As an experienced barbecue pitmaster, I’ve had the opportunity to cook on a wide range of smokers, from classic offset models to the increasingly popular vertical drum smokers. Today, I want to share my personal insights and experiences with you regarding some of the best barrel smokers on the market. Whether you’re a seasoned competition cook or a backyard grilling enthusiast, understanding the nuances of these versatile smokers can truly elevate your barbecue game.
The Pit Barrel Cooker: A Veteran’s Choice
Let’s start with the Pit Barrel Cooker, a model that’s become a staple in the barbecue community. As a veteran-owned business, the Pit Barrel Cooker Company has built an excellent reputation for producing high-quality, user-friendly smokers. One of the things that sets the Pit Barrel Cooker apart is its unique hanging system, which allows you to easily suspend your meats above the heat source. This not only maximizes the available cooking space but also helps to create a consistently moist and tender final product.
What I love about the Pit Barrel Cooker is its simplicity. With no complex controls or gauges, it’s ready to use straight out of the box – simply attach the handles, and you’re good to go. The 18-gauge stainless steel construction and porcelain-enameled interior ensure durability and easy cleanup, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced pitmasters alike.
One of the Pit Barrel Cooker’s standout features is its ability to accommodate a large quantity of food. You can easily smoke up to eight racks of ribs at a time, making it an excellent option for feeding a crowd. And with the various accessories available, such as turkey hangers and corn holders, you can truly customize your cooking setup to suit your needs.
While the Pit Barrel Cooker may lack some of the advanced temperature control features found in more expensive models, its consistent performance and user-friendly design make it a fantastic value proposition. If you’re looking for a reliable, no-fuss barrel smoker that can deliver delicious barbecue results every time, the Pit Barrel Cooker is definitely worth considering.
The Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco: Balancing Versatility and Control
Moving on to the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco, this drum smoker offers a bit more versatility and control than the Pit Barrel Cooker. With its adjustable air intake and exhaust system, you can precisely regulate the temperature within your smoker, allowing you to cook both low and slow or hot and fast, depending on your needs.
One of the things I appreciate about the Bronco is its robust construction. Made from durable steel and featuring an industrial-grade paint finish, this smoker is built to withstand high temperatures up to 1000°F. The inclusion of a temperature gauge on the front of the unit is also a nice touch, as it allows you to monitor the internal temperature at a glance.
In terms of cooking capacity, the Bronco boasts a generous 366 square inches of grate space, with the option to add an additional grate for even more room. Like the Pit Barrel Cooker, the Bronco also offers the ability to hang your meats, providing you with multiple cooking options to suit your preferences.
What sets the Bronco apart, in my opinion, is its mobility. Equipped with large, sturdy wheels, this smoker can be easily moved around your backyard or to a tailgating event with minimal effort. The side shelf is another handy feature, giving you a convenient place to stage your ingredients or rest your tools while tending to your meal.
While the Bronco may come with a slightly higher price tag than the Pit Barrel Cooker, the added features and versatility it offers make it a compelling choice for those looking to take their barbecue game to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned competition cook or a passionate backyard griller, the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco is definitely worth considering.
The Gateway Drum Smoker: A Competition-Proven Champion
If you’ve been to any barbecue competitions in the last few years, you’ve likely seen the Gateway Drum Smoker in action. This model has become a favorite among competitive pitmasters, thanks to its ability to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
One of the standout features of the Gateway Drum Smoker is its “hot and fast” design, which allows you to smoke at temperatures ranging from 250°F to 325°F. This makes it an excellent choice for those who don’t have the luxury of spending an entire day tending to their brisket or pork butt.
The Gateway’s dual air intake pipes, situated at waist level, provide you with precise control over the airflow into the smoker, ensuring that your fire is burning cleanly and efficiently. Paired with the adjustable exhaust vent at the top, you can fine-tune the temperature to achieve the perfect cook every time.
While the Gateway Drum Smoker doesn’t come with a built-in deflector plate like some other models, many competitive cooks simply use the “spin” method, rotating their grates to ensure even cooking across the entire surface. And with the option to add multiple grate levels, you can maximize your cooking capacity to take on larger cuts of meat or multiple racks of ribs simultaneously.
