The best smoke generators for smoking — rating from 10 positions

These devices have become very popular since their inception, so more and more varieties of such models can be found on sale. With such a wide range, it is easy to get confused. To prevent this from happening to you, we decided to write our rating of the best smoke generators of 2019. However, before proceeding to the analysis of the characteristics of specific models, let’s try to understand the device and the principle of operation of this device.

Content

How to choose a smoke generator?

This equipment is not too complicated. The main source of smoke here is chips, chips or sawdust, which gradually smolder inside the product. People who are actively involved in smoking various products do not recommend using softwood sawdust for this purpose; hardwoods or fruit trees are considered the most suitable. The smoke generator includes a special container, a layer of sawdust or wood chips is laid out on its bottom, there is also a removable cover, smoke is blown through it from time to time. There is also an ignition hole at the bottom. A hose must be fixed on the upper part of the body, through which the smoke will pass into the working chamber, where the products will lie — meat, fish, and so on. In addition, an air blower is provided.

The main function of the smoke generator (in principle, this is clear from the name of the device) is to create a certain amount of smoke and supply it to the smoking cabinet. In the process of interaction of smoke with products, certain chemical reactions occur that make the semi-finished product suitable for human consumption.

In total, four main varieties of such a product can be found on sale today. Electric ones are most often used on an industrial scale, as they are considered the most practical. In the smoking chamber, they are able to heat up the temperature to 300 degrees, after which the product automatically turns off. Chips in the process of smoldering give out smoke, the temperature of which can reach 50-70 degrees. After the chamber has cooled down a little, the engine is turned on again and the temperature is again brought to high levels. The smoking process in such a device is continuous.

Smoldering ones are most often used by home lovers of smoked meats, since such smoke generators have the simplest principle of operation — chips or sawdust, using a special screw mechanism, enter an electric spiral heated to a very high temperature. Having warmed up to about 250 degrees, the wood begins to smolder and emit a large amount of smoke, the temperature of which will be about 50-70 degrees, which is optimal for the smoking process.

You can also find ejector and friction devices. The former are used quite rarely, but the latter have a very original design. The main element here is a sufficiently powerful electric motor that will rotate the cylinder. A wooden block is attached to it from above. In the process of work, due to friction, the tree will be very hot, as a result, smoke will form, which initially enters the chimney channel and subsequently enters the smoking chamber.

When choosing a device, you should check the quality of its manufacture and assembly. According to experienced users, the best product with a long service life will be a structure made of stainless steel, the thickness of which should be more than one and a half millimeters. The cover of the device should be removed without problems. It can be made from metal or wood. When choosing, you should make sure that the handle is made of thermally insulating materials so that during operation, when it becomes necessary to add wood chips, it does not burn your hands. The bottom should also detach with ease, because periodically it will be necessary to clean this product.

Pay attention to the complete set of the model, so that in the future it does not have to buy various necessary elements. As standard, a compressor is supplied with the device, a special tube that is resistant to high temperatures; a lighter, a set of wood chips for several smokes, fasteners and so on.

When choosing models to include in our ranking of the best smoke generators of the year, we took into account these points, as well as many others. In particular, user reviews and the price-quality ratio of the model played an important role. For each device, we decided to collect the maximum amount of information so that you can decide whether it is suitable for you or, on the contrary, you should find more optimal products. So, it’s time to move on to our review.

Devices with automatic ignition

4. Haze

The product was developed by the Volga Mechanical Plant, which has been manufacturing and selling similar products for quite a long time. Various structural elements of the equipment were repeatedly processed, important factors were taken into account, which made it possible to make the products of this enterprise one of the best in the country. The case is made of stainless steel, and the wall thickness is over 2 mm, which not only prevents the occurrence of corrosion processes, but also prevents the walls from fading over time. The period of continuous operation can be greatly increased by installing a special chip tank. The smoke is ultimately thick and very clean, free of harmful impurities that will affect the safety of the products. The design is equipped with a fairly powerful compressor, which will distribute the smoke as evenly as possible throughout the chamber, which will allow the products to be smoked as evenly as possible.

