7 Best Broil King Smokers (November 2026)

The best Broil King smokers include the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Dual Fuel Propane & Charcoal for flexible fuel choices, the Masterbuilt® 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker for simple digital control, and the EAST OAK 30" Electric Smoker for Outdoors for monitoring larger batches.

On this page (5 sections)

1. The best broil king smoker formats for backyard cooking
2. Which smoker format should you choose?
3. How much cooking space do you need?
4. How should you set up and care for a smoker?
5. What is the best broil king smoker for most backyard cooks?

The best broil king smoker depends on the cooking format you want, because vertical cabinets, electric smokers, pellet grills and charcoal drums handle backyard cooking in different ways. For another charcoal format, see what a reverse-flow gravity smoker is.

We compared the available formats and capacities here so you can match the right setup to your patio, fuel preference and batch size.

That comparison matters because two smokers with a similar size can ask for very different routines after the first cook.

One note matters before you choose: the products in this comparison are Masterbuilt, EAST OAK, Pit Boss and Oklahoma Joe's models.

They are format references for comparing smoker size, fuel and controls, not Broil King-branded models.

If you're new to smoking, start with What Is the Best Smoker for a Beginner Pitmaster? for a simpler explanation of the main smoker types.

You can also compare best broil king smoker alternatives from another major smoker brand before making a final choice.

Our picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for flexible fuel choices

   Masterbuilt 30-Inch Dual Fuel Propane & Charcoal

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for simple digital control

   Masterbuilt® 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for monitoring larger batches

   EAST OAK 30" Electric Smoker for Outdoors

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

4. 4

   Masterbuilt® 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical BBQ

   Best for maximum vertical capacity
   Check it
5. 5

   EAST OAK 30" Outdoor Electric Smoker

   Best for timed electric cooks
   Check it
6. 6

   Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Pellet

   Best for smoking and grilling
   Check it
7. 7

   Oklahoma Joe's Bronco 18 in. Heavy Duty

   Best for compact charcoal cooking
   Check it

The best broil king smoker formats for backyard cooking

The strongest choices here are the Masterbuilt dual-fuel smoker for fuel flexibility, the Masterbuilt digital electric smoker for simple controls and the EAST OAK electric model for a built-in probe. The larger Masterbuilt propane smoker makes more sense when cooking space is the main need.

Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. The products are listed from highest score to lowest score, and every badge identifies a different use.

1

Masterbuilt 30-Inch Dual Fuel Propane & Charcoal: Best for flexible fuel choices

9.7/10Our score

• Propane and charcoal fuel
• 717 sq in cooking space
• 4 chrome smoking racks
• Push-button ignition

This vertical smoker gives you both propane and charcoal fuel options. Four chrome racks, a temperature gauge and push-button ignition suit backyard cooks who want format flexibility.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Two fuel options
• Push-button ignition
• Removable wood chip tray and water pan

Cons

• Temperature control is not digital
• Propane and charcoal require different setup routines

The Masterbuilt 30-Inch Dual Fuel Propane & Charcoal is the most flexible pick when you don't want to commit to only one fuel type. It uses propane and charcoal, so you can choose the setup that fits the cook instead of using the same heat source every time.

Its vertical cabinet provides 717 sq in of cooking space across 4 chrome smoking racks. That stacked layout gives you room for several foods while keeping the smoker upright rather than spreading the cooking surface across a wide grill.

Push-button ignition helps start propane cooking, while the built-in temperature gauge gives you a direct reading at the door. The smoker also has a stainless steel burner, a type 1 regulator and hose, a porcelain-coated wood chip tray and a water pan.

The locking door, cool-touch wire handle and air damper support routine checks and smoke control. The trade-off is that fuel changes the setup and heat-management routine, so this is better for a buyer who values choice than for someone who wants one-button simplicity.

2

Masterbuilt® 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker: Best for simple digital control

9.7/10Our score

• Digital temperature and time controls
• 710 sq in cooking space
• 4 chrome-coated racks
• Side wood chip loader

The digital panel controls cooking temperature and time without charcoal or propane. Its insulated body, thermostat control and side wood chip loader fit cooks who want a straightforward smoking routine.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Digital temperature and time controls
• Side wood chip loader
• Four chrome-coated racks

Cons

• Needs a suitable outdoor power connection
• Electric format does not provide charcoal or propane cooking

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker is the easiest fit for a plug-in routine. Its digital panel controls on, off, cooking temperature and time, while the thermostat is designed for even temperature control.

The cabinet has 710 sq in of cooking space with 4 chrome-coated racks. The side wood chip loader lets you add chips without opening the main door, which helps you avoid disturbing the cooking chamber during a long smoke.

Its fully insulated body is designed to retain heat. The included parts include a water bowl, wood chip tray, drip pan, 4 racks, wood chip loader, grease tray, air damper and door hardware.

