Best Smokers Under $500
Weber Master-Touch Kettle ($399–$450 AUD) – The most versatile entry point into smoking. Using the snake method (a C-shaped arrangement of charcoal briquettes around the inside edge), a Weber Kettle can maintain 110°C for 6–8 hours. It’s also a brilliant direct-heat grill. Every serious BBQ enthusiast should own one. The Master-Touch model includes a hinged grate and ash catcher that make charcoal management much easier.
SNS Kettle BBQ ($300–$400 AUD) – Designed specifically as a slow ’n’ sear setup. The integrated charcoal zone makes two-zone cooking simple without accessories. A strong competitor to the Weber Kettle for dedicated smokers.
Best Smokers Under $1,000
Nexgrill 715 Pellet Grill ($995 AUD) – The best value pellet grill on the Australian market. Nexgrill has built a strong following as a budget-friendly alternative to premium brands, offering generous cooking area, PID controller for stable temps, and reliable performance. This is our most popular beginner recommendation for people who want the convenience of a pellet grill without the premium price tag.
Weber Smokey Mountain 47cm ($450–$600 AUD) – A dedicated charcoal smoker that’s remarkably easy to use. Load charcoal and wood in the bottom, fill the water pan, set your vents, and it will hold 110°C for 8–12 hours without intervention. It produces deeper smoke flavour than a pellet grill. The 47 cm model handles a full packer brisket.
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX ($700–$900 AUD) – A solid mid-range pellet grill with an ash cleanout system that makes maintenance easy. Camp Chef has excellent build quality at this price point and the Smoke Control feature lets you increase smoke output at lower temperatures.
→ Browse our complete range of smokers and grills
Best Smokers Under $2,000
Traeger Ironwood ($1,500–$2,000 AUD) – Traeger’s mid-range pellet grill with WiFire technology for phone-based temperature monitoring, D2 drivetrain for faster heating, and a pellet sensor so you never run out mid-cook. Build quality is a significant step up from the entry models. If budget allows, this is the pellet grill sweet spot.
Oklahoma Joe’s Longhorn Offset ($1,200 AUD) – Your entry into traditional offset smoking. Thick steel, large cooking chamber, and a proper firebox. The Longhorn is heavy and requires learning fire management, but it produces smoke flavour that no pellet grill can match. Best for people who already have some charcoal experience.
Best Smokers Over $2,000
Big Green Egg Large ($2,800–$3,200 AUD) – The original ceramic kamado. Incredible heat retention, fuel efficiency, and versatility (smoke, grill, bake, roast). Built to last decades. The investment pays off if you want one cooker that does everything.
Kamado Joe Classic III ($3,000–$3,500 AUD) – The feature-rich alternative to the Big Green Egg. Includes the Divide & Conquer system, air lift hinge, and improved top vent. Many consider it the best value premium kamado in 2026.
Not sure which type is right for you? Read our full Offset Smoker vs Kamado vs Pellet Grill comparison guide for a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of each type.
Which Type Should a Beginner Choose?
If you want the easiest start with the least frustration, buy a pellet grill. The Nexgrill 715 or Camp Chef SmokePro DLX will produce excellent smoked meat from your first cook without requiring you to learn fire management.
If you want to learn traditional BBQ craft and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, start with a Weber Kettle or Weber Smokey Mountain. You’ll develop real fire management skills that translate to any smoker you upgrade to later.
If budget isn’t a concern and you want one cooker forever, a Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg is the ultimate all-in-one investment.
What You Need Besides the Smoker
A smoker alone won’t get you cooking. Here’s what else to pick up on the same visit:
A reliable thermometer. This is non-negotiable. You need a dual-probe wireless thermometer that monitors both your pit temperature and your meat’s internal temperature. Brands like Inkbird and ThermoWorks are popular choices.
Smoking wood chunks. Start with ironbark or cherry – both are forgiving and versatile. You only need 3–4 fist-sized chunks for a typical cook. See our full smoking wood and meat pairing chart for detailed recommendations.
