TOP-12 best smoke generators for cold smoking: manual and automatic
Smoking is a unique cooking method that can significantly extend the shelf life of food. It is best to use cold smoking, because in this case the meat or fish will remain fresh for a whole month, even without refrigeration. To prepare food in this way, you will need a cold smoked smoke generator. The best devices are collected in this rating.
The best inexpensive smoke generators for cold smoking
If the smokehouse is not planned to be used too often, there is no point in buying an expensive device. For home use, simple budget models are quite suitable. Despite their low cost, they perfectly handle products with smoke and allow you to get delicious high quality delicacies.
UZBI Dym Dymych 02
One of the best cold smoked smoke generators. At a cost of about 3 thousand rubles, it has a fairly capacious 32-liter camera. There are also models with a 50 liter chamber, but their cost is higher. Inside there are two levels of planks. With their help, you can place two grates with small fish carcasses or pieces of meat. Having removed them, whole carcasses of birds are smoked in the cell. The design is sold disassembled, but due to the rubber adapters on the tube and detailed instructions, it will not be difficult to assemble the device.
| Chamber volume | 32 l |
| Smoking time | 5-15 hours |
| Total weight | 3.7 kg |
| Compressor capacity | 2.5x2 l / min |
Pros:
- strong fastening of jumpers can withstand a lot of weight;
- powder-coated body protects it from scratches and mechanical damage;
- a high-quality hose cools the smoke before feeding it into the chamber;
- spiral heating element evenly distributes heat over the receiving tank;
- compact size (42x34x35 cm).
Minuses:
- the thickness of the metal walls is only 0.8 mm;
- no handle to lift the lid;
- The carbon steel body will start to rust after the powder coating breaks down.
RowMiD Aroma Smoking Gun RAS-01
This device differs from analogs in compact size and light weight. Its weight is only 200 grams, and due to its ease of use, the model is great for home use. With it, you can give your favorite foods a pleasant scent of smoke without starting a fire. Chips are set on fire inside the body, smoke is formed, which is fed through a hose into a container with products. The kit includes the body of the device itself with a compartment for chips, a silicone hose and detailed instructions in Russian.
| Peak power | 0.6 watts |
| Power supply | 2 AA batteries |
| Smoking time | Up to 5 minutes |
| Body material | Steel |
Pros:
- suitable for home use;
- extremely easy to use and does not require lighting a fire;
- durable silicone hose pumps cooled smoke into the container;
- does not require connection to the mains (powered by batteries);
- quickly gives products a smoked flavor.
Minuses:
- does not smoke products, but only gives them a smoked flavor;
- some users quickly fail the hose;
- no container for products included.
The best smoke generator with filter
Filters on the hose are not installed on all smoke generators, but this part is very useful, as it allows you to clean the smoke entering the chamber from harmful impurities. Only one model can be called the best device in this category.
Good Heat
The cylindrical smokehouse is made of food grade stainless steel. The device is intended for domestic use, since heating is carried out on a conventional stove (gas, electric or induction). The kit includes two trays and a hanger for easy storage of food, as well as a recipe book and a thermometer to control the temperature in the chamber.
| Chamber volume | 17 l |
| Smoking time | 5-8 hours |
| Total weight | 8.2 kg |
| Wall type | Stainless steel (thickness 1.5mm) |
Pros:
- in the upper part there is a water seal for hermetically closing the chamber;
- tray for chips and fat included;
- comfortable handles on the sides practically do not heat up during use;
- there are stands and a hanger for placing food;
- suitable for all types of slabs.
Minuses:
- for high-quality cooking of smoked meats, skills are required;
- you cannot smoke fatty fish or meat.
The best smoke generators with automatic ignition
A cold smoked smokehouse with a smoke generator and an automatic ignition function is a very practical and useful design with which you can cook delicious delicacies with minimal human intervention. An electric heater built into such devices ensures constant smoldering of the chips and prolongs the smoking time. In this category, there are four practical and functional models at once.
