A drum smoker is a vertical charcoal cooker built around a steel barrel, with the fire basket at the bottom and your food hanging or racked above it. Many of the drums in this guide let you hang ribs from hooks or lay food on a grate.
We’re a research-led site, not a testing lab, so this guide combines maker pages, one Amazon listing and safety guidance from the CPSC and NFPA to rank 9 drum smokers for 2026. Capacity and burn-time figures are the makers’ own claims, not ours. Here’s how we choose.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best Overall: Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5″ Classic Premiere
- Best for Smoking and Grilling: Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Drum Smoker & Grill
- Best Compact Drum: Pit Barrel Cooker 14″ Junior Premiere
- Best for Big Cooks and Long Burns: Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Drum Smoker
- Best for Feeding a Crowd: Pit Barrel Cooker 22.5″ PBX
- Best Pit Barrel With Adjustable Vents: Pit Barrel Cooker 16.5″ Badger Barrel
- Best Classic 55-Gallon Build: Gateway Drum Smokers Straight Up 55G
- Best Premium Drum with Stainless Hardware: Hunsaker Vortex 55 Gallon Drum Smoker
- Best Budget: Even Embers Charcoal Drum Smoker and Grill (SMK6020AS)
How a drum smoker works
Air enters near the base, passes over a basket of lit charcoal and rises around the food before exiting at the top. Gateway, Hunsaker, Oklahoma Joe’s and Even Embers drums have adjustable intakes and exhausts, the Pit Barrel Badger has two adjustable vents, and the other Pit Barrels use a fixed intake set for altitude. Drums generally need less fire-tending than traditional offsets. If you want a smoker you tend with a fire of splits, see our best offset smokers.
Because everything here burns charcoal, the safety rules are the same as for any charcoal cooker. The CPSC says never to cook with charcoal inside tents, campers, vans, cars, trucks, homes, garages or mobile homes, because carbon monoxide can kill. NFPA says to place a grill well away from the home, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches, and to let coals cool completely before putting them in a metal container.
The 9 best drum smokers for 2026
Ranked for a typical US backyard cook. Every entry says what the maker or listing claims.
Transparency first: This guide contains affiliate links. If we’re enrolled in an affiliate program, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects how we research or rank. Read our full affiliate disclosure policy.
Pit Barrel Cooker 18.5″ Classic Premiere
What it is: Pit Barrel Cooker Co.’s 18.5-inch porcelain-enamel-coated steel drum, sold with an ash pan, 8 hooks, 2 rods, a charcoal basket, a grate, a dual-tier heat shield, a stand and a hook tool.
Best for: cooks who want to hang ribs, chicken and larger cuts and keep the setup simple.
Why we rate it: Pit Barrel lists capacity for up to eight rib racks or two to three pork shoulders or briskets, on eight hooks and two rods. Serious Eats selected it as its best drum smoker, and Smoked BBQ Source ranked the Classic first overall for ease, capacity and value.
Watch-outs: The intake is fixed and set for altitude, with no temperature dial or routine adjustment, so there is little fine control, and Serious Eats and Smoked BBQ Source note that reaching the basket means removing food and grate components. We link the maker’s own page.
Charcoal · 18.5 in drum · 8 hooks and 2 rods included · porcelain coated · $300–700
Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Drum Smoker & Grill
What it is: Oklahoma Joe’s 18-inch charcoal drum (model 25203120) with split grates, a diffuser, a rib-hanging kit, a separate fuel-access door and a side shelf.
Best for: first-time drum buyers who want to smoke low and slow one weekend and grill at higher heat the next.
Why we rate it: the maker lists 284 sq in of cooking area, 9 hooks and 3 hangers, a purpose-built adjustable intake and exhaust airflow system, and room for 8 lb of fuel, which it says supports 14+ hours of smoking. The warranty is 2 years on all parts.
Watch-outs: 284 sq in is modest next to the larger drums here.
Charcoal · 284 sq in · 8 lb fuel capacity (maker) · 136.5 lb · 2-year warranty · $300–700
Pit Barrel Cooker 14″ Junior Premiere
What it is: the 14-inch version of the Pit Barrel, sold with an ash pan, 4 hooks, 2 rods, a charcoal basket, a grate, a heat shield, a stand and a hook tool.
Best for: small patios and anyone who wants a lighter, more portable drum.
Why we rate it: Pit Barrel lists capacity for up to six rib racks, one pork shoulder, one full-packer brisket, six chicken halves or one 17 lb turkey, on four hooks and one grate, at a 37 lb shipping weight.
Watch-outs: It holds less than the 18.5-inch cooker, and like the other fixed-intake Pit Barrels it has no routine temperature adjustment.
Charcoal · 14 in drum · 4 hooks and 2 rods included · porcelain coated · $300–700
Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro Drum Smoker
What it is: Oklahoma Joe’s larger charcoal drum (model 19202099), with a 21.5-inch grate, a sealed hinged lid, a diffuser, 3 hangers and 9 hooks.
