Cost

How much does bbq & smoking cost?

$293 buys all 3 essentials. $25 of that is the half that has to fit you, and the rest can wait.

3 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission

Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick

$293

3 items, nothing rented

$25 to fit you, buy now$269 that can wait

Cheapest real way in

$25

The half that has to fit you. Borrow or rent the rest.

Against 247 hobbies

Above median

Dearer than 86% of them. Median hobby: $84.

What each thing costs

Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.

Smoker or Grill essential

mid $350top $890

$269

Thermometer essential

mid $36top $60

$14

Fuel & Wood essential

mid $23top $29

$11

All 3 essentials

$293

Buy this first

$25

The cheap half of the kit, and the half that has to fit you. You keep all of it whatever you decide about the rest, so this is where the first money should go.

Thermometer

$14

The single most important tool. Smoking is done by internal temperature, never by time or guesswork.

TempPro TP19H 1 Sec Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking

mid $36top $60

Fuel & Wood

$11

Charcoal for heat, wood for smoke flavour. The wood you choose defines the taste.

Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel

mid $23top $29

The main buy

$269

The expensive part, and the part worth deferring. Rent, borrow or buy used until you have done bbq & smoking enough times to know you are staying.

Smoker or Grill

$269

Your cooker is the whole hobby. A kettle grill can smoke surprisingly well before you commit to a dedicated smoker.

Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker

mid $350top $890

Later, if you stay

Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.

Tools & Accessories

$10

The small kit that makes long cooks smoother and cleaner.

Cave Tools Metal Meat Claws for Shredding Pulled Pork

mid $30top $35

Startup cost · all 247 hobbieslog scale
$1
$84
$1245
$297

BBQ & Smoking costs more to start than 86% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.

Cost questions

How much does BBQ & Smoking cost to start?

About $293 for the 3 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each. $25 of that is the cheap half, and the remaining $269 can wait until you know you are staying.

What does each thing cost for BBQ & Smoking?

Smoker or Grill: from $269. Thermometer: from $14. Fuel & Wood: from $11.

Is BBQ & Smoking an expensive hobby?

BBQ & Smoking costs about $297 to start, dearer than 86% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the pricier ones to get into.

What should I buy first for BBQ & Smoking?

thermometer, fuel & wood — $25 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.

Hobbies that cost about the same

The 6 nearest to bbq & smoking by startup cost, out of 247.