Best portable smokers for camping

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By

James

Updated on

A portable smoker is essential if you like outdoor adventures and camping. But choosing one can become overwhelming because there are so many products available on the market. That’s why we are here to make it easy to find the best small portable smoker for camping. We’ll tell you what it’s like, how it’s made, and if it’s worth it.

  • Things to know about smokers
  • What to look for in a smoker?
  • Can small portable smokers handle all the food you want to cook?
  • How to choose the best portable smoker?

Our Top Picks


Below is a summary of the top picks from our SummerBaron.com team. To help you understand where each pick ranked, we have included “badges” next to each pick’s key findings. “Best Overall” is a combination of price and value. “Best Budget” is great for summer lovers who want a top-quality product but are on a tighter budget. “High End” is for people who just want the best, and price is no object.

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Product

How did we pick these products?

More Information

Our Top Pick

Nomad Grill and Smoker

Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments

Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby

More Information

Best Budget and Value

Camp and Tail Gate Grilling System PKGO

Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments

Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby

More Information

Best High-End

FirePit + Wood and Charcoal burning

Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments

Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby

Reviews of Each Pick


Below are our detailed reviews of each product. Each product included in this review is reviewed by our team ⎯ with 1,000s of hours testing and working with products to help you pick the best one for your specific situation.

Our Top Pick

Nomad Grill and Smoker

Pros

It comes with advanced thermal features.

Iodized and non-resistant to corrosion 

Cons

None

Let’s start with our top pick, the Nomad Grill and Smoker. This portable smoker is perfect for many reasons. First off, it is lightweight because of the aluminum material and extremely portable, making it easy for you to carry anywhere you go.

It comes in the shape of a tiny suitcase, and the built quality is premium. It also has enough space for all the cooking you want to do. After all, Nomad proudly calls themselves the ‘Holy Grail of grills,’ so get one for yourself because you will love it!


Some things to know about a smoker 

Before you purchase a smoker, there are some things that you need to know first. You should decide what type of smoker you want because there are many different types such as;

  • Gas smokers
  • Charcoal smokers
  • Pellet smokers 
  • Electric smokers 

Every type of smoker has different features and specifications, so it’s best to read about it before purchasing. 

What to look for in a smoker?

Three essential elements make a smoker the perfect buy. The first thing to consider is the size. Most of the portable smokers are small, but they still can cook for over twenty people while the bigger ones have more cooking capacity. So depending on your needs, choose the size that fits your requirement. 

Secondly, the versatility of the smoker is another crucial factor. For example, most smokers can grill as well as smoke the food. However, many cheap products don’t have that feature. So always look for one that is versatile. 

Finally, durability is crucial. The best ones are those built with premium quality steel and aluminum layers. If these two are compromised, your smoker will probably not last for more than two grills. 

Can small portable smokers handle all the food you want to cook?

The small portable smokers can handle most of the food you would generally grill, like steaks, burgers, or vegetables. 

How to choose the best portable smoker 

Choosing the best portable smoker becomes easy if you know what to look for. So always try and get one that has stainless steel coiled handles. You can also check the accessibility of the wood or coal into the smoker, whether it has wheels, the space inside for cooking, other added features like Bluetooth, drip pan, and ease of cleaning.

Best Budget and Value

Camp and Tail Gate Grilling System PKGO

Pros

Exhaust vents and dual water-shedding vents

Affordable pricing

Cons

The warranty of the product varies across different countries.

Not suitable for overnight smoking sessions

Up next, we have the Camp and Tail Gate System PKGO portable smoker. It is small but delivers optimum cooking performance for all your trips. 

What makes this portable smoker stand out from the rest is it has a patented feature. It introduced a two-zone grilling system to use direct high heat or low indirect heat for cooking. 

Small yet effective is the word for this smoker. You won’t be disappointed with it.

Best High-End

FirePit + Wood and Charcoal burning

Pros

It comes equipped with a 12,800 mAh battery for burning.

Bluetooth and App feature

Cons

It tends to become smoky.

The fan battery can have problems like melting.

There is nothing like enjoying the warmth and crackle of a camping fire, and that is what this smoker does. 

It has a patented airflow technology with an x-ray mesh body so that you can enjoy the fire as you cook. This smoker also comes with an award-winning BioLite FirePit for efficient flames.

So if you love cooking on the fire, you will love this portable smoker!

Camp Chef Professional Barbecue Box

Pros

Hinge lid

Convenient handle for easy opening and closing

Cons

It may have issues with the built quality.

Most users experience quick grease fires.

The Deluxe Barbecue Grill Box is the next portable smoker on the list. One of its highlighting features is the internal heat diffusion technology that allows you to cook the food evenly. It comes with cast iron grill grates, and it has a temperature gauge so that you can check if the heat is too much.

This smoker is as portable as it can get to meet your smoking needs.

PARENT-NEW AS300&350

Pros

Excellent smoke flavoring

Temperature accuracy is acceptable.

Cons

No Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity

No option for timers and alerts

This portable smoker has a premium built made from stainless steel. So it is robust and can withstand extreme heat, and will not rust easily. It uses natural wood, so you can enjoy some well-cooked natural meals with smart technology to control the temperature.

The grill air duct is patented, and you get even distribution of heat for the best cooking.

Lastly, we have the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill by Weber on the list. This portable smoker is fantastic for making some quick burgers, and it can easily accommodate six of them.

It also has a lid made from porcelain to ensure that you don’t lose any heat and prevent corrosion. All in all, it is an excellent choice for a portable smoker.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Easy to clean and durable with steel grates and legs

Cons

  • The body is shallow and may not be favorable for some.
  • Can have issues with the bottom vent lock

About The Author


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Reviewed by

James

James is a writer who is a self-confessed kitchenware and coffee nerd and a strong advocate of Sundays, good butter, and warm sourdough.