Advantages

• Looks good;
• Works for a long time on one bookmark of wood chips;
• There is everything you need to use;
• A temperature sensor is provided;
• Weighs a little;
• Spacious.

Flaws

• Smoke temperature is low.

3. Whirlwind-M

With this design, you can smoke large volumes of products in a short time. The device is fully automated, a person does not have to intervene in the cooking process. It is generally classified as a professional product. Wood chips or sawdust acts as a consumable here, there is no need to purchase briquettes or tablets. One load (it is about 3-4 kg of wood chips) will be quite enough for the equipment to work continuously for a day. The device operates on the basis of oxygen-free combustion. There is no need to set fire to the wood chips, as it will be supplied to the heating element, the power of which is 1 kW, where it gradually begins to smolder. Many users note a uniform density of smoke, and its temperature will also be at the same level.

The product comes with everything you need to ensure stable and long-term operation of the equipment. The level of smoke supply here can be adjusted — the product is able to fill the chamber with smoke, the volume of which is in the range from one and a half to ten cubic meters. The model is covered with black heat-resistant paint, the case is made of stainless steel. This smoke generator consumes about 12 kW of electricity per day. Dimensions are not too large — 60x25x65 cm.

Advantages

• You can immediately smoke quite large volumes;
• Fully automated work;
• There is no need to control the temperature in the chamber;
• Small consumption of materials.

Flaws

• It is strictly forbidden to use wet or damp chips, as the heating element may fail because of it;
• A decent amount of soot is formed, you have to clean it two or three times a month.

2. Summer resident

This device is a full-fledged automatic smokehouse, and it should immediately be noted that the temperature of the smoke in the chamber will not be too high — about 20-28 degrees. The product is designed for products such as meat, poultry, fish, lard, cheese and so on. The product operates exclusively in automatic mode, but it needs to be connected to the mains. It consumes energy quite economically — only about 0.3 kW per hour. The case is made of fairly durable stainless steel. It comes with the heating element itself, a cabinet where food will be loaded, and many additional details. There is an automatic timer for the supply of sawdust, a temperature controller is also provided. There is an indication of power on and operation of the electric heater.

The ash formed during the combustion of wood chips or sawdust is discharged into a special compartment. The supply of smoke here is uniform, it fills the smoking container to the fullest, helping the products to cook much faster. The standard model can be loaded with up to 20 kg of products at a time, there are design options that allow you to smoke up to 50 kg. This automated smokehouse is equipped with a tie-in pipe and a special exhaust hood, which allows you to use the equipment not only outdoors, but also indoors, bringing the air duct through the window so that smoke does not get inside.

Advantages

• Economical in work;
• The supply of wood chips occurs in a dosed mode;
• The feed rate and the temperature in the chamber are controlled by automation;
• Can be used both outdoors and indoors.

Flaws

• Smoking in the cold will not work;
• Appearance could be more interesting.

1. Hanhi Zmei

The latest equipment designed specifically for cold smoking. It went on sale last year. Engineers tried to carefully consider all the most important points, so the process of smoke generation has become as convenient as possible for the person working with this unit. The bunker with wood chips has an angular design, which makes it possible to ensure its long-term pyrolysis burning. In addition, it will not fade. The smoke from this part of the device comes out with the help of special slots located on the corner plate, after which it goes to the low pressure zone. The ash compartment here is very convenient, besides, there is access to it, so if necessary, you can remove it and clean it. In general, the entire smoke generator, if desired, can be disassembled and cleaned from soot and tar formed.

