You want smoky flavor in your pork, ribs, chicken, cheese, bacon, fish, cheese, nuts, and the list goes on, but you have a gas grill.
Or, you have a pellet grill, but your food needs an extra boost, particularly when you're grilling at higher temps.
Either way, don't worry, I've got you covered!
In this review, I present 5 smoker tubes that can turn standard gas grills into smoker machines, or give smoker grills that little bit of extra kick that is sometimes needed!
But first, in case you didn't know, smoker tubes are typically long, cylindrical tubes that are made of stainless steel or aluminum. They have holes punched into them so that smoke can easily pass through, and they are great for both cold smoking and hot smoking.
Using a pellet tube smoker is easy, and they are inexpensive and can transform cooking to the next level straight away!
Read on to check out our top 5 picks!
What We Love
Are you looking for a premium pellet smoker tube that will last forever? Look no further than the Grill Sergeant Smoker Tube.
- Yes, you pay a bit more for this quality tube compared with some others, but it will last a lifetime and we particularly like the "No Questions Asked Forever Guarantee."
- Also, while made from 304 food-grade stainless steel like the majority of units, this pellet smoker tube is 25% thicker than most on the market which is why they can put a lifetime guarantee on this product.
What You Need to Know
With 5+ hours of smoke time, it's perfect for hot or cold smoking of all your favorite foods. The unique "Star" hole pattern creates a longer, better-quality smoke flavor.
The patented elevation bar design helps reduce spillage and increase airflow, making for perfectly cooked food every time.
Whether you're grilling up some burgers for a backyard BBQ or smoking a brisket for your next family gathering, the premium pellet smoker tube from Sergeant Smoker has you covered.
Fire up the grill and get ready for some serious flavor!
Best Quality, Informative Set
Skoo Pellet Smoker - BBQ Hexagonal Smoking Tube Set
What We Love
Looking for a versatile and easy-to-use pellet smoker tube? Look no further than the Skoo Pellet Smoker Tube set, with hook, e-book, and cleaning brush.
- The Skoo Pellet Smoker Tube cleaning brush is the same length as the tube itself (often they aren't) which makes it very easy to clean.
- It comes with an e-book that includes facts, tips, and tricks to get the best experience out of your pellet smoker tube and to get you smoking food like a pro.
- Each unit has a quality inspection and is verified before leaving the factory, which means you won't get a dud or one with flaws.
What You Need to Know
With its unique hexagonal shape design, it works perfectly in any grill, and the shape maximizes emitting smoke, and also won't roll like circular pellet smoker tubes.
The open-end cap at one end is for easy filling and lighting, while the closed-end cap at the other end keeps pellets inside.
This smoke tube is made to last from high-standard 304-grade stainless steel, which is anti-rust and heat-resistant.
So, if you want unforgettable flavors that will make your next gathering an event to remember, consider getting the Skoo Pellet Smoker Tube Set today!
What We Love
Introducing the EZ 6" & 12" Smoker Tube Set which is the original hexagonal shape smoke tube that is trusted and functional, practical, and effective!
- The EZ hexagonal design holds more pellets than other designs and most importantly allows for maximum airflow, which leads to longer and cleaner smoke.
- The EZ comes with two smoker tubes which open up options - one is six inches long and the other 12 inches.
What You Need to Know
The EZ 6" & 12" Smoker Tube Set is the perfect way to get convenient, long-lasting smoke for your grill or smoker.
Made from high-quality 304 stainless steel, EZ smoker tubes are fully welded and polished for a sleek finish.
With the 12" pellet tube smoker, you'll get 4+ hours of smoke, and the 6" tube provides 2+ hours of smoke.
You can check out EZ's social media and see some of the awesome creations people make using the EZ Tube for yourself.
And if all of the above isn't reason enough to get an EZ Smoker Tube Set, then know that a portion of their profit goes to support the National Humane Society, so consider buying one today!
Best Inexpensive 6 Inch Tube with BONUS Hooks
Kampfit Pellet Smoker Tube 6 Inches with Hooks
What We Love
Introducing the Kampfit Pellet Smoker Tube 6 Inches with 2 Hooks - your trusty sidekick for all your smoking and grilling needs!
- We love that it's a low-cost, 6-inch pellet smoker tube that takes up very little space on your grill and has great Amazon customer reviews.
- As a bonus it comes with two hanging hooks
- At the time of writing this review, the Kampfit Pellet Smoker Tube is on sale, so get in quick!
What You Need to Know
This pellet tube smoker is made of high-quality stainless steel, is anti-rust, and is durable. The lightweight hexagonal structure is easy to use and clean.
The Kampfit pellet tube smoker can be filled with wood pellets to provide billowing smoke for around 2 hours which is ample for most cooks-ups.
So, whether you're a beginner or a pro, make sure to bring along your Kampfit Pellet Smoker Tube 6 Inches with 2 Hooks for all your grilling adventures!
What We Love
No smoker? No problem if you've got a Green Mountain Grills (previously branded as Davy Crockett) Expandable Thin Blue BBQ Grill Smoker Tube, as they've got you covered!
- This pellet tube smoker is fully expandable from 11 to 18 inches to accommodate different grill sizes and smoking duration, so you can accomplish the perfect smoke flavor every time.
