Is it possible to cook and eat smoked chicken thighs while camping or at the tailgate party?
You bet it is — all you need is a portable smoker.
These are the smallest smokers you can get, and they are available with all of the same features and options that full-size backyard models are.
But just because they are portable doesn’t always mean that they can be used anywhere. Picking the right smoker for your getaway means taking a careful look at the sizes and capacities that will work, as well as the fuel source available.
Our recommendations for Best Portable Smoker:
- Best Portable Charcoal Smoker: Weber Smokey Mountain
- Best Portable Pellet Smoker: Traeger Tailgater
- Small Tabletop Pellet Smoker: Traeger Ranger
- Best Portable Propane Smoker: Masterbuilt MPS 20B
- Best Portable Electric Smoker: Smokin-It Model #1
- Best Portable Kamado Smoker: Char-Griller Akorn Jr.
- Smallest and Most Portable: Ninja Woodfire
- Portable WiFi Pellet Grill: Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett
8 Best Portable Smokers Reviewed
We have picked the best portable options from all different types of smokers available on the market. Choose the one that best fits your needs, and you can enjoy a tasty barbecue while camping or tailgating.
Or why not bring the smoker over to your friend’s house and cook an amazing dinner for everyone?
Best Portable Charcoal Smoker: Weber 14-Inch Smokey Mountain Charcoal Cooker
Weber’s 14-inch Smokey Mountain is a small bullet-style charcoal smoker — a perfect choice for camping as it’s very portable and doesn’t need any electricity.
This smoker stands 32 inches tall and weighs just over 20 pounds, so it’s not too big to throw in the back of your car. Yet, you can still fit one whole chicken or even a small turkey in this smoker.
After spending several weekends exploring this compact smoker, let me tell you why I love it so much!
Specifications:
- Smoker Type: Vertical charcoal smoker
- Cooking Area: 286 sq.in on two levels
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Build Materials: Painted steel and porcelain-enameled steel
- Dimensions: 14.7″ x 14.7″ x 31.4″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 10, 5, or 2 years depending on the part (click the link above to see details at BBQGuys)
Design and Build Quality
Upon unboxing the Weber Smokey Mountain 14-inch smoker, I was immediately struck by its petite yet sturdy build. Adhering to Weber’s signature bullet-shape design, it exudes a robust and durable vibe despite its compact stature.
The well-crafted painted steel exterior looks sleek and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
The beauty of this smoker is that it’s dead simple. There are no fancy electronics and no electricity or propane gas is required to use it. It’s a smoker version of the world-famous Weber kettle grill, and it’s just as dependable and straightforward.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The thing I really love about this smoker is the simple, yet effective design. The layered structure enables a small footprint and has two separate cooking grids above the charcoal grate.
The well-designed top and bottom dampers make controlling the temperature quite easy. Although using the Smokey Mountain takes a bit more practice compared to cooking with an electric or propane smoker.
When it’s clean-up time, the removable ash catcher and easy-access charcoal chamber make it uncomplicated and swift. This allows you more time to savor the flavors rather than toiling away at maintenance.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
It doesn’t take long to get the Smokey Mountain hot enough for cooking and it can get up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The two cooking racks are 13 1/2 inches across, giving a total cooking area of 286 square inches. There’s not enough space to put a substantial piece of meat since everything will need to be only about a foot long. But you can always cut rib racks in two and trim briskets down.
If you need more cooking space, you can always get the bigger 18-inch version, which is still very portable.
The water pan is a welcome feature. It ensured my slow-smoked meats retained their juicy and tender attributes, whilst basking in that distinct smoky aroma.
Extra Features & Accessories
The included cover is great for safeguarding this little smoker from external elements. The built-in lid thermometer is nice to have, but unfortunately, it isn’t very accurate. I recommend getting separate temperature probes for monitoring both the smoker’s and your food’s internal temp.
What We Love
- Lightweight and compact
- Made with durable materials
- Affordable
- Easy and simple to use
- 3 adjustable air vents
- Includes a protective cover
- Good warranty
What We Don’t
- Can’t fit large pieces of meat
Best Portable Pellet Smoker: Traeger Tailgater 20 Wood Pellet Grill
Traeger Tailgater 20 is a great blend of portability, functionality, and robustness, making it a worthy companion for your outdoor culinary adventures.
