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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

Best Smoker Box for Gas Grills

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Who says you can't smoke meat on a gas grill?
Who says you can’t smoke meat on a gas grill?

There are two types of people in this world: people who like smoked meats, and people who don’t know what they’re missing. If you’ve ever traveled down to the southern parts of the United States, you know how serious they are about their smoked meats.

Find my top picks for smoker boxes at Amazon. Most them are safe for all types of grills!

Don’t have the cash to spend on a trip to experience some real southern BBQ? Not ready for a designated combination grill? There’s no need to fret! You can turn your run-of-the-mill gas grill into a smoky meat machine with the help of a handy little smoker box.

How do I smoke meat, anyhow?

To get the ultimate smoky flavor for your rack of ribs, slab of brisket, or butcher-cut pork, you’re going to need to be familiar with how the smoking process works. By heating up pre-soaked flavored wood chips (without directly burning them), smoke forms and permeates throughout the meat, leaving a distinctly delectable flavor.

Traditionally, smoking is done “low and slow” in a smoker or over a charcoal grill, and the lid is rarely lifted so the smoky flavor is preserved. Many pitmasters and extreme BBQ fans will tell you that you can’t achieve the same smokiness on a non-charcoal grill, but there are definitely ways around having to own both a smoker for your slow-cooked meats, and separate gas grills for rapidly cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the neighborhood barbecue.

You don’t have to drive yourself into debt by buying both a gas grill and a smoker. You can smoke your cuts on a smoker box for gas grills, and prove once and for all that a gas grill can produce delicious, smoky meat fit for a king!

Finding the best smoker box for a gas grill.

You did your research when you bought your gas grill, and you did it again for your other cooking supplies. Getting the best smoker box should be no exception.

Any good smoker box will be made of a durable metal, such as stainless steel or cast iron. Cheap versions of smoker boxes that are made with poor-quality materials will burn up after a few uses in the high heat of your grill. If you’re really unlucky, the box might even melt and warp after a single use.

I’m all for saving a buck here and there, but some things are worth the higher price tag. Don’t expect cheap model smoker boxes to keep churning out smoke for your fabulously smoked brisket–it’s just not going to happen.

Take my advice and spring for pricier model smoker boxes that are expertly crafted and will hold up to the amount of smoking you intend on doing with them.

You need a good smoker thermometer. Here’s a post on wireless options.

How do smoker boxes work on a gas grill?

If you’re new to smoking on a gas grill, there’s going to be a learning curve. However, smoking your own meat on a non-charcoal grill doesn’t have to be a difficult process. If you have a gas grill, a smoker box, wood chips, and meat, you’re already off to a great start!

The type of wood chips you’ll select varies on what kind of meat you’ll be cooking. Usually, flavors like mesquite or chicory are reserved for briskets. Delicate cuts of meat or fish require a milder flavor.

To get the best kind of smoke for your meat, it’s essential that your wood chips are heated to a high enough temperature to warrant smoking without bursting into flames. There’s a fine line to dance between being hot enough to smoke, but not so hot that the chips are set ablaze.

By positioning smoker boxes underneath grill grates and above the burners, you will be able to heat the wood chips enough to produce the smoke that’ll give your meat so much flavor, you’ll make your neighbors incredibly jealous. Offer them a piece of your delicious smoky meat, or tell them to learn how to smoke their own with their own smoker boxes!

Veggies want smoking, too!
Veggies want smoking, too!

Smoke your own meat for sausages! Here are my picks for the best sausage stuffers.

What features should a smoker box for a gas grill have?

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and get a smoker box for your gas grill, be sure it can handle the amount of smoking you’re going to put it through. A smoker box worthy of staying inside your grill will be durable and made of either stainless steel or cast iron. You also may want a shaped smoker that nestles between the grill gates.

Non-Stick Coating

Most boxes are situated underneath the grill grates and away from your meat, if possible. If this isn’t feasible and your meat might be located directly above the smoker box, be sure it’s made from a non-stick material so cleaning the stainless steel, cast iron, or other material won’t be a hassle.

Box

All of these boxes come equipped with holes at the top to allow the smoke to escape. Find a box that won’t allow rogue pieces of ash to fly out and onto the surface of your deliciously smoked meat. A v shaped or w shaped box will allow the box to nestle in the grill while smoking the meat.

Lid

When it comes time to smoke a bigger piece of meat, like a brisket, be sure that your smoker box has a functional lid that can be easily removed to reload wood chips. After a few hours of smoldering, the wood chips will have burned down to sad little piles of soot and need to be replenished with freshly-soaked wood chips. Be sure you can remove the lid with tongs, because nothing is worse than grilling burns.

