Best Propane Smokers

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The short answer

For most people the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 is the best propane smoker: a heavy-gauge steel cabinet, a wide temperature range and a door thermometer, at a price well below pellet grills. If you want maximum rack space for jerky and ribs, look at a Masterbuilt 40-inch propane smoker or the Dyna-Glo Wide Body. Propane smokers are cheap to buy and work anywhere without electricity, but expect to add wood chips regularly and to fine-tune the burner yourself.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Design	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24	24-inch vertical cabinet, adjustable burner, water pan and wood-chip tray	Most backyard smokers	Amazon
Best compact	Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18	Smaller version of the Smoke Vault	Small families, camping	Amazon
Best capacity	Masterbuilt 40-inch propane smoker	Tall cabinet with multiple racks, viewing window on many versions	Jerky, sausage, big batches	Amazon
Best wide-body	Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical LP Gas Smoker	Wide cabinet suited to whole briskets and full rib racks	Large cuts	Amazon
Best budget	Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Gas Smoker	Basic vertical cabinet	First smoker on a tight budget	Amazon
Also consider	Pit Boss gas smoker (vertical)	Vertical propane cabinet with window	Pit Boss fans	Amazon

How we picked

We compared manufacturer specifications, owner reviews across major retailers and published reviews from barbecue publications. For propane smokers the details that matter most are cabinet sealing (leaky doors waste heat and smoke), burner control at low temperatures, the size and placement of the chip box and water pan, rack spacing for big cuts, and how the smoker behaves in wind and cold.

Why choose a propane smoker?

Propane smokers are vertical cabinets with a gas burner at the bottom, a wood-chip box or tray above it, a water pan, and racks stacked toward the top. They’re inexpensive, simple to run and don’t need a power outlet, so they work at a campsite or on a patio far from the house. Temperature control is steadier than charcoal once you learn your burner’s settings, and you can smoke in cooler weather because a gas burner has plenty of reserve heat.

The trade-offs: smoke flavor depends on keeping wood chips smoldering, so you’ll refill the chip tray every hour or so on long cooks. Cheaper cabinets leak smoke around the door, and wind can blow out or weaken the flame. None of these are dealbreakers, but they explain why pellet grills cost more.

1. Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24: best overall

The Smoke Vault 24 has long been the benchmark propane smoker for good reason. Its steel cabinet holds heat better than thin budget models, the burner adjusts low enough for jerky and fish and high enough for poultry, and the setup includes a water pan, wood-chip tray and adjustable racks. Owners consistently praise how easy it is to hold a steady temperature, and it doubles as a smoker oven for things like roasts.

Good to know: many owners upgrade the chip tray to a heavier cast-iron box for longer smoke between refills and add a door gasket for a tighter seal. Use the built-in thermometer as a guide and verify with a separate probe thermometer at grate level.

Choose it if: you want a reliable, mid-priced propane smoker that handles ribs, pork butts and poultry with little fuss.

Check the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24 on Amazon →

2. Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18: best compact

The Smoke Vault 18 is a smaller version of the 24, with the same basic design in a footprint that fits a small patio or the back of a truck for camping. It’s a good fit for couples and small families who smoke a couple of racks of ribs or a pork butt at a time.

Good to know: a full packer brisket is a tight fit in smaller cabinets; you may need to separate the point and flat.

Check the Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18 on Amazon →

3. Masterbuilt 40-inch propane smoker: best capacity

Masterbuilt’s tall propane cabinets offer a lot of rack space for the money, which makes them popular for jerky, sausages, fish and batch smoking for parties. Many versions have a glass viewing window and a push-button ignition. Masterbuilt sells several generations and configurations, so compare the exact listing (number of racks, window, burner details) before you buy.

Good to know: owner reviews of some versions mention door leaks and a small chip box; a gasket kit and a larger smoker box are common fixes.

Check the Masterbuilt 40-inch propane smoker on Amazon →

4. Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical LP Gas Smoker: best for big cuts

The wide-body design is the draw here. A wider cabinet means you can lay a full rack of spare ribs or a large brisket flat instead of folding or cutting them to fit. It’s a practical choice for people who mostly smoke big cuts and value rack width over height.

Good to know: check owner reviews for door fit and heat distribution; wide cabinets can run hotter on one side, so rotate racks during long cooks.

Check the Dyna-Glo Wide Body smoker on Amazon →

5. Char-Broil Vertical Liquid Propane Gas Smoker: best budget

If you want to try smoking without a big investment, Char-Broil’s vertical propane smoker covers the basics: a cabinet, burner, chip box, water pan and racks. It will turn out good ribs and chicken with some attention.

Good to know: thinner steel loses heat faster in wind and cold. Set it up in a sheltered spot and expect to watch the temperature more closely.

Check the Char-Broil vertical propane smoker on Amazon →

6. Pit Boss vertical gas smoker: also consider

Pit Boss makes vertical propane smokers with a large window and multiple racks, positioned as an affordable alternative to Masterbuilt and Camp Chef. If you find one at a good price, it’s worth a look; compare the specific model’s racks and burner against the picks above.

Check the Pit Boss gas smoker on Amazon →

Buying checklist: what to look for in a propane smoker

• Low-temperature control: you want the burner to hold around 225°F without going out. Look for owner reviews that mention steady low-and-slow temperatures.
• Door seal: a tight door or a gasket keeps heat and smoke in. Two-door designs let you add chips and water without opening the main food chamber.
• Chip box size: bigger boxes mean fewer refills. Cast-iron boxes smolder chips more evenly.
• Rack spacing and width: make sure your biggest cut (brisket or full spare ribs) fits.
• Steel thickness: heavier steel holds heat better in wind and cold.
• Thermometer: plan to add a probe thermometer; door dials are often inaccurate.

Propane safety

• Use propane smokers outdoors only, never in a garage, shed or enclosed porch. Burning propane produces carbon monoxide.
• Leak-test new connections with soapy water before lighting; bubbles mean a leak.
• Keep the smoker on a level, non-combustible surface away from siding, fences and overhangs.
• Store spare tanks upright and outdoors, never indoors.
• If the flame goes out, turn off the gas and wait for it to clear before relighting.

FAQ

Are propane smokers any good?

Yes. They hold steady temperatures, cost less than pellet grills and work without electricity. The trade-off is that you need to refill wood chips during long cooks and seal leaky doors on some models.

How long does a 20 lb propane tank last in a smoker?

It depends on the burner setting, weather and the smoker’s insulation. At low smoking temperatures many owners get several long cooks from a tank; keep a spare on hand for overnight brisket.

Do you need a water pan in a propane smoker?

It helps. A water pan stabilizes temperature and adds humidity. Some cooks use sand or leave it dry for higher temperatures and crispier poultry skin.

Propane smoker or electric smoker?

Propane gets hotter, recovers faster when you open the door and works off-grid. Electric is simpler and steadier at low temperatures but needs an outlet and struggles in cold weather.

How often do you add wood chips to a propane smoker?

Typically every 45 to 90 minutes during the first few hours of a cook, depending on chip box size. Meat absorbs most smoke early, so many cooks stop adding chips after the first few hours.