One aspect of the Gateway that I really appreciate is its durable construction. The industrial-grade paint finish can withstand temperatures up to 1000°F, ensuring that your smoker will maintain its sleek appearance even with heavy usage. And the caster wheels, while not as smooth as some other models, do provide a decent level of mobility to help you navigate your backyard or transport the smoker to a competition.
If you’re looking to up your barbecue game and join the ranks of the competition circuit, the Gateway Drum Smoker is definitely worth a closer look. Its proven track record, versatile cooking capabilities, and robust build quality make it a top contender in the world of barrel smokers.
The Hunsaker Drum Smoker: My Personal Favorite
Now, if you really want to talk about my personal favorite barrel smoker, I have to give a shout-out to the Hunsaker Drum Smoker. As someone who has cooked on a wide range of drum smokers, I can confidently say that the Hunsaker has become my go-to choice for both competition and backyard cooking.
What sets the Hunsaker apart, in my opinion, is its innovative air intake system. Rather than relying on side-mounted pipes like the Gateway or the Bronco, the Hunsaker’s air intake is located on the bottom of the unit. This unique design, combined with the included Vortex feature, creates a highly efficient and consistent airflow that helps to circulate the smoke and heat throughout the drum.
The end result is a smoker that maintains incredibly stable temperatures, even in windy conditions – a common challenge with many drum smokers. I can simply set my desired temperature on the Hunsaker’s exhaust vent, and it will hold that range with remarkable precision, allowing me to focus on perfecting my meat instead of constantly adjusting the airflow.
Another feature I absolutely love about the Hunsaker is its mobility. Equipped with heavy-duty, rubberized wheels and a locking caster, this smoker is a breeze to maneuver, whether I’m rolling it across the grass, over uneven terrain, or into the back of my trailer. This level of portability is a game-changer, especially when it comes to competitions or catering events.
But the Hunsaker’s advantages don’t stop there. The smoker’s hinged lid stays securely in place, eliminating the need to find a place to set it down during the cooking process. And the bottom-mounted air intake makes cleanup a breeze – simply open the lever, and any accumulated ash or grease can be easily swept or vacuumed out.
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the Hunsaker, at least for me, is the level of customization available. From custom paint colors to branded logos, you can truly make this smoker your own, which is a feature I greatly appreciate as a competitive pitmaster.
Ultimately, the Hunsaker Drum Smoker has become my go-to choice for its unparalleled temperature control, impressive mobility, and overall ease of use. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, versatile barrel smoker that can handle anything from low-and-slow brisket to hot-and-fast ribs, I can’t recommend the Hunsaker enough.
Exploring the DIY Drum Smoker Option
Of course, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys a bit of DIY flair, you may want to consider building your own drum smoker from a kit. There are several companies out there that offer these types of kits, allowing you to create your own custom smoker from a 55-gallon drum.
One brand that I personally recommend is the Hunsaker DIY kit. By starting with a Hunsaker kit, you can essentially build your own version of the smoker I’ve been raving about, but at a significantly lower cost. The kit comes with all the necessary components, including the air intake system and Vortex design, so you can essentially create a professional-grade drum smoker for a fraction of the price of a fully assembled model.
Now, I know that the idea of building your own smoker might seem daunting, but I can assure you that it’s a really rewarding experience. Plus, with the detailed instructions and video guides provided by Hunsaker, the process is much more straightforward than you might think. And the end result is a smoker that you can truly call your own, with the added satisfaction of having created it with your own two hands.
Whether you opt for a pre-assembled barrel smoker or decide to build your own, I hope that my insights and experiences have helped to shed some light on the world of drum smokers. These versatile and user-friendly units can truly elevate your barbecue game, whether you’re a seasoned competition pitmaster or a backyard grilling enthusiast.
And remember, no matter which drum smoker you choose, the most important thing is to get out there, fire up your smoker, and start creating some mouthwatering, flavor-packed barbecue. After all, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
If you have any other questions or would like to learn more about barbecue techniques, grilling tips, or smoker reviews, be sure to check out the resources available on the Creekside BBQ website. Our team of experienced pitmasters is always happy to share our knowledge and help you take your barbecue skills to the next level.
