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Cooking your own food has many benefits compared to simply buying food from your local supermarket or your local food outlet.
One of the biggest benefits is the fact that it is much more economical, you can feed your family, friends and yourself for much much less and in the majority of cases, the food is much better since you can add more spices and other types of flavoring since you are not trying to turn a profit like a business has to.
But it is not just down to the extra flavoring that you can afford to add to your food, you also have the chance to use cheap cooking appliances and tools that can make a massive difference despite their small cost.
One of those tools is the smoker box, it is a tool that many people have never heard of but once they taste the smokey flavor that it adds to the food they will likely not be able to cook on a grill without it.
In this review article, we are going to be going over a selection of these products and helping you find the best smoker box for gas grill.
What Is a Smoker Box?
A smoker box is a metal container with holes on the top although some smoker boxes also have some holes on their sides. In a smoker box, you will put a bunch of wood chips generally which some people like to dip in water first which helps to reduce the chance of them catching fire.
Once you put the wood chips in the smoker box they will eventually start to heat up and you will see smoke coming out from the top and depending on the model the sides of the box.
Once the wood inside has started to give out smoke you should put whatever food you want to be smoked on top, generally, this is some sort of meat such as chicken, beef, ribs with one of the most popular meats to smoke being fish.
Additionally, you can smoke various cheeses and also vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, and sweetcorn.
Why Some People Prefer a Smoker Box Over a Barbecue Gas Grill?
One of the main reasons why people prefer a smoke box over a barbecue grill is the tasty smoky flavor that a smoker box gives to the food that is put on top of it.
Although this smoky flavor can also be replicated by sauces it is not as nice and you can taste the difference between a genuine smoky flavor and an artificial, this smoky flavor can also also be reproduced on some barbecue and grass grills however it is generally much harder with results not guaranteed due to the way such grills are made which do not allow the wood chips to burn slowly and give out the smoke that is behind this special flavor.
Additionally, with a smoker box you can select what type of smoky flavor your food gets, there are two ways to do this. The first way is to alter the heat that the wooden chunks inside are being heated up at and the other way is to use different kinds of wood which all give out their own distinct smoky flavor.
Best Smoker Box For Grill Reviews
Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel V-Shape Smoker Box
The Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel V-Shape Smoker Box is a mid-priced product that is specially manufactured to be in a ‘V’ shape which allows it to be placed within two rails of a grill.
This allows the heat to come up from the pointed corner and effectively heat up all of the wood chips inside of the smoker box which then escapes through the holes located in the flat lid which makes sure that all of the wooden pieces inside the smoker box are properly heated up.
Furthermore, the lid where the smoky air passes through is fixed using hinges on one side which allows it to be easily refilled even when the smoker box has been heated up.
Another great feature is that any ash that will be produced, will be kelp inside of this stainless steel smoker box which makes it easier to keep your grill nice and clean.
Pros:
- Made using stainless steel so it will be easy to keep it clean.
- Simple design so it will not take you a long time to figure out how it works.
- Produces high levels of smoke that allow you to quickly smoke your food and have confidence that you are doing it properly.
- Long-lasting, customers report using this product for over 5 years without any issues.
- Manufactured by a well known and respected manufacturer called Charcoal Companion so you should have high confidence about this product and the customer service it comes with.
Cons:
- Due to the design of this V-shaped smoker box, it may not fit all grills so you need to take a look at the dimensions of this product to make sure that it will fit before you buy it.
Summary:
The V-Shape Smoker Box by the Charcoal Companion is a sturdy small smoker box that is easy to use, clean, and keeps your grill without any ash. Although you do have to make sure that this appliance is able to fit the gap between the rails of your grill, to do this check out the dimensions of this product as well as to measure the dimensions between the gap of the rails of your grill.
DKS Smoker Cooker Box for Grill
This smoker cooker box by the DKS company is the biggest smoker box on this list which allows you to put large amounts of wood into it so it can generate smoke for a much longer amount of time.
It can also save the individual using it a lot of time as they do not have to cut or chop up the wood into very small pieces and instead are able to insert much larger pieces due to the size of this particular smoker box for gas grills.
Despite its large size, this smoking box has been specially created so that its extra size comes mainly from its width so you can close the lid of your gas grill over the smoker cooker so you can properly smoke all of the food cooking inside.
Pros:
- Made to last a long time by using heavy-duty materials.
- Smoking holes are also located on the side allowing for a wider area of coverage that food can be smoked in.
