It’s always satisfying to enjoy the smoky flavor of outdoor barbecue from your own pellet smoker. It can take you right back to those long, childhood summers with beaches and backyard BBQs. While gas grills have become popular at patio parties for their ease of use, nothing creates rich, BBQ flavor like real smoke.

If you understand how pellet grills work, you’ll know that various meat smoker designs offer you a wide range of options when it comes to fuel choice and smoking style. Choosing the best pellet smoker or vertical smoker for you depends on the style of cooking you want to do and the space you have available.

Horizontal pellet grills allow you to do more than just smoke your meats. You can also use them to grill, bake and broil. Meanwhile, vertical smokers are designed exclusively for smoking. You can also consider electric smokers, which do some of the hard work for you.

When buying your smoker grill, you will want to invest in all the necessary grill accessories, like long-handled grilling utensils and a food thermometer to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked. You also want to protect your smoker with a grill or smoker cover if it doesn’t come with its own.

It can be useful to have cutlery specially designed for deboning, butchering and trimming. A meat slicer is also very helpful if you plan on making jerky with your new smoker BBQ.

If you want to make sure everyone is raving about your smoking and grilling prowess this season, make sure to use your smoker during all outdoor social occasions. You can also invest in comfortable outdoor furniture for family and friends, keep the beverages cool in a mini fridge and keep the fun going well into the night with the help of some patio heaters and outdoor lighting.