Commercial Smokers Buying Guide

Whether you're new to meat smoking or you're looking to upgrade your current smoker, the amount of restaurant smoker options out there can make it difficult to decide. Fuel type, location, and size are just some factors to consider when choosing the best commercial smoker for your business. This guide will break down the different types of commercial smokers so that purchasing a smoker can become an easy task.

Indoor vs Outdoor Smokers

Prior to choosing a type of smoker, you will need to figure out where the unit will be located. Which smoker is best for your restaurant will depend upon your location's space, the portability you need, what barbecue style and menu items you'd like to offer, and the fuel type you desire.

When to Choose an Indoor Smoker

Commercial indoor smokers are a great solution for operators who do not have the outdoor space to accommodate an outdoor smoker, but would still like to offer smoked meats on their menu. Indoor smokers come in a variety of sizes and interior configurations to accommodate your kitchen space and are typically smaller than outdoor smokers.

Pros

Conveniently located in your kitchen with your other equipment
Use is not weather-dependent
Ideal for urban areas and establishments with little to no outdoor space

Cons

Professional installation is required
Typically requires a Type I kitchen hood
Typically smaller than outdoor smokers
Less fuel options to choose from

When to Choose an Outdoor Smoker

Outdoor smokers are thought of as the more traditional type of smoker and are great for choosing if you have a large outdoor space and are looking to have a menu specializing in smoked and barbecued foods. They feature vents or chimneys for ventilation purposes and come in a variety of sizes, fuel types, and level of controls.

Pros

Does not take up kitchen space
Easy to set up; no professional installation required
Typically easier to transport
Can enhance your establishment's authenticity and perceived value

Cons

Use may be weather-dependent
Possible outdoor regulations

Types of Commercial Smokers

Once you have decided on where your smoker will be located, you can then narrow down which type of smoker is best for your needs. Some smokers feature digital and programmable controls for easier, more precise cooking while other smokers require more oversight throughout the cooking process and are considered to be the most authentic way to smoke meats.

Smoker Oven

A cook and hold smoker oven can cook, roast, smoke, and hold your food until it’s ready to be served. Many come with a wood chip container or an accessory kit to hold wood chips, which will help meat obtain the smoky, savory flavor that is a staple of barbecue.

Feature programmable digital controls and timer for ease of use
Most have a cook and hold function that keeps your food hot automatically after it’s finished cooking
Many can hold real wood chips to deliver a natural, smoky flavor
Operate at lower temperatures than standard ovens, which helps reduce shrinkage
Easy to clean and maintain
Location: indoor use
Fuel type: electricity
Best for: operators who are new to barbecue or are looking to add barbecue to their menu

Whole pig cooking on a charcoal / wood smoker

Smoker Grill

A smoker grill comes with a slide out tray for charcoal or wood chips as well as easy-to-read thermometers to monitor the temperature of your grill.

Perfect for low and slow cooking and smoking
Temperature will need to be regularly checked during the cooking process and manually adjusted when necessary
Location: outdoor use
Fuel type: charcoal, wood, and liquid propane
Best for: catered events, tailgates, and outdoor venues

Offset Grill

Offset grills are one of the most traditional and authentic ways to smoke meat. They feature a firebox to hold the fuel, which is connected to a larger barrel where the cooking takes place. The firebox feeds smoke into the cooking chamber to give it that rich, authentic smoky flavor and crisp barbecued bark.

Ideal for low and slow cooking and smoking
Easy to adjust the heat and replenish fuel
Can cook large amounts of food at once
Temperature will need to be regularly checked during the cooking process and manually adjusted when necessary
Location: outdoor use
Fuel type: charcoal and wood
Best for: BBQ joints, catered events, tailgates, and outdoor venues

Pellet Grill

Pellet grills are one of the most versatile and easy-to-use smokers to cook with. They feature an easy-to-use digital control panel that allows you to set timers, monitor internal temperatures, and measure the temperature of meat with incredible precision. When choosing between a pellet grill and a vertical pellet smoker, a pellet grill is best for when you'd like to grill and sear with the same unit.

Allows you to grill, sear, braise, roast, and smoke all with the same unit
Provides more precise temperature control than smoker grills and offset grills for more evenly cooked and consistent-tasting meat
Auger automatically feeds wood pellets from the hopper into the flavor chamber to be heated and turned into flavorful smoke
Do not require as much cooking oversight as offset grills
Can be very efficient in terms of fuel usage
Require electricity to operate
Food does not achieve as smoky of a flavor as it would when cooking with an offset grill
Location: outdoor use
Fuel type: wood pellets
Best for: BBQ joints, catered events, tailgates, and outdoor venues

Pit Boss PBV7SP Sportsman 7 series vertical pellet smoker

Vertical Smokers

A vertical pellet smoker is designed to have food sit directly above the fuel source and have the chimney directly above the food. This allows for smoke to evenly distribute around the meat for an incredible, smoky flavor. When choosing between a vertical pellet smoker or a pellet grill, a vertical pellet smoker is best for when you desire low and slow smoking and a richer, smokier taste.

Delivers a rich, smoky taste to meats
Able to smoke, bake, braise, roast, and barbecue; cannot sear or grill
Provides precise temperature and time control
Features a spacious cooking area
Large hopper allows for overnight cooking
Require electricity to operate
Location: outdoor use
Fuel type: wood pellets
Best for: BBQ joints, catered events, fairs, and outdoor venues

Indoor Smokehouses

Indoor smokehouses are large, gas-powered units that utilize vertical space to maximize on capacity without taking up too much space in your kitchen. The units include skewers so that ribs, whole chickens, and tenderloin can be easily suspended for optimal cooking.

