The Benefits of Having a Smoker: A Lifestyle Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed

The benefits of having a smoker in your life go far beyond juicy ribs and tender brisket. For me, it has become a lifestyle change, not just a cooking tool. I’ve lost weight, cut out processed foods, and even noticed fewer heart palpitations—a huge personal win as I’m working with my doctors to see if I can eventually wean off medication. But health is just one side of the story. Owning a smoker also brings financial savings, new skills, and unforgettable social experiences. Let’s dive into why investing in a smoker could be the best decision you make this year.

Real food, real flavour—why a smoker changes weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings.

1. Financial Benefits of Having a Smoker

Let’s start with the numbers. Food inflation has made eating well at home more expensive, and ready-prepared cuts of meat cost far more than whole joints. For example, at Tesco a shoulder of pork costs around £5.99 per kilogram, while diced pork comes in at £8.60 per kilogram. That’s a difference of £2.61 per kilo simply because someone else has done the cutting for you. By buying larger joints and preparing them yourself, you immediately save money—and with a smoker, you unlock entirely new ways to cook those cuts.

It’s not just pork either. Whole chickens, briskets, and even large fish fillets are cheaper per kilogram compared to their pre-cut, seasoned, or packaged alternatives. Add to this the fact that smoking large joints of meat creates leftovers that can be vacuum-packed, frozen, or repurposed into weekday meals, and you’ve got serious value for money. In my own household, this switch alone has helped reduce the weekly food bill while increasing the quality of what we eat.

The benefits of having a smoker become clear in the long run: you pay less for ingredients, enjoy bigger yields, and gain the satisfaction of butchering and preparing your own food.

2. Health Benefits: Beyond the Plate

I’ll be honest—when I first bought my smoker, I was excited about brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. But what surprised me most was how it contributed to my overall health. By focusing on whole, fresh foods and moving away from processed meats, I began losing weight. More importantly, I experienced fewer palpitations, which are connected with recently being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) and this has given me hope of eventually reducing the medications I’ve been on. That’s something no supermarket ready-meal can ever that.

Smoking food encourages you to think differently about ingredients. Instead of reaching for processed sausages or deli meats loaded with salt, sugar, and preservatives, you can cure your own bacon, smoke fresh fish, or prepare low-salt rubs tailored to your health needs. This shift away from industrially produced foods toward natural, home-prepared meals is one of the most powerful benefits of having a smoker.

Another health benefit is portion control. Smoking encourages you to slow down. Meals are planned, cooked with patience, and shared with others. This naturally leads to mindful eating, smaller portions, and greater satisfaction from every bite.

3. Expanding Your Culinary Skills

Before I owned a smoker, I thought I had a good grasp of cooking. Thirty years as a chef taught me speed, precision, and consistency. But the smoker introduced me to an entirely new skill set—one that continues to grow with every session.

Learning to manage wood types, temperatures, and smoking times is both an art and a science. You experiment, you make mistakes, and you improve. Each joint of meat teaches you something new. The benefits of having a smoker here go beyond food—they build confidence, patience, and curiosity. For beginners, it’s an exciting entry into hands-on cooking. For seasoned cooks, it reignites passion in the kitchen or the garden.

You also learn practical skills: butchery, brining, curing, rub-making, and long-term storage techniques. These aren’t just kitchen tricks—they’re valuable life skills that connect you back to traditions of cooking from scratch, rather than relying on a factory to do it for you.

4. New Tastes and Flavours

If you’ve ever bitten into slow-smoked pulled pork with its perfect bark and juicy interior, you already know that flavour is one of the unbeatable benefits of having a smoker. But the variety goes far beyond the usual BBQ suspects.

Different woods create distinct taste profiles: apple wood for sweet, delicate smoke; hickory for a bold, bacon-like punch; oak for balance and depth; cherry for a subtle fruity note. Even within the same cut of meat, changing the wood type or rub creates an entirely new dish. Smoked vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and even desserts open doors to culinary creativity that you won’t find in the supermarket aisle.