- One of the largest smoke boxes on the market, great for cooks that need to prepare large amounts of food.
- The large size of this appliance allows you to very quickly smoke the food that you are cooking.
- DKS, the manufacturers of this product also sell separately special smoking wood that provides a high-quality taste and smell to the food as well as being able to burn for a long time.
Cons:
- The lid of this product has been noted to be difficult to use and fit back into place after it has been removed.
Summary:
A great product for individuals that want a product that will quickly smoke the food in their grill as well as have enough capacity for large amounts of wood to ensure that it is able to continuously create smoke without any needs to chop up extra wood and refill it constantly.
However, some customers of this product have noted that due to the lid not being attached to the DKS smoker cooker it is tricky to re-insert it once it has been removed especially if the lid is hot.
Charcoal Companion Gas Grill V Box Cast Iron Smoker
Unlike the two products featured above, the Charcoal Companion CC4133 is made from cast iron rather than from stainless steel, a benefit to this is that the Charcoal Companion CC4133 heats up faster due to it being made using cast iron although it will also cool down a lot faster if it is left without a heat source.
Furthermore, this is another product on this list that is made by the Charcoal Companion company which has been in the business of manufacturing home appliances for over 34 years.
Moreover, this smoker grill is also V-shape although it is less pointer and much smaller in size when compared to the Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel V-Shape Smoker Box so you may have some difficulty in inserting it through the rails of your gas grill. The manufacturer in the product pictures showcases however that you can balance the iron smoker on top of the lid to stop it getting caught in the rails and tipping over.
Pros:
- Nice and small making it perfect for small families or gatherings. where you do not need to burn a lot of wood chippings and create high levels of smoke since you do not have a lot of food to cook.
- Easily heats ups meaning that you have to wait less time for your food to get ready.
- Works great even if the wood chips that you have inserted inside have not been rinsed in water.
- Made using thick and durable plates of iron that will not break if dropped and will not melt when heated up by your gas grill.
- The holes at the top have been specially tested and designed to allow for air circulation.
Cons:
- Due to its small size, it will need to be refilled very often.
Summary:
Another V-shaped smoker box by the Charcoal Companion company, it is overall a great product for individuals who value their time, with this product heating up very quickly since it is made up using a cast iron material as well as also being much smaller in size to most of the other smoker boxes on this list which means that it will be easier to fill up and subsequently clean.
Weber Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box
This silver-colored stainless steel smoker box from Weber Universal comes in a very short design that allows it to fit in pretty much all gas grills, additionally, there are two hinges on both sides of this box which provide for easy and quick opening and closing of the lid which will occur most of the time to refill the wood inside.
The Weber Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box is able to fit inside the majority of gas grills when their lids are closed, furthermore, this smoker box can be easily cleaned thanks to the stainless steel material that it is made from.
Additionally, if you are not sure whether this smoke box is going to be able to fit into your grill appliance then you can check by entering the manufacturer’s model number and find out which can save you a lot of time and hassle.
Pros:
- Features a well put together lid that is attached to the smoker box with two hinges.
- Made from a durable stainless steel material that will not significantly weaken after constant exposure to heat.
- Effectively releases smoke that flavors your food.
- An efficient smoking box, that produces a good amount of smoke for its size and the amount of wood that you can store inside.
- An affordable product that is very cheap considering how many times you will be able to reuse it.
Cons:
- Due to its small size, you have to make sure that you are constantly refilling the wood chips inside this smoker box.
Summary:
A premium stainless steel smoker box that is ideal for gas grills, its short stature coupled with the long length of this device means that you can easily store it inside a grill and close the gas grill’s lid if you wish to. Additionally, you will not have any problems storing enough wood chippings to smoke a few meals although if you are going to be cooking large amounts of food then you need to be ready to do frequent refilling of wood chippings.
Char-Broil Cast Iron Smoker Box
This smoker box from Char-Broil is the second product on this list to be made from cast iron, which means that it will heat much faster and at lower temperatures than its stainless steel alternatives but it will also cool down faster if left unheated.
Moreover, the thin iron material that is incorporated in this smoke box appliance will greatly reduce the chances of the wood you have put inside catching on fire as the aim is to allow the wood to slowly burn and create that lovely smoke that flavors your food.
Furthermore, there are six rectangular holes with circular edges that allow for the much-needed ventilation which allows for the needed amount of smoke to leave the smoker box while also retaining heat to allow the remaining wood inside the smoker box to continue burning and producing smoke.
Pros:
- The material used to create this product ensures that it will not melt or bend when you heat it up.
