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The best smokers that are electric can take your meal preparation and cooking experience to the next level.
Table of Contents
- Things To Consider When Looking For The Best Electric Smoker For Your Needs
- Who Should Buy The Best Electric Smokers?
- Different Types Of Electric Smokers
- Benefits Of Using The Best Electric Smokers
- Tips On How To Properly Use Your Electric Smoker
- Frequently Asked Questions
Some smoker enthusiasts consider smoking your meat with this type of smoker is cheating and inauthentic. Nonetheless, it’s a popular choice among many because of the benefits it presents, including how easy it is to use and to control heat retention.
Aside from these, it eliminates the need to keep on adding fuel just to ensure it keeps the fire burning as you would with a pellet and charcoal smokers. Electric smokers are plug and play. This means that you simply have to plug it in, prep your meat, wait for a few hours, and you can dive right into smokey goodness.
So whether you want to smoke meat, fish, or veggies, here are the best electric smokers that can get the job done.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
Runner Up
Best Electric Smokers – Comparison Table
Best Electric Smokers – Reviews
Finding the best electric smokers like this one from Masterbuilt that can do just about anything right is rare.
The 30-Inch electric smoker comes with a built-in digital thermometer that picks the appropriate temperatures, ranging from 100 to 275F. Meanwhile, its 800-watt heating element will provide you with precise control over your smoking.
Located on top of the unit is a digital electric panel with simple controls, which makes it easy to read both the cooking time and temperature gauge. On the other hand, the front door with its glass opening allows you to check the progress of your smoking.
Moreover, the popular electric smoker features four stainless steel racks, providing you with 721 square inches of cooking area. If you want to cook bulky turkeys, roasts, or chickens, just remove one to two racks to create enough vertical space.
Another handy feature of the Masterbuilt electric smoker is its wood chip system. This one lets you add extra chips throughout the cooking process without the need to open its door.
As a result, all the heat and delicious smoke will be sealed inside the cooking chamber. And with a thermostat to keep its temp stable, there’s no need for you to keep a constant eye on your meat as it smokes.
- 721 sq. Inch of cooking space with four chrome-coated racks
- 800 watt heating element
- Blue LED display for easy reading, even in direct sunlight
- Thermostat temperature control for even cooking from 100 to 275 degrees F
- Redesigned front-access drip pan
- It comes with a built-in viewing window with an internal light for cooking at all times during the day or night
- Convenient push-button digital temperature and time control panel
- This Masterbuilt unit is constructed with a leak-proof cabinet
- Smoked meat produced is high quality
- A powerful 800-watt heating element
- You can customize the cooking space to accommodate your food by adjusting its racks and trays
- Although the interior is easy to maintain, the smoker door glass window requires additional cleaning and upkeep
- It’s not as portable as some electric smokers
The best electric smoker will not only leave your foods with a good smoky taste, but it’s easy to operate as well. Char-Broil’s Vertical Electric Smoker stands out in both these qualifications.
It’s the kind of electric smoker that will change how your view on electric smoking for the better. This unit is simple to use and clean afterward. It doesn’t need the same attention as you would give to charcoal or wood-burning smoker.
The vertical smoker stands freely similar to your refrigerator. Its electric heating element sets the wood chips to smoke and combines it with heat to slowly cook your food inside its chamber. For a unit this size, it has a high 1500W heating element. Hence, it will not be hard to smoke chips and cook your food to perfection.
Furthermore, you’ll be able to achieve the desired temperature with this Char-Broil electric smoker by simply adjusting its dial. Just watch its thermostat, and you’ll get what you want without having to adjust any vents or dampers or even add fuel.
Overall, the Char-Broil Vertical Smoker is an excellent way to smoke various kinds of food. It comes with a decent smoking chamber for smoking big chunks of meat and three cast-iron cooking grates that you can adjust easily.
The Char-Broil Vertical Smoker is a great way for you to smoke different types of food. It has a large enough smoking chamber to allow you to smoke bigger meat chunks. Plus, its front-mounted temp gauge and high wattage heating element ensure that its heat stays consistent.
- COOKING SPACE: 544 square inches of cooking space
- POWER: 1200 watt heating element and insulated cooking chamber
- GAUGE: Door-mounted temperature gauge
- GRATES: 3 Chrome-plated cooking grates
- CLEANING: Aluminized steel water pan, wood chip tray and grease tray
- 544 Square inches of cooking space spread across three chrome-plated cooking grates
- It can maintain even temperatures no matter what meat or recipes you’re cooking
- Dual latches to keep door sealed shut
- Allows you to check the wood or water without upsetting or disturbing its internal temperature
- It comes with a drain hole for easy cleaning and maintenance
- Affordable and a great option for beginners to smoking food
- You need to place the chip pan right under the burner or you won’t get any smoke
- Since this electric smoker doesn’t have smoke vents, you need to clean it often, but a quick wipe will do
The Smoke Hollow may not be as fancy as the other electric smokers out there, but that’s just the way the company wants it to be. This best electric smoker is easy to use. Thereby, it will give all the joys of creating appetizing smoky meat minus the steep learning curve.
