Which Is Better? Weber Summit Kamado vs Hunsaker Drum Smoker

This is another BBQ showdown video, this time it's the Weber Summit Kamado versus the Hunsaker Drum Smoker. Out of all of my smokers, I think these are the two easiest to use.
Which one produces the best smoke flavor, tenderness and most important, the better testing food? Watch this video to gain some insights.
You can watch the video where I pitted my Weber Summit Kamado against my Kamado Joe here: • Which Is Better? Weber...
Or watch the Pellet Grill vs Drum Smoker video here:
• Which Is Better? Pelle...
Are you thinking about buying a new smoker but you don't know which one is right for you?
Answer a few questions about what you're looking for in a smoker and receive an instant recommendation!
backyardsmokemaster.com/quiz1
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Please consider supporting the channel through the affiliate links for products that may have been mentioned in the video. While I will receive a small commission, you will not pay more for products purchased via the links below.
Weber Summit Kamado - amzn.to/3V6dkDI
Kamado Joe Classic II - amzn.to/3iXw4qE
Meater Plus - amzn.to/3X2pRbj
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[@wdannibale]

Awesome video. You are truly knowledgeable about smoking/grilling!! Keep up these videos please On a different note, have you ever used the grillgrates? Is it just a waste of money in tour opinion?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for your kind words! Yes, I have used GrillGrates and they are great for high temperature cooking. They can give you great sear marks or you can flip them over and use them like a griddle.

[@lowge57]

Thank you for the video! I always enjoy your relaxed way of supplying us with information 👍

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thank you 😊

[@redstone5149]

Great comparison video! I’m going to try this on my gateway drum with the diffuser plate!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Sounds good.... happy smoking!

[@louishagene3332]

Great video. Thank you for your honest video. You are genuine and it shows.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@shaw9881]

I enjoyed your comparison. I have a Gateway 30 gal drum and agree with your drum smoker comments. Appreciate your content.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Shaw! I appreciate your feedback.

[@chadwilson6550]

Great video. Thank you for your vids

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Chad!

[@danielmelsha1056]

Loved the video, building a drum smoker with a dome.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks..... love that you're building your own smoker!

[@GONZOFAM7]

I'm a WSM user for years. The Hunsaker has caught my eye then last few months. Thanks for the comparison.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for watching & commenting.

[@tombauer7330]

Cooking with Ry would agree with your findings on the Hunsaker. He loves that thing. Very interesting video. thanks for doing it.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks 😊

[@MikeHoncho884]

Back when I used to cook on my Hunsacker a lot, I stacked the charcoal higher than the edges in the center and put the fan blade diffuser plate on top of the charcoal. It will eventually burn down in the fan blade will sink. I got 10 hours out of my cooks with lump Charcoal.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for sharing that tip!

[@joepass5624]

Great video SmokeMaster Kenyatta! OK, now I need to get a drum smoker or Weber Smokey Mountain. p.s. The first tri-tip cook with the Maverick turned out AWESOME! Thank you!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

That’s great Joe! I’m glad that the Maverick is working well for you. I will say that drums are much easier to cook with than the Weber Smokey Mountain but if you’re up for the challenge, the WSM would be an awesome addition.

[@joepass5624]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Ohhhh, that's good to know!

[@JohnJohnDu4]

great video! i love my gateway!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks! Gateway make nice drums too.

[@wakeywarrior]

Good video. I’ve done a few beef rib cooks on my Summit on my channel recently. It’s a brilliant cooker, never lets me down. I smoke everything at 275 with water pan as I find Summit performs best then.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for the tip @wakeywarrior I will also check out your channel!

[@rickstevens3027]

Great video thank you so much.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Nurhyme]

Nice work brother. I always enjoy your videos. I own a Pit Barrel drum cooker and a WSK. I can honestly say that if I’m cooking chicken or pork ribs, I’m using the barrel. Anything else will go in the Summit. I love them both and I just love the fact that in the bbq world, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Thanks again!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I think drums are universally known for making great chicken & ribs. Do you prefer hanging them or do you cook them on the grate? Thanks for watching and for your kind feedback.

[@Nurhyme]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ I hang my ribs as I usually have several racks on at a time. As for the chicken, I will use the rack if I’m just cooking for the family. I use their poultry hanger for turkeys or whole chickens for a nicer presentation.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I also hang my ribs. I hang chicken about half of the time…. I still haven’t tried turkey in my drum. I bet a hanged turkey would turn out good. I need to try it.

[@Nurhyme]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ If you hang a turkey, be sure to brine it. I do a wet brine for 12-18 hours. Now every Thanksgiving everyone expects that turkey. 😁

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for that tip brother. That is how I will do my next turkey.

