Smoker Sizes and Dimensions: Capacity by Type
For choosing or placing a smoker: cooking area and outside dimensions of pellet grills, offset smokers, vertical water smokers, cabinet smokers and drums, plus the meat sizes that decide whether a cut actually fits.
Home smokers range from about 280-300 sq in of grate (a 14 in vertical water smoker) to 1,000 sq in and more on large pellet grills and offsets. A mid-size pellet grill is about 40-50 in wide, 25-30 in deep and 47-54 in tall (102-127 × 64-76 × 119-137 cm). For a whole packer brisket, the grate must be at least about 18 in (46 cm) in one direction.
- Small vertical
- About 280-300 sq in
- Mid pellet grill
- 40-50 in wide
- Packer brisket
- 14-20 in long
- Raw meat per 2 adults
- About 1 lb (450 g)
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Smoker sizes by type
Smokers are compared by total grate area in square inches, but the shape of that area matters as much as the number. Four racks of 12 × 14 in hold more pork butts than one long grate of the same area, while a brisket needs length on a single rack.
| Type | Total grate area | Outside W × D × H (in) | Outside (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical water smoker, 14 in | About 280-300 sq in (2 grates) | 15-17 × 17-19 × 33-36 | 38-43 × 43-48 × 84-91 |
| Vertical water smoker, 18 in | About 480 sq in (2 grates) | 19-21 × 20-22 × 41-44 | 48-53 × 51-56 × 104-112 |
| Vertical water smoker, 22 in | About 725 sq in (2 grates) | 23-25 × 24-26 × 46-49 | 58-64 × 61-66 × 117-124 |
| Electric cabinet, 30 in class | About 700 sq in (4 racks) | 19-21 × 15-20 × 32-38 | 48-53 × 38-51 × 81-97 |
| Electric cabinet, 40 in class | About 950-1,000 sq in (4 racks) | 23-25 × 17-22 × 40-46 | 58-64 × 43-56 × 102-117 |
| Pellet grill, mid-size | About 550-800 sq in | 40-50 × 25-30 × 47-54 | 102-127 × 64-76 × 119-137 |
| Pellet grill, large | About 850-1,300 sq in | 50-65 × 27-32 × 48-56 | 127-165 × 69-81 × 122-142 |
| Backyard offset | About 600-1,100 sq in incl. firebox grate | 55-65 × 25-35 × 50-60 | 140-165 × 64-89 × 127-152 |
| Drum smoker (55 gal) | About 380-760 sq in (1-2 grates) | 23-27 × 23-27 × 36-42 | 58-69 × 58-69 × 91-107 |
The vertical water smoker areas follow Weber's Smokey Mountain Cooker line (14.5, 18.5 and 22.5 in), the most common design in this class. Cabinet and pellet ranges are typical of current models; check the spec sheet for a specific one. Large stick-burner pits on trailers are sized by tank volume (250, 500 and 1,000 gal) and are a different category.
Meat sizes: what has to fit
Whether a cook fits depends on the largest single piece and the height between racks, not only on total area.
| Cut | Typical raw weight | Footprint | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole packer brisket | 12-18 lb (5.4-8.2 kg) | 14-20 × 10-14 in (36-51 × 25-36 cm) | 2-4 in |
| Pork butt (shoulder) | 7-10 lb (3.2-4.5 kg) | 7-9 × 6-8 in (18-23 × 15-20 cm) | 5-7 in |
| Spare ribs, full rack | 3-4 lb (1.4-1.8 kg) | 15-20 × 6-8 in (38-51 × 15-20 cm) | 1.5-2 in |
| Baby back ribs | 2-3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg) | 12-14 × 5-6 in (30-36 × 13-15 cm) | 1-1.5 in |
| Whole turkey | 12-14 lb (5.4-6.4 kg) | 12-14 × 10-11 in | 8-10 in |
| Whole chicken | 4-5 lb (1.8-2.3 kg) | 8-9 × 6-7 in | 5-6 in (taller on a beer-can stand) |
Rib racks that hold ribs on edge fit 4-6 racks in the space of 2 laid flat. A turkey or a chicken on a stand needs 10-12 in (25-30 cm) of clear height, which rules out the lower rack of many cabinet smokers unless the upper rack is removed.
How much a smoker holds
These capacities assume meat laid flat with an inch or two of space for smoke to circulate. They are planning figures, not manufacturer ratings.
| Smoker | Packer briskets | Pork butts | Rib racks flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in vertical | 1 (curled or halved) | 2 | 2 (cut in half) |
| 18 in vertical | 2 (1 per grate) | 4-6 | 4 (cut in half) |
| 22 in vertical | 2 | 6-8 | 4-6 |
| 30 in electric cabinet | 1-2 (often trimmed) | 4 | 4 (cut in half) |
| Mid-size pellet (about 575-800 sq in) | 1-2 | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Backyard offset | 2-3 | 6-8 | 6-8 |
Smoked meat yields far less than its raw weight. Briskets and pork butts lose roughly 40-50% to trimming, rendering and moisture, so plan about 1 lb (450 g) of raw meat for every two adults when it is the main dish.