A good BBQ rub. A quality all-purpose rub is all you need to start. Four Monkeys Home Base, Bulldozer BBQ SPOG, or Rub N Grub MacGyver All Purpose are excellent starting points. Read our complete guide to BBQ rubs for more detail.
Fuel. Charcoal or briquettes for charcoal smokers and kamados. Wood pellets for pellet grills.
Heat-resistant gloves. You’ll be handling hot meat and adjusting hot grates. Proper BBQ gloves are essential.
Fire starters. A charcoal chimney or fire starter cubes make lighting charcoal quick and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smoker for a complete beginner in Australia?
For most beginners, a pellet grill between $600–$1,000 offers the best combination of ease of use and results. The Nexgrill 715 ($995) is our top value recommendation. For a charcoal option, the Weber Smokey Mountain 47cm ($450–$600) is excellent.
Can you use a Weber Kettle as a smoker?
Absolutely. Using the snake method (a C-shaped arrangement of briquettes), a Weber Kettle can maintain smoking temperatures for 6–8 hours. It’s how most Australian BBQ enthusiasts start their smoking journey.
How much should I spend on my first smoker?
Budget $400–$800 for your first smoker. A Weber Kettle ($399–$450) or entry-level pellet grill ($500–$995) will produce excellent results without breaking the bank. You can always upgrade later once you know what cooking style you prefer.
What is the first thing I should cook on my smoker?
Pulled pork. Every time. A pork shoulder (also called Boston butt) is the most forgiving cut in low and slow cooking – it has enough fat and connective tissue that it’s nearly impossible to dry out. Cook at 110°C until the internal temperature hits 93–96°C, rest for 1 hour, then shred with forks. Read our full beginner’s guide to low and slow BBQ for the complete pulled pork walkthrough.
What are common smoker mistakes beginners make?
The biggest mistakes are: opening the lid too often (every time you open it, you lose 15–30 minutes of cook time), cooking to time instead of internal temperature, not resting the meat long enough after cooking, using too much smoking wood which creates bitter white smoke instead of clean blue smoke, and panicking during the temperature stall. Our brisket smoking guide covers these mistakes in detail.
What is the best BBQ brand in Australia?
It depends on the smoker type. For pellet grills, Traeger, Camp Chef, and Green Mountain Grills lead the market. For kamados, Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe are the premium choices. For offsets, Oklahoma Joe’s and Hark are popular. For Australian-made quality, Valkry Grills produces exceptional stainless steel charcoal smokers. We stock all of these brands at The Smoking Log Co.
What type of smoker gives the best smoke flavour?
Offset smokers produce the deepest, most intense smoke flavour because they burn real wood logs as their primary fuel. Kamado cookers are a close second with excellent smoke depth from charcoal and wood chunks. Pellet grills produce a lighter smoke flavour – still great, but noticeably milder than offset or kamado. Read our detailed smoker comparison guide for the full breakdown.
Do I need to soak wood chips before putting them in my smoker?
No. Soaking delays ignition and produces steamy white smoke rather than the clean blue smoke you want. It can also make the smoke taste more bitter or acrid. Use dry wood chunks for the best results. Our smoking wood guide covers everything you need to know about choosing and using smoking wood.
Is Pit Boss or Traeger a better smoker?
Both are pellet grill brands with strong followings. Traeger has stronger brand recognition, WiFire phone connectivity on premium models, and wider Australian availability. Pit Boss offers larger cooking areas at lower price points. For Australian buyers, Traeger has better local support and spare parts availability. The best way to compare is to see both in person – visit our Morphett Vale showroom to compare side by side.
Come see every smoker mentioned in this guide at The Smoking Log Co, 152–154 Pimpala Road, Morphett Vale. We’ll help you find the right smoker for your budget and cooking goals. Call us on 0429 802 013.