7 Best Insulated Cabinet Smokers | Reviews + Guide
Our top pick is the Cuisinart Cabinet Smoker because of its performance, classic design, and easy-to-use features, like the twist lock handle. It will help you unlock a classic smoky BBQ taste with the adjustable heat settings. Smoking meat is a time-honored tradition and if you want to enjoy cooked meats at home, you should […]
Our top pick is the Cuisinart Cabinet Smoker because of its performance, classic design, and easy-to-use features, like the twist lock handle. It will help you unlock a classic smoky BBQ taste with the adjustable heat settings.
Smoking meat is a time-honored tradition and if you want to enjoy cooked meats at home, you should consider investing in the best insulated smoker. These smokers are designed to withstand higher temperatures for extended periods to give a smoky flavor.
They also come with features such as temperature control, heavy-duty construction materials, timers, and automatic ignition. Today’s guide lists 7 models you should check out, so let’s get started.
Best Insulated Cabinet Smokers
1. Cuisinart Smoker – Best Porcelain-Coated Smoker
- 5. 45 SQUARE FEET OF INTERIOR: The spacious 5. 45 square...
- Product Dimensions: 19.3" L x 18.1" W x 38.6" H | Weight:...
What we like
- Sealed doors with twist lock handle
- Steel tray holds both wood chips and water
- Great warranty
- Has a hose and regulator
- Lightweight
What we don’t like
- Short propane hose
The superior built quality and the ability to burn wood chips for a rich smoky flavor put the Cuisinart 36-inch Propane Smoker at the top of our list. It has an ample cooking area and provides plenty of room to smoke all kinds of meats and vegetables simultaneously.
With the twist lock door seal handle, you can be assured that your food will be exposed to smoke and moisture evenly. While the thermometer mounted on the front door lets you monitor the internal temperature.
This cabinet smoker features porcelain-coated components that handle high temperatures for a more extended period. It comes with four heavy-duty racks for smoking that can even cook a small turkey. Moreover, it is quite versatile and lets you control the amount of incoming heat or smoke by means of an adjustable gas supply.
Since a porcelain-coated steel tray holds both wood chunks and water, this cabinet is extremely easy to clean. It also comes with a propane hose and regulator that can be hooked to the propane tank of the Cuisinart Smoker.
We especially liked the upgraded cartwheels and side handles for ease of mobility. And you can comfortably set up the COS-244 Cabinet Smoker with the help of the simple instructions provided in the manual.
Weight: 69.5 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 275 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Alloy steel | Cooking Area: 784 square inches | Racks: 4
2. Masterbuilt Electric Smoker – Best Smoker With Analog Dial
- Built-in temperature gauge
- Temperature control is easy with analog dial
What we like
- Large cooking surface
- Adjustable settings
- Very easy to clean and maintain
- Insulated body and sealed door
- Analog dial
What we don’t like
- Not suitable for high-temperature cooking
The Masterbuilt 30-inch is the best cabinet smoker for beginners looking to cook food at lower temperatures. It offers a variety of accessories that allow you to cook the meat just right, including three chrome-plated racks, an ashtray, a drip pan, a water pan, and a wood chip tray.
Moreover, you don’t have to open the main cabinet to add more chunks but just use the side chip loading system to reach the wood chip pan. In this way, the smoker will be able to maintain its internal temperature and won’t lose heat.
The electric smoker also has an extra grease tray that can trap the excess grease drippings, which makes it easy to clean. We further like the addition of the digital controller and four-wheel castors.
You can use the advanced analog dial to set a fixed temperature and time range. There is even an attached thermostat, so simply plug in the smoker and let it do its work.
The cabinet smoker is not only easy to assemble, but it can last a long time if maintained properly. It does not occupy a lot of space in your backyard, and since it is medium-weight, you can carry or move it with no trouble at all. That’s why we ranked it higher in our list and consider it the best insulated electric smoker compared to other models.
Weight: 45.9 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 275 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Stainless steel | Cooking Area: 730 square inches | Racks: 3
3. Royal Gourmet Electric Smoker – Best Smoker With Auto-Timer
- SPACIOUS COOKING SURFACE: 457.86 sq. inches of cooking...
- GREASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: In addition to removable stainless...
What we like
- Easy to control
- Large capacity
- Grease management system
- Lightweight
- Occupies very little space
What we don’t like
- Doesn’t have a smoke box
If you are on a budget, then the Royal Gourmet electric smoker is your best choice. This is an all-purpose electric smoker that can be used for smoking, steaming, grilling, and drying.
It has ample cooking capacity integrated with a fully adjustable digital controller. The electric gauge lets you control the temperature while the inbuilt thermometer helps you to manage the smoking time of the food.
This smoker has a timer, auto shut-off feature, and a door fitted with a latch that seals the smoker tightly, preventing the loss of heat. In addition, the spring latch doesn’t get heated easily, which means you can open the smoker without scalding yourself.