- The lid of this cast iron smoker box is created so you can place your food directly above the ventilation holes allowing the food to be properly smoked with ease.
- A versatile product that is able to be used with the majority of gas grills without a problem.
- Thanks to the thickness of the metal that this smoker box is made from the wood placed inside is very unlikely to catch on fire.
- A very popular product with thousands of customers which should provide you with confidence when purchasing this iron smoking box.
Cons:
- Does not work with non-gas grills such as electric grills.
Summary:
The lowest cost smoke box on this product review list, it is made using iron caste which a very sturdy material that can be heated up easily however it is harder to clean compared to stainless steel if you happen to burn it for example or have residue fat from the food that you are cooking fall inside the box and dry up.
FAQ
Where Does the Smoker Box Go on a Gas Grill?
The smoker box is generally placed on top of the grill which allows the grill to transfer heat to the box which will in turn start to heat up the wood chippings and carvings inside and cause them to start producing smoke.
This is the easiest way to place a smoker box, although you could also place in-between two rails on a grill if you happen to be using a V-shaped smoker box.
Do Gas Grill Smoker Boxes Work?
Yes, gas grill smoker boxes work and are a very effective way to cook certain foods or alternatively add a more authentic smoky taste, smell, and texture to other foods based on yours and other people’s preferences.
Smoker boxes are an essential tool for people that want to smoke their food as gas grills are great at cooking but are not very effective appliances for smoking food by themselves.
Are Smoker Boxes Worth It?
The answer to this question really depends on how often you are going to be using it as well as the quantities of food that you are going to be smoking, if you are only going to be using it once a year to smoke a few chicken wings then it may be worth it but if you are going to be using your smoker box once a month or a couple of times a year for massive family cookouts then it is worth your money as you are going to be making good use of this product, you shouldn’t look at just the initial price but instead divide the initial price by the amount of items that you are going to be using it.
How Do You Build a Smoker Box on a Gas Grill?
The easiest way to build your own makeshift smoker boxer is to use a disposable aluminum tray that you then cover with an aluminum sheet that you put holes in and of course you shouldn’t forget to add your wooden carvings inside.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this type of a smoker box is only for temporary use and you will only be able to use it a few times before it starts to disintegrate and break apart.
How Much Wood Does a Smoker Box Need?
It is best to start off with less wood than you need and then add more if required rather than adding a lot of wood that will all equally get burned that you will then have to end up throwing away.
Admittedly no matter how careful you are you will always end up throwing away some used wood but it is best to minimize it if you are going to be cooking a small amount of food then it is best to start off with two fistfuls of wood or if you are planning to smoke a large amount of food then start with 4 fistfuls of wood pieces.
Another major factor is the size of your smoker box, if your smokebox is smaller than average than for example you may not be able to fit four fistfuls of wood chippings but if you happen to have a larger than normal smoker box then you should not feel the need to fill up the entire box if you do not need all this wood to create the required amount of smoke.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all of the smoker boxes that we have presented in this listicle are top-quality products that will do a good job of making your food taste better.
There are however a few differences and features that will suit consumers with various requirements better than others, if you are going to need to smoke large amounts of food quickly then you should opt for the DKS Smoker Cooker Box for Grill which is the most expensive product on this list but also the one with the highest capacity for wood as well as also providing the best smoke coverage.
Another great pick for individuals that require a smoker box for higher quantities of food is the Weber Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box which is also pretty expensive in comparison to the other products on this list but it is cheaper than the DKS Smoker Cooker Box for Grill.
Another major factor that should be taken into account is the material that these smoker boxes are made from, whether they are made from cast iron or stainless steel plays a big role.
The two products that are made from iron caste are the Charcoal Companion Gas Grill V Box Cast Iron Smoker and the Char-Broil Cast Iron Smoker Box, these two iron cast smoker boxes will heat up much faster than the stainless steel ones however also cool down much faster, rust much faster and are also more brittle when compared to their stainless steel substitutes.
On the other hand, you have the Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel V-Shape Smoker Box, the DKS Smoker Cooker Box for Grill, and the Weber Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box which are all made from stainless steel.
They are easier to clean and furthermore are less likely to weaken under continuous exposure of high temperatures. In terms of disadvantages, stainless steel is more prone to denting and is also much more expensive than cast iron.
Hopefully, we managed to widen your knowledge about smoker boxes in this article as well as help you make a much more informed decision when choosing the best smoker box for gas grill based on your preferences.
