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Best smokers for large gatherings
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We list 15 big-capacity smokers. Lowest price tier here is budget: Dyna-Glo Vertical Charcoal.
Capacity for crowds — large and XL cookers. 15 models that fit.
| Smoker | Fuel | Size | Ease | Tier | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dyna-Glo Vertical Charcoal | Charcoal / drum | Large | Semi (some tending) | Budget | See price on Amazon |
| Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Propane | Gas / propane | Large | Semi (some tending) | Mid | See price on Amazon | |
| Masterbuilt 40" Digital Electric | Electric | Large | Set-and-forget | Mid | See price on Amazon |
| Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn | Offset (stick burner) | XL | Hands-on (fire-tending) | Mid | See price on Amazon |
| Pit Boss Austin XL | Pellet | XL | Set-and-forget | Mid | See price on Amazon | |
| Pit Boss Pro Series 850 | Pellet | Large | Set-and-forget | Mid | See price on Amazon |
| Camp Chef Woodwind Pro | Pellet | Large | Set-and-forget | Premium | See price on Amazon |
| Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 | Charcoal / drum | XL | Set-and-forget | Premium | See price on Amazon |
| Recteq RT-700 | Pellet | Large | Set-and-forget | Premium | See price on Amazon | |
| Traeger Ironwood | Pellet | Large | Set-and-forget | Premium | See price on Amazon |
| Weber Smokey Mountain 22" | Charcoal / drum | Large | Semi (some tending) | Premium | See price on Amazon |
| Big Green Egg (XL) | Kamado (ceramic) | Large | Semi (some tending) | High-end / competition | See price on Amazon | |
| Kamado Joe Big Joe III | Kamado (ceramic) | Large | Semi (some tending) | High-end / competition | See price on Amazon |
| Traeger Timberline | Pellet | Large | Set-and-forget | High-end / competition | See price on Amazon |
| Yoder YS640S | Pellet | Large | Set-and-forget | High-end / competition | See price on Amazon |
Common questions
Which big-capacity smokers cost the least?
The budget price tier is the lowest here: Dyna-Glo Vertical Charcoal. We don't store live prices, so check the listing for today's price.
Which big-capacity smokers are best for beginners?
None of these is on our beginner list. For an easier start, see set-and-forget smokers or smokers for beginners.
How much tending do big-capacity smokers need?
9 are set-and-forget and hold their own temperature: Masterbuilt 40" Digital Electric, Pit Boss Austin XL, Pit Boss Pro Series 850, Camp Chef Woodwind Pro, Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050, Recteq RT-700, Traeger Ironwood, Traeger Timberline and Yoder YS640S. 5 need some tending (occasional vent and fuel checks): Dyna-Glo Vertical Charcoal, Dyna-Glo Wide Body Vertical Propane, Weber Smokey Mountain 22", Big Green Egg (XL) and Kamado Joe Big Joe III. 1 is hands-on (you tend the fire for the whole cook): Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn.
Head-to-heads
Deciding between two? These compare them side by side.
- Pit Barrel Cooker Classic vs Weber Smokey Mountain 22"
- Recteq RT-700 vs Traeger Ironwood
- Masterbuilt 40" Digital Electric vs Pit Boss Pro Series 850
- Pit Boss Austin XL vs Traeger Pro 575
- Weber Smokey Mountain 18" vs Weber Smokey Mountain 22"
- Pit Boss Pro Series 850 vs Traeger Pro 575
- Big Green Egg (XL) vs Kamado Joe Big Joe III
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 vs Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800
- Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 vs Weber Smokey Mountain 22"
- Oklahoma Joe's Highland vs Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn
Other needs: Beginners · Authentic wood/charcoal flavor · Competition / serious · set-and-forget