You won’t have any problems with fluctuation temperatures with this budget-friendly electric smoker. It is constructed with solid welded steel and entirely insulated. This enables you to smoke tasty meat, poultry, fish, and anything imaginable.
Another attractive feature of the Smoke Hollow electric smoker is its 1500W heating element. With this power, the unit can produce enough smoke to vie your foods with intense flavor. Furthermore, it comes with an external temperature gauge on top of three temp settings to maintain consistent heat throughout.
The Smoke Hollow is very simple. It has no tech options like Bluetooth and digital controls, making it perfect for newbies and not so tech-savvy. So if you’re just starting to discover the pleasures of smoking and want something that provides good taste without all the fuss, this is the electric smoker for you.
- Exterior: 33.5 in. (H) x 18.2 in. (W) x 18.7 in. (L) Interior: 26.2 in. (H) x 14.8 in. (W) x 12.8 in. (L)
- Digital panel controls on/off, temperature, and time
- Three chrome-coated smoking racks
- Integrated thermostat temperature control for even, consistent smoking
- Fully-insulated smoker body
- It has sturdy construction with double steel walls, meaning it will not break down anytime soon
- Well-insulated and will provide you with consistent heat
- Outside temperatures will not affect inside temperatures
- Its handles make it very portable
- Very affordable and pretty straightforward to use
- Some users say that the door does not seal shut so they experienced grease and smoke leaks
- It’s not big enough to cater to your larger barbecue parties
This best electric smoker from Cuisinart allows you to get that smoky flavor without the need to use a traditional smoker. It is lightweight, user-friendly, and a great choice if you’re a first-time or casual smoker.
The Cuisinart 30-Inch Electric Smoker has three stainless racks that can withstand corrosion or rust. Likewise, it provides you with 548 square inches of cooking area, large enough for a large group of people.
Additionally, its heat ranges from 100 to 400F, which means you’ll have tons of cooking options, from quick roasting to slow cooking. Simply set its internal temperature to the exact degrees and the electric smoker will take care of all the hard work for you.
On top of that, it comes with a removable wood chip tray and water pan for quick and easy cleanups. On the other hand, its two handles on the sides make the unit a breeze to move from one spot to the next.
Using it is pretty straightforward. You only need to turn its dial, select your desired cooking temp, and leave it to smoke. And if you need to check and see how your meat is doing, just take a glance at its front thermometer.
- 548 SQUARE INCHES OF INTERIOR: The spacious 548 square inch interior means there is plenty of room to smoke a variety of meats and vegetables. The vertical footprint makes it a perfect size for patios and barbecue kitchens.
- THREE REMOVABLE SMOKING SHELVES: Three chrome plated steel racks can be easily removed for smoking large cuts of meat. Racks are dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy
- BUILT-IN THERMOMETER: Features easy-to-read thermometer on the front door for accessible monitoring of the internal temperature.
- 1500-WATT HEATING ELEMENT: Featuring a heating coil that provides the 1500-watt heating element able to produce a temperature from 100°F to 400°F easily controlled with a dial.
- STAINLESS STEEL TRAYS HOLDS WOOD AND WATER: Stainless steel trays hold the wood chips and water, so clean-up is easy after use. Smoker requires wood chips when grilling.
- It offers you total control over the heat
- The dial-style thermostat and a 1500W heating element will generate temperatures from 100 to 400F quickly
- This smoker includes three removable chrome racks which you can arrange to accommodate larger birds and meats
- Its compact design is perfect for patios, decks, and outdoor barbecue kitchens
- Short warranty
- Some users report that the heating coil is not as durable as other electric smokers
Landmann is known for offering some of the best electric smokers on the market, and its Smoky Mountain lives up to expectations. This model is packed with everything you’d want from an electric smoker. These include a decent capacity and the ability to cook low and slow for hours.
Also, the temperature control and heat retention of the Landmann Smoky Mountain is relatively good. Likewise, different flavors will not mix up even when you’re cooking chicken and fish at the same time. This affordable smoker lets you achieve flavorful meats without hurting your pockets.
And check this out, the electric smoker produces heat ranging from 100 to 260F. On top of that, it also comes with four separate feet that you can easily adjust. Thereby, this unit is portable and will keep its upright position every time even when the ground is uneven.
You’ll also like that it comes complete with several cooking racks, a 3-in-1 water pan, a grease drip pan, and a wood chip pan. Cleaning the Smoky Mountain is hassle-free as well because of the way its compartment is setup.