Cleaning it is very easy because of its chrome-plated cooking grates. Even other components like an ashtray and grease-dripping plates can be removed and washed properly to keep the unit in top condition.
It even has a convenient grease management system that lets you collect oil residue in a large tray, and we even liked the removable wood chip box and water pan. In terms of performance, the double wall construction design helps retain maximum smoke and heat to deliver fully cooked meat in the least amount of time.
Not to mention, with the three large adjustable chrome-coated grates, you can prepare a lot of food.
Weight: 48.3 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 240 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Stainless steel | Cooking Area: 457.86 square inches | Racks: 3
4. Bradley Electric Outdoor BBQ Smoker – Best Automatic Smoker
- Vertical Smoker: Our smoker is specially designed to...
- Sleek Design: Perfect for home chefs and food-smoking fans,...
What we like
- An effective smoke generation system
- Fully insulated walls
- It can be used as a dehydrator or oven
- Large cooking space
- Automated feeding of wood chips
What we don’t like
- No wheels for portability
The Bradley BS611 BBQ Smoker is a fully automatic electric smoker with which you can simply load fuel once and smoke for long hours. It is a perfect smoker for rookies as well as professional home chefs, as the insulated smoker can accommodate four large grates, enough to feed a small to medium-sized crowd.
Also, its multi-rack design allows you to simultaneously cook a large variety of foods. This smoker is fully equipped with push buttons and its interior is made of stainless steel, while the exterior is coated with epoxy powder.
Best of all is the digital interface that is integrated with temperature, time, and smoke control functions. Its smoke diffuser system works continuously to get rid of the old smoke before it turns acrid. Because of this, your BBQ-smoked food won’t taste bitter or ashy.
We even found that it is very flexible in terms of its usage and works well at high and low temperatures. Moreover, the cabinet smoker has an automated digital controller that efficiently feeds wood chips to the heating chamber, which allows the briquettes to burn evenly and cleanly.
That’s why the fuel in this smoker lasts for a longer period as compared to some of its other counterparts. What we liked most about this product is that you can control the amount of smoke you need for cooking food – a great feature for getting a perfect smoky flavor.
Weight: 55 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 320 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Stainless steel | Cooking Area: 572 square inches | Racks: 4
5. Smokin-It Electric Smoker – Best Portable Smoker
- Up to 22 lbs. of meat capacity per load
- 400 watt heating element, 8 amps 120 volt single phase
What we like
- Rubber casters for wheels
- Can consistently hold higher temperatures
- Compact and slick design
- Long power cord
- Made from 100% 18-gauge 201 stainless steel
What we don’t like
- No remote heat sensor control
The Smokin-It smoker is a certified commercial-use and premium-built cabinet smoker. It is a heavy-duty product that can accommodate a large quantity of food and if you are a fan of BBQ parties, you’ll love this unit.
This smoker is highly durable since it is constructed with 18-gauge stainless steel material. While the built-in rheostat lets you set and control the internal temperature with ease, the tight seal helps you achieve a proper barbeque flavor.
Its 400-watt heating element can successfully handle high smoking temperatures. For even better insulation, the Smokin-It smoker is integrated with fiberglass and LED light to protect the internal heat and smoke.
The three meat racks are large enough to hold piles of juicy smoked food. There is even a drip pan placed below the racks and other heating elements that trap the grease residue. Plus, the drip tray, racks, and shelves of this smoker are safe to wash in any dishwasher.
Smokin-It has provided handles on each side for lifting or carrying its cabinet smoker. You can move the smoker around your backyard comfortably, as its wheels are attached with thick rubber castors for ease of portability.
It is pretty simple to use and operate, which makes the Smokin-It electric a great option for a hassle-free smoking experience.
Weight: 58.6 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 250 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Stainless steel | Cooking Area: 505 square inches | Racks: 3
6. Broil King Vertical Charcoal Smoker – Best Smoker With Temperature Regulation
- 770 sq. in. total cooking surface/4 cubic feet overall...
- 4 fully adjustable 5 mm stainless steel cooking grids
What we like
- Useful dual door design
- Includes 16 stainless steel meat hooks
- Attractive, sleek look
- High-quality, dual-walled construction
- Consistent temperature
What we don’t like
- No digital settings or timer
When it comes to look and feel, the Broil King provides a sleek designed cabinet smoker that is straightforward to assemble. Moreover, the epoxy finish ensures it is protected from rust and lasts for many seasons.
The cabinet smoker comes with a dual-door design and you can use the first door to cook food while the second door holds wood chips and a water tray. You can access the wood chips box without disturbing the main chamber to prevent heat loss during the smoking process.
It has 4 standard stainless steel cooking grids and one large multi-purpose rack. Unlike other cabinet smokers, the Broil King smoker stands out because it has 16 stainless steel meat hooks.
Even more pleasing is the advanced root-draft damper technology that regulates the temperature and the amount of smoke in the cabinet. It also has an advanced Ace-Temp thermometer used to monitor the internal temperature of the meat.