This pellet grill does an excellent job of ensuring that the flavor and quality of your meals are not sacrificed at the altar of convenience and portability.
Specifications:
- Smoker Type: Wood pellet grill
- Cooking Area: 300 sq.in on two levels
- Weight: 60 lbs
- Build Materials: Painted steel and porcelain-coated steel
- Dimensions: 37″ x 18″ x 36″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 3 years
Design and Build Quality
The Traeger Tailgater 20 has a solid construction. Made with robust painted steel, it’s also visually appealing.
The compact, portable structure makes it perfect for tailgating, camping, and balcony BBQs. Its foldable legs enable smooth transportation at the back of your pickup truck.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
One of the distinct highlights of the Tailgater 20 is its user-friendly operation. The intuitive controls and digital elite controller make setting and maintaining your desired temperature a breeze. Moreover, its pellet hopper system ensures continuous, smooth fuel feed, enabling consistent heat and delectable smoky flavors.
The maintenance aspect also shines with its easy-to-clean grates and a practical grease management system, simplifying the post-cookout clean-up process.
Note that the Tailgater requires a standard 120-volt AC current to operate and has a 3-prong plug.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
The Tailgater 20 has a temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees which makes it versatile. The digital controller maintains the set temperature quite well, providing you with consistent results each time.
Designed to be compact and portable, the cooking space on Tailgater 20 is adequate for small to medium gatherings.
Extra Features & Accessories
The Tailgater 20 is compatible with an array of Traeger’s accessories, expanding your culinary possibilities. From pizza stones to grilling tool sets, these accessories can elevate your cooking experience.
What We Love
- Sturdy and durable build
- Compact design with foldable legs
- Easy-to-use digital controller
- Wide temp range
What We Don’t
- Quite heavy to lift
Small Tabletop Pellet Smoker: Traeger Ranger Wood Pellet Grill
The Traeger Ranger tabletop pellet grill efficiently marries compact design with a potent, flavorful cooking experience. It’s a solid choice for BBQ enthusiasts who wish to carry the wood-fired grilling experience wherever they go, without a hassle.
Offering portability, durability, and a user-friendly interface, the Ranger certainly pitches a strong case for anyone looking for a compact smoker for camping or tailgating.
Specifications:
- Smoker Type: Wood pellet grill
- Cooking Area: 184 sq.in
- Weight: 60 lbs
- Build Materials: Painted steel and porcelain-coated steel
- Dimensions: 21″ x 20″ x 13″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 3 years
Design and Build Quality
The Traeger Ranger has a compact yet robust build with a premium quality finish and a sleek, stylish appearance. Its tabletop design is convenient for a variety of uses, be it in a small backyard, camping site, or a tailgating event.
The thoughtfully designed handle and compact form facilitate easy portability, ensuring you can bring smoky, wood-fired flavors wherever you roam.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The well-thought design and simple controls make cooking with this pellet grill effortless and fun.
The easy-to-access pellet hopper allows for straightforward fuel management, and the grill grates are simple to remove and clean. With a great grease management system, maintenance is easy and painless.
Same as the Tailgater, the Traeger Ranger uses a 120-volt AC current to operate.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
The digital Arc controller provides precise temperature management in the range of 80 – 450 degrees. The temperature range best accommodates slow-smoking and roasting but you can even sear steaks with this little beast.
Considering its compact and portable design, the Ranger offers a satisfactory cooking space. While it may not cater to large gatherings, it is amply sized for small family meals or intimate gatherings with friends.
Extra Features & Accessories
The griddle, included with Ranger, ensures that it’s not just a smoker or grill but a versatile cooking station. It opens up breakfast possibilities, from pancakes to eggs, expanding your culinary horizons from dawn to dusk.
Moreover, the “Keep Warm” mode is a thoughtful addition, ensuring your food stays ready to serve without overcooking.
What We Love
- The compact and very portable
- Easy to use with simple controls
- Precise and consistent temp control
- Comes with a meat probe thermometer
- Included cast-iron griddle ads versatility
What We Don’t
- Small cooking area
Best Portable Propane Smoker: Masterbuilt MPS 20B Patio-2-Portable Smoker
Masterbuilt MPS 20B is a compact and portable smoker that doesn’t skimp on quality. It’s a great choice for anybody who’s often on the move or has limited space but still wants authentic smoked flavors.
