My friends and I are packing up our smokers for a competition, and packing these on a trailer has us wondering how much does a BBQ smoker weigh?
BBQ Smokers weigh 19 to just under 200 pounds depending on the manufacturer. Custom BBQ Smokers can weigh 400 to 600 pounds and over depending on the size and thickness of metal. There are even BBQ smokers and built into trailers that can weigh thousands of pounds. We’ve put together a list of different BBQ smokers to compare with yours if you are wondering how much does a BBQ Smoker weigh.
What is a BBQ Smoker?
A BBQ smoker is cooking equipment that cooks at low temperatures using smoke in an enclosed chamber. This piece of equipment is most associated with making BBQ. The smoke comes from burning wood that will create both the smoke and the heat to cook the food. The main thing is making sure there is enough space between the heat source and the food; otherwise, you will be grilling and not smoking.
A BBQ smoker has a smoking chamber and a place for the heat source. Most people think of a horizontal smoking chamber, but there can be vertical smoking chambers also. The heat source is typically found in a separate enclosure on the side of the smoking chamber called the firebox. There are single chamber smokers that contain both the smoking chamber and heat source in one chamber or box.
If you want to learn how to use a BBQ Smoker, view our post on how to use a BBQ Smoker.
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
Electric Smoker
Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, Black
Charcoal/Stick Burner Smoker
Z Grills ZPG-700E Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Wood Pellet Smoker
What materials are used in making BBQ Smokers?
BBQ Smokers are made using mostly steel and are the reason why these are so heavy. The different sizes and thicknesses of steel are what you want to look for here. Most commercial smokers are made using 1/16 inch size steel while the heavier ones are using 1/8 inch steel. The thickness of steel will contribute to not only the weight but help with performance and add durability.
Custom smokers typically use 1/4 inch for the walls and 3/8 inch for the lids and doors. With custom BBQ Smokers, you can get the firebox insulated. This helps with heat retention and avoid some accidental burns if touching the wrong piece of metal. At our last competition, the guy next to us had counterweights that were made out of steel. This allowed him to easily open his lids to the smoking chamber and use the same thickness of steel everywhere.
It is always best to check with the manufacturer of each custom smoker for exact weight.
Different types of BBQ Smokers
The four most common types of BBQ Smokers are stick burners, charcoal, pellet, and electric. Technically there are also gas smokers, but the gas is usually used to start up the stick burners and hooked up to the firebox. Neither of these is bad or worse than the other, and a lot of times, you will find that people own multiple types. It really depends on who is doing the cooking, what is being cooked, and how many people are eating.
Stick Burners Smokers
Stick Burner Smokers rely solely on wood as the fire source. These are most associated with offset smokers because the firebox is easily accessible. These have a higher learning curve because it is about managing the temperature and require constant attention. These are going to be the heaviest smokers, and the custom smokers use high-quality materials and thicker steels.
Charcoal Smokers
Charcoal smokers and including bullet smokers and ceramic smokers are not self-automated, but they require less attention than Stick Burners. These are single-chamber smokers where the smoking camber and heat source are in the same chamber. The temperature is controlled by the built-in dampers to control the airflow. Most of the charcoal will produce the smoke needed, but you can add wood chips on top or layer in the wood with the charcoal to add extra flavor.
Pellet Smokers
Pellet Smokers are controlled by a thermostat, much like an oven. Plug it in, fill it up with pellets, set the temperature, and the smoker will automatically get up to that temperature, and stay there. It automatically feeds pellets of compressed sawdust wood into a firepot to burn up.
These do need to be monitored because they are made of advanced technology, which means they are also breakable. A Pellet Smoker will also need to be supplied with power. Because they lack a pure fire, some people believe that.
If you want to learn more about pellet smokers, view our post on How Do Pellet Smokers Work.
Electric Smokers
Electric Smokers are also very similar to ovens. You add wood chips, water, and a heating element then is activated that will produce smoke without the use of an open flame. The lack of a real fire and wood combustion doesn’t provide incredible flavor, but it will give you some. These are great for beginners who are just starting out because there is no temperature management. It is as close to an oven as possible.
If you want to learn how to use an Electric Smoker, view our post on How to Use an Electric Smoker.
Which BBQ Smoker weighs the least?
The electric smokers are going to weigh the least because there isn’t a real fire, so less space and material is used when making these. They average around 50 pounds.
Charcoal and Stick Burners are going to weigh around 80 pounds but can get over 120 pounds depending on how big and the thickness of the metal. This isn’t including the custom smokers.