There’s also a high-quality glass window in its door, allowing you to keep a watchful eye on your foods without the need to open it. So you can expect your meat to accumulate all the smoke flavors during the cooking process.
- 3-in-1 combination tray
- Non-insulated cooking chamber
- Product is 26 inches
- 3-in-1 combination tray for wood chip box, water pan, and grease pan
- Includes temperature gauge on the door for optimum temperature control.
- Separate heating element and removable variable temperature controller
- Door includes adjustable door latch and viewing window
- Wrought iron side handles for easier transport
- Adjustable feet for accurate leveling on uneven surfaces
- It lacks some advanced electric and digital controls
- A lot of users find that its electric cord is a bit short in length
Char-Broil has always been known to produce some of the best electric smokers that combine affordability and quality. For its Analog Electric Smoker, the company did not dress it with a lot of digital enhancements that you can usually find in a modern smoker.
They preset the unit with a more traditional, analog design but still maintains the reliability of a Char-Broil grill. So whether you’re craving for steak, brisket, racks of ribs, or salmon, this electric smoker can take care of it all for you.
This unit is built using a high-quality metal sheet so it is not only sturdy but weather-proof as well. Furthermore, you can smoke or grill your meats in its insulated double-wall cooking chamber. It uses a powerful 1200 heating element for firing up wood chips that cook your food and give that wonderful smoky taste.
Also, all that smoky goodness is sealed in with the help of its heavy-duty, insulated door with latches. Some other features of the Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker are its wood chip tray, grease cup, and a front-access water tray for ease of use.
Even more, it offers a temperature ranging between 100 to 300F. This means that you can expect the device to reach its optimal smoking temperature with 20 to 30 minutes. Plus, you won’t have trouble setting up its temperature using its digital LED control panel.
In terms of cooking surface, this Char-Broil model has 544 square inches of space spread over 3 racks. Nonetheless, the Analog Electrical Smoker enables you to utilize the space more effectively. This means that you’ll be able to smoke a roast, rib racks, and cuts of veal. Likewise, you can remove the racks if you want to cook an entire chicken.
- COOKING SPACE: 544 square inches of cooking space
- POWER: 1200 watt heating element and insulated cooking chamber
- GAUGE: Door-mounted temperature gauge
- GRATES: 3 Chrome-plated cooking grates
- CLEANING: Aluminized steel water pan, wood chip tray and grease tray
- 544 Square inches of cooking space spread across three chrome-plated cooking grates.
- Double-wall insulated construction with dual exhaust ports
- It has a straightforward, easy to operate analog design.
- Cheaper than other best electric smokers with the same features.
- Door-mounted temperature gauge, and dual latches to keep the door sealed shut.
- It doesn’t include a timer or an internal met probe.
- You need to open the door to monitor the food you’re cooking.
The Masterbuilt Smart Digital Electric Smoker is built with tech-savvy smokers in mind. This best electric smoker is equipped with Bluetooth that lets you control it through an app in your gadgets. That means that you’ll have full control over the quality of your foods right in the palm of your hands.
There are many fantastic features packed in this electric smoker. First is its four racks that are coated in chrome that offers over 721 square inches of cooking area. With that much space combined with four racks, you’ll be able to cook several pieces of meat in one go.
Meanwhile, the meat thermometer and LED control panel of this Masterbuilt electric smoker are designed to maintain a consistent temperature throughout. Therefore, smoking your meat has never been easier. Furthermore, it also comes with a heating unit of 800W that will ensure that even your poultry will come out perfectly cooked and flavorful.
All these technologies of the device will make your smoking meat experience smart and more enjoyable. With your smart gadget, you can turn this electric smoker on and off. Likewise, it enables you to see the temperature of your foods to make sure your pieces of meat will come out great.
This Masterbuilt Smart Electric Smoker is large enough to satisfy the hunger of small to medium-sized families craving for barbecue.
- Integrated Bluetooth technology-control your smoker with your smart device
- 721 sq. inch of cooking space with four chrome-coated smoking racks
- 800 watt heating element for even, consistent smoking up to 275 Degree
- Colour: Beige/Black
- Extremely easy to operate and clean. Its drip tray is even safe to wash in your dishwasher.
- It is made from aluminum, making it lightweight.
- This electric smoker comes with nice and smooth rear wheels and handles for easy transport.
- Its Bluetooth is one of the best out there and enables you to control and monitor your smoker using your smart devices.
- Super digital blue LED display and temperature control settings with a completely digital control panel
- It’s not ideal for high-temp smoking since it only offers a maximum internal temperature of up to 275F.
- The price is a bit steep in comparison to other digital units of the same size.
The best electric smokers will not give you a headache to operate. And the most important thing is that they’ll leave you with pieces of meat that taste great. With all these criteria in mind, you can bet that Char-Broil Vertical Smoker deserves a spot on this list.
