Vertical smokers offer a form of barbecue unlike any other. How does this cooker from Louisiana Grills compare? Find out everything you need to know with our in-depth vertical smoker review.
Are you in the market for a vertical pellet smoker? Infusing smoke into your food is a great way to add a new dimension to your outdoor meals. Let us take a look at what a vertical pellet smoker can do for you.
Main Features
As with any piece of equipment, you must check out the features it comes with. It is one of the only ways that you will know what to expect from it. The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is no different. There are certain features that you will need to make sure are there, for efficiency. The features can make all the difference in whether or not you buy this smoker.
- Double Walled Insulation 2,059 sq.in.Total Cooking Area 60lb Hopper Capacity Heavy Duty Caster...
Large cooking surface
It has 2059 square inches of cooking surface. It is vertical, and as such, the levels that you would cook on are stacked going up. This then means that there is a considerable amount of space to cook. It is a five in one smoker. This means that you can roast, smoke, barbeque, braise, and bake, all with the same unit.
Many cooking grates.
Inside the smoker, you will find porcelain coated six non-stick cooking grates. This allows you to perform more than one cooking task at a time. The first level is a water pan, in which you would place the water that should be in the smoker each time you use it. You must do this to maintain the right humidity levels. The cooking grates are then stacked going up.
Large hopper
The hopper can take up to 27 kilograms of pellets. This is a decent amount, and it also means that you don’t need to replenish the pellets constantly. This should give you about 35 hours or more of cook time before you need to worry about the pellets running out.
Built-in meat probe
You will not need to do any guesswork to know if your meat is cooked or not. It has two meat probes to tell you how far your food is from being just right for you.
Large front clear window
This smoker has a window down the front. This allows you to see your food as it is cooking. (It can also be a point of conversation at family gatherings)
Controlled temperature.
The smoker has double-wall insulation inside. This helps to control the temperature effectively during cooking. The airtight seals around the door also aid this. Its temperature ranges between 100 and 420˚F.
Secure locking system
It also has a secure locking system, that ensures that the door remains closed when you are cooking. It has two locks, to be precise. This will also help to maintain temperature and cooking conditions. Also, you can change the tension that you want. The lock is adjustable.
Construction
The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is a sizable unit and is also sturdy in construction. It is made of porcelain-coated steel, which keeps it durable and also looks good. It is protected from weather elements that could potentially damage it. Also, it is set on heavy-duty caster wheels, so that you can easily move it when you need to.
Usability
It uses fan-forced convection cooking to cook using wood pellets. This smoker infuses smoke into the food and cooks it evenly as well. It is a versatile smoker to use and also easy to use. The digital control board is also easy to use and to understand. The glass door also makes it a breeze to cook and have peace of mind as you can easily check on progress without having to open the door.
The cooking grates are powder-coated, making them non-stick and making it easier to clean when cooking. Sure, there will be juices and grease from the grate’s food, but they will be easier to clean.
Other highlights
The hopper on the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker has a window, through which you can be checking the pellet level during cooking. It also has a small door at the back of the hopper, making it easier to cleanout. This smoker also has a hole through which grease can be drained, rather than collecting on the smoker’s base. This grease is filtered into a removable grease tray, which you can pull out from the front just below the control board which is where you will find the power button and other controls.
The control board is simplistic and also easy to use. This is where you can also switch between degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a cover to help protect the smoker from the weather elements. It has a good looking finish to it, but it can be damaged by constant sun and moisture exposure. It also comes with a handlebar at the back, to help you wheel it to where you want to have it positioned.
Pros
- It has a digital control board.
- It is durable
- It looks good
- It is set on casters that are easy and yet sturdy.
- It has a full-length glass window.
- It has six cooking racks.
- It has a large hopper.
Cons
- You will need to have a decent space to house it because it is large.
- It is on the higher end of the pricing.
- It is quite heavy to lift, and you may need extra help to move it.
Final Verdict
This is undoubtedly one of the more versatile and sought after smokers on the market. If you have the budget for it, buying it is a good idea. The full-length glass door means that you get the efficiency and the view at the same time. The meat probes that come with the smoker mean that you can rely on what you see, and also know that the food is cooked to your taste.
The digital control panel also adds a touch of modernity. It is easy to use and also gives the necessary options. We have reviewed this smoker, and we recommend it for your backyard smoking adventures. Happy smoking!
- Double Walled Insulation 2,059 sq.in.Total Cooking Area 60lb Hopper Capacity Heavy Duty Caster...
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
