If you are a meat lover and the smell and taste of smoked meat tickle your fancy, then why not invest in your own electric wood smoker. The process of smoking meat is infused into our DNA from our ancestors, who used wood smoking as a way of preserving meat. Another method for smoking meat was through a smoke-house.
In these modern times, wood smoking is still being used as a way of adding special flavors to all kinds of meat, fish, and for vegetarians, you can even smoke cheese and nuts.
The secret to the wood smoking process is that the food is slowly cooked at a specific temperature for a long period of time. The process is similar to that of a slow cooker, but with the extra benefit of the smoke that adds the highly desirable mouthwatering flavor.
The 5 Best Electric Smokers
- Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
- Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker
- Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker
- Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker (Our Top Pick)
- Bradley Smoker BTDS76P Digital Electric Smoker
Our Top Pick for the Best Electric Smoker
Our top pick for the best electric smoker is the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker.
This durable and high-quality unit is a ‘must have’ smoker for so many appetizing reasons. It is easy to use and it provides so many features that make it an excellent choice for both beginners and wood smoking connoisseurs alike.
Check the price on AmazonElectric vs. Charcoal and Gas Smokers
In comparison with charcoal or gas smokers that can be messy, dangerous, and need to be constantly monitored, electric smokers are the best option for smoking your meat. They are more powerful as they use electricity as fuel to ignite the wood and that continual power source provides heat and smoke for the food.
An electric wood smoker is easy to use, faster, and convenient as it just needs to be plugged into a power outlet. Some electric smokers come with an extra-long power cord, which makes them ideal for outdoor use. You do not have to worry about re-stocking the charcoal or re-filling the gas cylinder.
Most electric smokers come with inbuilt vents that allow any excess smoke or steam to escape from the smoking chamber.
The art of smoking great food is all about maintaining the temperature of the smoking chamber. With an electric smoker, controlling just the right temperature is so easy as these units have an adjustable thermostat dial that sets the temperature inside the stoking chamber. Some digital electric smokers have a digital screen with buttons to set the desired temperature.
One of the best reasons to consider purchasing an electric smoker is that you do not have to constantly monitor the food. You can just sit back, relax, and let the smoker work its flavor magic.
Two Types of Electric Wood Smokers
- Vertical water electric smokers are relatively inexpensive. A water bowl or tray is placed in between the burning wood and the smoking chamber where the food is to be cooked. The water is evaporated along with the smoke, which helps to maintain a constant temperature, and the vapor is absorbed by the meat being smoked, which adds flavor and taste.
- Electric cabinet smokers are shaped like a small refrigerator. The unit is heated by an electric element that lies in the base of the smoker. It is similar to an electric hotplate or a stove.
Some models have a selection of heat settings: low, medium, or high, which is a great feature as some meats need to be cooked at different temperatures, like chicken that needs to be cooked at a higher temperature.
The Benefits of Using an Electric Wood Smoker
1. Safety Features
Just like the common dangers that are associated with using burning wood with charcoal, there is always the chance that stray burning embers can set things alight. When you use an electric smoker, there are no embers to worry about.
2. Temperature Control
Unlike traditional charcoal or gas smokers that give little or no control over the temperature, an electric smoker allows you to regulate the heat settings, so that whatever temperature you have set is maintained throughout the cooking process.
3. Timers
Electric smokers come with quality control timers. After you have set the timer, it shuts off automatically, which means you can ‘set it and forget’. There is no need to constantly open the door and check the progress. Some smokers also come with a digital timer and others with a 24-hour timer.
4. Cooking and Smoking
When it comes to speed, electric smokers are the fastest option for smoking, and they can evenly spread the heat from their heating coils across the smoker. The result: your food is cooked to perfection with a deliciously smoky flavor.
5. Versatile Cooking Options
Electric smokers are great at smoking a wide range of food items: as well as pork, turkey, and beef. They can also cook sausages, bacon, nuts, and cheese. So, if you are a vegetarian, an electric smoker is ideal for you too.
6. Ideal for Inside Use
Unlike gas and charcoal, many electric smokers can be used inside in a kitchen or on the balcony as they do not generate a lot of smoke. However, never fear, they will generate just the right amount of smoke to flavor your food.
7 Tips For Using Your Electric Smoker
1. The smoker’s operating manual: Before using your electric wood smoker, always read the manufacturer’s directions.
2. Prepare the smoker: Just like you would with a barbeque, season the racks in the smoker with cooking oil before you start cooking. Before you start to cook, check the smoker’s instructions as each smoker is different.