Remember, smoking meat at home isn’t only for seasoned BBQ pitmasters. With the help of a smoker box for your gas grill, you can be well on your way to cooking drool-worthy cuts of sweet, smoky meat.

Ready to cut into those perfectly smoked ribs? Here’s my review of the best knife for the job.

Recommended Smoker Boxes

Cave Tools Smoker Box

My top pick for smoker boxes comes from Cave Tools. This stainless steel smoker measures 9 by 3 inches, and has a 2 cup capacity for large amounts of wood chips without taking over your whole grill. It fits perfectly in between flavorizer bars and grill grates for your gas stove, and also works with charcoal as well! The manufacturer also makes a “V” shaped alternative if you’d rather sit the box in between grill grates instead.

Users say it takes an average of 10 minutes to make sure the box has heated up and the chips are smoking. This box also has a hinged lid so that you can easily add more chips as you go. This easy access is also imperative to changing the chips if they turn to ash or burn up by accident.

Cave Tools Grill Smoker Box Starter Kit for Wood Chips, Stainless Steel Bucket Style with Hinged Lid, BBQ Grill and Smoker Accessories - Medium

Check out the Cave Tools Smoker Box at Amazon

On that note, Cave Tools recommends placing dry wood chips in these smoker boxes instead of soaking them, like many grillers traditionally do. The reason for this, they say, is that there are no holes at the bottom of the box, so the wood chips should not catch fire. Many reviewers say they have soaked the chips anyway, just to be safe, and got perfect results regardless. It’s probably always a good idea to soak the chips, no matter what the instructions say.

Your purchase of the Cave Tools smoker box comes with 25 professional BBQ recipes, with tutorial videos as well. With a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, this is definitely the best option on the list.

Weber 7576 Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box

This stainless steel smoker box from Charcoal Champion is a close second. It is made of sturdy stainless steel metal, making it durable and able to withstand even the toughest of cooking jobs. Despite its superior construction, it has pretty affordable price tag!

Weber 7576 Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box

Check out the Weber 7576 Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box at Amazon

It seems like this wood chip smoker box was basically designed for most gas grills. It is a rectangle shape, so it fits on top of your grill. This is a stainless steel smoker box, measuring about 4.5 inches wide and about 10 inches long, so it’s the perfect size to fill up your grill with smoky flavor while still leaving room for the meat itself.

With a hinged lid, adding wood chips has never been easier. It also has openings for the smoke to be released from the top and the bottom to ensure that smoky flavor infuses your meats while grilling. Cleaning is a breeze – just empty the ashes out and give it a quick wipe. The natural seasoning of the metal takes care of the rest!

Weber 7576 Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box

Check out the Weber 7576 Universal Stainless Steel Smoker Box at Amazon

Cave Tools Smoker Box Maximum Wood Chip Capacity

And we’re back to Cave Tools for another v shape awesome stainless steel smoker box. What sets this one apart, though, is its size and capacity. This smoker box for gas grills has the highest smoke output of any of the smokers on this list by far. If it can fit into your grill, I recommend getting it.

It has a “Wide and Slim” profile, meaning it spreads out the wood chips on a more even surface area so that more of them smoke at once. It also fits over 3 cups of chips, so no need to refill. They advertise the same lack of need for soaking the chips, since there are no holes in the bottom, but since the chips are all so much closer to the flame, I definitely recommend soaking for this one.

Smoker Box Maximum Wood Chip Capacity - 25% Thicker Stainless Steel Won't Warp - Charcoal & Gas Grill BBQ Meat Smoking Hinged Lid - Best Grilling Accessories & Barbecue Utensils for Dad

Check out the Cave Tools Maximum Capacity Smoker Box at Amazon

This one has the same satisfaction guarantee as the Cave Tools product above, and comes with all the recipes and tutorial videos you’ll ever need with your purchase of a Cave Tools product. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for more value in your smoker box.

Skyflame Wood Chip Smoker Box

This is one of the sturdier and more attractive wood chip smoker boxes available, showing off wavy smoke outlets which provides more smoke than other boxes and a larger area for the food grilling above it. It works on both gas and charcoal grills, and its hinged lid makes adding or removing chips during cooking a breeze.

Skyflame Wood Chip Smoker Box with Wavy Smoke Outlet for Charcoal & Propane Gas Grill, 12.5"(L) x 3.3"(W) x 2.5"(H), US Design Patent

If your gas grill has flavorizer bars, and most do, the w shape of the Skyflame box rests on those, permeating your meats with a delicious smoky flavor. Your family and guests will be calling you the neighborhood Pitmaster when you use this beauty.

