Our cooking enthusiasts have spent over five years testing more than 30+ of the best smokers for salmon on the market. For the 2021 update, here are our 9 top picks that we have rounded up. Keep reading!
Here are the best smokers for salmon you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Even & Consistent Smoking (Electric Smoker): Masterbuilt MB20070210
- Sturdy (Electric Smoker): CUISINART COS-330
- Best For Beginners (Electric Smoker): Char-Broil Analog
- Easy To Assemble (Charcoal Smoker): Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
- Multi-Functional (Charcoal Smoker): Realcook Vertical 17-Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
- Easy To Clean (Charcoal Smoker): Cuisinart COS-118
- Durable (Pellet Smoker): Traeger Grills Pro Series 22
- Best For Big Families (Pellet Smoker): Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI SmokePro SG
- Easy To Clean (Pellet Smoker ): Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020 Upgrade
| 9 Best Smokers For Salmon | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Even & Consistent Smoking | Masterbuilt MB20070210
| |
Sturdy | CUISINART COS-330
| |
Best For Beginners | Char-Broil Analog
| |
Easy To Assemble | Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
| |
Multi-Functional | Realcook Vertical 17-Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
| |
Easy To Clean | Cuisinart COS-118
| |
Durable | Traeger Grills Pro Series 22
| |
Best For Big Families | Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI SmokePro SG
| |
Easy To Clean | Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020 Upgrade
| |
Best For Even & Consistent Smoking: Masterbuilt MB20070210
- Deliver even, consistent smoking - 1,500-watt heating element
- Easy to modify the heat – separately built controller and the heating coil
- The paint peels
The Masterbuilt MB20070210 is one of the few electric smokers we’ve tested that deliver the most even and consistent smoking performance.
The secret? Thanks to the high-quality heating coil, it provides a 1,500-watt heating element to be capable of producing temperature ranges from 100 to 375 degrees F.
And, this feature is built separately from the controller – unlike the MB20077618, which is easy to modify and monitor.
| Masterbuilt MB20070210 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 49.86 Pounds |
Dimension | 20 x 21.69 x 40.15 inches |
Highlight Features | 1,500-watt heating element |
The Masterbuilt MB20070210 is worth the money: it is the best electric smoker option for even a consistent smoking performance that we have tested.
Sturdy: CUISINART COS-330
- Very sturdy - stainless-steel construction and a heavy base
- Easy to set up – including all required hardware & clear instructions
- Able to move in/out an outdoor kitchen - side handles
- The door is dinged up a little
The CUISINART COS-330 is incredibly sturdy and well-made, so much so that most of our testers confess to feeling safe in leaving it.
The setup was easy, the instructions were well-written, and it came with everything we needed to begin to smoke food.
The temperature control had never been a problem during our testing. Another bonus is its side handles - which allow for easy weaving in and out of a narrow outdoor kitchen.
| CUISINART COS-330 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 59 lbs. |
Dimension | 22 x 19 x 37.5 inches |
Smoking Area | 548 square inches |
Highlight Features | stainless-steel construction a heavy base |
Highlighting stainless-steel construction and a heavy base, the CUISINART COS-330 is the sturdiest among our recommendations.
Best For Beginners: Char-Broil Analog
- Economically priced
- Come pre-assembled
- User-friendly – precisely working built-in thermometer & the heat holding well.
- The chip compartment is a bit narrow
The Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is affordable, easy to assemble, and a breeze to use that we believe any beginner will love.
The temperature on the built-in thermometer was correlated nicely with our meat thermometer during testing. And, the temperature did not drop despite the outer elements.
| Char-Broil Analog Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 49.5 Pounds |
Dimension | 15 x 20.7 x 33.5 inches |
Smoking Area | 544 Square inches |
Highlight Features | precisely-working built-in thermometer the heat holding well. Come pre-assembled |
For any beginner who wants to make BBQ without having to spend a bunch on a digital electric smoker or a pellet smoker, the Char-Broil Analog is a good choice.
Easy To Assemble: Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
- Come mostly pre-assembled
- Clear assembly instructions & including all required tools
- There are minor air leaks
The Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker is quite easy to assemble, even for non-experienced users.