Pellet smokers are going to be the heaviest because they account for both a firebox, a smoke chamber, and all the electronics to control the device. These are usually around 100 to 130 pounds but can get up to 200 pounds depending on the manufacturer.
If you are looking for how much does a grill weigh, see our post specifically for grills.
For exact weights and size, see the full list below.
| Name | Weight | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Realcook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker, Heavy Duty Round BBQ Grill for Outdoor Cooking, Black | 19.8 pounds | 22 x 17 x 35 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker | 45.9 pounds | 30 x 20 x 20 inches |
  | Dyna-Glo DGU505BAE-D 30" Analog Electric Smoker | 46.3 pounds | 23.5 x 18.4 x 35.9 inches |
  | Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control, Black | 48.2 pounds | 37.1 x 19 x 20.6 inches |
  | Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker | 49.5 pounds | 15 x 20.7 x 33.5 inches |
  | Masterbuilt 20070210 30-Inch Black Electric Analog Smoker | 49.9 pounds | 26.8 x 20 x 40.2 inches |
  | Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker, 30" | 51.5 pounds | 22 x 19 x 37.5 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20070619 Mes 130s Digital Electric Smoker, Black | 53.1 pounds | 18.3 x 19.1 x 34.9 inches |
  | Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker, 30'' L, 800 Square Inch, Outdoor for Camping, Black | 54.2 pounds | 55.1 x 27.2 x 48.4 inches |
  | Bradley Smoker BS611 Electric Smoker, One Size, Black | 55.1 pounds | 34 x 20 x 18 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20052318 MPS 230S Propane Smoker, 30" (Newer Version), Black | 56 pounds | 18 x 17 x 36 inches |
  | Dyna-Glo DGO1176BDC-D Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker and Premium smoker cover | 57 pounds | 20.2 × 34.52 × 47.03 in |
  | Royal Gourmet CC1830F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker, Black | 57 pounds | 45.3 x 26.8 x 48 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20070210 MES 35B Electric Smoker, 30" Black with 3 Smoking Racks (Newer Version) | 57.1 pounds | 20 x 21.7 x 40.1 inches |
  | Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, 725 Square Inch | 58.8 pounds | 32.5 x 18.1 x 16.5 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20073519 MES 130P Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, Black | 61.8 pounds | 19.9 x 20.7 x 33.5 inches |
  | Camp Chef Smoker 18-Inch Smoke Vault Large with Stainless Door and Adjustable Shelves (SMV18S) (Pack of 2) | 63.5 pounds each | 30.2 x 18.8 x 17 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20071619 Mes 140s Digital Electric Smoker, 40” Black + Window | 68 pounds | 18.2 x 24.6 x 42.2 inches |
  | Dyna-Glo DGW1235BDP-D 36" Wide Body LP Gas Smoker | 74 pounds | 20.4 x 31.3 x 49.7 inches |
  | Masterbuilt MB20074719 Mes 140g Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, 40” Stainless + Window + BT | 78 pounds (about) | 18.2 x 24.8 x 42.4 inches |
  | Traeger Grills TFB57PZBO Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill and Smoker, 572 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, Bronze | 102.5 pounds | 41 x 27 x 49 inches |
  | Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, sq inch Cooking Area, 450 Sqft Bronze | 106 pounds | 45 x 28 x 49 inches |
  | Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill Smoker with 2019 Newest Digital Controls ,700 Cooking Area 8- in-1 Grill, Smoke, Bake, Roast, Braise ,Sear,Char-grill and BBQ for Outdoor | 112 pounds | 51.2 x 22.5 x 48.4 inches |
  | Dyna-Glo Signature Series DGSS1382VCS-D Heavy-Duty Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker & Grill | 124.3 pounds | 45.5 x 24.9 x 58.8 inches |
  | Traeger Grills TFB38TOD Renegade Pro Pellet Grill and Smoke 380 Sq. in. Cooking Capacity, Black/Orange | 137 pounds | 39 x 27 x 50 inches |
  | Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro Slide Smoker with Fold Down Front Shelf Wood Pellet Grill, Black | 145 pounds | 40.5 x 25 x 22 inches |
  | Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett WiFi Controlled Portable Wood Pellet Grill - DCWF | 149 pounds | 29.5 x 20 x 14.5 inches |
  | Camp Chef 24 in. WiFi Woodwind Pellet Grill & Smoker with Sidekick (PG14) - WiFi & Bluetooth Connectivity | 162 pounds | 30 x 48 x 49 inches |
  | Z Grills ZPG-700E 2019 New Model Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 8 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control 700 sq inch Cooking Area Silver & Black Cover Included | 176 pounds | 51 x 22 x 48 inches |