Pellet grill sizes
Pellet grills run on an electric auger and fan, so they need a 120 V outlet and a dry spot for the hopper. On many brands the model number is the total cooking area in square inches, including the upper rack, which is usually 25-35% of the total.
- Portable and tabletop: about 175-300 sq in, 20-30 in wide.
- Mid-size (around 550-800 sq in): the common backyard size. One brisket on the main grate, room for ribs above.
- Large (850-1,300 sq in): two briskets side by side; 50-65 in wide with the side shelf.
- Hopper: 18-24 lb (8-11 kg) on most full-size models, enough for roughly 8-20 hours at smoking temperatures depending on weather.
Most pellet grills put the hopper on one side, which adds 10-15 in to the width; a side shelf on the other side adds as much again.
Offset smoker dimensions
An offset has a horizontal cooking chamber with a firebox attached lower down at one end. Backyard models have a cooking chamber about 16-20 in (41-51 cm) in diameter or height and 30-40 in (76-102 cm) long, with a firebox about 16-20 in on each side. The overall length is usually 55-65 in, and wheels and handles make the footprint about 5.5 × 3 ft.
- Steel thickness: entry-level offsets are often 12-14 gauge steel (about 2-2.7 mm, or 1/13 to 1/10 in), while heavier pits use 1/4 in (6 mm) plate. Thicker steel holds a steadier temperature in wind and cold.
- Wood length: splits must fit the firebox. Backyard fireboxes take 12-16 in (30-41 cm) splits; standard 16 in firewood often needs cutting in half.
- Chimney height: the stack adds 15-25 in above the chamber, so the total height is often 5 ft or more.
Where to put a smoker
- Plan the floor space: the smoker footprint plus 3 ft in front for the cook and 2 ft to the sides. A vertical smoker fits in about 4 × 4 ft; a backyard offset needs about 8 × 6 ft.
- Keep clearance: manuals typically require about 24 in or more from combustible walls and fences and no overhead roof. Offsets and charcoal smokers can throw sparks from the firebox door, so use a non-combustible pad on wood decks.
- Mind the rules: in apartment and other multifamily buildings, IFC Section 308.1.4 bars charcoal and other open-flame cookers within 10 ft (3 m) of combustible construction. Electric smokers are often allowed where charcoal is not, but leases can say otherwise.
- Think about smoke: a long cook produces smoke for 10-16 hours. Place the stack downwind of windows and neighbors' patios.
Smoked meats reach safe temperatures slowly. The USDA's safe minimums are 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest for whole cuts of beef and pork, 160°F (71°C) for ground meat and 165°F (74°C) for poultry. Barbecue brisket and pork shoulder are usually taken much higher, around 195-205°F, for tenderness.
For grilling rather than smoking, including kamados that do both, see the grill size guide. A cooler lined with towels makes a good holding box for a finished brisket; a 48 qt cooler holds a whole one wrapped.
Frequently asked questions
What size smoker do I need for a family?
For a family of four to six, 400-700 sq in of total grate is enough for a brisket or two pork butts plus sides. That is an 18 in vertical water smoker, a mid-size pellet grill or a small offset. Go larger only if you regularly cook for a crowd or want several briskets at once.
Will a whole brisket fit in my smoker?
A whole packer brisket of 12-18 lb is about 14-20 in (36-51 cm) long and 10-14 in wide before trimming, and shrinks by roughly a quarter as it cooks. A grate 18 in or more in one direction takes most packers flat; on smaller round grates you can curl it or cut it into point and flat.
What do the numbers in pellet grill names mean?
On many pellet grills the number is the total cooking area in square inches, including the upper rack, so a model named 575 or 780 has about that many square inches. The main grate is usually a quarter to a third smaller than the total.
What are the dimensions of a rectangular cabinet smoker?
Vertical cabinet smokers, electric or propane, are about 17-24 in wide, 15-22 in deep and 30-45 in tall for the box, plus legs or a stand. A 30 in class model has roughly 700 sq in across four racks; a 40 in class model has roughly 950-1,000 sq in.
How big is a 55 gallon drum smoker?
A standard 55 gallon steel drum is about 22.5-23.5 in (57-60 cm) across and 33-35 in (84-89 cm) tall. One round grate near the top gives about 380 sq in (2,450 cm²); a second grate roughly doubles that.