This is a strong choice if you want to learn smoking without charcoal or propane. You do need a suitable outdoor power connection, and the corded electric format does not provide the live-fire character of charcoal cooking.

For another brand with a similar electric or vertical approach, compare best broil king smoker reviews before you narrow the field.

3

EAST OAK 30" Electric Smoker for Outdoors: Best for monitoring larger batches

9.6/10Our score

• 725 sq in cooking area
• Built-in meat probe
• Clear viewing window
• Side chip loader

A built-in meat probe, viewing window and 725 sq in cooking area make this electric smoker suited to larger backyard batches. The side loader helps add chips without opening the main door.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Built-in meat probe
• 725 sq in cooking area
• Clear viewing window

Cons

• Requires electric power
• The title does not state a rack count

The EAST OAK 30" Electric Smoker for Outdoors is a good match for larger electric batches that benefit from monitoring. It has 725 sq in of cooking area, a built-in meat probe and a clear viewing window.

The probe tracks internal temperature while the smoker runs, so you can check the food without repeatedly opening the door. Its side chip loader also lets you add wood chips without using the main door.

Digital controls support a set-and-monitor routine, and the title states that the side chip loader supports up to 6 times longer uninterrupted smoking. Treat that as a design claim, not a promise for every cook, because food load, weather and settings affect the result.

The smoker has an aluminized steel inner material and powder-coated steel outer material. Its stated dimensions are 15.35 in deep, 17.32 in wide and 32.2 in high, so check the available patio space before setup.

Choose this model over the Masterbuilt electric option if the built-in probe and viewing window matter more than the Masterbuilt's stated included rack count.

4

Masterbuilt® 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical BBQ: Best for maximum vertical capacity

9.3/10Our score

• 960 sq in cooking space
• 4 chrome-coated racks
• Analog temperature control
• Adjustable temperature up to 375°F

The 40-inch cabinet offers the largest stated cooking area in this roundup. Four racks, an adjustable temperature dial and a window suit cooks who prepare large batches.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Largest cooking area here
• Four chrome-coated racks
• Window for monitoring food

Cons

• Large 53 in height needs careful placement
• Analog controls require manual adjustment

The Masterbuilt 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical BBQ Smoker is the capacity pick. Its 960 sq in of cooking space is the largest stated area in this roundup, spread across 4 chrome-coated smoking racks.

The vertical cabinet is 53 in high, so measure the placement area and overhead clearance before you choose it. The 92 lb smoker also needs a stable location where its height and weight will not make routine access awkward.

An adjustable temperature dial supports settings up to 375°F. The push-button ignition starts the propane burner, while the removable water bowl adds moisture and catches drippings during a cook.

A window lets you monitor food, and the adjustable air damper gives you a way to manage smoke. The lockable door latch helps retain heat and smoke inside the insulated body.

This is the better fit for large family cooks, holiday batches or anyone who needs more vertical rack room. It is less appealing when your patio is small or you prefer digital controls.

5

EAST OAK 30" Outdoor Electric Smoker: Best for timed electric cooks

9.2/10Our score

• 725 sq in cooking area
• Digital 12-hour timer
• 800W heating element
• Rear wheels and handle

This upright electric smoker combines 725 sq in of space with a digital 12-hour timer and rear wheels. It fits cooks who want a timed setup that can be moved around a patio.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Digital 12-hour timer
• 725 sq in cooking area
• Rear wheels and handle

Cons

• Requires electric power
• The stated temperature tracking reaches up to 275°F

The EAST OAK 30" Outdoor Electric Smoker suits cooks who want electric heat, a timer and easier patio movement. It combines 725 sq in of cooking area with a digital 12-hour timer and temperature tracking up to 275°F.

The side wood chip loader supports 2 to 3 hours of smoking without opening the main door, according to the product information. That can help reduce heat loss while keeping the cooking routine simple.

An 800W heating element powers the smoker, and the double-layer steel body has internal foam insulation for heat retention. The 4 chrome-coated racks give you a familiar vertical layout for several food items.

Rear wheels and a rear handle make it easier to roll across a patio or backyard. The stated dimensions are 15.35 in deep, 17.32 in wide and 32.2 in high, matching the compact footprint of the other EAST OAK 30-inch model here.

Pick this one if a timer and rolling mobility matter most. Choose the EAST OAK model above if a built-in meat probe and clear viewing window are more useful to your cooking style.

6

Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Pellet: Best for smoking and grilling

9.0/10Our score

• 518 sq in cooking space
• 180°F to 500°F range
• 5 lb pellet hopper
• Direct flame searing up to 1,000°F

The Pit Boss combines low-temperature smoking with grilling and direct flame searing. Its digital controller uses 5°F increments, while the 5 lb hopper feeds wood pellets during a cook.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Smoking and grilling in one unit
• 180°F to 500°F digital range
• Included meat probe

Cons

• Less cooking space than the vertical picks
• Pellets are sold separately

The Pit Boss 500 FB2 Series Wood Pellet is the best format here for cooks who want one unit for smoking, grilling and searing. It has 518 sq in of cooking space, a 5 lb pellet hopper and a digital controller with 5°F increments.

