Introduction
When you think of that tasty meat with a smoky flavor, pellet smokers are the first devices that you can think about investing in. Here is an interesting comparison between vertical pellet smokers and horizontal pellet smokers. At the end of this article, you will decide which smoker you will prefer. Even though the functionality of the two smokers is the same, several differences come out.
Design and functionality
Vertical pellet smokers have a good design, whereas horizontal pellet smokers have a similar format. From the design, you can only smoke meat using a vertical pellet smoker, whereas the horizontal ones can smoke and grill. However, most people prefer vertical pellet smokers because they produce a better flavor. The vertical smoker is designed so that the heat is far away from the meat; therefore, burning food is rare. This is contrary to horizontal smokers.
In terms of the purpose, both smokers are very similar. Moreover, both smokers are easy to use and come with extended warranty terms.
Energy consumption
Comparing the two smokers, vertical pellet smokers are very efficient in energy consumption. In addition, the vertical pellet smokers heat up so fast compared to the horizontal smokers. The only thing that horizontal smokers outdo the vertical smokers is that they do not need consistent temperature monitoring. Horizontal pellet smokers need a lot of electricity to heat their meat; therefore, it can be disastrous to use one during power outages.
Total cooking area
From the design, you can think that since the vertical pellet smokers are very compact, they have a lower cooking capacity. However, this is not the case. Vertical smokers have a higher cooking capacity as compared to horizontal smokers. This large cooking capacity is due to the vertical pellet smokers’ different levels. To cook an immense amount of food using horizontal pellet smokers, you must purchase a bigger one. However, getting a giant smoker means that you need more space. This is impractical.
Most significant advantages and disadvantages of a vertical pellet smoker
The most outstanding advantage of a vertical pellet smoker is floor area coverage. The smokers take little space because of their compact design. In addition, the vertical pellet smoker cooks more food at a time, contrary to horizontal pellet smokers, which have one outdoor grill table.
On the limitation side, the smoker is not suitable for beginners who want to smoke meat. You have to monitor the temperature inside the unit for better results continuously. Lastly, vertical smokers can only be used for smoking.
Conclusion
I would prefer getting a vertical pellet smoker in most elements and features rather than a horizontal pellet smoker. Even though the vertical pellet smoker comes with limitations, they are not as crucial as a horizontal pellet smoker. Here is an excellent review if you were stuck between investing in a vertical pellet smoker or a horizontal smoker. The only task that remains is making the decision.
