Top 5 Best Vertical Pellet Smoker for Tender and Juicy Steaks!

Are you tired of the regular charcoal grills for poor grilling performance? Well, you can bring in the best vertical pellet smoker for even heat distribution, regulating temperature, and getting top of the world woodsy fragrance from your dishes.

Regular charcoal grills are also known for providing quality wood flavor, but you may not get the tons of convenience as you do with vertical pellet smokers.

When you’re with friends and family members, celebrating holidays together in the winter times, having one of these incredibly advanced grilling systems can surely make a difference.

5 Best Vertical Pellet Smoker for Tender and Juicy Steaks

So, how do you get a quality smoker in the first place? Well, to help you find the right one, we have a list of 5 tremendously popular vertical pellet variants you can work with. We’ll display both the positives and the potential downsides of each item so you get a complete understanding of each one of them.

Image Name Features View
PIT BOSS Digital Smoker PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series Fuel Type: Electricity
Corded: Yes
Weight : 66.5 lbs
Color: Silver
Size: 20.5 x 22 x 47 inches
Camp Chef Smoke Vault Vertical Smoker Camp Chef Smoke Vault Fuel Type: Gas
Corded: No
Weight: 74.4 lbs
Color: Silver
Size: 30.5 x 25 x 17 inches
PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker Fuel Type: Electricity
Corded: Yes
Weight 97 Pounds
Color: Copper
Size: 26 x 22 x 53 inches
Vertical SmokerCamp Chef Smoke Vault Vertical SmokerCamp Chef Smoke Vault Fuel Type: Propane Gas
Corded: No
Weight: 63.5 Pounds
Color: Sliver/Black
Size: 30.25 x 18.75 x 17 inches
Vertical Pellet Smoker Pit Boss Grills 77550 Vertical Pellet Smoker Pit Boss Grills 77550 Fuel Type: Electricity
Corded: Yes
Weight 131 Pounds
Color: Brown
Size: 28 x 29 x 53 inches

Best Vertical Pellet Smoker in a Video Review

Best Vertical Pellet Smoker in Product Reviews

1. PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series Digital Smoker

First on our list is the highly well-received Pit Boss pellet smokers. Coming with tons and tons of grilling features, this one can provide you with the desired service output. Let’s get to learn more about the device.

Specifications

  • Efficient electric smoker
  • Double-walled sturdy construction
  • Convenient digital controls panel for easy usage
  • 100-400 degrees large operating range
  • Large viewing window with high temp door seal
  • External access to porcelain coated wood pan

The thing that we’d talk about is the overall grilling/smoking performance of the item. Well, if you like to prepare different sorts of dishes from time to time, getting this one would be an ideal option. Pit Boss maintains their quality and offers a tremendously effective grilling for all your items, starting from ribs, spare ribs, smoked brisket to fish and lamb.

If you’re looking for a smoker that can cook each part of the meat or vegetable equally well, then this one can surely help. Because it comes equipped with porcelain-coated cooking racks. This coating can genuinely help make your foods a lot more delicious and flavor-rich.

Further, the see-through door will help you check on the foods as they’re being cooked. It reduces the risk of burned food as you get to check the cooking status every few minutes without opening and closing the doors.

Now, the most important pellet smoker part. Yes, you can manipulate the temperature easily using the digitized button mechanism. This ability gives you the ultimate freedom to cook your foods the way you want; whether slow cooking or fast, you can get it all done using it.

The exceptional versatility it offers is mind-blowing. Not only can you grill meats and fishes but you can also bake vegetables, cakes, and pizza.

One of the things you should consider before going ahead with this one is the increased assembly issues. You may have to spend some time getting it completely set up for the job. Further, you may get dent marks easily if not handled well. So, we’d suggest you go easy with this one.

However, this one would offer a quality grilling performance on the whole and certainly a quality item you can go for.

Things we like
  • Exceptional overall cooking performance
  • Tremendously versatile cooking, grilling, and baking experience
  • See-through door allows users to check up on the ongoing smoking process
  • Temperature control for achieving the desired taste.’
  • Porcelain racks for even heat distribution
Things we didn't like
  • Increased assembly issues
  • Gets dented easily

2. Camp Chef Smoke Vault Vertical Smoker

Are you looking for the best vertical pellet smoker under $500? Well, here is one by Camp Chef. If you’re one of those food-freaks who loves to try out different grilling techniques, this one should be a good match. Time to learn more about this premium item.

