardwood, which gives off a strong and smoky flavor.

Check our vertical pellet smoker reviews, and other vertical smokers you may find, to make up your mind.

5. Is smoking meat healthy for you?

Smoking meat is a popular way to add flavor and texture to food, but it’s also a practice that comes with some health risks. While there are benefits to smoking meat, such as the fact that it can help preserve food, there are also potential dangers associated with this cooking method.

One of the biggest health concerns with smoking meat is the fact that it can create carcinogens, which are substances that can cause cancer. These carcinogens form when meat is smoked at high temperatures, and they can potentially increase your risk for various types of cancer, including lung cancer.

Additionally, smoking meat can also lead to the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are another type of carcinogen. PAHs form when fat and juices from meat drippings contact the hot surfaces of a grill or smoker, causing them to smoke.

So, while smoking meat can add flavor and texture to your food, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks before you decide to start smoking your own meat at home.

If you do choose to smoke meat, there are some things you can do to minimize the formation of carcinogens, such as cooking meat at lower temperatures and using leaner cuts of meat.

Additionally, it’s important to make sure that your grill or smoker is clean before you use it, as this can also help reduce the formation of carcinogens.

6. What meat is best for smoking?

To find the best meat for smoking, it's important to understand the process of smoking and how it affects the meat. Smoking meat is a method of cooking that uses indirect heat to cook the food.

This type of cooking is done by putting wood chips or chunks onto hot coals in order to create smoke. The smoke surrounds the food and Flavors it with a unique taste.

Different woods will provide different flavors, so it's important to choose one that you like. For example, hickory has a strong, bacon-like flavor while apple wood imparts a sweeter taste.

If you're unsure which wood to use, try mixing different types together to create your own custom flavor profile.

Once you've selected your wood, it's time to choose the meat. When smoking meat, you want to choose a cut that is fatty and has a lot of marbling. This is because the fat will help to keep the meat moist during the long smoking process.

Some of the best meats for smoking include brisket, pork butt, and ribs. These cuts of meat are ideal because they are fatty and have a lot of flavor. Additionally, they are tough cuts of meat that benefit from the long, slow cooking process.

If you're looking for a leaner option, chicken or turkey breast can also be smoked. Just keep in mind that these lean cuts of meat will require less time to smoke, so check them frequently to avoid overcooking.

No matter what type of meat you choose, smoking it is a great way to add flavor and create a unique culinary experience. So fire up your pellet grill, heat up the cooking chamber and get smoking!

Best Vertical Pellet Smoker For You

We have spotlighted the best-selling vertical pellet smokers on the market and provided links so that you may learn more about their pricing.

We hope that this buying guide has been useful in your endeavour to find the best vertical pellet smoker for your family.

You may also read other posts on our site about various kinds, sizes and colors of different pellet smokers, with different cooking capacity as well as other kitchen equipment reviews.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and have a wonderful day!

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