Best for: cooks who regularly smoke several racks or larger cuts and want fewer fuel top-ups.
Why we rate it: the maker lists 366 sq in of cooking area, indexed adjustable intake and exhaust pipes, and a 17 lb fuel capacity that it says supports over 15 hours of smoking, plus an ash pan and a 2-year warranty.
Watch-outs: It weighs 162 lb, it costs noticeably more than the Bronco, and Smoked BBQ Source noted that refueling means disturbing internal components.
Charcoal · 366 sq in · 17 lb fuel capacity (maker) · 162 lb · 2-year warranty · $700–1,500
Pit Barrel Cooker 22.5″ PBX
What it is: the largest Pit Barrel in this guide, a 22.5-inch porcelain-coated steel drum with 16 hooks and 3 rods.
Best for: large gatherings and anyone who wants to smoke several big cuts at once.
Why we rate it: Pit Barrel lists capacity for 16–20 rib racks or chicken halves, 4 shoulders, 4 turkeys, 4 briskets or 60-plus wings.
Watch-outs: It is oversized for routine family cooks, and it uses an altitude-set intake with no routine temperature adjustment.
Charcoal · 22.5 in drum · capacity per maker claims · porcelain coated · $300–700
Pit Barrel Cooker 16.5″ Badger Barrel
What it is: a 16.5-inch black porcelain-enamel-coated steel barrel with dual adjustable vents and a vented dome lid, sold with a charcoal basket and ash pan, hooks, a grate, a hanging rack and a hook remover.
Best for: cooks who want a Pit Barrel with adjustable vents rather than the fixed intake on the Classic, Junior and PBX.
Why we rate it: Pit Barrel lists 440 sq in of cooking area, six hooks, a hanging rack and a one-year warranty, and its guide says the Badger holds six rib racks or six to eight chicken halves. Shipping weight is about 36 lb.
Watch-outs: We found little independent editorial testing of the Badger.
Charcoal · 16.5 in barrel · dual adjustable vents · 440 sq in (maker) · $300–700
Gateway Drum Smokers Straight Up 55G
What it is: a 55-gallon matte black drum from Gateway Drum Smokers (SKU 559FB) with three cooking levels, one 22-inch stainless grate, a fire basket, two welded adjustable intake pipes and an adjustable exhaust pipe.
Best for: cooks who want a 55-gallon drum with three cooking levels and adjustable intakes and exhaust.
Why we rate it: Gateway lists a 3-inch 50–500°F thermometer, a lid hook, handles and a caster kit, and a matte finish it states will withstand 1,000°F.
Watch-outs: Gateway lists a shipped weight of 130 lb on a pallet, the rib hanger costs extra, and Gateway sells direct, so we link the maker.
Charcoal · 55-gallon drum · 22 in grate · 130 lb shipped · $700–1,500
Hunsaker Vortex 55 Gallon Drum Smoker
What it is: a 55-gallon drum with a Vortex basket, a floating hinge, a lever-controlled foot or hand central intake, exhaust dampers and a five-position grate height.
Best for: cooks who want a premium 55-gallon drum with stainless hardware and adjustable grate height.
Why we rate it: Hunsaker lists a 304-stainless grate and external hardware, a six-hook stainless hanger, a thermometer, wheels and a caster, and a one-year warranty against mechanical defects. It ships assembled on a pallet.
Watch-outs: It is among the most expensive picks here, the base smoker weighs 110 lb with one grate, and a two-grate configuration costs more.
Charcoal · 55-gallon drum · 304 stainless grates · 110 lb base unit · $700–1,500
Even Embers Charcoal Drum Smoker and Grill (SMK6020AS)
What it is: a black steel 20-inch charcoal drum from Even Embers with a side fuel door, three porcelain-coated cooking grates, six hooks on a hanging rod, a diffuser, an ash tray, a thermometer, a chimney, a shelf and wheels.
Best for: buyers who want a complete drum for the least money.
Why we rate it: the maker lists 807 sq in of total cooking area spread over three grates, an adjustable air shutter and chimney damper, and a one-year limited warranty. Because the area is spread across three grates, don’t compare it directly with single-grate figures.
Watch-outs: It is sold through the maker and Home Depot, it needs assembly, and we found little reputable independent test evidence for it.
Charcoal · 807 sq in total (maker) · side fuel door · 1-year warranty · $150–300
Browse the rest of our smoker guides.