Check out the Skyflame Wood Chip Smoker Box with Wavy Smoke Outlet for Charcoal & Propane Gas Grill on Amazon

Silverius Pro BBQ Smoker Box

The Silverius smoker boxes are for those who want the thickest, most durable, stainless steel gadget out there. It is 25% thicker than most other boxes, so if you plan on using yours a lot, this is your best choice to prevent warping of the product over time. The extra vents in the top promise a richer and smokier flavor, as well.

The bold and attractive design will appeal to grillers who are just learning how to smoke their meats and to expert pitmasters. Even though this is a heavy-duty smoker box, it is lightweight at only 15.2 ounces. And, if you’re unhappy with the box, Silverius offers to replace it for you.

BBQ Smoker Box for Charcoal and Propane Gas Grill - Even THICKER Stainless Steel Wood Chip Smoker Set with MORE VENTS - Durable and Smokier Flavor - Grilling Accessories and Gifts for Dad by Silverius


Check out the Silverius BBQ Smoker Box for Charcoal and Propane Gas Grill on Amazon

Extreme Salmon Stainless Steel Smoker Box

The Extreme Salmon smoker boxes are another example of attractive yet functional smokers. This is another box made out of durable stainless steel that comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee: if you don’t like it, Extreme Salmon will either refund your money or give you a replacement.

The hinged lid makes putting in or taking out more chips easy and efficient; the s shaped waves in the top of the box help the smoke flow through smoothly. If you like that extra-smoky taste, this box holds over two cups of wood chips to ensure that intense smoky flavor is added to your dinner. Just put the box as close as possible to the heat source and turn the heat up to its highest for about 10 minutes before you begin grilling to heat up the box enough for it to produce smoke.

Extreme Salmon Stainless Steel Smoker Box with Hinged Lid for Gas Grill Wood Chips Grill Accessories Barbecue Grilling Smoker Utensils Extra Thick Stainless Steel Gas Charcoal Smoking Meat Grill

Check out the Extreme Salmon Stainless Steel Smoker Box on Amazon

Grill Gods Smoker Box

This box is durable, made of universal stainless steel and reinforced double hinges to ensure a long life for your grilling pleasure. Working on either a gas or charcoal grill, the Grill Gods makes it easy to add wood (or remove it) while you’re cooking while its compact size makes it easy to transport if you want to take it on vacation or to your neighbor’s house with you.

Although it’s got an extremely affordable price, this is one of the best smoker boxes for the money. It’s great for barbecuing and grilling, so make sure you’ve got lots of recipes to use with this gas or charcoal companion.

Although this box does not provide holes on the bottom, it still is the best smoker in its price range. It’s a great box for gas grill, too.

Grill Gods Smoker Box for BBQ Grill Wood Chips - 30% More Holes for Better Flavor - Stainless Steel Smoker - Best Gas Grill and Charcoal Barbecue Smoker with Reinforced Hinged Lid - Grilling Accessory

Check out the Grill Gods Smoker Box at Amazon.

GrillPro 00150 Cast Iron Smoker Box

My last pick for best smoker box for gas grill is a simple, straightforward one with a classic design and good performance. The GrillPro comes as either a cast iron or stainless steel smoker box, depending on your grilling preferences.

GrillPro 00150 Cast Iron Smoker Box

Check out the GrillPro 00150 Cast Iron Smoker Box at Amazon

With either material, it has heavy duty construction. With 6 wide holes on top, you get a lot of smoke and flavor, but run the risk I mentioned earlier about letting ashes and chips out into your food.

There have some complaints about the lid not sitting properly on top of the box by users, but overall, people seem to be satisfied with this purchase.

Are you getting the best performance out of your smoker grill?

See our article on how to choose the best smoker thermometer to ensure your meats are cooked just right!

Love grilling but hate cleaning? I’ve got tips on the best way to clean grill grates.

Whether you’re grilling over open flames, or smoking your favorite meats, take the guess work out of getting it perfect with a dual probe wireless thermometer.

Head over here for my post on who’s making the best gas grills these days then check out the best way to keep your concrete patio spotless — with a new grill mat.

Sources

Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: citymama and woodleywonderworks.

Kitchen Professor author
About the Author: Bryce Heitman

Bryce is not a real professor, but he's real nerdy in the kitchen. He's been barbecuing, chopping, and generally blazing food for many decades. He thinks there's definitely a better spatula or utensil out there that hasn't been invented yet.

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