As cabinet smokers go, there is nothing particularly stand-out about the Masterbuilt MPS 20B except its small size. It weighs just 22 pounds and measures 16 by 24 by 23 inches.
Specifications:
- Cooking Area: 273 sq.in on two levels
- Weight: 22 lbs
- Build Materials: Painted steel, stainless steel, and chrome-plated steel
- Dimensions: 23.4″ x15.9″ x 23.2″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 1 year
Design and Build Quality
The Masterbuilt MPS 20B presents a compact, yet sturdy design. The handle and latches are also worth noting, being both comfortable and durable. The door seals effectively, preventing any unwanted smoke leakage.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Setting up and using this smoker is very straightforward. When it comes to maintenance, I found that the pull-out water pan and wood chip tray made clean-up easy and fast.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
Temperature control of this simple analog smoker is very simple — just turn the control knob to adjust the burner flame so you can reach and maintain the desired temperature. The built-in temperature gauge is accurate, and the adjustable air damper offers good control over the smoke level.
This portable smoker has a 5,000-BTU burner designed to run off one-pound camping propane cans, but you can pick up an adapter to use larger standard cylinders. The temperature range is about 140 to 285 degrees. However, in colder climates, it can sometimes struggle to maintain the highest temperatures.
The two cooking racks have enough space to hold a turkey, two rib racks, four chickens, or two pork butts. Most specifically, the smoker has a cooking area of 272 square inches on two wire racks.
What We Love
- Compact and lightweight
- Very affordable
- Accurate temperature gauge
- Adequate cooking space
What We Don’t
- One-pound gas cylinders don’t last long
- You have to modify it for better results
Best Portable Electric Smoker: Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker
Whether you’re just beginning your smoking journey or looking for a reliable workhorse, the Smokin-It Model #1 is a great option. This compact electric smoker is very easy to use and it’s made with durable stainless steel.
Just remember that you need a 120-volt electric plug and the smoker draws about three amps with its 400-watt heating element.
Specifications:
- Cooking Area: 468 sq.in on three levels
- Weight: 60 lbs
- Build Materials: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 15″ x 19″ x 20.4″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 3 years
Design and Build Quality
The Smokin-It Model #1 is built to last with a sleek and minimalist design. It’s a relatively small smoker with an all stainless steel cabinet that stands on three-inch caster wheels.
The entire unit stands 21 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds. While it doesn’t use much power, you’ll still have to have a standard wall outlet nearby to run the Smokin-It #1.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
One word — simplicity!
The Smokin-It Model #1 offers plug-and-play functionality. You load your wood, set your temperature, and you’re good to go.
The smoker maintains its temperature with little fluctuation, ensuring consistent results. Cleaning is also quite straightforward, with removable shelves and a drip pan that can be easily accessed and cleaned.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
The three-wire shelves each measure 12 by 13 inches — that’s enough to cook up to 22 pounds of meat at a time. The smoker can stay anywhere between 100 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
The insulated design ensures efficient heating, though I did notice it takes a bit of time to reach higher temperatures.
Extra Features & Accessories
The Smokin-It Model #1 is relatively basic in terms of bells and whistles. However, the inclusion of heavy-duty caster wheels is a welcome feature, making mobility a breeze. Additionally, the smoker comes with a sample of hickory wood, allowing you to start your smoking journey right away.
What We Love
- Very easy to use
- Convenient temperature control
- High-quality materials and workmanship
- Double-wall insulation
- Easy to move around with the wheels
What We Don’t
- Quite pricey
Best Portable Kamado Smoker: Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Most kamado-style smokers are too large and heavy to be considered portable by any stretch of the imagination. There are exceptions, though, and the Char-Griller Akorn Jr. is a great one.
This is an attractive kamado available at a reasonable price, and it will prove its worth as both a smoker and a grill.
