Here at Fire Food Chef we love a good gas smoker. While you don't quite have the ease and convenience of an electric or pellet smoker, you can still make amazing meals with a little practice.
One of the main benefits of a gas smoker is the price.
We have put this small guide together to showcase all the best propane smoker under $200.
For the past 5 years we have been using all kinds of smokers - for our families, for parties and for commercial functions. This means we have used and tested A LOT of smokers, so are more than qualified to recommend our top picks.
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In a Hurry? This was our Winner:
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Researched sources
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REviews considered
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hours researching
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products compared
Last Updated: January 3, 2024
By William Clay: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding our choices for propane smokers that cost less than $200. Information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best affordable smokers currently available on the market.
RANK | PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
№1 |  | 93% |  | |
№2 |  | 85% | | |
№3 |  | 81% | |
After testing literally hundred of smokers over the years, we have concluded that the Masterbuilt 20051311 2 Door is the best gas smoker (under $200) on the market.
Best Gas Smokers Under $200
After testing so many gas smokers over the years we have come to the conclusion that the Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D 2-Door Propane Smoker is one of the best.
It combines a great amount of cooking space, with the high quality you would expect from Masterbuilt. All of this is bundled up into a very competitively priced unit.
TOP Pick: Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D
Smokey and reliable smoker
"This cheap gas smoker gives an amazing taste with a smokey flavour. If you are looking to get into the world of smoking, this unit is for you"
Quick Summary:
The Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D 2-Door Propane Smoker has a whopping 717 square inches of cooking space - compared to traditional pellet smokers, this is massive. But this is not all the Masterbuild has to offer.
One of the main reasons this is our top gas smoker pick is because you get great features at a ridiculously low price - in fact it is the cheapest smoker out of the three in this review.
Some of the great features include a great temperature controller, awesome heat seal-in technology and very easy clean-up. Apart from these, you can always guarantee this smoker will give you smoky and flavourful results that will change the way you cook forever.
We are very impressed with this gas smokers performance and build quality.
While it doesn't come with a long warranty, it has loads of loads of positive reviews. This leads us to believe that that it has high customer value and you wouldn't regret buying it.
Overall, in our opinion, this is the best gas smoker under $200.
Pros:
Cons:
Why Is This Our Best Propane Smoker Under $200?
The Masterbuilt 20051311 belongs at the top of our list for a number of reasons:
RUNNER UP
Runner Up: Camp Chef SMV18S
A great 'all-in-one' gas smoker
"This is a must-have, compact smoker with an amazing price tag. All of your dishes will be full of delicious smokey flavour!"
Quick Summary:
If you love to customise things to exactly suit your preferences, then the Camp Chef SMV18S if the gas smoker for you.
It has damper valves which allow you to control the heat. It has several smoker racks and adjustable heat control dials.
How smokey do you like your food? How much flavour do you want to infuse your meat with? You can control all of this with the Camp Chef meaning your food is cooked exactly to your liking.
While the price is super affordable, it delivers top 'chef-level' performance with a little practice. It is suitable for both home and outdoor thanks to being so compact, and as it is only 65 pounds, you could even use it as a portable gas smoker.
While this smoker came very close to being our top pick, after doing extensive research we came to the conclusion that price is the main difference. While not expensive - just over $180 - it is a little more than the Masterbuilt. The features and quality of food you can make is pretty much the same.
Overall, in our opinion, this is a close second best gas smoker under $200.
Pros:
Cons:
Why Is This Our Runner Up Gas Smoker Under $200?
The Camp Chef Smoke Vault came a very close second because of the following great features:
Alternative (Beginner-Friendly): Char-Broil, The Big Easy
Easy to use and easy to clean
"If you are new to smoking then this gas smoker is perfect for you. It's TRU-Infrared technology makes it easy to cook pro-level meals"
Quick Summary:
As the name suggests, the 'Big Easy' really does make cooking super easy - that is why it is our Best for Beginners choice.
The main feature which makes smoking easy on this model is the TRU-Infrared Technology. It really does elevate your smoking experience and takes all of the effort out of your hands.
With the Char-Broil you can be safe in the knowledge that your food will be cooked to perfection, bursting with flavour and be extra succulent and juicy.
While it looks quite small, it can hold as much as two whole turkeys - perfect for most beginners. But even if you aren't a beginner, we would still recommend this gas smoker - you are going to love the smart technology.
Overall, in our opinion, this is the best gas smoker under $200 for beginners.
Pros:
Cons:
Why Is This Our Best Gas Smoker Under $200 for Beginners?
The Char-Broil, Big Easy is one of the simplest gas smokers we have ever used.
However, it also comes with some great technology which makes it our best beginner pick:
To Wrap It All Up...
Whether you are a new or seasoned Pit Master, a gas smoker is a great addition to your outdoor cooking equipment.
Not only are the usually cheaper than both charcoal and pellet smokers, but they produce the same savoury, authentic flavour that you love.
They are quite popular in restaurants because they produce clean heat - and none of the mess of charcoal. They also don't require as much maintenance as an electric but has the similar 'set it and forget it' features.
After testing literally hundred of smokers over the years, we have concluded that the Masterbuilt 20051311 2 Door is the top propane smoker on the market.
It always produces super high quality food that tastes amazing. It has some amazing features, and surprisingly is one of the cheapest you can buy. It is built to last, and we are sure that you wouldn't regret the decision to purchase.