The temperature range runs from 180°F to 500°F. When you want higher-heat cooking, the Flame Broiler lever provides direct flame searing up to 1,000°F.

A 2-tier cooking surface gives you more than one level, and 1 meat probe is included with 2 meat probe ports. The solid bottom shelf adds storage space for tools, pellets and accessories.

This model uses wood pellets rather than propane, charcoal or loose wood chips. Read What Is a Pellet Smoker? if you want to understand how pellet feeding differs from a vertical cabinet smoker.

The main trade-off is cooking space. At 518 sq in, it has less stated area than the vertical picks, but it adds grilling and direct-flame flexibility that those cabinets do not provide.

7

Oklahoma Joe's Bronco 18 in. Heavy Duty: Best for compact charcoal cooking

8.6/10Our score

• 284 sq in cooking area
• Charcoal drum design
• Up to 8 lb charcoal and wood capacity
• 9 meat hooks and 3 hangers

The Bronco uses a compact drum format for charcoal smoking and grilling. Its fuel door, airflow control, hooks and hangers give it flexible use despite the smaller cooking area.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Smoking and grilling in one unit
• Fuel door for adding charcoal or wood
• Rib hanging kit and meat hooks

Cons

• Smallest cooking area here
• Charcoal requires more active heat management

The Oklahoma Joe's Bronco 18 in. Heavy Duty is the compact charcoal choice.

Its 284 sq in of cooking area is the smallest here, but the drum format adds smoking, grilling and hanging options in a space-saving design.

The smoker holds up to 8 lb of charcoal and wood for long low-and-slow cooks. A fuel door lets you add fuel without removing the food or grates, while the airflow system helps you adjust and maintain temperature.

The Bronco includes 9 meat hooks and 3 hangers, plus a rib hanging kit. That makes the vertical interior more useful for ribs and large cuts than the cooking-area number alone suggests.

It also has dual side shelves, steel-core rubber-tread wheels, a premium lifting multitool and integrated storage. These details suit a patio or tailgate setup where compact equipment needs to do more than one job.

Choose this model for charcoal flavor and grilling flexibility in a drum design. For a smaller ceramic charcoal cooker, see whether a 13-inch kamado is worthwhile.

Skip it if you regularly cook large batches or want digital temperature controls.

Which smoker format should you choose?

Choose an electric vertical smoker if you want digital controls, a timer or a plug-in setup. The Masterbuilt and EAST OAK models offer about 710 to 725 sq in of stated space, with features such as side chip loaders and insulated bodies.

Choose propane when you want gas heat and a large upright cabinet. The 40-inch Masterbuilt provides 960 sq in, while the dual-fuel Masterbuilt lets you switch between propane and charcoal.

Choose charcoal when live-fire heat and smoke control matter more than push-button operation. The Oklahoma Joe's Bronco uses a compact drum shape, airflow control and a fuel door for adding charcoal or wood.

Choose pellets when you want smoking and grilling in the same cooker. The Pit Boss has a 180°F to 500°F range, a pellet hopper and a flame broiler for direct searing.

You can also review How Much Does a Smoker Cost? before deciding how much capacity and control you need for your budget. The right smoker is the one whose fuel, footprint and cooking space match how you plan to use it.

How much cooking space do you need?

A smoker with about 700 sq in or more gives you more room for family batches than the 284 sq in Bronco or 518 sq in Pit Boss.

However, total area does not tell you how wide each rack is or how much clearance a large cut needs.

That distinction changes what you can realistically load on one level.

A tall cut, a wide rack of ribs or several whole birds may need different rack spacing even when the total area looks close.

Vertical smokers make efficient use of height.

They stack food levels inside a cabinet, so a narrow footprint can still hold several racks for a family meal.

Before buying, measure the smoker's depth, width and height, then leave enough room to open the door, connect fuel or power and move around the unit safely.

Do not measure only the cabinet body if a handle, hose, power lead or side loader extends beyond it in daily use.

The 30-inch models here are about 32.2 to 43.5 in high, depending on the product.

The 40-inch Masterbuilt reaches 53 in, so it needs more overhead and front access planning.

Extra height can help with stacked racks, but it can also make upper racks harder to reach when you load, turn or remove food.

Cooking for a small household does not always require the smallest smoker.

Extra rack space can help when you prepare several cuts at once, but a larger cabinet also takes longer to load, clean and move.

It also takes more effort to preheat and keep evenly heated when only one rack is in use.

Think about your usual batch first, then add room for the meals you host rather than the meals you cook most nights.