Specifications

  • Highly compact design
  • Versatile usability options
  • Added grids and jerky racks for easy grilling
  • Tremendously lightweight construction
  • Three adjustable damper valves; one on top and one on each side
  • Convenient matchless snap-ignition

One good thing about this incredible item is it offers ample space inside. Often you may have to struggle a lot to get all the foods accommodated inside the smoker. But that shouldn’t be an issue with this one as it has a larger interior.

Another positive of this device is it comes equipped with removable racks which will catch all the drippings. You can later prepare some delicious items using them.

As for the cooking and grilling performance, well, this is something you can trust with this one. You’d get a quality cooking experience with a device that will help you celebrate the good times with friends and family.

If you’re not a pro and don’t want a highly complicated smoker who makes you feel like you’re studying rocket science, well, the smoker would be the right option!

Because of its unbelievably easy and simplistic usability experiences, even novice grillers would be able to use it to perfection.

One of the issues with this one is it’s not insulated. Further, not being made using highly reinforced, thick steel compartments, this one may seem a bit fragile to put up to the outdoor experience and may get damaged a bit too easily.

All in all, if you’re up for a beginner-grade grill with a quality cooking experience, this one should surely be a good add-on for your home.

Things we like
  • Offers exceptional cooking and grilling performance
  • Large tray catches all the drippings for later use
  • Tremendously user friendly for regular use
  • Provides ample space inside to house all the foods
  • The sealed compartment ensures enriched flavors
Things we didn't like
  • No see-through glass to check on the food status
  • May seem a bit flimsy

3. PIT BOSS PBV3P1 Vertical Pellet Smoker

We have another premium-grade Pit Boss smoker at the third spot on the list. This one, too, can provide you with a quality performance output, but first, we’d have to go through the features. Let’s start!

Specifications

  • Highly stylish outer design
  • Easy maneuverability using the LED control panel
  • Fully programmable 150 – 450 degree temperature range
  • Added heat diffuser technology
  • Four porcelain coated cooking grids
  • Auto-start 300 watt igniter with auto cool-down and shut-off

One of the best things about this smoker is that you get to monitor the temperature in real-time. So, similar to the PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series, you’d be able to regulate the temperature levels to better cook the foods.

Furthermore, it also comes with porcelain-coated cooking racks. The best thing about these coats is that you don’t get half-cooked, half-burned foods. Instead, you’d get foods that are evenly cooked at all the parts.

Often we have an issue with the time limit our smokers are offering. You may want to cook for a longer amount of time, but if your smoker doesn’t allow this, chances are that you may not get the slow cooking potential. But with this one, you’re not having such issues because you get to use it 24 hours at a time.

Coming with four different racks, you’d be able to house all your foods at once and get them cooked all together. Finally, with a glassed door, you’d be able to check how good the cooking is being done on the go, reducing the risk of buried or half-cooked foods.

You may not find effective instructions to get it assembled properly. Further, the dripping tray isn’t there, so they may get all over the place inside the smoker.

However, they should still be a quality grilling, cooking, and baking companion on the whole.

Things we like
  • Temperature regulation capabilities for getting the desired cooking style
  • It can be used continuously for 24 hours period
  • Large inner storage area to cook tons of foods at once
  • See-through door for real-time monitoring
  • Provides evenly cooked foods
Things we didn't like
  • May lack proper instructions
  • Sauce and drippings may spread all over the inner areas

4. Vertical SmokerCamp Chef Smoke Vault 

We have another professional-grade Camp Chef smoke vault at the final parts of our guide. This one is a bit smaller than what we’ve talked about earlier. Time to find out what it contains for the regular grillers.

Specifications

  • Propane-powered for better smoky flavors
  • Adjustable smoking rack design
  • Added door thermometer technology
  • Included heat control technologies
  • Three adjustable damper valves; one on top and one on each side
  • Easy to read door thermometer from 50 to 550 degrees

First, we’d like to talk about its strength as we’ve noticed that many smokers get damaged pretty easily. With slight issues, while moving the smoker, they may get dented. But this one’s a bit different.