It comes mostly pre-assembled and the remaining task is very little. A combination wrench and a screwdriver are all that's required. The assembly instructions are clear, too. So, you don't need to spend the extra money on expert assembly.
| Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 39.1 Pounds |
Dimension | 21 x 19 x 41 inches |
Smoking Area | 269 square inches |
Highlight Features | Come mostly pre-assembled Clear assembly instructions including all required tools |
If you’re looking for an easy-to-assemble charcoal smoker for salmon, try the Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker
Multi-Functional: Realcook Vertical 17-Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker
- Flexible - detachable dual-layer design
- Able to smoke, roast, braise, steam, and grill - featuring an adjustable air lid, a water pan, and a charcoal pan
- Very affordable
- The lid is sold separately
- The hooks are weirdly positioned
If you want more on your smoker, the Realcook Vertical 17-Inch is a versatile and multifunctional option.
We found that this detachable dual-layer design easily transforms from a smoker to a BBQ griller when in need.
Built with an adjustable air lid, a water pan, and a charcoal pan, it is also able to meet different cooking methods, consisting of roasting, braising, steaming, and grilling.
| Realcook Vertical 17-Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 18.55 Pounds |
Dimension | 22 x 17 x 35 inches |
Smoking Area | 453 square inches |
Highlight Features | detachable dual-layer design featuring an adjustable air lid, a water pan, and a charcoal pan |
The Realcook Vertical 17-Inch boasts a detachable dual-layer design, along with an additional adjustable air lid and a water pan, making it a greatly multifunctional option.
Easy To Clean: Cuisinart COS-118
- Easy to clean – removable ash pan
- Accessible to add, track, and remove foods – the lift-off lid & the vertically hinged door
- No cookbook included
While some charcoal smokers' cleaning is no other than muscular exercises, this product is not the thing.
It is a snap to clean up once cooling down.
One big bonus is that, the Cuisinart COS-118 has a lift-off lid for you to be able to add, track, and remove foods without crouching to get into a side door of the smoker as commonly found on other brands.
| Cuisinart COS-118 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 37 Pounds |
Dimension | 20.5 x 20.5 x 22.8 inches |
Smoking Area | 510 square inches |
Highlight Features | the lift-off lid & the vertically hinged door removable ash pan |
In need of an easy-to-clean smoker for salmon? Our pick is the Cuisinart COS-118
Durable: Traeger Grills Pro Series 22
- Durable - powerful steel construction with powder coat finish
- Accurate temperature readings - two remote digital temperature probes
- The price doesn’t include a cover
The powerful steel construction with the powder coat finish of this smoker makes it as heavy and sturdy as a Sherman tank. Therefore, although it’s a little bit high in pricing, we still find the product completely well worth the money spent.
Because Traeger employs two remote digital temperature probes in this line for extra accurate temperature readings, it is easy to monitor and control the heat.
You don’t need to be a diehard smoker to do well with this.
| Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 102.3 pounds |
Dimension | 41 x 27 x 49 inches |
Smoking Area | 572 Sq. In. |
Capacity | 18 lbs. |
Highlight Features | powerful steel construction with powder coat finish |
The Traeger Grills Pro Series 22’s powder-coated finish steel construction makes it as durable as a Sherman tank
Best For Big Families: Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI SmokePro SG
- Ideal for family-sized BBQs – the 811-square-inch interior area
- Hand-free & easy to use - Bluetooth PID controller, & the Camp Chef Connect App compatibility
- Convenient to use - expanded chamber height, side attachment compatibility, full-sized upper shelf, etc.
- Costly
This fantastic beast is our top pick for family-sized BBQs.
It boasts an insanely spacious interior cooking space (around 811 square inches) combining with the precise Bluetooth PID controller and the Camp Chef Connect App compatibility.
This definitely is your best assistant in cooking a huge amount of food simultaneously with no babysitting or any Masterchef cooking skills required.
Other substitute features are also upgraded for your convenience, such as the expanded chamber height, side attachment compatibility, full-sized upper shelf, etc.
| Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI SmokePro SG Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 141.7 pounds |
Dimension | 30 x 48 x 49 inches |
Smoking Area | 811 sq. in. |
Capacity | 22 lbs. |
Highlight Features | the 811-square-inch interior area Bluetooth PID controller, & the Camp Chef Connect App compatibility expanded chamber height, side attachment compatibility, full-sized upper shelf, etc. |
Of all the pellet smokers we tested, the Camp Chef 24 in. WIFI SmokePro SG is the largest and most powerful, making it a great choice for families.
Easy To Clean: Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020 Upgrade
- Easy to clean - grease-resistant porcelain-coated steel material & Waste Oil Collector
- Transportable – lightweight & two wheels
- Consistent & hands-free - 20-pound hopper & automated electric feed system
- The outside is hot when the smoker is working
- The wheels seem a bit weak
This Z Grills' 2020-upgrade pellet smoker is currently the lightest and easiest to clean that we've found.