Advantages

• High-quality smoke purification system from harmful substances;
• All elements are made of high quality stainless steel;
• Completely fireproof equipment;
• Consumes a minimum amount of electricity.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Smoke generators with manual ignition

3. Merkel Standard

This model is characterized by many users as innovative and improved, due to which, in terms of its useful qualities, it is largely superior to similar models from other companies. The design includes a body and a chimney, a cover made of durable wood. The bottom here is perfectly flat, a condensation chamber is provided, with the help of which the smoke passes through additional purification. Here, its temperature is reduced, making the smoke suitable for working with any variety of products. The model is designed for both cold and hot smoking. All elements are made of reliable stainless steel, resistant to physical damage, the occurrence of corrosion processes. Its thickness is 2 mm. The mass of the device is not too large — about 2 kg. It is very easy to assemble the model and prepare it for work, so even a person who has not dealt with similar equipment before can handle it.

In order for the product to work stably, it is necessary to achieve stable smoldering. At first, the smoke is quite hot, but later it passes through a kind of filter made of wood chips, resin and condensate will come out of it. Then the entire volume of smoke enters the condensation chamber. Drops of water form on its walls, and harmful combustion products remain. All of them are easily removed. The lid is made of reliable and durable wood, which will not dry out and heat up too much during operation, so it will not be possible to get burned. It fits snugly to the body, so the smoke will not go beyond the smoke generator.

Advantages

• Very attractive appearance, the body is made of polished stainless steel;
• Only high-quality materials were used in the manufacture;
• For smoking, you can use wood of any species;
• Convenient and easy loading of wood chips;
• Consumes a minimum amount of electricity;
• The compressor allows you to adjust the amount of air supplied;
• Acceptable cost.

Flaws

• The condensate has a characteristic unpleasant odor.

2. Finlandia 1.2 L

It has a body made of stainless steel, the thickness of which is 2.5 mm, the maximum volume of the smokehouse is 3 cubic meters. The branch pipe is located at the bottom, so you can smoke both hot and cold technology. The main advantage of this location of the nozzle is that the active phase of the process starts immediately from the moment the wood chips are ignited, so the container with products for smoking is filled with smoke immediately. The release of resins harmful to the human body is minimal, the same can be said about condensate. The supply of fresh air to the combustion zone is provided by a special compressor, the average consumption of wood chips is within 200 grams. Thanks to a carefully thought-out design, the optimum smoke temperature is reached approximately three times faster than with other smoke generators.

The compressor power is adjustable, the outlet smoke temperature will be in the range from 30 to 90 degrees. For hot smoking, a temperature of 60 degrees and above is used. This is the fastest technology, the products will be completely ready in a couple of hours maximum. If the temperature is in the middle range (35-60 degrees), then you can get products with a longer shelf life. Smoking can take from 3 hours to 2 days. Cold smoking involves the use of smoke with a temperature of no more than 32 degrees. Thanks to such processing, it will be possible to maintain the density and hardness of products for a long time. The assembly of this smoke generator takes several minutes; if necessary, it can be connected to any convenient container.

Advantages

• Can be used for both cold and hot smoking;
• Wide range of temperature adjustment;
• Ease of operation;
• Acceptable cost;
• Compact overall dimensions.

Flaws

• Weak structural tightness.

1. Hobby Smoke 3.0+

Another European-made design. It is capable of producing a decent amount of cold smoke, which can reach about 20 cubic meters, the maximum battery life of the device is 16 hours. The average fuel consumption is about 150 grams per hour. The lid is made of high quality wood, which will not swell with changes in temperature or humidity. The bottom here is removable — you can quickly and easily remove the remaining chips. The ignition here is manual, for it there are two holes on the sides of the product. The kit comes with a very handy lighter, there is also alder wood chips for one backfill. The compressor is equipped with heat-resistant tubes, all fasteners are universal. A recipe book is supplied with the smoke generator, which is very suitable for a person who first decided to take up such a process as smoking.

Advantages

• Everything you need for smoking is included in the kit;
• When smoked, products do not absorb toxins and various foreign odors;
• Heat-resistant case;
• Wide scope.

Flaws

• It is problematic to kindle wood chips with a moisture content of more than 30%.