Made using thick sheet steel, this one would be comparatively stronger than the average one. As a result, it’d be a quality item to use in the outdoor campings and get-togethers.

For the overall performance, it holds a pretty impressive track record similar to the Camp Chef Smoke Vault we talked about. If you’re looking for a credible smoker that performs all the regular functions and provides you with juicy, tender steaks and BBQs, we’d certainly recommend this one, hands down.

Finally, the assembly is pretty easy with this one. You won’t have to spend days and weeks behind it to get a quality assembly. Instead, you should be able to get it set up within hours.

One of the issues is that you won’t be able to go below a staggering 250 degrees, which is pretty hot. So, you may face slight cooking difficulties, especially for foods that need to be cooked at a lower temperature. Another issue to consider is the closed-door construction; you’d have to open the door every time you check the food.

Considering the numerous benefits it’s offering, this should be a quality item for getting delicious steaks anytime!

Things we like
  • Offers an incredible overall cooking and grilling performance
  • Thick sheet steel construction for a longer-lasting use
  • Easy and effortless assembly
  • Easy to move and relocate
  • Temperature regulation capabilities
Things we didn't like
  • The door isn’t see-through
  • Doesn’t go below 250 degrees

5. Vertical Pellet Smoker Pit Boss Grills 77550 

Finally, we’re finishing off our guide with the Pit Boss 77550. Like the previous ones we talked about, this one is a tremendously sought-after item right now. Now, we’re going to talk about the reasons which make it what it is!

Specifications

  • Stylish outer design
  • Easy operations using electric power
  • Fully programmable large temperature range
  • Auto start and auto-off technology
  • Blanket insulation for better heat protection
  • Five porcelain coated cooking grids
  • Easy to assemble

One good thing about all the Pit Boss smokers is that they come with LED temperature displays. See, just like the PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series, this one too comes with the incredible technology that helps be aware of the internal temperature and adjust it constantly to get the perfect foods out of the smoker.

Furthermore, it comes with 5 different standard smoking racks, which will provide you with a substantial 40+ lb Hopper Capacity inside the smoker. As a result, you’d be able to accommodate large amounts of dishes at once.

The meat racks are coated using porcelain. As discussed, they’d maintain an equal distribution of heat for all the foods and deliver a rich flavor as a result.

On top of all these, you get to plan and program the entire grilling temperature from the 150-450 range.

Now for the most important part, the cooking quality. Well, as like the Pit Boss’ line of sophisticated grills and smokers, this one too would offer an exceptional cooking and grilling experience!

However, if you’re new to grilling and using smokers, it may seem a bit complex. It also may tend to get damaged a bit too easily. But, analyzing this one, on the whole, it should still be a quality item you can go for.

Things we like
  • Led temperature display keeps you updated
  • Large 40lb hopper capacity for cooking substantial amounts
  • Porcelain-coated racks for even heat distribution
  • Large temperature settings range from 150-450 degrees
  • Exceptional grilling performance
Things we didn't like
  • May seem a bit complicated
  • May get damaged easily

 

Types of Vertical Smokers

Vertical smokers can be of many types. In the following section, we’ll talk about each of those different types to give you a better understanding of them:

Electric/Corded

One of the most common vertical smoker types is the electric corded smokers. They mainly use the outlet power to get your work done.

Propane Smokers

With propane smokers, the power is mainly propane. One good thing about these smokers is that you get to run them at tremendously higher temperature levels. Propane is also preferred for wet weather conditions. Because electric smokers wouldn’t be the wisest pick in these environmental situations.

Offset Smokers

These are the offset smokers because the heat is usually provided from the side. Because of the sidewise heat production capabilities, these are called offset smokers.

Stander Smokers

The regular smoker type is known as the stander smoker. In these devices, the heater is placed at the bottom. The users have to throw in the wooden pellets simultaneously for the smoky flavors.

You’d see many smokers, including those mentioned in the guide, have a pan of water. This water is mainly placed so that the increased heat can be deflected.

Well, these are some vertical smoker types. Pick and choose the one that suits your cooking style and other circumstances.

 

Why should you buy a vertical pellet smoker?