This electric smoker is affordable with a price under $200. Moreover, it changed a lot of people’s views regarding electric smokers for the better. Aside from being straightforward to use and clean, the vertical smoker does not need as much attention that you’d give to charcoal or wood-burning smoker. Nevertheless, it will still leave your food with a delightful, deep smoky flavor that you can get from charcoal, wood, or gas smokers.
Char-Broil did not fail to impress with this vertical electric smoker that allows you to cook various types of foods. For its price, it comes with a decent-sized cooking surface for smoking bigger cuts of your favorite meats.
Even more, it features three adjustable cooking grates. This means that you can smoke a variety of meat at the same time. It also boasts a front-mounted temperature gauge and 1500W heating element that guarantees its heat will stay consistent throughout the entire process.
Overall, the Char-Broil Vertical Smoker is a superb option if you’re a novice smoker looking to test the waters. It’s perfect for trying out your new recipes without the need to hurt your pockets.
- 505 square inches of cooking surface on 3 adjustable chrome-plated cooking grates
- Insulated, double-walled construction for maintaining even temperature
- Wood chip and water pan
- Chrome-plated handle
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge with bezel
- Both time and temperature controls are easy to operate.
- Even temperature throughout no matter what type of meat or recipes you try to cook.
- It can handle a reasonable amount of food.
- You can check the wood or water without disturbing the unit’s internal temperature.
- Budget-friendly yet offers a powerful heating element.
- Some users say that they find it hard to close the door at first.
- You need to place the chip pan or you will not get smoke.
No matter how much you love smoked meat, you still want to stay within your budget when purchasing the best electric smokers. So if you’re looking for another excellent deal, you may want to consider the Dyan-Go Digital Electric Smoker.
This Dyna-Glo electric smoker has a good construction in comparison to others at this price point. It sports a sleek exterior and a double-wall, insulated firebox that helps retain heat.
Furthermore, it’s very easy to use since it’s virtually a plug and play device. Once you’re done installing and pre-seasoning the unit, plug it in, set your preferred temperature, place your meats inside, and you’re ready to smoke.
Dyna-Glo equipped this vertical smoker with a simple to use control panel as well. It only has push-button controls for setting up cooking time and monitoring temps. You can also find a built-in internal meat thermometer that enables you to monitor your meal to ensure you don’t undercook or overcook it.
Additionally, the device comes with four removable chrome-plated steel grates, providing you with a 732-square inch of cooking area. There are also sausage hooks for added versatility. Meanwhile, its bottom drawer allows you to access your wood chips and water while making sure heat and smoke will not escape.
All of these, plus the 1000W heat the burner generates, make the Dyna-Glo Vertical Smoker a powerful electric smoker even in cold conditions.
- Four chrome-plated steel cooking grates offer a total of 732 square inches in cooking space
- 800 watt burner provides abundant cooking power even in colder climates
- Digital thermostat with push-button controls for setting and monitoring the cooking time and temperature
- Integrated meat thermometer displays internal temperature at the push of a button
- Side access wood chip loader minimizes smoke and heat loss when more wood chips are needed
- Its four cooking racks provide 732 square inches of cooking space.
- Removable racks and trays allow for easy cleanups after every smoking session.
- This best electric smoker has a durable construction and can retain heat for several hours.
- It also has a removable drip tray that can help prevent flare-ups within the unit’s cabinet.
- Reasonably priced.
- Some users report that they encountered issues with the heating element.
- You have to wait at least 30 minutes for the smoker to reach its maximum smoking temperature.
The Smokin-It Model 2 electric smoker is stylish and durable. Its entire construction is stainless steel combined with insulation to prevent heat loss as much as possible.
Moreover, it features an 800W heating element that’s not only replaceable but certified for restaurant use. It also comes with 4 caster wheels and handles, which make it easy to move from one spot to the next.
This best electric smoker has top-notch steel construction and every component is sturdy as well. Likewise, its low form allows for easy storage and perfect if your space is tight. But because it’s all metal, it’s a bit heavier than other smokers on the list but lighter than most conventional grills.
Nevertheless, it is heavy-duty and has a decent cooking area that can feed a small family. Still, you can cook a batch of about 22 pounds of meat in one go with this smoker. So if you love to throw bbq parties, this electric smoker is a pretty good option.
What’s more, Smokin-It Model 2 has a smokebox with ample space that can hold sufficient wood for smoking everything on its cooking chamber. The entire smoker has superb proportions and even has a drip pan to catch all those grease and fat from your meats. Overall, this unit offers a solid at-home smoking experience.
- All Stainless Steel Construction
- Smoker is Insulated to reduce heat loss
- NEW 800 watt heating element (replaceable ) NSF Certified for Restaurant use.