A compact drum suits a small patio and a small batch, while a vertical cabinet suits stacked cooking and less floor space.

A pellet grill sits between those needs, with one wide cooking surface rather than tall racks.

Choose the layout that fits your food, not the largest number on the page.

How should you set up and care for a smoker?

Set the smoker on a stable outdoor surface with the clearance required by its instructions.

Keep propane hoses, power connections, charcoal and wood away from areas where they could be damaged or exposed to unsafe heat.

Level ground helps doors close correctly and helps racks sit straight during a long cook.

Leave space on the door side for hot racks, trays and a place to set food down safely.

For electric smokers, use the correct outdoor power setup and keep connections protected from water.

Check that the cord does not run across a walkway or through a door that could pinch it.

For propane smokers, inspect the hose and regulator before cooking.

Look for damage or loose connections, and follow the maker guidance before you light the burner.

For dual-fuel models, confirm which fuel setup you are using so the burner, tray and controls match that cook.

For charcoal and pellet units, keep fuel dry and clear ash or grease according to the manual.

Damp fuel can be harder to manage, so store charcoal, chunks, chips and pellets under cover away from the cooking area.

Start with a clean water pan, chip tray, grease tray or cooking surface.

A clean start uses less effort than scrubbing baked residue after several cooks.

Remove food residue after the smoker cools, and check that vents and air dampers remain clear.

Wipe racks and trays as needed, and empty ash or grease where the manual directs.

Use the built-in gauge, digital controls or probe as a guide, but place food according to the cooking method you follow.

A separate food thermometer can help verify the internal temperature of meat when the smoker's built-in controls do not measure the food directly.

That habit matters most on larger cuts, where the outside can look done before the center is ready.

Keep notes on time, settings and food placement, so the next cook starts from a known setup.

What is the best broil king smoker for most backyard cooks?

The best broil king smoker choice depends on the format you value most.

Pick the Masterbuilt dual-fuel model for propane and charcoal flexibility, the Masterbuilt digital electric model for simple controls, or the 40-inch Masterbuilt propane model for the most stated cooking space.

Each of those choices asks for a different setup before cooking starts.

Dual fuel gives you two routines to learn, digital electric ties the cook to a power point, and the tall propane cabinet needs room for its full height.

Choose EAST OAK when a viewing window, meat probe, timer or rolling design matters.

Those details help when you want to check food without opening the door or move the smoker after a cook.

Choose Pit Boss for combined pellet smoking and grilling, and Oklahoma Joe's for compact charcoal cooking with hooks and hanging options.

The pellet model trades tall rack space for a wider grilling surface and direct searing.

The drum model trades total area for a smaller footprint and hanging capacity for ribs and large cuts.

Before you buy, match the smoker's fuel to your outdoor setup, measure its full footprint and compare the cooking space with the food you usually prepare.

Check power access for electric models, propane storage for gas models, and dry storage for charcoal or pellets.

That decision rule will help you find the right Broil King-style smoker format without choosing by brand name alone.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for flexible fuel choices

   Masterbuilt 30-Inch Dual Fuel Propane & Charcoal

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for simple digital control

   Masterbuilt® 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for monitoring larger batches

   EAST OAK 30" Electric Smoker for Outdoors

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What is the best broil king smoker format?

The best broil king smoker format depends on how you cook. A vertical cabinet gives you stacked cooking space in a smaller footprint, while a pellet grill adds grilling and searing.

A drum smoker suits compact charcoal cooking, and an electric smoker offers simple temperature controls.

Compare the space, fuel and control style before choosing a model.

Is a vertical smoker better for backyard cooking?

A vertical smoker can make good use of limited patio space because racks stack upward. The models here range from 710 to 960 sq in of stated cooking space, so they can suit batch cooking while using a narrower footprint than many horizontal cookers.

Measure the full height and door clearance before setup.

Should you choose an electric, propane or charcoal smoker?

Choose electric for digital controls and a plug-in setup, propane for gas heat with an adjustable dial, or charcoal for live-fire flavor and more active airflow control. Dual-fuel models give you propane and charcoal options but require you to manage two fuel types.

Your available power, fuel storage and preferred cooking routine should guide the choice.

What cooking space do you need in a smoker?

Cooking space depends on the food you prepare and how often you cook for a group. The picks here range from 284 sq in on a compact drum smoker to 960 sq in on a tall vertical model.

Look at rack layout as well as the total number, because a high square-inch figure does not guarantee that every cut will fit on one level.

Are pellet smokers good for grilling and smoking?

Pellet smokers can suit cooks who want both low-and-slow smoking and higher-heat grilling. The Pit Boss 500 FB2 has a 180°F to 500°F digital range and a flame broiler for direct flame searing.

Choose a pellet model when that combined use matters more than the taller rack capacity of a vertical smoker.