The Breville Smoking Gun and Smoking Gun Pro are two of the best handheld food smokers available, but they cater to different users. The standard Smoking Gun is a compact, user-friendly device perfect for home cooks and mixologists, while the more expensive Pro model offers enhanced power, airflow control, and robust construction for serious enthusiasts and professional chefs.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which Breville smoking gun is right for your kitchen.
Breville Smoking Gun
The original Breville Smoking Gun is a sleek, handheld device designed to make infusing smoke flavor into food and drinks simple and fast. It operates on batteries and works by igniting small wood chips to produce cool smoke, which can be directed into a sealed container or glass. Its straightforward operation and compact size have made it a favorite for casual home use, from making smoky cocktails to adding flavor to cheese and butters.
- What it is: A user-friendly, portable smoke infuser for home cooks and bartenders.
- Key features: Compact design, simple two-speed fan settings (high and low), detachable burn chamber for easy cleaning.
- Price: Around $100-$130.
- Dimensions: Approximately 8 inches long, making it highly portable and easy to store.
- Style: Features Breville's signature modern and minimalist aesthetic with a clean, brushed metal finish.
- Pros: Affordable entry point into food smoking, extremely easy to operate, lightweight and portable, sufficient for most home kitchen tasks like cocktails and appetizers.
- Cons: Lacks the precise fan control of the Pro model, not built for high-volume or commercial use, smoke output is less powerful than the Pro.
The standard Smoking Gun is an ideal choice for hobbyists and creative home chefs who want a reliable, no-fuss tool for occasional smoke-infusion projects.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/food-prep/smoking-gun.html
Breville Smoking Gun Pro
The Smoking Gun Pro is Breville’s upgraded version designed for users who demand more power, control, and durability. While it shares a similar handheld design, the Pro model features a variable-speed fan to precisely control the intensity of the smoke. It's built with more robust materials and is engineered to stand up to the rigors of a professional kitchen or a very enthusiastic home cook who smokes food frequently.
- What it is: A professional-grade handheld smoker offering superior control and power for frequent and high-volume use.
- Key features: Variable airflow control dial, heavy-duty construction, large-capacity removable burn chamber.
- Price: Typically between $150 and $200.
- Dimensions: Slightly larger and heavier than the standard model, measuring around 10 inches long.
- Style: A more industrial and substantial design that still fits within Breville's clean aesthetic, communicating its professional capabilities.
- Pros: Precise control over smoke intensity, powerful fan produces a heavy volume of smoke quickly, durable build is ideal for regular use, handles larger jobs more efficiently.
- Cons: Higher price point, might be more power than a casual user needs, slightly bulkier design.
The Smoking Gun Pro is crafted for chefs, serious food enthusiasts, and mixologists who need speed, precision, and reliable performance meal after meal.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/food-prep/smoking-gun.html
Breville Smoking Gun vs. Smoking Gun Pro Comparison
Performance & Control
The most critical difference lies in performance. The standard Smoking Gun has two simple fan settings: high and low. This is perfectly adequate for infusing cocktails or small portions of food. Changing the speed helps manage airflow but doesn't offer fine-tuned control over the smoke's intensity.
The Smoking Gun Pro features a variable-speed control dial. This allows you to go from a gentle wisp of smoke for delicate items like leafy greens or custards to a powerful, dense cloud for robust meats. This level of precision gives the professional or serious user much more creative control over the final flavor profile.
Construction & Design
Both models reflect Breville's high-quality design standards, but the Pro is noticeably more robust. It's larger, a bit heavier, and designed with materials better suited for frequent, intense use in a professional setting. The standard Smoking Gun is lighter and more compact, making it convenient for quick setups and easy storage in a home kitchen drawer.
While the standard model is plenty durable for home needs, the Pro’s build quality ensures it can handle being used multiple times a day without issue.
Price & Value
With the standard model coming in around $100-$130 and the Pro version priced closer to $150-$200, there's a significant price gap. For a hobbyist who plans to add smoke to a few cocktails or a cheese plate once a month, the standard Smoking Gun offers fantastic value. It provides the essential functionality without the added cost of professional features.
For a chef, caterer, or dedicated home cook who will use the device weekly or daily, the Pro is a worthwhile investment. Its durability, power, and precise control will deliver more consistent results and save time, justifying the higher upfront cost.
Who Each One Works Best For
The decision comes down to your true needs and frequency of use. If you're "smoke-curious" and want to experiment with flavoring drinks, meats, and cheeses on occasion, the standard Breville Smoking Gun is the perfect tool for the job. It’s easy, effective, and won't break the bank.
If you're already passionate about smoked flavors, run a food business, or simply demand professional-level control from your kitchen gadgets, the Smoking Gun Pro is the clear choice. It’s an efficient workhorse built for speed, volume, and precision.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both devices are excellent tools for adding smoke flavor, but they serve different users and kitchens.
Choose the Breville Smoking Gun if:
- You're new to food smoking and want a simple and reliable starting point.
- You plan to use it occasionally for cocktails, cheese boards, or other small food items.
- Your budget is under $150.
- You value compact design for easy storage in a home kitchen.
Choose the Breville Smoking Gun Pro if:
- You are a professional chef, caterer, or serious home cooking enthusiast.
- You require a large volume of smoke quickly for larger dishes or frequent use.
- You want fine-tuned, variable control over the smoke's intensity.
- You are willing to invest in a durable, high-performance tool built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Smoking Gun and Pro?
The main difference is control and power. The Pro has a variable-speed fan dial for precise smoke intensity control and a more powerful motor for generating large amounts of smoke quickly. The standard model has a simpler two-speed fan and is designed for more casual, small-scale home use.
Is the Breville Smoking Gun Pro worth the extra money?
If you use it frequently or require precise flavor control for professional results, the Pro is absolutely worth the extra cost for its durability and performance. For occasional home cooks, the standard model provides more than enough functionality for a lower price.
Can you use your own wood chips in the Breville smoking guns?
Yes, both models work with any brand of fine smoking wood chips. While Breville offers its own line of hardwood chips like Hickory and Applewood, you are free to experiment with a variety of woods to achieve different flavors.
Which model is better for smoky cocktails?
The standard Smoking Gun is perfect for making smoky cocktails. Its two-speed setting is more than sufficient for infusing individual drinks, and its affordability makes it a great addition to any home bar setup.
How do you clean a Breville Smoking Gun?
Cleaning is simple for both models. The removable burn chamber can be emptied of ash, and the mesh filter can be cleaned or replaced. A quick wipe-down of the nozzle and body is usually all that’s needed after each use.
How long does the smoke infusion process take?
It’s very fast. For most applications, like trapping smoke in a covered bowl or cloche over food, the process only takes one to two minutes to impart a distinct smoky flavor and aroma.
Do these devices run on batteries?
Yes, both the standard and Pro models operate on 4 AA batteries, which makes them fully portable and free of cords during use.
Will these smoking guns make my house smell like smoke?
When used correctly, the smoke is contained within your vessel (like a bowl with plastic wrap or a cocktail shaker). There might be a slight smoky aroma when you release the smoke, but they produce far less lingering smell than traditional smoking methods.
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