You’re perhaps confused whether to go for vertical pellet smoker vs pellet grill. Well, there are plenty of reasons why you should get a vertical pellet smoker. Vertical pellet smokers are pretty good for getting a woodsy flavor in your foods; let’s find out more:

Larger Space

One good thing about these devices is that you generally get a larger grilling space than the horizontal ones. Which helps you cook plenty of foods simultaneously and reduces the time spent behind cooking and grilling. So, always measure how many inches of cooking space you’re getting before going ahead.

Faster Cooking

Another benefit of having vertical smokers is that it comes with increased airflow. As a result, you get to cook and grill your foods a lot faster than the regular offset smokers.

Portability

Many vertical devices are built light and easy to carry. Unlike the horizontal ones, the vertical pellet smokers easily move from one place to the next. So, when you’re grilling outside, getting them set up in your yard wouldn’t be that difficult.

Energy Efficient

Furthermore, being energy efficient is another benefit of vertical smokers that you can consider. They’re pretty light on energy consumption and get the jobs done with low to medium power.

 

Features to look for when buying a new best vertical pellet smoker

That’s all about vertical smokers. So, right now, you may be wondering if you should finally get one for yourself or not. Well, before you go ahead, check our highly comprehensive guidelines that can assist you while finding out the best vertical pellet smoker:

Size

One of the most important aspects of consideration is the size of the smoker. Pick and choose a smoker that suits your cooking capacity. Remember that with increased size, the weight of your smoker will also increase. Hence, it’d be difficult to move larger smokers than the comparatively smaller ones.

Durability

Here is something that we’d always urge you to check. Always go for sturdier builds. As smokers are usually used outdoors and may require quite a bit of movement, they may get damaged/dented in the process. Try getting the ones made using sturdy sheet steel to minimize the risks of outer damage.

Even-Heat Distribution

If you’re getting foods that are half cooked, half baked, or burnt, then what’s the point of spending that much on a smoker? That’s why it’s better to go for top-grade manufacturers despite the added spending. Devices with porcelain-coated racks offer quality heat distribution and reduce the possibility of half-cooked foods, so do check on that as well.

Temperature Settings

This is something related to your cooking style. If you tend to cook at a higher temperature, you must get a cooker that can offer you a higher range of temperatures. On the flip side, if you like to cook slowly, you’d have to get devices that can go as low as 100 degrees. So, to match a diverse cooking style, you can get smokers that come in a temperature range between 100-450 degrees.

Energy Source

Finally, another point of deciding which vertical pellet smoker you can go for is the energy source. Usually, smokers run on two main energy sources, electricity and propane. Each of these powers has its own positives and negatives. For instance, if you’re focusing on the food tastes, it’s always better to go for propane; they’re also well-suited for wet weather.

The electric ones are better for enhanced convenience as you can plug and operate them. So, focus on these points and get the one that suits your style.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pit Boss Vertical Smokers Good?
Yes, they’re known to be one of the highly revered vertical smoker manufacturers right now!
What Can You Cook on a Vertical Pellet Smoker?
You can cook almost anything on these devices. The list can include cooking ribs, brisket, salmon, entire turkey, and baking pies.
Is It Hard to Assemble a Vertical Smoker?
This can vary depending on the model. Some variants are pretty easy to assemble and don’t require many struggles. However, some special ones may need a lot of work.
How Long Will My Vertical Pellet Smoker Last?
Several factors can matter here. The durability of the smoker and the rate of usage are the main factors. However, a smoker can last up to 6-8 years with average use.
Are Vertical or Horizontal Pellet Smokers Better?
Vertical pellet smokers are better because they’re energy-efficient, easy to move, and offer faster cooking.

 

Final Thoughts

We’re at the final parts of our guide. In our highly comprehensive discussion, we analyzed some of the best vertical smokers out there right now. We’ve elaborated on their strengths and weaknesses and stated the features so you can make wise purchasing decisions.

Vertical smokers are tremendously efficient for getting your cooking, grilling, and baking done. They’re highly versatile and offer a sophisticated cooking output for everyday users. Moreover, they’re easy to use, highly portable, and can be used without wasting too much energy.

So, what makes you wait? Get your hands on the best smoker right now and enjoy fine BBQ evenings with your friends today!

Mumtahina Adira

Hello World! I am Home Improvement blog writer of KnowBend. I also try to use the product and then write a review about the product, so that my audience is not harmed.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button