Weight: 70 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 900 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Stainless steel | Cooking Area: 770 square inches | Racks: 4
7. Big Wood Charcoal Cabinet Smoker – Best Smoker With Thermostat
- Wood Smoker: Our big wood bbq smoker comes with 3...
- Outdoor Grills and Smokers: This smoker is perfect...
What we like
- Easy-to-clean interior
- Red accent hinges
- Efficient wood consumption
- Large digital temperature display
What we don’t like
- Not enough space between the shelves
- No automatic wood chunks feeder
This cabinet smoker from Big Wood is one of the best insulated smoker cabinets for outdoor cooking purposes. Due to its premium steel build, power and size, it is ideal for cooking large quantities of meat.
The Big Wood Cabinet Smoker has three standard cooking racks that you can adjust per your needs. It has two heavy-duty slam latches and its tightly twisted door hinges keep smoke from escaping the cabinet box. Moreover, the unit even comes with side handles for ease of carrying.
Unlike other charcoal smokers built with lightweight materials, the Big Wood Cabinet Smoker is sturdy and has a fully insulated interior. And its interior is made from smoke-deflecting material that allows balanced heat distribution.
The smoker is split into two sections – the bottom of the unit houses wood chunks and a water pan, with the fuel pan providing heat and smoke. It also maintains a stable smoking temperature, while the top smoke chamber contains food and other accessories.
You will notice that the large firebox can last for longer hours and the unit has a 7-inch thermostat that monitors and displays internal temperature changes. The most important parts are the two side vents and a chimney stack, as these elements increase the airflow inside the cabinet and reduce the burnt/ashy meat flavor.
Weight: 130 pounds | Maximum Temperature: 510 degrees Fahrenheit | Material: Stainless steel | Cooking Area: 370 square inches | Racks: 3
Best Insulated Cabinet Smoker Comparison Table
Product | Weight | Maximum Temperature | Material | Cooking Area | Racks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart Smoker | 69.5 pounds | 275 degrees Fahrenheit | Alloy steel | 784 square inches | 4 |
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker | 45.9 pounds | 275 degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless steel | 730 square inches | 3 |
Royal Gourmet Electric Smoker | 48.3 pounds | 240 degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless steel | 457.86 square inches | 3 |
Bradley Electric Outdoor BBQ Smoker | 55 pounds | 320 degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless steel | 572 square inches | 4 |
Smokin-It Electric Smoker | 58.6 pounds | 250 degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless steel | 505 square inches | 3 |
Broil King Vertical Charcoal Smoker | 70 pounds | 900 degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless steel | 770 square inches | 4 |
Big Wood Charcoal Cabinet Smoker | 130 pounds | 510 degrees Fahrenheit | Stainless steel | 370 square inches | 3 |
Buying Guide For The Best Insulated Cabinet Smoker
When it comes to smoking food, nothing beats the controlled, consistent heat and smoke absorption offered by an insulated cabinet smoker. These units are ideal for professionals and home chefs alike, delivering outstanding flavor and the ease of use that comes with superior control. To help you find the best insulated cabinet smoker for your needs, we’ve listed the things you should consider.
Size and Capacity
Choose a smoker depending on the amount of food you plan to smoke. If you host large parties or smoke commercially, opt for a larger model. For small gatherings or personal use, a smaller unit would suffice.
Construction and Insulation
A good cabinet smoker should be sturdy and offer excellent heat retention. Look for models built with high-quality materials like stainless steel or reinforced steel. Ensure it has high-density insulation, which will help maintain a constant temperature, despite external weather conditions.
Temperature Control
For consistent results, go for smokers with adjustable and accurate temperature controls. Some smokers have manual controls, while others come with digital control panels. A model with a wide temperature range gives you more flexibility in cooking different types of food.
Fuel Type
Most cabinet smokers use charcoal or wood pellets as fuel, but there are also electric and gas-powered models. Each type has its pros and cons. Charcoal and wood smokers provide the most authentic flavor but require frequent monitoring. Meanwhile, electric and gas models are easier to control and maintain but may lack some of that traditional smoky flavor.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
A smoker should be easy to use, clean, and maintain. Look for models with removable racks and drip pans, which can significantly simplify cleaning. Some smokers also include ash removal systems or grease management features for easy maintenance.
Price
Finally, keep in mind your budget. High-end smokers are typically more durable and feature-packed, but there are also affordable models that offer good value for your money.
Conclusion
As you can see, many different types of smokers are available on the market today and while some are designed for indoor use, others are meant to be used outdoors.
We have proposed some of the best insulated cabinet smokers for your home. Our top pick, Cuisinart, produces outstanding cabinet smokers that give a vintage American BBQ flavor to your meat.
So, if you’re a novice and want a versatile, low-priced, and highly-rated smoker, then go for the Cuisinart Smoker. But other options worth considering include the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker for its attached thermostat and analog dial, or the Dyna-Glo Smoker, having an indicator and sausage hooks.
And with that, we’ll leave you to make a decision. Enjoy the taste of smoked BBQ!