- In. dim. 15"x 15" x 20" Out. dim. 17-1/4" x21-1/2" x 24" add 2-3/4" to height with casters install
- 4" Diameter Rubber Casters and 4 removable shelves included. NEW side handles for easy movement and lifting of the smoker.
- Durable, compact, and easy to move around.
- Replacing its heating element is quick and cheap.
- It comes with a 12ft long power cord, so it’s a good choice if your power source is a little far from where you’d place your smoker.
- Full stainless steel construction means it’ll last longer than other electric smokers.
- Excellent fiberglass insulation that can help minimize heat loss while maintaining the required temperature.
- Since it is made entirely of stainless steel, it is more expensive than some of the best electric smokers on the market.
- The cooking surface is smaller than most smokers.
If you want an electric smoker you can use on your yacht, RV, or backyard patio, the Masterbuilt Patio-2-Portable Electric Smoker is the unit for you. This portable best electric smoker lets you enjoy smoking your favorite pieces of meat at home or on the go.
Weighing in at just over 20 pounds, this Masterbuilt electric smoker is compact enough to bring along wherever. Also, its folding legs mean that you can easily store and transport it. And although its analog controls require you to have a little experience to take advantage of its smoking skills, you’re sure to have fun while learning it.
As with any Masterbuilt barbecue grills, this model boasts a construction that can withstand wear and tear. Likewise, it can endure weather conditions. On the other hand, its cooking chamber is double-walled and made of heavy-duty metal. It also has insulation to help preserve the heat while its outside remains cool to your touch.
Moreover, the Patio-2-Portable Electric Smoker comes with a couple of removable chrome-plated racks. There are sturdy enough to accommodate a whole chicken, pork butts, and other heavy meat cuts without warping. More so, its temperature control operation is pretty simple. You can control its 1400W heating element, which can reach up to 300F using its analog dial.
You can find ventilation shafts on the unit’s back as well, which gives the device the exhaust it needs. Meantime, its seal-tight design and locking door will seal in moisture and smoke at the ideal level. Hence, you’ll achieve a delicious wood-fired flavor every time.
- 1,400 watt heating element
- Two chrome-coated smoking racks
- Built-in temperature gauge
- Analog temperature control – easy dial temperature settings
- Legs fold under for transport and storage
- It comes in a compact design with legs that fold under for easy transport and storage.
- The smoker’s durable metal built can retain heat very well.
- Features chrome-coated smoking racks and a built-in temperature gauge.
- The analog temperature control has an easy dial temperature settings.
- Smoke up to 4 chickens, 1 turkey, 2 racks of ribs, or 2 pork butts.
- The compact design is great but it also limits the unit’s cooking area.
- It does not include a meat probe, digital functions, or programmable timer, which means you need to buy a separate meat thermometer.
The Old Smokey is one of the best electric smokers in our list sporting a handsome look while getting the job done the right way. This vertical-standing barrel-type smoker is reliable and easy to operate. Thereby, producing delicious tasting meats has never been simpler.
This electric smoker comes with a superb 1250W heating element, multiple racks, and a metal tray. It enables you to stack your foods over one another inside its chamber. However, what makes it great is how simple it is to use, making it perfect for newbies to smoking.
On top of that, it has a heavy-duty yet practical design minus the unnecessary features that some electric smokers have. Furthermore, the Old Smokey electric smoker generates smoke slowly from the bottom all the way to the top, soaking your meats with smoky goodness.
It can produce ample heat for roasting but it’s best for the low and slow type of cooking. Meanwhile, the top part of the unit is completely sealed with a flat top lid. Because of this, your meat will always come out juicy, moist, and will not dry out.
If you’re tight on budget and want to try out smoking, the Old Smokey is definitely something to consider. You don’t have to shell out a lot but you’ll get plenty of value for your money.
- Color: Grey
- Size: 15.5"w x 15.5"d x 29"h
- This smoker has a flat top, so juices drip right back onto the food.
- On top of the heating element is a chip tray where you put wood chips for smoke flavor.
- This smoker is controlled by a heat thermostat to allow a wide variety of cooking times and styles.
- It’s a budget-friendly option with a pretty simple operation, making it perfect for beginners to smoking.
- On top of the heating element is a chip tray where you put wood chips for smoke flavor.
- This smoker has a flat top, so juices drip right back onto the food.
- Controlled by a heat thermostat to allow a wide variety of cooking times and styles.
- Compact and durable design.
- Some users find it awkward to use since you have to load your food from the top.
- Because of its design, you may find it harder to clean compared to most electric smokers.
Just like with any other smokers from Bradley, their Digital 4 Rack Smoker is built with top-notch materials and the right dimensions. It comes with superb digital technology, which makes it one of the best electric smokers out there.
The electric smoker has a durable construction and can smoke for up to eight hours straight. What you’ll mostly love about it is that you don’t need to have previous smoking experience. You can easily cook with it even when it’s your first time to try your hands on smoking meats.