HK HK
This generator is considered the cheapest among the devices with automatic ignition. At the same time, it has several additional features, in particular, a device for drying smoke and collecting tar (just turn a special tap on the body). The smoke generator is powerful, so its capacity is enough to fill a chamber with a volume of 200 liters with smoke.
| Chamber volume | 200 l |
| Smoking time | 8-10 hours |
| Total weight | 8.5KG |
| Compressor power | 80 l / min |
Pros:
- everything you need for use is included;
- one load of wood chips is enough for 10 hours of continuous work;
- there is a sensor for temperature control;
- powerful compressor ensures uniform processing of products;
- multi-stage filtration system.
Minuses:
- very low smoke temperature in comparison with analogues;
- quite high cost.
Hanki Zmei 7L
This device deservedly received a place in the ranking, because it is practical, functional and safe to use. These indicators fully compensate for the high, in comparison with analogues, the cost of this model. A well-thought-out design allows not only to qualitatively purify the smoke entering the chamber, but also to control the smoking process itself. Of the additional functionality, it is worth noting the ability to adjust the intensity of the smoke generator depending on the degree of congestion in the chamber.
| Chamber volume | 100 l |
| Smoking time | 12 hours |
| Total weight | 8.5KG |
| Body material | Stainless steel |
Pros:
- reliable and durable steel construction;
- you can adjust the intensity of the smoke supply;
- uniform treatment with cold smoke;
- duration of smoking 12 hours with a full load of the chamber;
- built-in smoke filters.
Minuses:
- high cost in comparison with analogues;
- cooling the smoke for 5-6 hours.
Summer resident
According to a number of consumers, this is the best smoke regulator for cold smoking. Due to its simplicity and ease of use, many smoked meat lovers prefer to use it. The unit is compact (35x35x60 cm), and the design itself is extremely simple. The installation does not take much time. The case is made of high quality steel with a thickness of 2 mm, so the device has a long service life. In addition, the smoking process is automated, and the user does not have to constantly monitor the cooking.
| Chamber volume | 50 l |
| Smoking time | 10-12 hours |
| Total weight | 6 Kg |
| Smoke temperature in the chamber | 20-28 degrees |
Pros:
- unique chip feeding system ensures economical wood consumption;
- the screw mechanism provides a dosed supply of chips;
- easy-to-assemble design;
- adjustment of smoke parameters (according to the degree of filling the chamber);
- can be used indoors and outdoors.
Minuses:
- extremely simple design;
- high price.
Whirlwind-M
The impressive dimensions of the device (60x25x65 cm) allow this model to be ranked among industrial smoke generators.But even at home, with its help, you can make a lot of smoked blanks, although for this you will have to provide a separate place for placing the unit. When the chamber is fully loaded, the device produces smoke steadily throughout the day. Since the device is automated, a person does not have to control the process. The smoke in the device does not heat up and the sealed design prevents leakage. Complete with the smoke generator, the manufacturer provides a special blade, with which it is convenient to load fuel into the combustion chamber.
| Chamber volume | 8 cubic meters |
| Smoking time | 24 hours |
| Steel wall thickness | 2 mm |
| Heating element power | 1 kW |
Pros:
- a day of battery life;
- stable smoke supply without temperature rise;
- small consumption of chips (4 kg for a full load of the chamber);
- works on the principle of oxygen-free combustion;
- chip spatula included.
Minuses:
- high price;
- only dry wood chips can be used as fuel.
The best smoke generators with manual ignition
For users who are just starting to get acquainted with smoking products, experts recommend choosing simple devices with manual ignition. The top units in this category include 3 models.
Merkel Premium
Easy to use and compact unit (50x30x26 cm), which is perfect for home use. It is made of high quality stainless steel with a thickness of 2 mm, which is resistant to corrosion and high temperatures. After use, the device is easy to wash and clean from carbon deposits. In addition, the manufacturer has provided for effective purification of smoke from moisture and the function of draining condensate without disassembling the device.
| Chamber volume | 0.1-12 cubic meters |
| Smoking time | 12 hours |
| Total weight | 3.4 kg |
| Chip chamber volume | 5 l |
Pros:
- high-quality assembly;
- easy to disassemble and clean;
- stable smoke temperature (+25 degrees);
- thoughtful removal of condensate without disassembling the device;
- stylish design.