In my household, smoked garlic and smoked paprika have replaced their store-bought equivalents. The flavours are richer, fresher, and uniquely ours. You simply can’t buy that authenticity from a jar.

5. Social Benefits and New Party Options

Food has always been a way to bring people together, but smoking adds a sense of theatre and occasion. Whether it’s a summer BBQ, a winter gathering, or a special celebration, a smoker turns a meal into an event. Guests are drawn to the aroma, intrigued by the process, and delighted by the results. Hosting becomes easier because the smoker does the heavy lifting—slow cooking large joints of meat means you can relax and enjoy your guests while the food takes care of itself.

The benefits of having a smoker in social settings are endless: pulled pork sandwiches at a family gathering, racks of ribs for a birthday party, or smoked salmon for Christmas. It turns everyday occasions into memories, and it gives you a reputation as the go-to person for incredible food.

6. Long-Term Value and Lifestyle Shift

A smoker is more than just a piece of equipment. For many of us, it marks the start of a bigger lifestyle change. In my case, it became part of a broader shift: losing weight, eating whole foods, and reducing reliance on medication. For others, it might mean spending more time outdoors, connecting with family, or simply enjoying the satisfaction of creating something with care.

Financially, the investment in a smoker pays back over time. You buy cheaper cuts, produce better results, and reduce food waste by repurposing leftovers. Emotionally, it provides joy, creativity, and relaxation. Physically, it can improve your health when paired with conscious food choices. Together, these form the real benefits of having a smoker—a holistic improvement to your lifestyle.

Portrait of a handsome butcher holding knife standing on the pork carcasses background at the meat manufacturing

7. Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

Another overlooked benefit is sustainability. When you prepare and smoke your own food, you cut down on plastic packaging, single-use trays, and chemical preservatives. Buying whole joints often means less plastic and less waste. If you source meat from local butchers or farmers, you also support your local economy and reduce food miles.

Even the wood you choose can make a difference. Many UK suppliers now offer sustainably sourced wood chips, ensuring that your smoking habit doesn’t come at an environmental cost. For those conscious of their footprint, this is yet another way the benefits of having a smoker align with modern values.

8. Smoking Beyond Meat

Although most people associate smokers with ribs and brisket, the possibilities extend far beyond meat. Smoked fish is one of the healthiest, most delicious foods you can prepare at home, often at a fraction of shop prices. Smoked vegetables like aubergine, peppers, and mushrooms add depth to vegetarian dishes. Even vegan-friendly options like smoked tofu or nuts deliver rich, smoky complexity.

For those who love entertaining, smoked cocktails and desserts are becoming a trend. Imagine offering guests a smoked Old Fashioned or smoked chocolate mousse—it’s an experience they won’t forget. These creative avenues prove that the benefits of having a smoker are limited only by your imagination.

9. Stress Relief and Mental Wellbeing

There’s something deeply calming about tending a smoker. Watching thin blue smoke curl upwards, adjusting vents, and waiting for that perfect moment creates a meditative state. For me, this slow approach to cooking has been as therapeutic as it has been delicious. It forces you to step away from the rush of daily life and embrace patience.

It’s no surprise that more people are turning to hobbies like smoking, gardening, and baking for stress relief. The process of smoking food rewards you with time outdoors, a sense of accomplishment, and of course, a meal worth celebrating. These lifestyle perks may not appear on a price tag, but they’re some of the most important benefits of having a smoker.

Conclusion

The benefits of having a smoker touch every part of life: financial savings, improved health, new skills, unique flavours, unforgettable parties, and even reduced stress. For me, it has been a cornerstone of a healthier lifestyle—one that helped me lose weight, reduce processed foods, and even improve my heart health. But whether you’re a seasoned chef or a complete beginner, the smoker offers something valuable for everyone.

It’s not just about food—it’s about creating a lifestyle filled with flavour, community, and wellbeing. And that’s a benefit no supermarket ready meal will ever match.