[@kanger80]

Great video! I'd get a hunsinger but I'm wary about having to clean it.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thank you, cleaning the Hunsaker hasn’t been as big of an issue as I thought but it is more challenging to clean.

[@Bill-N-Carolina]

As someone who has both of these cookers as well, I agree they are both great. If I could only have one of these, it would hands down be the Summit. The cleaning and maintenance of the drum is a pain sometimes. Also i feel like if you would have kept the Summit under 275 it would have been a little different. I can get a cleaner flavor on the Summit usually and can control the temp a little easier. Both are great though.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I would also choose the Summit Kamado if I had to pick one.

[@GTRJohnny66]

Hunsaker for the win! I love my SS 55! :)

[@johnknapp6328]

Great Comparison Smokemaster, Weber Kamato impressive.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks John!

[@robbtwalters]

Good stuff! One of these days I will have a stainless Hunsaker in my backyard. Been wanting one for way to long now…lol 🤪 How about the same cook, but Hunsaker vs MAK? Would love to see that one.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks Robb! I’ll add that to the list!

[@tyrus0872]

Well I see you continue to do what you love the most Kennyatta, searching for that holy BBQ Grail. It's illusive isn't it, when you think you have it in the bag it just slips away. Don't worry, it's the chase that's important and you surely presented a good one here. There are certainly a lot of variables to toss around, one might be the design of the Summit to the drum with regards to that smoke ring, does one release it's gases easier than the other, a thought to consider if it really meant much. Anyhow, I see your best critic/your wife keeps the adventure rolling along, I wish you well. I have the Summit and a Gateway, actually used the drum today after letting it sit idle for a year. I think cooking in the beginning is a challenge, at a certain point it becomes an intuition and then satisfied yet not reasoning has to apply. It's that Grail again, I'll be watching to see when you catch it if you don't already have it

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I had to chuckle to myself because I don’t think that I’ll ever truly find the ever illusive holy grail but I think the search is where the most fun is. Ultimately it’s the pitmaster, not the grill. I believe that I can make ribs equally good on both cookers with the right adjustments. I already know that I’m my own harshest critic. But you’re right, I enjoy the chase and discussing what I might be able to do differently next time. Thanks for watching & weighing in!

[@garanzbrah7437]

I like the look of the fireboard spark! how’s your exp w/ it? I heard it can be integrated w/ the fireboard drive.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I like the Spark a lot. Once it’s connected to your wi-if, it will automatically display temps from the Drive as long as it’s also connected to the same wi-fi. It works very well.

[@petertomko2060]

Excellent detailed video! I noticed the probe said 209 for the Weber and 201 for the Hunsaker. Could that of effected tenderness?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Anything over 200 should be tender when smoking beef. 203 is probably ideal…. there can be carryover immediately after the meat is removed from the smoker. The temps will settle down and fall while the meat is resting. This cook was 6 months ago so I can’t remember everything that happened…. I believe we enjoyed both, I don’t recall thinking that either was a complete fail in terms of tenderness. I always try to caveat that this is just one cook and results could be different next time as there a ton of variables.

[@AM-bj6qn]

I love my hunsaker !

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Same here!

[@MrPanthers23]

Have you thought about getting the low profile SNS for the kamado? I love my SNS in my weber 26. Smoking that way turns it into a top down smoker, and kind of simulates offset cooking on that manner.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Yes, I have it. I agree, it’s fantastic!

[@MrDanSB]

Happy wife, happy life! Great job. Thanks for the video. I would presume that the Hunsacker was better because the fire burns hotter so the smoke is cleaner and the air flow is stronger. The meat is also so far from the fire, so it is cooked by pure convection not not radiation coming straight off the coals or a heat shield.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I agree Dan! I think you’re right about all of those factors. Thanks for weighing in.

[@MrDanSB]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ my pleasure. I will keep watching your channel now that I have found it.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@bbqguy6538]

Great info. How accurate is summits thermometer?.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Like most thermometers that are inside of grills, it is accurate for where it is positioned. The built-in probe is located above the grill grate so it's measuring the temperature inside of the grill at that location which is different from the temperature at the grill grate level where your food is. Therefore, you have to take that difference into account or go with a separate probe that you can place at the grate or get a good wireless thermometer.

[@Mrmatt-pt3xm]

You can easily sear or grill on the hunsaker….just move the basket up and leave the lid off

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Great tip!

[@WiscTJK]

Great video. My kid's scoutmaster's famous saying, "If you keep lookin', it ain't cookin'." My summit likes the 240's to 250 and locks in unbelievable. I don't understand why Kenyatta doesn't have more subscribers and views. Great content and information.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thank you for your kind words. I believe in that saying as well. Having to cook with the lid open is a downside to making these videos 😂.