Smoke generators equipped with a smokehouse

3. Grilek

The design was originally developed for cold smoking. It is equipped with a spacious smoking chamber, whose volume is 30 liters — this indicator is quite enough to organize the production of smoked products at home. The product produces and delivers cooled and cold-smoked smoke. The smoke generator is made of sufficiently thick stainless steel, which ensures the hygiene of the process and provides the equipment with the necessary margin of safety. The mass of the product is only 9 kg with overall dimensions of 35x60x40 cm. The smoke temperature is in the range from 30 to 40 degrees. The device is capable of continuous operation from 4 to 6 hours. AISI430 stainless steel is used for manufacturing, which fully complies with Europe standards.

The smokehouse is arranged quite simply, it can be assembled even without the use of various kinds of tools. The smoke is dense and devoid of moisture, so it is possible to smoke products in the shortest possible time. The product is excellent for working with very fatty products, which, when undergoing such processing, will acquire excellent palatability. Up to a maximum of 3 kg of wood chips can be loaded into the smoke generator. The ignition here is manual, double-sided. The use of damp wood chips is undesirable, as it will give too wet smoke, and smoldering will be uneven.

Advantages

• Acceptable cost;
• Excellent working qualities;
• Easy to assemble;
• Does not require special maintenance;
• Convenient to use.

Flaws

• Kindling with an ordinary lighter is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.

2. Dym Dymych 02B

This is a fairly well-known domestic manufacturer of electric smokehouses designed specifically for cold smoking. The principle of operation here is standard — the product has a fan that intensively directs the flow of smoke into the smoking compartment. It is allowed to use this design even indoors, but first it will be necessary to provide a good ventilation system there and reduce humidity to the lowest possible level. If smoking will be carried out during the winter months, then the temperature should not be allowed to drop below zero. The temperature of the smoke will be in the range from 20 to 40 degrees, and the moisture content in the smoke itself will be minimal. As users note, this model is characterized by a rather large smoking chamber and a body that is resistant to various kinds of influences. This allows you to use the model even in industrial volumes.

The power of the equipment is 2.9 W, the volume of the smoking chamber is 50 liters — even too much for home use. The thickness of the case is not too large: only 0.8 mm, however, stainless steel is additionally coated with special compounds that increase its strength. The maximum compressor capacity is 5 liters per minute — the figure is not too high, but it is quite enough to ensure the process of cold smoking and maintain the optimum temperature in the smoking chamber.

Advantages

• Low cost;
• Full set;
• You can bring the products to a golden crust.

Flaws

• Stand not included;
• The lid is not very easy to put on and take off.

1. Bradley Smoker Original Smoker BS611EU

This is a recognized leader in our ranking of the best smoke generators, characterized by versatility of use. Smoke is produced here without the participation of the operator — fully automatically. Inside the smoking chamber there are as many as four removable grates, the dimensions of which are 35×28 cm, so you can smoke a large number of different products at the same time. The smoke generator works on wood chip briquettes, which are automatically fed into the combustion zone every five minutes. Automation here is of high quality and adjustable, so the user only needs to choose the most appropriate mode. The device is able to work without interruption up to 9 hours. You can get both hot and cold smoked products. The maximum smoke temperature in this device can reach 160 degrees. The volume of the chamber is not too large — it is only 120 liters, which makes the device quite mobile.

The design has a very attractive appearance. It is very convenient to use, and the developers have taken care of security. Lattices are supplied with special clamps that it was impossible to overturn them in the course of extraction from the smoking chamber. At the same time, the camera itself has excellent tightness, so it is quite acceptable to use it indoors. The front legs are enlarged here, thanks to which the design has become even more stable.

Advantages

• Equipment versatility;
• Long working time without interruption;
• No human intervention required;
• The original design of the gratings;
• Attractive appearance.

Flaws

So our rating of the best smoke generators of 2019 has come to an end. We hope that the information we have collected will be useful to you. If any questions remain unanswered for you, ask them in the comments to our article. We will promptly respond to every message.