Specifications:
- Cooking Area: 153 sq.in
- Weight: 37 lbs
- Build Materials: Powder-coated steel, porcelain-coated steel, and cast iron
- Dimensions: 20.5″ x 21.5″ x 25″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 1 year
Design and Build Quality
The Akorn Jr. boasts a compact, egg-shaped design, which is not just visually appealing, but also enhances its heating capabilities. Made of triple-walled 22-gauge steel, this grill has a sturdy feel to it. Its porcelain-coated steel interior is a testament to its durability, ensuring that it’ll withstand many BBQ seasons.
This smoker weighs only 37 pounds and stands only 25 inches tall, making it one of the smallest, most versatile units on our list.
To make it easier to carry, the Akorn Jr. features side handles, although they could be a bit more sturdy. The lid has a hefty gasket to keep the smoke in, and the body comes in a selection of colors.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The adjustable dampers at the top and bottom are intuitive, allowing for easy airflow control. The ash pan is easily removable, which makes cleanup a breeze.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
The Akorn Jr.’s insulating design allows for a diverse temperature range – I managed to get it as low as 200°F for slow cooking and as high as 700°F for searing steaks. The dampers are crucial for this flexibility, but it does take a bit of practice to get the hang of controlling the temperature precisely.
The grate has a diameter of 14 inches, giving it a cooking area of 153 square inches. It’s perfect for small gatherings or family meals but way too small for larger BBQ parties.
What We Love
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
- Great thermal insulation
- Fuel efficient
- Easy to assemble
What We Don’t
- The side handles could be more sturdy
- Small cooking area
Smallest and Most Portable: Ninja Woodfire OG701 Outdoor Grill & Smoker
The Ninja Woodfire grill and smoker stands out as a solid performer in the realm of compact, wood-fired grilling and smoking. It delivers a versatile and enjoyable cooking experience in a very compact and portable package.
If you are looking for a modern, compact, and reliable smoker that’s easy to move around, the Ninja Woodfire is definitely worth consideration!
Specifications:
- Smoker Type: Wood pellet grill
- Cooking Area: 141 sq.in
- Weight: 31 lbs
- Build Materials: Painted steel and ceramic
- Dimensions: 23.62″ x 18.58″ x 13.31″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 1 year
Design and Build Quality
The Ninja Woodfire OG701 impressively integrates a modern, sleek design with sturdy build quality. Crafted with high-grade materials and attention to detail, it’s both durable and stylish.
The compact and innovative design ensures that it not only fits into smaller spaces but also adds a touch of contemporary aesthetics to your cooking environment. Its structural integrity and premium finishes give confidence in its ability to withstand frequent use.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Ninja is renowned for creating user-friendly appliances, and the Woodfire OG701 is no exception. The intuitive controls and clear and simple control panes facilitate a hassle-free cooking experience even for beginners.
Maintenance is also streamlined with easily accessible and removable parts including the grates and grease management system.
Note that the Ninja needs a 120-volt AC current to operate.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
Offering a commendable temperature range of 105 to 500 degrees, the Woodfire can seamlessly transition from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat searing. The precision temperature does a great job of maintaining the desired heat level throughout the cooking process.
It’s not a surprise that the cooking space of the Ninja Woodfire OG701 is quite limited at 141 square inches. Ingeniously designed, it maximizes the available space so you can still fit a small brisket or four steaks at a time.
Extra Features & Accessories
Ninja has embellished the Woodfire OG701 with several notable features and accessories. The inclusion of smart technologies, like varying woodfire modes, provides added convenience and enhanced control over your cooking.
There is also a wide variety of compatible accessories from stands and grill covers to griddle plates and attachable side tables.
What We Love
- Intuitive controls and straightforward operation
- Ideal for small spaces
- Can do anything from smoking to searing
- Durable materials and a sleek finish
- Smart technology enhances the cooking experience
What We Don’t
- Small cooking area
Portable WiFi Pellet Grill: Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Trek WiFi Controlled Pellet Grill
Green Mountain’s Davy Crockett Trek is likely one of the smallest standalone pellet grills on the market, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all that small. What adds to its “portable” label is its lightweight and short legs, which means that it can be packed away in a pretty small space.