- GMG claims it's particularly long-lasting and can burn gourmet hardwood pellets for up to 50 hours. While this would have to be in optimal conditions and I would not bet on anybody achieving that under normal usage, at 18 inches when fully extended it should continue to provide great smoke throughout even the longest of cooks.
What You Need to Know
This GMG premium pellet smoker tube is ultra-thin and is a smart-looking unit with different-shaped holes for airflow and smoke release compared with all other smoker tubes.
This stainless steel tube is built to last and will provide many years of flavor to your cooking.
This unit is more expensive than most of the other pellet tube smokers looked at in this review, and if cost is of concern to you then one of the less expensive units will do just fine, however, if you want higher-end and something with a little more style then consider this GMG Thin Blue Smoker Tube!
Pellet Tube Smokers for Adding Great Flavor FAQs
How do I use a pellet tube smoker?
How do I use a pellet tube smoker?
See my informative blog on how to use a smoker tube for additional details, but simply to use a smoker tube, you fill it with your favorite wood chips or pellets, light the pellets/chips on fire, and blow them out after approximately 8 minutes (depending on which pellet tube smoker you have). You then place the smoker tube on your grill.
The heat from the grill will cause the wood chips to smoke, and that smoke flavor will infuse itself into your food.
It's a fantastic, low-cost way to add great flavor to a variety of food types.
We suggest you play with your food and experiment with different wood pellets and/or wood chips to add different tastes and flavor profiles.
Where does the smoking tube go in a pellet smoker or gas grill?
You can simply add it onto the grill grates, but typically not over one that's burning, and away from any open vent so the smoke can be infused by the food.
Can I use wood chips instead of pellets?
Pellets are best, however, you certainly can use chips, and you can even combine both pellets and chips for long-lasting, heavy smoke.
Note that chips don't burn for as long as pellets as they aren't hard compressed, and chips do require more airflow to stay lit.
Can you fill the tube halfway to reduce the length of time the tube smokes for?
Yes, you sure can. If you play around with how full you fill your tube, over time you will get to know how long it burns.
How do I get my smoke tube started?
Fill the tube with wood pellets ideally but can be with chips, light them at one end, and let burn for however long the instructions of your tube indicate (typically between 5-10 minutes, although most suggest around 8 minutes).
Then, blow the flame out to get smoke.
Note that propane torches, electric heat guns, and fire starters are all great ways to get your pellet tube smoker going.
Do I soak the pellets before burning them?
No! If you do this the pellets will turn into mush and won't burn properly, which means you won't get quality smoke.
Can I over smoke my food with a smoke tube?
Yes, you certainly can, and it will make your food taste bitter (and not in a good way!).
If you're new to using a smoker tube then I suggest you start out by using half a cup of pellets to see what smoke flavor is produced (which of course depends on the food you are smoking) and then experiment with more or less from there with subsequent cooks.
Why would I need a pellet tube smoker if I already have a pellet grill?
Pellet smokers work great, particularly for low and slow cook-ups, however, at higher temperatures, their smoke output diminishes, which is where a pellet tube smoker comes to the fore.
Does a pellet tube smoker actually work?
As a smoke generator, yes, they do work, and very well.
And who would have thought such an inexpensive accessory would be able to transform your grill to produce a whole new level of flavors?
What's the best pellet tube smoker?
It depends on how you will use it and how frequently, the size of your grill, and what you will be cooking.
All pellet smoker tube units presented in this review can be used for hot smoking and cold smoke, and are particularly good if you want to transform your gas grill.
Smaller smoke tubes such as a 6-inch are great for around 2 hours of smoke, and larger 12-inch units are good for around 5 hours of smoke.
If you have a small grill then there's no point getting an 18-inch unit.
If you want ease of cleaning then consider a bundle with a cleaning brush, although it is handy, it's not essential.
What's the difference between hot and cold smoking?
The difference between hot and cold smoking is that hot smoking cooks the meat while cold smoking does not.
With hot smoking, the meat is exposed to high temperatures (often between 180-220 degrees F) which cooks it and gives it a smoky flavor.
With cold smoking, the temperature is kept lower (usually around 80-100 degrees F) and the smoke doesn't cook the meat. This leaves the meat with a smoky flavor but without any of the heat-induced changes that take place with hot smoking.
How do I stop a smoker tube from smoking?
You can use an old piece of cutlery such as a teaspoon to separate the burning pellets or chips from those that aren't burning.
It'll continue to smoke for a little while but will burn itself out.
How long should I smoke my food with a smoker tube?
This depends on what you are cooking, the food thickness, and the type of pellets being used.
Generally fish and poultry won't need too long, potentially only around 20-30 minutes.
For softer vegetables like asparagus or mushrooms, 20 minutes may be sufficient, and around 45 minutes for harder vegetables like carrots or beets.
Certain cuts of beef like brisket can accommodate from two to many hours of smoke.
Play around with what works for your palate and your setup, until you master it!
Pellet Tube Smokers for Adding Great Flavor
So, if you're looking for a smoky flavor that your standard grill can't provide, or your smoker machine needs an extra boost, which one out of these 5 is the best pellet tube smoker for you?
Grab one today and it'll have your food smoking in no time!
Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!
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