Gateway Drum Smokers Expert Review Expert Reviews

The Skinny:

  • Competition-level performance
  • Selection of colors to fit your style
  • Total temperature control lets you smoke, bake, or sear as you like

Things We Love:

Exceptional Performance

Gateway Drum Smokers excel at maintaining temperatures between 250 and 325 degrees, giving you access to a few different cooking methods. You can do as the name implies and indulge in some low-and-slow smoking, or you can turn up the heat a bit to produce mouth-watering results in just a few hours. The built-in thermometer lets you keep track of just how high or low the heat is, while the stainless steel construction provides the superior durability you need in a smoker.

Customizable to Fit Any Style

In addition to their cooking capabilities, Gateway Drum Smokers are highly customizable for just about any décor. They’re available in six colors and can be matched with a handful of optional

Gateway Drum Smoker accessories, such as a diffuser plate or rib hanging kit, so you can personalize your model based on what you normally cook. The included cooking grate can be placed on any of the three cooking levels, allowing you to cook larger foods and place them closer or farther away from the fire as desired. With additional grates, you can even cook on all three levels at the same time!

High Capacity Lets You Smoke More

Heavy-duty cook sessions are no problem for these units, which have removable fuel baskets capable of holding 8–10 pounds of charcoal. The fuel, which can last for up to 14 hours of uninterrupted use, is nestled beneath the 21½-inch cooking grate that offers 462 square inches of cooking space. For those who love to smoke a lot at once, a Gateway Drum Smoker equipped with cooking grates on all three levels gives you 1,386 square inches of cooking area to play with!

Things To Consider:

Before using these models for the first time, you must put it through a seasoning process. Consult your owner’s manual or call one of our BBQ smoking experts at 1-877-743-2269 for proper instructions. It’s important to note that while the premium industrial paint used on Gateway Drum Smokers creates a bright pop of color, it’s not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. The units with glossier designs — red, royal blue, and glossy black — should never reach temperatures higher than 450 degrees. Matte designs, however, can withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees without the exterior paint becoming damaged. For more help with Gateway Drum Smokers or any other outdoor needs, visit our Free Outdoor Living Design Service.

Overall Rating
3.5 out of 5

Quality

3.5

Performance

4.0

Features

3.0

Value

3.5

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