Specifications:
- Smoker Type: Wood pellet grill
- Cooking Area: 219 sq.in on two levels
- Weight: 63 lbs
- Build Materials: Painted steel and stainless steel
- Dimensions: 24″ x 16″ x 32″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 3 years
Design and Build Quality
The Davy Crockett Trek has a sleek and modern appearance, which merges function with style. It boasts a sturdy stainless steel construction and has foldable legs, which also act as handles.
The overall dimensions of this smoker are 24 by 16 by 32 inches, and it weighs 63 pounds.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
One of the highlights of this grill is its WiFi capabilities. Being able to control and monitor the grill remotely using the GMG app is a game-changer for BBQ aficionados like me.
Maintenance is fairly straightforward: the grease tray is easy to access and clean, and the stainless steel grates require minimal care to keep them in top condition.
Temperature Range & Cooking Space
Pellet grills have the extreme advantage of fool-proof temperature control. This one can heat your food anywhere between 150 and 550 degrees.
The cooking grate of the Green Mountain Trek holds 219 square inches of food, and the systems run on a 12-volt car battery, car accessory outlet, or 110-volt household outlet. That’s great for tailgating or RVers since you can pull power right from your vehicle. On average, the system uses only 60 watts of power.
Extra Features & Accessories
As mentioned, the Green Mountain Trek comes with Wi-Fi app control from your phone. In addition, it includes a probe thermometer that talks directly to the app.
What We Love
- Wide temperature range
- Easy to use with WiFi control
- Keeps the set temperature well
- Dual voltage control for several power options
- Includes a meat probe
What We Don’t
- Relatively small cooking area
Read our article with a comparison of Green Mountain vs Traeger pellet grills to find more interesting options.
How to Choose the Best Portable Smoker for Camping and Tailgating
Finding a smoker that has the right balance between usability and portability is a challenge. Smokers are, by nature, large and bulky items. They generally are designed to hold larger loads of meat.
The most important aspects to consider when buying a portable smoker are:
1. Weight
Smokers are often quite bulky and heavy since they must have a proper enclosed area for the food plus an airtight door or lid. Consider how much you need to actually carry the smoker around and choose accordingly.
2. Size and Capacity
There needs to be enough space for the fuel source to burn, space for the food, and space for the smoke to circulate around it. All of this means that smokers are generally pretty big, stretching the definition of “portable.” Choose a model that allows you to cook enough food but still fits inside your trunk or RV.
3. Portability Features
Some smokers are designed with fold-out handles and legs, which makes it easier to carry them around and fit them inside your car.
4. Ease of Use
When you’re on a road trip or camping, you want to cook the barbecue smooth and without any extra hassle. This means the smoker should be reliable and easy to set up and use.
5. Versatility and Temperature Range
Smoking is usually done with temperatures hovering around 250 degrees, far below average oven-baking temperatures. This means that even small pieces of chicken or fish will take an hour or two to smoke.
You can make things cook on the fly a bit faster by cranking up the heat to 300 or 350 degrees. That’s probably more palatable for a tailgate party or a day at the beach. If this is your goal, versatility is the feature you want — you’re looking for a small smoker/grill that has a good temperature range and control.
6. Fuel Source
The final aspect you’ll need to consider is what fuel source you’d like to use. Each has its own list of advantages and disadvantages. But again, it comes down to how you are going to use your portable smoker and where.
Types of Portable Smokers Explained
Smokers are fired using either charcoal, wood pellets, propane gas, or electricity.
In this section, we will take a closer look at different types of smokers and how they fit the requirement of being portable.
Charcoal Smokers
Charcoal is the traditional choice for smoking meats, but it’s also the hardest to work with. Getting coals to burn slowly at a lower temperature is challenging.
You need to master the vent setup, and you need to have a technique to get the coals to ignite one after the other instead of all at once.
While charcoal does impart a little bit of a smokey taste, it’s nowhere near enough to make your food “smoked.”
To get the tasty results you desire, you would still want to mix the charcoal fuel with soaked hardwood chips or chunks. These make smoke as they slowly smolder, but they also make managing the coals’ temperature even more complicated.
Needs Monitoring: Regardless of how good you are at it, charcoal smokers require a lot of monitoring as you cook. You need to watch the coals to ensure they’re burning slowly and refill or reorganize the coal grate as necessary. There is more fiddling around and management required with a charcoal smoker than with any other type.
