Smokers mostly come in two sizes: large and small. They are manufactured in three types of metal:
- Tin plated steel: Cheapest option but expect it to look pretty tired within two seasons.
- Copper: More resistant to corrosion but has a tendency to get easily dented.
- Stainless steel: These are the best but the most expensive option.
A wire guard will stop you from burning yourself but is a less common option on a small smoker.
The large smoker used to be the smoker of choice for beekeepers but with the advent of compressed cotton as a fuel the small smoker comes into its own.
Using the compressed cotton means a small smoker will burn for a lot longer. This means it is more suited to beginners with only a few hives as its easier to hold and manouver.