Best Smoker for Beginners in Australia

Your first smoker is the gateway to a whole new way of cooking. Low-and-slow brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, juicy pulled pork — it all starts with picking the right gear for how you want to cook.

The problem is that there are four main types of smoker on the market, and they all work differently. Pellet, offset, kamado, gas — each has strengths, trade-offs, and a different price point. This guide breaks down each type, explains who it's best for, and recommends specific models from our range so you can stop researching and start smoking.

The Four Types of Smoker

Before we get into specifics, here's the quick version:

• Pellet smokers are the easiest to use. Set a temperature, walk away.
• Offset smokers produce the deepest smoke flavour but require hands-on fire management.
• Kamado grills do everything — smoke, grill, bake, roast — in one ceramic unit.
• Gas smokers are the cheapest entry point and simplest to operate.

There's no single "best" smoker. The right one depends on your cooking style, how much time you want to spend tending fire, and your budget.

Pellet Smokers: Set It and Forget It

How they work

A motorised auger feeds compressed hardwood pellets from a hopper into a fire pot. A digital controller maintains your set temperature automatically — some models even connect to WiFi so you can monitor your cook from the couch or the shops.

Why beginners love them

Pellet smokers are the closest thing to "set and forget" in the smoking world. You dial in a temperature, and the controller handles the rest. There's no fire to manage, no vents to adjust, no 3am alarm to check the coals. You get consistent, repeatable results from your very first cook.

The trade-offs

You'll need a power outlet nearby. The smoke flavour is milder than what you'd get from an offset or kamado — still great, just more subtle. And the moving parts (auger, controller, fan) mean there's more that can eventually need servicing than a simple firebox.

Best for

Absolute beginners. People who want great results with minimal effort. Anyone who likes the idea of monitoring their brisket from their phone.

Our picks

Fuel: Pellet smokers run on hardwood pellets. We stock GMG Premium Fruitwood Pellets, Apple Pellets, Gold Blend, and Texas Blend — all $50 for 12.8kg.

Offset Smokers: The Traditionalist's Choice

How they work

An offset smoker has two chambers: a firebox on one side where you burn wood or charcoal, and a cook chamber where the meat sits. Hot smoke flows from the firebox across the meat and out through a chimney. You control temperature by managing airflow through vents and how much fuel you add.

Why they're worth considering

Nothing produces smoke flavour quite like an offset. There's a reason competition BBQ teams use them. The cook chamber is typically large enough for multiple briskets, racks of ribs, and a pork shoulder all at once. And they run on wood or charcoal — no power outlet needed.

The trade-offs

Fire management is a skill. You'll spend the first few cooks learning how your smoker behaves — how the vents respond, how to maintain a clean fire, how to avoid temperature spikes. It's hands-on and rewarding, but it's not set-and-forget.

Best for

Cooks who enjoy the process as much as the result. People who want the deepest possible smoke flavour. Anyone who's watched too many BBQ competition shows and wants to do it properly.

Our picks

Fuel: Offsets burn charcoal and/or wood. We recommend Mallee Root Charcoal 20kg ($65) or Mangrove Charcoal 17kg ($51) as your base fuel, with wood chunks on top for smoke flavour.

Kamado Grills: The All-Rounder

How they work

A kamado is a thick-walled ceramic cooker fuelled by lump charcoal. The ceramic retains heat incredibly well, and precise airflow control (top and bottom vents) lets you hold low-and-slow temps for 12+ hours or crank up to searing heat for steaks. With accessories like deflector plates, you can smoke, grill, bake pizza, roast a chicken, and sear a steak — all on the same unit.

Why they're a favourite

Versatility. A kamado replaces your smoker, your pizza oven, and your grill. Fuel efficiency is remarkable — a single load of charcoal can hold temperature for an entire brisket cook. And the ceramic construction means they last decades.

Kamado Joe's Divide & Conquer system lets you cook at two different temperatures simultaneously by splitting the grate into zones. Their SloRoller (on Series III models) distributes smoke evenly for better flavour.

The trade-offs

They're heavy — a Classic Joe is 105kg, a Big Joe is 160kg+. Once it's in your backyard, it's staying there. The upfront price is higher than other smoker types, though you're getting a multi-purpose cooker. And while they're not difficult to use, there's a learning curve for airflow control.

Best for

Anyone who wants one cooker to do everything. People with limited outdoor space who can't fit multiple appliances. Cooks who appreciate quality engineering and are happy to invest.

Our picks

Fuel: Kamados use lump charcoal. We stock Kamado Joe Big Block Charcoal 9.07kg ($64.95) and Mallee Root Charcoal 20kg ($65).

Gas Smokers: Budget-Friendly and Simple

How they work

A gas burner at the bottom heats a tray of wood chips, generating smoke that rises past your meat on the racks above. A water pan helps regulate temperature and adds moisture. You control the heat with the gas dial and manage smoke by adding fresh chips every 45 minutes or so.

Why they make sense for some beginners

They're the cheapest way to start smoking. The Hark 2 Door Gas Smoker is just $390 — less than half the price of most pellet and kamado options. They're simple to operate, heat up fast, and produce solid results with minimal learning curve.

The trade-offs

The smoke flavour is lighter than offset or kamado. Temperature control isn't as precise as pellet smokers. And you'll go through gas bottles, so there's an ongoing fuel cost. Most people eventually upgrade, but a gas smoker is a perfectly valid way to find out if you enjoy smoking before investing more.

Best for

Budget-conscious beginners who want to try smoking without a big commitment. People with limited space. Those who already use gas for their regular BBQ.

Our picks

Side-by-Side Comparison

What Should You Cook First?

Whatever smoker you choose, we recommend starting with pulled pork. It's the most forgiving low-and-slow cook there is — cheap, almost impossible to overcook, and feeds a crowd. Read our Perfect Pulled Pork guide for the step-by-step.

Once you've nailed that, move on to ribs (a satisfying weekend cook), then tackle brisket when you're ready for the challenge.

If you want everything you need for your first smoke in one box, check out our bundles:

• The First Smoke Kit — Brisket Edition ($259.95, saves $47.93) — includes a Black Onyx Brisket MB4+, Texan rub, and 20kg Mallee Root charcoal.
• The First Smoke Kit — Short Ribs Edition ($159.95, saves $34.97) — includes Cape Grim Short Ribs, Texan rub, and charcoal.

The Bottom Line

• Want it easy? Get a pellet smoker. The Nexgrill Oakford 715 at $899 is the best value entry point.
• Want the best flavour? Get an offset. The Hark Hickory Pit at $700 is a proven starting point.
• Want one cooker that does everything? Get a kamado. The Kamado Joe Classic Joe I at $1,599 is the sweet spot.
• Want to try it cheap? Get a gas smoker. The Hark 2 Door at $390 lets you test the waters.

No matter which you pick, the important thing is to start. The best smoker is the one you actually use.

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