Despite the stainless steel construction, it weighs only 84 pounds. Most of its cooking-relevant parts are removable and made of grease-resistant porcelain-coated steel plus it highlights a waste oil collector.
One big advantage of this smoker is its automated electric feed system and the 20-pound hopper, which allows for 20-hour constant working without having to refill pellets or adjust the heat.
Lastly, it is USA-made.
| Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020 Upgrade Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 84 Pounds |
Dimension | 48 x 22 x 51 inches |
Smoking Area | 700 sq. in. |
Capacity | 20 lbs. |
Highlight Features | grease-resistant porcelain-coated steel material & Waste Oil Collector 20-pound hopper & automated electric feed system |
The Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020 Upgrade is the easiest-to-clean option that we’ve tested, which gives you extra time for relaxing.
How To Choose The Best Smoker For Salmon?
Types Of Smokers
There are three common types of smokers for salmon:
- Electric smokers
- Charcoal smokers
- Pellet smokers
Electric smokers
Charcoal smokers
Pellet smokers
Pros
-Low-maintenance & easy to clean
-Space-saving
-Large cooking capacity
-Affordable
-No babysitting
-Easy to use
-Bring a rich smoke-infused flavor
-Able to grill foods tastefully
-Not require any electric outlet
Affordable
-Add a hint of outdoorsy to the flesh
-Low-maintenance
-Simple to use
-Look cool
-Fuel-efficient
-No babysitting
-Easy to use
Cons
-Not create a smoke ring
-Salmon does not taste as good as on charcoal or pellet smokers
-Not for grilling
-Require an electric outlet
-A bit complicated to clean up
-Hard to control temperature while smoking foods
-Unable to smoke in cool climates
-Still does not bring a really strong smoky flavor as charcoal smokers
-Limited cooking area
-Expensive
-Require an electric outlet
Best for
-Cooking at really low temperatures
-Using outside of apartments or condos where real fires aren’t permitted
-Smoking in cooler climates
-Multiple-use: Smoking and grilling
-Outside of a house where real fires are permitted
-Only smoking at constant low temperatures
-a few time outside of an apartment or a condo where real fires aren’t permitted
-Smoking in cooler climates
Temperature Ranges
You might want to smoke other foods than just salmon, so temperature ranges of the smoker are worth-considering. If you prefer to cook foods straight up in a smoker, choose a model featuring inner temperature ranges from 325 degrees F or higher.
If you want to smoke meats, aside from salmon, choose a model with temperatures of 250 degrees F.
Smoker Sizes
Or, the smoker cooking area.
You should opt for a smoker that provides enough cooking area for the foods that you’d like to smoke. But take note that the larger the cooking area of a smoker, the bulkier and the pricier. Therefore, you need to strike a balance between price, size, and space.
Which Brands Make The Best Smoker For Salmon?
Weber
This proudly USA-based brand was established in 1952 and has constantly developed till these days. Their smokers stand out for the latest innovation and technologies.
Traeger
Founded in 1985, Traeger has mastered the craft of wood-fired cooking and been leading the industry as the world's #1 selling wood-fired grills. Their products are the favorite choice as an easy, budget-friendly outdoor grill option to add a wood-smoked flavor to salmon.
FAQs
What type of smoker is best for fish?
This is a preference issue. Any type of smoker is suitable for fish. But if you like backyard barbecue flavor, choose a charcoal smoker. Or if you prefer to add a hint of outdoorsy, a pellet or wood smoker is a better choice.
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Yes, it is. Smoked salmon if eaten in moderation is good for you because it’s rich in several vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein, and omega-3 fatty acids – which helps balance out omega-6 fatty acids in your blood to prevent heart disease, and more.
What is the best temp to smoke salmon?
The best temp to smoke salmon is 225 degrees F.
How long does it take to smoke salmon at 350?
It usually takes 15-25 minutes to smoke salmon at 350 degrees F.
Do you wrap salmon in foil when smoking?
Yes, I do. This smoking technique helps retain moisture in the flesh, making it tastier and.
Conclusion
Purchasing a salmon smoker is a big investment and a big decision. Before finding the right one for your needs and budget, you might find yourself researching for days, weeks, or even months. Hopefully, this ultimate guide helped you pick the best smoker for salmon more easily.
Thanks for reading.