Minuses:
- low performance (enough only for home use);
- the smoking process must be monitored and chips are constantly added.
Bravo Favorit
The best cold smoking smoke generator designed for beginner smokers. The kit includes everything you need to get started: the smoke generator itself, silicone hoses for connecting the compressor, a compressor, instructions in Russian and a warranty card. For smoking, it is enough to remove the device from the packaging, attach the pipe to any container (cardboard box, barrel or even an old refrigerator), connect the compressor, load wood chips into the chamber, connect the device to the mains and ignite the fuel. The device works autonomously for 2 hours, therefore, for stable smoking, the chips will have to be refilled periodically.
| Chamber volume | 0.1-12 cubic meters |
| Smoking time | 2 hours |
| Total weight | 1 kg |
| Chip container volume | 1.3KG |
Pros:
- due to the upper intake, the smoke cools down before entering the chamber;
- suitable for cold and hot smoking;
- the wooden lid of the chip container prevents condensation from accumulating;
- the structure is easy to disassemble and wash;
- made of high quality stainless steel (wall thickness 2 mm).
Minuses:
- continuous operation time - 2 hours, so chips need to be added regularly;
- works only from the mains.
Hobbi Smoke 3.0
The smoke generator of domestic production is characterized by high performance. Chip consumption is 130 g / h, while the device is able to work autonomously for 16 hours. The wooden cover effectively solves the problem of condensation and prevents accidental burns during operation. A special lighter and wood chips for one load are provided with the smoke generator, so you can start smoking immediately after purchasing the device. Also included is a book with recommendations and recipes. The unit has a removable bottom that allows you to quickly and easily remove the remaining chips.
| Chamber volume | Up to 20 cubic meters |
| Smoking time | 16 hours |
| Total weight | 3.5 kg |
| Chip consumption | 130 g / hour |
Pros:
- long battery life (16 hours);
- does not require an electrical connection;
- recipe book included;
- the chamber holds up to 1.5 kg of chips;
- heat-resistant stainless steel housing.
Minuses:
- high cost in comparison with analogues;
- lower smoke intake;
- it is difficult to light wood chips with a moisture content of more than 30%
The best smoke generators with a smoking chamber
Smoke generators, which are sold immediately with a smoking chamber, are more expensive than analogues without this container, but they allow you to cook aromatic dishes immediately after purchase and not worry about making the tank yourself. Two devices are recognized as the best in this category.
Harvia WS100
Stylish and easy to use smokehouse made of stainless steel. The performance of the device is not high, but it is sufficient for preparing aromatic delicacies for the whole family. Includes two chrome-plated grilles. It is completely safe, does not saturate products with toxins and is easy to clean after use. Also included is a tray for collecting fat, which greatly simplifies operation.
| Type of allocation | Outdoor |
| Total weight | 17 kg |
| Dimensions (diameter / height) | 42/70 cm |
| Hot smoking function | There is |
Pros:
- attractive design;
- drip tray and chrome grilles included;
- compact dimensions (42x70x42 cm);
- made of high quality stainless steel;
- affordable cost.
Minuses:
- the smoking process must be controlled manually;
- performance is only enough for home use.
Bradley Smoker Digital 4 Rack
The versatile Canadian-made smoking system is designed for professionals who already have experience in the preparation of aromatic delicacies. This digital block machine is equipped with many automatic functions that greatly facilitate the operator's work. The user just needs to load wood chips, place the food in the chamber and select the appropriate mode, and the device independently controls the time and temperature of smoking.
| Furnace volume | 37.5 l |
| Dimensions (L / W / H) | 62/36/79 cm |
| Maximum smoking temperature | 160 degrees |
| Power | 500 watts |
Pros:
- automatic feeding of briquettes every 20 minutes;
- 4 grilles (36x28 cm) included;
- can be used like a regular oven;
- attractive design;
- the device independently controls the smoking process.
Minuses:
- high price;
- impressive dimensions: you will have to provide a place for placement.
This rating contains the best models of cold smoked smoke generators for beginners and professionals. This information will help you find the right device for your individual needs.