Awesome for both Backyards and Camping: The great thing about charcoal smokers is that they are often compact and lightweight, and there is no need to worry about electricity or gas tanks.
Pellet Smokers
Pellet smokers are fired by hardwood pellets available in many types of wood. The advantage here is that the fuel source and the smoke source are the same.
An electrically controlled auger feeds the pellets into the burner box, controlling temperature and burn rate automatically.
Easy Temperature Control: Pellet smokers are suitable for beginners because they have electronic controls to maintain their temperature. Besides refilling the pellet canister, there’s not much work for you to do. Since the heat control is mostly automatic, it can also be packaged smaller than many other types of smokers.
Versatile: The electronic controls also mean that you can set these units to smoke or grill with great accuracy, making them very versatile.
Requires Electricity: For portability purposes, it’s important to realize that pellet grills require a power connection. Some may have built-in batteries to run off of but most units need to be plugged into some type of outlet.
Propane Smokers
Propane gas smokers are usually built into a cabinet that looks a little like a small refrigerator.
At the bottom, and standard propane burner heats a wood pan. You put soaked wood chips or chunks into the pan, and as the burner heats it smoke is released.
The food sits on wire shelves mounted above, and of course, the cabinet is sealed to keep much of the smoke and heat in.
Good Temperature Control but Limited Range: Adjusting temperature in the cabinet is relatively easy with the propane regulator. Most have built-in thermometers in the doors. But gas smokers aren’t usually designed to get the food very hot, so many will have trouble heating above the standard smoking temperatures of around 275 degrees.
Fueled by Gas Cylinder: The smallest portable smokers will be fueled using the one-pound camping propane cylinders. These are available at many big-box retailers or hardware stores, but they are expensive. They’re also disposable, which may be discouraging if you are using your smoker a lot. You can buy adapters to run your smoker off of standard exchangeable 20-pound cylinders.
Electric Smokers
Electric smokers work nearly identically to propane ones, but instead of using a propane canister, it plugs into a wall outlet. An electric element heats the wood pan and releases the smoke.
There are also many affordable electric smokers available on the market, making them a great budget option.
Beginner Friendly: The heat level of an electric smoker is controlled simply with a thermostat, just like a stovetop. This allows beginners to smoke like veterans.
Needs and Outlet: These can be useful and inexpensive options if you plan to have power available. The electric heating element is pretty power-hungry, though, so you can’t run this off of a battery pack or car outlet.
Kamado Smokers and Grills
Kamado-style grills are some of the most versatile smokers/cookers you can purchase. They are usually not portable, though, with thick ceramic bodies that weigh more than 100 pounds.
But there are a few kamado-style grills that are made out of double or triple-walled steel. They have smaller form factors and can be transported more easily.
Excellent Heat Retention: Kamados use charcoal as their fuel source, and they function similarly to a charcoal kettle grill. But their thick walls retain heat better, and their vent designs are far superior. The result is that controlling temperatures is much easier in a kamado grill than in any other type of charcoal cooker. This makes them versatile, which means you can smoke or grill easily.
Portable Smoker FAQ
What type of wood chips or pellets should I use for smoking?
In general woods with stronger and more savory flavors, such as mesquite and hickory, are considered best for briskets and pork.
Pecan, maple, apple, and cherry wood produce milder and sweeter flavor and are often used for chicken and fish.
But it’s really a matter of personal preference and you can also use the milder woods for briskets, ribs, and pork meat. And why not try mixing different woods for a more balanced and complex taste.
What is the best portable smoker for camping?
Weber Smokey Mountain is a great option for a portable camping smoker. It’s compact, lightweight, and affordable. All you need to cook some delicious smoked foods is the smoker, charcoal, and some wood chips for a smokier flavor.
Another excellent option is the Traeger Tailgater pellet smoker. It’s easy to use but in addition to wood pellets, you need electricity to use it.
If you want a gas smoker, then our recommendation is Masterbuilt MPS 20B. This gas smoker only weighs 22 pounds and uses handy one-pound propane cylinders as fuel.
Are electric smokers good for camping?
Electric smokers are very easy to use and are good for beginners. The only problem with using them when camping is the power requirement. Most units need a 120-volt electric outlet.