Moreover, this digital smoker from Bradley is jam-packed with customizable features. On top of that, this is the brand’s only quality product that offers both cold and hot smoking. It also requires less effort on your part, and you won’t even need to integrate it with meat probes.
The Bradley Digital Smoker comes with several four cooking racks and a drip tray for catching excess fat and grease. Additionally, it can provide you with temperatures up to 320F. It can also maintain a steady temperature s that your meat will come out with a nice smoky taste every time.
Another great feature of this smoker is its LED display, allowing you to cook without the guessing game. Plus, its removable wood chip tray makes cleanups afterward a breeze.
- Large Capacity Smoker: Our digital smoker is specially designed to accommodate the 6 included racks; This meat smoker will let you feed a couple or a crowd when smoking turkey, chicken, ribs or brisket
- Professional-Grade Design: Perfect for professional chefs and food smoking fans, our fully automatic electric smokers allow you to simply load in your bisquettes and smoke for up to 9 hours
- "Dimensions: Our digital outdoor smokers measure 19 by 22 by 41 inches and feature 6 racks with 11 by 13 inches of cooking space each "
- Easy To Clean: Our electric grill features an easy-to-clean stainless steel interior that will not rust; Smoke diffuser system keeps the smoke flowing, eliminating dirty smoke and preventing "black rain" from dripping on your delicious smoked food
- Master Smokers: We developed Bradley Smoker products to produce the best smoke flavor possible; As we say, "It's all about the flavor," so enhance your dining experience and enjoy delicious smoked dishes today
- Made of the highest quality material, including a powder epoxy steel construction and polished stainless steel interior.
- The outdoor barbecue smoker features a fully digital control for temperature, time, and smoke.
- It comes with 4 cooking racks for meat, chicken, pork, fish, and more.
- Provides 8 hours of controlled cool smoke and controllable up to 320 F.
- Its 780 square inches cooking area is larger than most electric smokers.
- It doesn’t have any wheels which affect its portability.
- You may need a meat probe when it’s really windy outside to ensure top performance.
The Little Chief Front Load Digital Smoker is a great appliance. And although it has some restrictions, it’s still very popular among smokers. The reason for this is because it is easy to use, lightweight, and affordable (but is this electric smoker under $300).
This best electric smoker can accommodate up to 25 pounds of your favorite meats. When you buy it, it’s already fully assembled so you can start smoking right of the bat. It doesn’t have any controls since its temperature is preset at 165F. Thereby, it’s a low and slow type of smoker.
Nevertheless, its operation is quite simple and comes with four chrome-plated grates. Loading and unloading your food is as easy as what you do in your oven. Also, its cleanup is easy, thanks to the removable drip tray located at its bottom part.
Little Chief electric smoker is fully self-contained and designed for occasional at-home smokers. Additionally, it comes complete with an instruction book, a recipe book, and even a bag of hickory-flavored wood chips. This means that you can start your smoking journey instantly.
- Front loading electric smoker comes with recipe/instruction booklet and 1.75-pound bag of Chips n' Chunks hickory flavor wood fuel
- Consistent low temperature setting using a 120V, 250W heating element for approximately 165 F.
- Easy-slide chrome-plated grills; maximum capacity flavor fuel pan; dishwasher safe drip pan
- Durable, embossed aluminum construction; for outdoors use only
- UL, CUL, and CSA listed; no-assembly required; 2-year limited warranty
- Consistent low-temperature setting using a 120V, 250W heating element for approximately 165F.
- Its drip pan is dishwasher-safe.
- Durable, embossed aluminum construction with easy-slide chrome-plated grills.
- Operation and cleanup are very straightforward.
- You can only use it outdoors.
- It has no temperature controls so you won’t be able to speed up the smoking process.
Best Electric Smokers – Buyers Guide
Things To Consider When Looking For The Best Electric Smoker For Your Needs
- Cooking capacity. This is a vital factor and should be one of the first things you need to check. Likewise, it will depend on the amount of food you’ll often smoke at a time. You don’t need to get a massive electric smoker if you’ll only smoke a few slabs of ribs. However, if you plan to always cook for family gatherings or a crowd, make sure to opt for a sizable unit with ample grease and wood trays.
- Range of temperature. Choose an electric smoker that comes with a good heating element. Likewise, it should offer an inside temperature range that can go from 100 to 400F. This is the right range that makes it easy for you to grill and smoke all types of food aside from meat.
- Ease of use. When picking a model, ensure that its design is user-friendly and will not give you a headache in terms of operation. Additionally, check the digital thermometer and temperature control panel to see if it gives you several, easy-to-follow options. A glass window is also a handy feature to consider since it’ll let you monitor your food without opening the door.
