Vertical pellet smokers cook the meat flawlessly by using the rising hot air from the bottom. Not only do smokers utilize the least amount of oil possible, but they also impart the desired smokiness to your meat.

It is certainly a good choice for all seasons.

This article will guide you in picking the best vertical pellet smoker out of the wide array of market choices.

Best vertical pellet smokers in the market today

Due to the variety of vertical pellet smoker models available on the market, it might not be easy to pick the one that is most suited to your requirements. Here are our top pellet smokers you can choose from.

Pit boss vertical pellet smoker 7 series

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The Pit Boss Grills are manufactured by Dansons, Inc., a company founded in 1999. Their 7-series Vertical Pellet Smoker is one of the largest vertical pellet smokers on the market. Its 24 x 26 x 47 inches size has a tiny footprint due to its vertical orientation.

You can keep the temperature stable and ease temperature monitoring with its enormous front windows. With 1853 square inches of cooking space, it has six cooking grates fit for big parties. Apart from the 7-series, the Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker is also available in 5-series and 3-series models.

While the former has a total cooking area of 1657 square inches over five racks, the latter has a total of 901 square inches across four racks. With a heat output of over 20700 BTU, the pellet smoker can smoke slowly and steadily for hours.

Additionally, the smoker has a temperature range of 100°F to 420°F, and a simple LED display at the bottom that displays the interior temperature.

Pros

  • Robust construction
  • Double-walled insulation for minimal heat loss
  • Comes with accurate digital temperature control
  • Long-lasting with porcelain-coated cast-iron grates
  • With high-quality 300-Watt igniter and automatic shut-off
  • Has 55 pound-capacity hopper capable of continuously operating for 24 hours
  • With comprehensive and configurable digital control, containing 10 preset settings

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Difficult to transport from one location to another

 Camp chef vertical pellet smoker

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This vertical pellet smoker is the best-seller from Camp Chef, a company specializing in the development of high-quality outdoor cooking gadgets. It has cabinet-style construction with a big pellet hopper. It measures 24 x 15.5 x 55 inches in total.

Additionally, the smoker has a powder-coated 16-gauge steel body that provides great durability over an extended period. You get a constant fan that distributes heat evenly throughout the smoker.

In terms of cooking capacity, it has 2400 square inches, with four meat cooking grates, three jerky racks, and a huge sausage hanging rack with 12 hooks included with the smoker.

On the side of the smoker is an 18-pound pellet hopper that mechanically feeds pellets to maintain a constant temperature. It has a temperature range of 150 to 350°F and internal heat output of around 33000 BTU. Two accurate temperature sensors measure the inside temperature and show it on the LED display.

To provide quicker and simpler clean-ups, the grill has an intelligent ash clean-up system and replaceable grease drip pans.

Pros

  • Various adaptable racks
  • Smart smoke technology
  • Precise temperature probes
  • Simple to use, maintain, and construct
  • With window on the pellet hopper for content monitoring
  • Equipped with four strong swiveling castor wheels for convenient mobility
  • With amazing temperature management systems with set-it-and-forget-it settings.
  • With Smart Smoke Technology and a digital temperature control with customizable settings.

Cons

  • Small dripping cups
  • Smoke may escape
  • Inefficiency in cold temperatures 

Louisiana grills vertical pellet smoker

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Dansons, Inc. also owns Louisiana Grills, based in Alberta, Canada. The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is equipped with several convenient features, including a huge cooking capacity housed in a robust body. The smoker is equipped with porcelain-enameled grilling grates that are durable and simple to clean after each meal.

With four strong lockable caster wheels, you can easily transport the smoker from your shop to your garden. The cabinet-style pellet smoker has six powerful grilling grates with a combined cooking area of 2059 square inches.

As a result, you can rapidly prepare food for a big group using just one appliance. The pellet smoker has a temperature range of 100° to 420°F and heat output of about 40000 BTU, ensuring tender meat every time.

Pros

  • Large cooking capacity
  • Precise dual meat probes
  • With digital temperature control
  • Locking caster wheels for mobility
  • With wide viewing front glass for temperature monitoring
  • Has LED display panel for displaying meat’s interior temperature
  • Can cook continuously for 35 hours with its 60-pound pellet hopper
  • With a black powder-coated heavy-gauge steel body for rust resistance and longevity
  • With double-walled insulation for smoke escaping prevention and temperature regulation

Cons

  • Expensive
  • What The lack of a sausage hanging rack
  • The difficulty in removing the grease pan from the smoker

Pit Boss 5-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker

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The Pit Boss 5-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker’s compact size may be its greatest virtue. The Pit Boss 5-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker is a scaled-down counterpart of the Sportsman 7-Series but has all the basic features. It measures 1,513 square inches and can prepare food for five people.