[@brentschroter1105]

i really like cooking on a drum, ease of cook, flavor

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I completely agree

[@bassman7496]

What are your thoughts on Weber summit vs Weber kettle? Maybe it would be better a great video for guys like me who have never used either! I just own an Americana- mecco charcoal grill! Great content and I’m subbed!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@bassman7496 Thanks for subscribing! Both the kettle and Summit Kamado and extremely versatile and they can handle whatever you throw at them. On paper, the double-walled insulation build of the WSK gives it a big edge in fuel efficiency so on long cooks, you wouldn't have to refuel as much as on the kettle. You can cook overnight on the WSK if you load up the firebox (not using a Slow n Sear) with charcoal without having to refuel. You also shouldn't have to make as many temperature adjustments during a cook on the WSK. Now you've got me thinking that I should move that test from "on paper" to a real head-to-head comparison so I'm going to make a video comparison of the two..... thanks for your question!

[@bassman7496]

I seen a summit Komodo at Ace Hardware and didn’t like it, it had the vent and ash pan twisted around to the left and I didn’t realize they put it together wrong, I also think I would like the cart model the best, that’s a huge reason I like the performer better! Maybe I should look at the cart model and see if I like it! I would like to have one smoker that can do everything and not have a collection of grills! The wife would be happier with that, she already ask my why I want another grill, I’m thinking for me just to get one and be done!

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@@bassman7496 Yes, sounds like you would be a candidate for S6 model with the cart. I couldn't justify paying the extra money for the cart but in certain use cases, it totally makes sense.

[@luvyesmusici4886]

Hey, my friend I had zero idea until two or three days ago that Hunsaker has the perfect and last accessory that I have been trying to find for my Weber Kamado. What would that be? The item that will make my grill/smoker complete? Hunsaker has been making griddle inserts for a couple of years now. You probably know how rare it is to find a 24 inch griddle insert to fit the Kamado/Summit Charcoal. Just ordered one. Update. Several cooks with the Royal Oak Super Size briquettes I got a deal on. Lot of toxic smelling smoke, getting them going. Burns a very long time. Not quite as hot, and produces a lot of ash.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Thanks for the tip about Hunsaker's 24" griddle insert and the info about Royal Oak's super size briquettes. That's great info!

[@MikeHoncho884]

I find the Hunsacker hard to clean. Does anybody have any pointers on how to clean it easily?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I haven't found a solution that I would necessarily call easy. Sometimes I wad up a paper towel and use long tongs to pick up as much grease as I can from the bottom of the drum.

[@Jay-Dee]

nice video. :) Just curious. Whats going on with your eyes?

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

Interesting question coming from someone using a duck (?) with huge eyes as his avatar. Thanks for watching the video.

[@Jay-Dee]

@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ just a pinguin brother.

[@thebiffer100]

Another great comparison Kenyatta....wanted to get your thoughts on a replacement drum smoker. I know you have had and like your Hunsaker and I have been looking at an upgrade from the Pit Barrel. The other smoker I have been also looking at is the Pit Boss which looks similar however the main attraction for me is the swing away fire basket. I am not a fan of getting singed every time I need to access the firebox and absolutely hate lowering hot coals into the barrel. This has a great alternative plus I want to see if I can use some small wood splits with it. Would love your opinion brother, thanks.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@thebiffer100 I don’t know much about the Pit Boss but it looks like they are trying to cover everything you could possibly want or need in a drum smoker. I read that it’s heavy so it’s a good thing it has wheels. Will it stay mostly at home or do you plan to take it out from time to time? Transporting might be a challenge. That being said, it has easy access to the charcoal basket which might be the killer feature for you. The basket also looks huge…. I’m thinking that you probably won’t need to refuel it during cooks very often. My feeling is that most drums cook the same, meaning I don’t think there is much differentiation besides how they allow air in and out of the drum so I think you would be fine with the Pit Boss especially if those extra features that it offers meet your needs. I hope that helps… thanks for being a longtime subscriber & good luck with the quest for your next smoker!

[@thebiffer100]

It'll be permanently parked on the patio. I just moved into another house locally and left the old Pit Barrel behind.

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

@@thebiffer100 Gotcha, in that case I think the Pit Boss is probably a good fit with the easy access to the charcoal basket. Congrats on the move!

[@The_Monkey_King]

Have you looked at the Weber Smoker Mountain?

[@thebiffer100]

Had one years ago, sold it. Wound up purchasing the Pit Boss and LOVE it.

[@deanvoss7098]

My $100 drum....😂

[@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ]

I’m not mad at that 😂