- Portability. You’d want your smoker near a power outlet when in use. But if you don’t intend to store it after each use, it’s wise to get a portable unit with a sturdy handle and wheels.
- Maintenance. Another factor you need to take a closer look at is the ease of maintenance. The best electric smokers will have easy to remove cooking grates, panels, racks, wood chip tray, water pan, and grease tray. Also, check with the unit’s manufacturer if parts are readily available in case your smoker breaks down the road.
- Controls. Electric smokers come with a wide array of control options, from digital to simple buttons and dials. Some more advanced models even include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivities, enabling you to work remotely. Nevertheless, extra features like these will also add to the price. So think about what you truly need and choose accordingly.
Who Should Buy The Best Electric Smokers?
You can find different types of smokers on the market for smoking meats. Nevertheless, each comes with characters unique to them, as well as their own sets of pros and cons. You may consider getting an electric smoker for the following reasons:
If you want to upgrade to an easier smoking method
An electric smoker is ideal for you if you often find yourself which black or charred pieces of meat using charcoal or other types of smokers. Keep in mind that charred foods may present some health issues.
Electric smokers are easy to use, budget-friendly, and usually have large racks. Also, you only need to plug your unit, put your pieces of meat inside its chamber, tweak its temperature settings, and it’ll start smoking with little to no assistance from you.
You lack storage space
This type of barbecue grill is especially great if you don’t have enough storage for a larger grill that will also require space for its bags of charcoal or wood. An electric smoker is typically compact and will only need a power source to run.
You don’t want to spend too much money
The best electric grills are cheaper in comparison to high-end smokers and grills out there. Although you will not get the same taste as you would in a smoker fueled by charcoal, wood, or gas, your meats will still be tasty and flavorful. Nonetheless, steaks, fish, bacon, and even cheese will come out with an amazing taste.
You plan to smoke every day
With large cooking surfaces, electric smokers can take care of any meats you’re craving. Whether you want beef briskets, grilled veggies, turkey, or pork ribs, these cooking machines can handle them all.
But don’t expect to get the traditional smoke ring with your electric smoker even if you use a few wood pellets or charcoal. This will not impact how your food taste, but nothing beats a barbecue with a good old smoke ring.
Different Types Of Electric Smokers
Offset electric smoker
An offset electric smoker usually comes in a cylindrical shape. Also, its cylinder attached under one of the fireboxes is shorter and smaller in diameter.
You will need to lit up a small fire in its firebox to begin cooking your meat. The unit also has an opening or channel in its cooking chamber where the smoke and heat from the fire goes through and into your food.
Upright drum electric smoker
As its name suggests, this type of electric smoker is a steel drum that stands upright. Furthermore, the appliance has been adjusted for a round of hot smoking. The unit achieves this by utilizing several components, including a full steel drum, a tray for holding charcoal at the bottom, cooking racks at the top, and a ventilated cover or anything similar.
Upright drums are available in a wide range of sizes. However, the most popular is the 55-gallon drum.
Electric pellet smokers
An electric pellet smoker is temperature-controlled and uses wood pellets made of dry sawdust. Also, it is built with an ignition fan to manage the temperature of the smoker.
Benefits Of Using The Best Electric Smokers
You can control its temperature
Charcoal smokers are known for being a pain in terms of maintaining the perfect temperature. On the other hand, a gas grill may be better in terms of controlling temp ranges than a gas smoker, it still cannot beat an electrical smoker.
This type of smoker is packed with a lot of mechanisms for regulating heat, which will do all the hard work for you. Also, most models come with a temperature gauge for smoking all kinds of meat that you can monitor, allowing you to achieve the char results you want.
Electric smokers make the entire process easier by ensuring you have full control of the temperature for the best possible results. And this is one of the reasons why you may want to consider opting for tone.
A safer option
Out of all the smokers, this is the safest choice you have. It doesn’t pose the risk of possible burning wood jumping out of the appliance and setting things on fire, even if you cook with it indoors.
Moreover, you’ll have peace of mind that your unit has built-in prevention devices in case the temperature goes over its setpoint or if the thermostat malfunctions. This means that it provides a bt f flexibility when it comes to where you want to place it in your home, as long as there’s a power outlet nearby.
It even allows you to set it up and leave it unattended to do its job. Thereby, you’ll have more time in your hands to prep up side dishes.
It doesn’t require supervision
The best electrical smokers need little to no supervision. This is especially true in terms of managing their temperature since they have built-in temp controllers and thermostats. This smoker is a good option if you don’t have the time to maintain temperatures throughout the smoking process. You only need to select the right temperature for your food and your unit is good to go.
Retains heat well and spreads it evenly
Electric smokers have a well-insulated cooking chamber that offers excellent heat retention and spreads it evenly. Other types of smokers find it hard to evenly distribute the heat and typically cook only one side of your meats.
