Commonly, people are comparing pellet smoker and charcoal smoker and finding the difference between them. There is a difference between them, but both have some pros and cons, which should be considered before jumping on the conclusion that which is the best. Do not hassle between using both of them because it would be difficult for you. Hence scroll down, get the proper knowledge, and then decide which one is better for you.
Pellet smoker
Pellet smokers have been used for several years, and people are also using it as it is one of the most popular tools for cooking outdoor. Pellet smokers have been constructed from food-grade wood pellets, which are put into the hopper of the burner and then ignited inside. Mostly there is an auger that connects hopper to the burn pot beneath the cooking grate.
How long do pellet grills last?
Pellet grills last for upto eight hours or more without having to add more pellets on a single load.
Benefits of a Pellet Smoker
- As every object has some pros and cons; hence pellet smokers also have here are the advantages of using a pellet smoker.
- It is easy to fire up pellet smokers
- They can maintain a steady temperature quite easily.
- Pellet smoker produce different flavors to the final cooked food
- Some people find it healthier than other smokers.
Drawbacks of a pellet smoker
Here are some downsides of pellet smoker which you need to keep in mind while using pellet smoker;
- Pellet smoker runs on electricity which means you need to stay close to the power supply.
- It has to clean regularly, and it is a bit difficult to maintain a pellet smoker.
Charcoal smoker
As the name describes, charcoal smoker uses charcoal as a fuel of the smoker. It is traditional, or you can say the olden way of smoking food. Charcoal smoker produces juicy and delicious meat and gives a natural smoky odor to your food. Everyone with the traditional cooking style would love charcoal smoker.
Advantages of Charcoal Smoker
- Charcoal smokers have several benefits, some of them are described below
- Affordable, it has low purchasing and maintaining cost
- Can easily work at both low and high temperature
- These are mobile smokers because they do not need an electric supply to get turned on.
- Add smokey, charcoal flavour to your food.
- Charcoal smokers have several benefits, some of them are described below
Downsides of charcoal smoker
Here are some significant disadvantages of charcoal smokers
- It is somehow difficult to maintain both temperatures
- You will have a hard time to clean charcoal smokers.
Comparison Between Pellet Smoker and Charcoal Smoker
| Pellet smoker | Charcoal smoker | |
| Temperature | Usually, pellet smoker reaches upto 220-250 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. | A charcoal smoker can reach upto 300 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Flavour | As the pellet is made of wood hence you will get the flavour similar to woods. | Food grilled over charcoal smoker is somehow smokier and has a flavour of its own. |
| Costs | Pellet smokers are not pocket-friendly that means pellet smoker is quite expensive. | Charcoal smokers are relatively less expensive you can say charcoal smokers are affordable. |
| Ease of use | Pellet grills are easier to use as compared to a charcoal smoker. | Charcoal smokers need keen knowledge to operate them. Charcoal smokers are difficult to use. |
| versatility | With a pellet smoker, it is easy to cook at a lower temperature but it is difficult to get the highest temperature. | You can cook at both lower and highest temperature on charcoal smoker. |
| Time of use | Pellets can run upto eight hours or more without having to add more pellets on a single load. | For slow and steady fire charcoal fire run upto twelve hours but it can be very less if you are smoking food at the highest temperature. |
As you have observed that both types of smokers are quite effective and versatile. If you love to make your own fire and you have some experience as well then you can easily use a charcoal smoker but if you are a beginner then it is recommended to use pellet smoker.
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