Its rear dump panel eliminates the need to search around inside when changing flavors mid-smoke.

The Pit Boss 5-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker has a big capacity water pan with a glass front door that allows you to observe your food without lifting the lid while it cooks.

Pros

  • Water pan      
  • Feature-packed
  • Blanket insulator
  • LED temperature indicator
  • Easy-to-access control panel
  • Cooks food quickly and efficiently
  • Has two probe ports in its digital control board with two Probe Ports
  • Hopper capacity of 55 pounds, can hold up to two days’ worth of wood chips

Cons

  • Heavy

Pit boss PBV3P1

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This vertical pellet is highly-versatile, has a robust construction, and has convenient features and performance. Moreover, it has a small footprint without affecting its operation. It has four sturdy steel racks with porcelain covering that provide 901 square inches of cooking area.

This model’s temperature ranges from 180°F to 450°F in a matter of seconds. The front window is glass, allowing you to view the pellet content.  The strong body is constructed with two walls of high-quality steel and porcelain covering.

Pros

  • Sturdy design
  • Has wheels for mobility
  • Porcelain-coated body and grates
  • With LED system for temperature monitoring
  • 40-pound pellet capacity which can operate for 24 hours
  • With blanket insulation system for stable interior temperature on the interior, even in extreme weather conditions

Cons

  • Difficulty in operating digital panel

What is a vertical pellet smoker for?

Vertical pellet smokers, also known as cabinet smokers, can store wood pellets for a longer time, making them excellent for smoking meats such as brisket or pork shoulder for an extended period.

These are designed to be simple to operate, with just three functions: fire it up, set the temperature, and return when it’s finished.  

Pros of using a vertical pellet smoker

  • Larger in size, allowing for the smoking of enormous portions of meat
  • It has racks, allowing it to be used as an oven or slow cooker.
  • Often less expensive than other kinds of smokers and available in various sizes and configurations.

How do they operate?

Vertical pellet smokers are a subcategory of offset cookers. The heat source of wood pellets and the food to be cooked are physically separated. Meaning, that food is indirectly cooked because there is a space between the two that allows hot air generated by burning pellets to flow.

Vertical pellet smokers are distinguished from other kinds of smokers because they produce both heat and smoke concurrently. The heat will be transported by convection, while the smoke will be expelled with the assistance of several vents located in strategic regions of the smoker.

The heat source (pellets) will be put in the bottom section of the cabinet smoker. The said section may or may not be equipped with an offset firebox, allowing you to add more fuel needed.

What is the cooking time and temperature in a vertical pellet smoker?

The cooking time will depend on how often you add fuel. The lowest portion of this smoker is lined with wire mesh and serves as a resting area for food as it cooks. Because the removable top piece is steel, direct contact with fire can lead to a temperature of up to 600-700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Benefits of owning a vertical pellet smoker

There are several reasons to consider purchasing a vertical pellet smoker. Some of the benefits of owning one are:

Vertical pellet smokers are very simple to use and run. The user must pick a flavor and then place the chosen flavor on the pellet grill.

Vertical pellet smokers cook food evenly throughout, leaving no cold spots or overcooked edges. The grill is preheated to its optimal heat range, given that the basic guidelines are followed.

What to consider when shopping for a new best vertical pellet smoker

When shopping for a vertical pellet smoker, keep the following points in mind so that you will be able to make the best selection when shopping for your vertical smoker.

Temperature regulation capability

You must ensure that the selected temperature range is suitable for your cooking. Certain meats will be more susceptible to temperature changes than others. If you wish to slow cook for an extended time, you will need a smoker that can maintain a lower temperature.

That is why it is crucial to examine the temperature control and range when picking a vertical pellet smoker.

Hopper dimensions

The hopper is where your smoker’s fuel is stored. Pellets are used as fuel. Pellet smokers with tiny hoppers must be refueled regularly. At smoking temperatures, pellet smokers generally burn between half and one pound of pellets per hour. 

The goal of a vertical pellet smoker is to cook foods gently. If you want to cook continuously for ten hours, your hopper should be able to store ten pounds of pellets.

Electric vs. gas heating element

Pellets work with virtually any grill.  There are several kinds of heating elements available. When shopping for the finest pellet smokers, you’ll need to decide between an electric and a gas heating element.