But it’s a whole different story with electric smokers, all thanks to their ample heating elements, temperature controller, and superb heat convection. Hence, your meat will come out perfectly cooked all the time. Likewise, you can leave your food inside afterward to keep it warm.
Tips On How To Properly Use Your Electric Smoker
The best electric smokers allow you to smoke flavorful almost all types of meats, vegetables, and so much more with ease. It also eliminates the guessing game that you’ll experience with a traditional smoker.
No doubt that smoking food is a hobby that everyone will enjoy. But to make things more fun and ensure everything runs smoothly, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:
Season your new electric smoker
This is a vital step before you start cooking with your new electric smoker. Seasoning will make sure that you’ll get rid of any leftover oil or dust during the manufacturing of your unit. The last thing you want is for these to mix in your food. Not only will the residues make your foot unpalatable, but it may also have an effect on your health.
This extra step is easy. First, dip a cloth in warm water and coat it with a light spray of cooking and wipe down your smoker. Open the lid and vent and set its temp at 275F and the time for 3 hours. Then, add about 8 to 12 chips into ist wood chip tray every 20 minutes. Once done, you can now use your unit safely.
Purchase a dual probe thermometer
Most models of electric smokers have a meat thermometer or dial-in thermostat. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to invest in a dual probe thermometer setup. Temperatures can wildly vary in several places within your appliance. It can also drop suddenly within munites.
For this reason, you need to measure its air temperature using an internal thermometer near where your food is cooking. Doing so will provide you with an accurate temperature probe readings make sure that the meat thermostat is monitoring the smoking regularly throughout the cooking process.
Less is always more
It’s never a good idea to have a lot of unnecessary smoke flow in terms of smoking no matter what food you’re coking. Basically, what you want to see coming out of your smoker’s vent is a thin trail of blue smoke throughout the entire process.
Your meat doesn’t need too much smoke to get that rich smoky goodness everyone wants, especially if you’re cooking turkey or chicken. These types of poultry are more likely to soak in the smoke, which can even make them inedible.
With regards to soaking your wood chips firs in the wood tray or water bowl, this will depend on the style and cooking capacity of your smoker. Personal preference will play a role here as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an electric smoker work?
In the simplest of terms, an electric smoker is like an insulated oven with smoke. It is integrated with an electric heating element that supplies heat to the unit by burning wood chips above it. This, in turn, produces both heat and smoke inside its insulated chamber.
But rather than controlling the heat by restricting oxygen flow with the help of vents, an electric smoker has digital controls. The feature is what will change the electricity flow into your smoker’s chamber.
What is the best electric smoker material?
Check the built of an electric smoker first before making any decision since its durability will depend on the materials used to construct it. Most models have a stainless steel construction, which is a pretty good material.
It can handle extreme heat temps pretty well, ensuring steady temperature. Additionally, it is tough and easy to keep clan.
How do I clean my electric smoker?
Let your electric smoke cool down completely to avoid getting burned. Use a cloth with warm and soapy water or baking soda for taking care of the interior.
Some models have removable components. Meanwhile, some have parts that are dishwasher-safe such as the wood chip tray and drip pan. Make sure to consult the manufacturer’s manual before throwing any parts in the dishwasher.
Then, let them dry for at least two hours before placing them back where they belong.
What is the best cooking surface size for electric smokers?
Ideally, you may want to get a unit that offers plenty of cooking space. The best electric smoker with four racks can provide you with up to 700 square inches of cooking area. Some bigger smokers can even accommodate up to 50 pounds of meat at the same time. Models like this are great if you plan to have barbecue parties with your friends and family often.
But if you only plan to use it for the family, then consider opting for a smaller-sized device. The most important thing here is to get a smoker with a cooking surface that fits your individual needs.
Why don’t electric smokers produce a smoke ring on the meats?
Insulated electric smokers do no generate enough combustion in comparison to charcoal grill smokers. Also unlike charcoal, wood chips burn at low temperatures. Thereby, the compounds that help in creating that so-called bark on your smoked meat are not produced.
Nevertheless, this does not that there’s no pink layer just because there’s no smoke ring. Or you won’t get the smoky taste. The best electric smokers are capable of producing high-quality results as well with a nice smoke ring, that any beginners will be proud of.
Can I use my electric smoker inside our house?
Using your electric smoker inside your home will leave a long-lasting smoky odor in your furnishings. The smoke and heat that your unit will produce is enough reason to do all your smoking outdoors as much as possible. It’s best to use it on your porch or patio. You may also want to invest in a grill cover to protect your investment.
Final Words
Find the best electric smokers suitable for your smoking needs is not always easy because you have plenty of options on the market. Also, there are features you need to consider to ensure you’ll invest in the right one. The list we have here takes into consideration essential things that you may need and want in a smoker.