Drum smokers compared
| Drum smoker | Size | Maker capacity or fuel claim | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Barrel 18.5″ Classic Premiere | 18.5 in | 8 hooks, 2 rods included | $300–700 |
| Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco | 284 sq in | 8 lb fuel, 14+ hours | $300–700 |
| Pit Barrel 14″ Junior Premiere | 14 in | 4 hooks, 2 rods included | $300–700 |
| Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco Pro | 366 sq in | 17 lb fuel, over 15 hours | $700–1,500 |
| Pit Barrel 22.5″ PBX | 22.5 in | 16–20 rib racks or 4 briskets | $300–700 |
| Pit Barrel 16.5″ Badger Barrel | 16.5 in | 440 sq in, 6 hooks | $300–700 |
| Gateway Straight Up 55G | 55 gal, 22 in grate | Three cooking levels | $700–1,500 |
| Hunsaker Vortex 55 Gallon | 55 gal | 5-position adjustable grate | $700–1,500 |
| Even Embers SMK6020AS | 807 sq in total | 3 grates, 6 hooks | $150–300 |
Specs and capacities are the makers’ own claims, and each maker counts them differently. Price bands are our own. Confirm current specs with the maker before buying.
What we left out
We left out drum conversion kits and bare drums, because they aren’t a finished smoker you can buy and use. We also left out the Weber Smokey Mountain, which is generally classed as a water or bullet smoker rather than a drum, and offset and cabinet smokers, which are covered in our best offset smokers and best vertical and propane smokers guides. Gateway and Hunsaker also sell smaller drums that we didn’t list separately. If you’re choosing between fuels for your first smoker, start with our best smokers for beginners, and for the fuel itself see lump charcoal vs. briquettes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a drum smoker and how does it work?
A drum smoker is a vertical, barrel-shaped charcoal cooker with the charcoal basket at the bottom and the food above it, on a grate or hanging from rods. Air enters near the base, heated air rises around the food and exits at the top. Temperature is managed with the vents, which are adjustable on some models and fixed on others.
Is a drum smoker better than an offset?
It depends on how much fire-tending you want. Drums generally need less fire-tending than traditional offsets, where the fire sits in a side firebox and meat nearer the fire can cook faster, so offsets may need rotation and active fire management. Our best offset smokers for beginners guide covers the other route.
Should I hang the meat or use a grate?
Most of the drums here support both. The Pit Barrels and the Oklahoma Joe’s models come with hooks for hanging ribs and larger cuts, and several also include a grate. Hunsaker includes a rib hanger with 6 hooks and a stainless grate, and Gateway ships with one stainless grate and sells hangers as extras.
How long does one load of charcoal last?
Makers publish figures under different loads and conditions, so treat them as claims rather than test results. Oklahoma Joe’s says the Bronco holds 8 lb of fuel for 14+ hours and the Bronco Pro holds 17 lb for over 15 hours, and your burn time will vary with vent settings, weather and fuel. See how to control temperature on a smoker.
Is it safe to use a drum smoker on a patio or deck?
Use it outdoors only. The CPSC warns that charcoal produces carbon monoxide, so never use it in a garage, tent, camper, vehicle or home. NFPA advises placing the grill well away from the house, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches, keeping children and pets at least 3 feet away, and letting coals cool completely before putting them in a metal container.
Is a DIY drum smoker cheaper than buying one?
It can be, but you have to source and prepare a suitable drum, add the vents, basket and grate, and take responsibility for how it is built. Conversion kits and bare drums exist for that route. The drums in this guide are complete products with maker support, which is why a kit isn’t a pick.
What do I burn in a drum smoker?
Every drum in this guide is a charcoal cooker, so check your maker’s manual for the fuel it supports. Our wood for smoking by meat guide covers wood pairings by meat.
Have any of these drum smokers been recalled?
We searched the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database on October 26, 2026 for drum smokers and for Pit Barrel, Oklahoma Joe’s, Gateway, Hunsaker and Even Embers, and found no recall for any recommended model. That is a point-in-time search, not a guarantee, so check cpsc.gov before you buy. Char-Broil’s digital electric smoker recall is a different type of product.
How we choose
We don’t run a testing lab, and we never claim “as tested.” We started from manufacturer pages, confirmed each smoker’s size, fuel and features against them, and listed only smokers we could confirm were sold new in the US on October 26, 2026. One pick links to an Amazon listing whose model number matches the maker’s; the rest link to the maker. We searched the CPSC recall database for each brand. Price bands are our own grouping of the offers we recorded. Offers change; check the listing. Read more on the How We Choose page.
Sources
Maker product details, as compiled in our research dossier through October 26, 2026: Pit Barrel Cooker Co. (18.5″ Classic Premiere, 14″ Junior Premiere, 22.5″ PBX, 16.5″ Badger Barrel), Oklahoma Joe’s (Bronco, Bronco Pro), Gateway Drum Smokers (Straight Up 55G), Hunsaker Smokers (Vortex 55 Gallon), Even Embers via Fair Game Group and its owner’s manual. Amazon listing: Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco (model 25203120), per the dossier. Editorial, as cited in the dossier: Serious Eats, Smoked BBQ Source and AmazingRibs. Safety: US Consumer Product Safety Commission charcoal and carbon monoxide guidance and recall database; National Fire Protection Association grilling safety guidance. Details were current at the time of research (October 2026); confirm specifications with the maker before buying.