Flavorful smoke is generated by the drip shields during the cooking process
Each size can be used with a compatible rack kit that will convert the smokehouse into a vertical barbecue oven
Doors can be either right or left hinged
Location: indoor use
Fuel type: natural gas or propane
Best for: urban kitchens, ghost kitchens, and BBQ joints

Express Smoker

Proprietary to R & V works, express smokers feature a sealed pressure and vacuumed chamber that is coupled with a patented hydration regulator to smoke meats in a fraction of the time that conventional smokers require.

Cooks baby back ribs in 35 to 40 minutes, a whole 3 lb. chicken in 30 minutes, and a 9 lb. brisket in 2 hours
Location: outdoor use
Fuel type: propane gas
Best for: smokehouses, catered events, tailgates, and outdoor venues

Town PR-36-L pig roaster with left door hinges

Indoor Pig Roaster

Indoor pig roasters are large enough to cook whole pigs or several racks of meat at one time, which makes them perfect for high-volume establishments. They are designed with two permimeter burns that spread heat throughout the roaster for even cooking and a crispy crust.

Spacious enough to smoke a whole pig or duck
Feature two perimeter burners to cook food evenly
Smoke is generated by fat dripping onto the aluminized drip shields, which also protect the burners
Location: indoor use
Fuel type: natural gas
Best for: urban kitchens, ghost kitchens, catering companies, and BBQ joints

Smoke Gun

A smoke gun is a handheld smoker tool that produces cold smoke to bring a smoky flavor to more delicate foods, such as cheese, chocolates, ice cream, and even cocktails.

Infuses and finishes foods and drinks with smoky flavor and aroma
Compact, portable, and easy to use
Can be used in the back-of-house to cold smoke foods or for front-of-house display cooking to enhance your guests’ experience
Battery-operated for convenience
Location: indoor or outdoor use
Best for: mixologists, chefs, and gastronomists

Combination Ovens

Combination ovens deliver many benefits to a commercial kitchen, including their ability to smoke, roast, steam, sous vide, braise, bake, rethermalize, and oven fry foods all in one unit, allowing you to save on the space and cost of a dedicated smoker for your kitchen. A combination oven uses three methods of cooking: convection, steam, and a combination of steam and convection. Like smoker ovens, many combi ovens can be used with a compatible smoker box that can hold wood chips to give meats an authentic smoky flavor.

Allow you to offer smoked and barbecued foods on your menu without having a dedicated smoker
Most combi ovens are programmable, allowing you to upload and download recipes
Easy to use and clean
Location: indoors
Fuel type: electricity
Best for: urban kitchens, restaurants, bars, and cafeterias

Commercial Smoker Fuel Types

There are six fuel types that are used in commercial smoking: wood, charcoal, wood pellets, electricity, natural gas, and propane. Wood and charcoal are the most popular and traditional fuel types used for smoking meats.

1. Wood

Available in either wood chips or wood logs, wood creates the maillard reaction to give meat that authentic, crispy bark and savory, smoky flavor.

Pros

Gives meat a classic smoked flavor and perfectly crisp exterior
Different wood varieties give off different flavors, thus providing versatility for your menu
All-natural fuel source

Cons

Using the wrong type of wood can deliver an overwhelming smoky flavor
Requires a lot of oversight and can be difficult for entry-level chefs to master

Lump charcoal being scooped out of a bag

2. Charcoal

Available in either hardwood lump charcoal or briquettes, charcoal is made by burning wood until it carbonizes. This allows it to burn at low or really high temperatures and produce a flavorful smoke.

Pros

Has a longer burn time than wood
Lights easily
Ideal for both smoking and high-heat grilling

Cons

Briquettes contains additives and fillers that can give food an "off" flavor
Produces ash that needs to be cleaned up after cooking

Person grabbing a handful of wood pellets out of a bag

3. Wood Pellets

Speficially designed for use with pellet grills, wood pellets are made from 100% hardwoods that are compressed to have a low moisture content.

Pros

Gives foods a rich, smoky flavor
Different wood varieties give off different flavors, thus providing versatility for your menu
Affordable fuel source
Typically are all-natural
Requires little to no oversight to use

Cons

Using the wrong type of wood can deliver an overwhelming smoky flavor

Alto-Shaam 750-SK DX 120V/1 cook and hold smoker oven with deluxe controls

4. Electricity

Electric smokers use electricity to heat an element that is located underneath a wood chip tray. While many electric smokers have a high upfront cost, they are energy efficient, easy to use, and are versatile to use, which can save on costs in the long run.

Pros

Energy-efficient fuel source
Set-and-forget controls make it easy to use
Great for use in areas where fires aren't permitted
Excellent for smoking more delicate foods like fish and cheese

Cons

Requires wood chips to achieve smoky flavor
Moisture inside the unit makes it harder to achieve a crisp crust
Some models are hardwired and will require professional installation
Typically are smaller and cannot hold a large amount of product

5. Natural Gas

Natural gas smokers are hooked up to a natural gas line, so they have a constant fuel source unlike propane smokers. To achieve a smoky flavor, wood chips must be added to a tray that typically sits above the heating element.

Pros

Consistent heat source makes it easy to control temperatures
Have a wide temperature range
Large cooking capacity

Cons

Require wood chips to achieve smoky flavor
Must be professionally installed

6. Propane

Liquid propane smokers are a convenient, portable option for outdoor and off-site smoking. To achieve a smoky flavor, wood chips must be added to a tray that typically sits above the heating element.

Pros

Have fast startup times
Easy to use and maintain a consistent temperature
Conveniently portable

Cons

Require wood chips to achieve smoky flavor
Propane tanks run out and have to be swapped

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