Most classic pellet smokers have an electric element that is readily regulated through a digital interface. A vertical pellet smoker equipped with an electric element is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for an easy-to-use unit with consistent temperature settings.

Warranty

If you’re torn between two models, choose the one with the best warranty. A warranty is the most effective approach to safeguard your purchase. The industry-standard warranty period is normally between two and three years.

Material

You should look for a sturdy steel body and good seals around its doors to reduce heat loss in your pellet smoker. The inside of a pellet should be made from stainless steel and porcelain-coated metal racks. This rack outlasts those constructed of rust-prone materials such as cast iron. Porcelain-coated steel is simpler to clean than nonstick steel after a day of cooking. 

In terms of the door, a thick, tempered glass pane should be fitted to let you observe the meal being prepared.  If you want mobility, you should opt for one mounted on casters for mobility. Often constructed of metal or strong plastic, these casters can sustain the smoker’s weight.

The capacity of water pans

Pellet cookers dry meat more quickly than other varieties; to solve this, a water container is one of the solutions. The water container will remove moisture from the meat and keep it moist. Consider purchasing a container with a larger capacity.

The ideal vertical pellet smoker should contain at least three liters of pellets because the more times you open the door to replace the water, the greater changes in the interior temperature you will encounter.

Portability

If you are fond of going to picnics or moving your pellet smoker on your patio, it should have sturdy and readily maneuverable smokers’ wheels. They should include a locking function to prevent the smoker from moving during usage. Additionally, you should be able to move it to an area with electricity to operate the fan, drill, and control system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worthwhile to invest in a vertical pellet smoker?

Yes, a vertical pellet smoker is an excellent investment.

What are good pellet smoker brands?

Some of the best pellet smoker brands include Camp Chef (which provides several excellent mid-priced versions) and PIT BOSS, which offers a high-end model.

What benefits does a vertical pellet smoker offer compared to a horizontal one?

A vertical pellet smoker is tilted at 45 degrees, providing good smoke management and easy access to your meat throughout the smoking process, allowing you to regulate the amount of smoke that enters without opening the door and mucking up your temperatures.

Moreover, the primary benefit of a vertical pellet smoker over a horizontal one is that it is more compact and hence simpler to store. This also means less effort with clean-up, which allows you to smoke every day even if you live in an apartment with a tiny balcony or deck!

Additionally, it enables great ventilation, eliminating frequent difficulties such as cold patches on meats surrounding vent holes generated by top racks near heating coils or in chambers under lower racks where food and water congregate.

What is the difference between an electric and a gas-powered smoker?

Gas pellet smokers are more affordable, generate high-quality smoking wood flavor, and provide an additional source of heat for cooking.

However, they do not maintain a high enough temperature to cook evenly without adding more chips throughout the cooking process. Electric devices maintain a more consistent cooking temperature; pellet refills are required significantly less often than most gas systems.

What types of wood chips are utilized in vertical pellet smokers?

Hickory, applewood, mesquite, and pecan are all examples of typical wood chips that may be utilized.

How long should ribs be cooked in a vertical pellet smoker?

To determine how long it will take to smoke meat in a vertical pellet smoker, the best course of action is to experiment with various kinds of meat and temperatures until you discover what works best for your desired flavor, keeping note of both the time and number of pellets used. Your favorite dishes may also be beneficial!

Another method for determining how long something takes to cook at a certain temperature is to use an internal meat thermometer. You can get a meat thermometer for a reasonably modest price at practically any grocery store, and it will eliminate the guesswork associated with judging whether your meal is done.

If you do not have a meat thermometer, remember that 180 degrees should be enough for skinless chicken, while 250 degrees should suffice for skin-on chicken.

 

What is the proper way to clean a vertical pellet smoker?

Although various types of smokers need different cleaning procedures, the following simple stages will provide you with an overview of the process:

  • Make sure you have cleaning tools as necessary: wire brushes, a wet-dry vacuum, cleaning spray, and a plastic knife.
  • Use a plastic knife to scrape the inside wall.
  • Use wire brushes to remove any scales from hard-to-reach nooks and corners.
  • Remove remaining dust or carbon buildup through vacuum
  • Reassemble the smoker according to the instructions included with each type.

Bottomline

Because of the vertical pellet smoker’s orientation offers many benefits, such as lesser space consumption and ease of cleaning. With the number of vertical pellet smokers available in the market, you must first research to know which model suits your tastes and needs.