Vertical Vs. Horizontal Smoker: The Differences, Pros & Cons

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, smoking meat can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable activities you can do.

When buying a pellet smoker, there are two basic types you need to consider: horizontal pellet smokers and vertical pellet smokers.

For years, the debate over vertical vs. horizontal smokers has raged, with both sides claiming their way is superior.

The truth is…

Vertical smokers and horizontal smokers have some differences and similarities.

They both have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand these before deciding which one to buy.

And we are going to show you what those critical elements are to help you decide which one is best for you.

Let’s get started!

Vertical Vs. Horizontal Smoker Overview

Best for smoking large amounts of food

Vertical Smoker

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Ease of Use:

Beginner-friendly

Temperature range

150°F~ 420°F

Pricing:

100$~1000$

Main feature:

Can smoke only

Best for both smoking and grilling

Horizontal Smoker

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Ease of Use:

Require experience

Temperature range

180°F~ 500°F

Pricing:

200$~2000$

Main feature:

Smoke and grill

Vertical and horizontal smokers are two different types of smokers, we can use them both to smoke food, but they each have their own advantages.

Vertical smokers are typically used for cooking large cuts of meat or other food items that require long periods of low heat to finish cooking. They also work well for smoking foods that have been prepped ahead of time—such as jerky and bacon.

A horizontal smoker is a great way to smoke steaks. They will leave an incredible searing mark on the steak, which you can’t get with a vertical smoker.

From the pricing standpoint, horizontal smokers tend to be pricier than vertical ones because they have more parts, and these parts need to be more durable and sturdy. This is why they cost a bit more.

Vertical smoker: Best for smoking large amounts of food at once

Vertical smokers are a great way to smoke your meat, whether you’re looking for something portable and beginner-friendly or something that can accommodate a lot of meat at once.

Vertical smokers come in various sizes and shapes, but the most common ones have a cabinet-like design with removable cooking racks (drip pans), a flame box, and a water pan.

This design lets the smoke go straight up from the firebox to the drip pans and go around the meat. This helps you give the meat a richer smoked flavor, cook it more evenly, and prevent it from drying.

A vertical smoker can also hold a larger amount of meat than a horizontal one, making it ideal if you’re planning to smoke large quantities of food.

The best part about vertical smoking is that it doesn’t take up much space at all.

So you don’t have to worry about finding enough room in your backyard or outdoor kitchen. Just set up your smoker outside on a patio or porch area and enjoy watching your food turn into delicious flavor bombs!

Pricing

Vertical smokers are usually cheaper than horizontal smokers.

The price of vertical smokers ranges from $100 to $1,000, depending on their features and size.

The price of vertical smokers can be determined by the quality of materials used in their construction and the type of smoking fuel.

Vertical Smokers: Pros And Cons

Horizontal Smoker (Horizontal Offset Smoker): Best For Smoking And Grilling

Horizontal smokers are more versatile than vertical smokers because they can be used for both smoking and grilling. They use the indirect heat transfer principle and are also known as “horizontal offset smokers.”

A horizontal smoker differs from a vertical smoker in that the smoke is directed toward the meat from the cooking chamber on the side rather than rising from the bottom to the top.

The firebox usually has doors separate from the cooking chamber, so you can add more fuel without disturbing the cooking process.

These types of smokers are commonly used for smoking foods like hot dogs, steaks, burgers, and other meat products.

Pricing

Horizontal smokers are a bit pricier than vertical ones but are also more versatile.

The price of a horizontal smoker varies from 200$ to 2000$, depending on the type of smoker and the material used.

The Pros And Cons

Vertical And Horizontal Pellet Smokers: Smoking Performance

Vertical smokers use a series of grates that are set on top of the flame and a water pan to hold the food as it cooks.

They’re good for smoking large batches of food, but they tend to heat more slowly than horizontal models and can leave some space between the grate and the meat—which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to get searing marks on your food.

Horizontal smokers use smoke generated from the cooking chamber on the side to produce some of the most flavorful meat.

This is because a horizontal smoker allows direct heat to reach the meat, which results in an authentic classic bbq flavor.

Vertical Vs. Horizontal Smokers: The Differences and Similarities

The similarities between a vertical smoker and a horizontal smoker are that they both use fuel sources for cooking your food indirectly. They both use smoke, which is created when you burn pellets or charcoal. However, the mechanics of the two devices vary significantly.

The key difference between vertical and horizontal smokers is that the former is designed to cook food at a lower temperature, while the latter cooks food at a higher temperature.

Horizontal smokers usually have a smaller cooking capacity than vertical ones, meaning they can only hold less food at once.

With a vertical smoker, it has different levels you can smoke on. The lower levels are used for smoking meat or fish, while the higher levels are for smoking vegetables and fruit.

Horizontal smokers are longer and more like regular barbecue smokers in shape.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Smoker: Which Is better?

Vertical smokers and horizontal smokers are both great for smoking, but one is better for what you want to do.

Vertical smokers are great for smoking; they give you a richer, more flavorful smoked flavor to the food. But the thing is… they never grill!

Horizontal smokers, on the other hand, are all-rounders that allow you to grill and smoke your food, which means that they’re much more versatile than vertical smokers.

Horizontal and vertical smokers – FAQs

Final Thoughts

Between vertical and horizontal smokers, the type of smoker you choose for your needs is going to be decided by a variety of factors.

If you want something that smokes large amounts of meat at once and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your outdoor kitchen, then the vertical would be the one you want.

If, on the other hand, you want an all-rounder that can smoke and grill, then it may be worth looking into horizontal smokers.

In the end, it will all boil down to what you need and what features you’re looking for.