If you are using a water electric smoker, you can then add water to the receptacle. You can even use beer! Or you could soak your meat in beer and then put it into the smoker.
3. Extension cords: You may need an extension cord, but not just any extension cord, make sure it is suitable for powering a wood smoker.
4. Choosing your wood: There are a lot of different types of wood chips to choose from that will add their own distinct flavor to your food. Applewood, hickory, cherry, cedar, plum, maple or hickory chips are very popular. You will require approximately 4 cups of wood chips for every 3-5 hours of smoking when using an electric smoker.
5. Choosing your meat: The best idea for choosing the right meat is to ask your local butcher what kind of meat they suggest is the best for smoking. They may even be able to suggest some cooking tips.
6. Seasoning tip: Season meat with a dry rub, such as sugar, salt, or herbs, or soak in a marinade.
7. If you find that your electric smoker is losing heat, you can line the seals with some heavy-duty aluminum foil, which will also help the smoker produce the right amount of smoke.
5 Best Electric Smokers – Reviews
1. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
If you are new to the benefits of wood smoking or would like a simpler way of smoking your food, then the Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is a good entry-level model for you. It is affordable and very easy to use with variable heat settings, a powerful 1200-watt heating element, which will have no trouble cooking all kinds of meat.
The steel smoker is well insulated, with double-walled construction for maintaining an even temperature and producing the best flavor results.
You have 544-square-inch of cooking surface, 3 adjustable chrome-plated grates, which is plenty of space for your meat, a front-access water container to keep the food juicy, and a large wood chip box.
The temperature gauge that is mounted on the dual-latched door helps you to monitor the heat settings for your food. This unit is easy to clean and comes with a removable drip tray to catch all the grease. It even has side-carry handles for increased portability.
Pros
- Ideal smoker for beginners
- Affordable
- Can easily reach high temperatures
- Meat tastes excellent
- Uses a small amount of wood
- Lots of shelf space
Cons
- Cord is not long enough
- Does not produce enough smoke
- Door needs an extra nudge to get it to shut properly
2. Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker
Get your next BBQ party started with the Cuisinart 30″ Electric Smoker. This smoker has a powerful 1500-watt heating element that produces temperatures from 100-400°F and the adjustable temperature control dial gives you complete control over the temperature.
The cabinet is made from strong steel and is ergonomically friendly with a lightweight design, side handles, and a cool-touch Chrome spring wire handle.
As this smoker has a spacious 548-square-inch interior and 3 removable stainless steel cooking racks, there is plenty of space for large pieces of meat and vegetables. A water pan and a wood chip tray are also included.
The highlight of the Cuisinart electric smoker is the large easy-to-read thermometer on the front door which allows for easy monitoring of the internal temperature. So once you have filled the water pan, added your favorite wood chips, placed your food inside, and set the temperature, the smoker will all do the hard work.
Pros
- Good quality
- Great price
- Able to smoke all kinds of meat and vegetables
- Adjustable temperature dial
- Large easy-to-read thermometer on the front door
Cons
- Can be hard to maintain consistent heat at lower temperatures
- Heat can leak out through the seals
- No receptacle to catch the grease
3. Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker
Masterbuilt is well-known for its high-quality cooking products and electric smoker technology, so you are guaranteed to get the best cooking results from this digital smoker.
It is a tough smoking unit as its outer material is made from durable powder-coated steel, which means it is strong and scratch-resistant. With 730-square-inch of cooking space, 4 chrome-coated racks, and an 800-watt heating element, it is ideal for smoking all kinds of meats to perfection.
One of the highlights of this smoker is that it is ideal for cold climates. Smoking meat outdoors is no challenge for the Masterbuilt smoker as the unit is well insulated.
The secret to its smoking success is the innovative digital temperature control and with just a push of a button on the digital control panel, the smoker will maintain your desired cooking temperature at a constant level ranging from 100-275°.
There is no need to open the door to check on your food since the digital display shows you the correct temperature.
Another great design feature that will make it super easy to maintain that perfect temperature is the wood chip loader that is located on the side of the unit. You do not have to open the door of the smoker to add the wood chips. Just fill the loader with your favorite wood chips, and slide them into the side of the smoker. No mess: no fuss!
There is a removable pan that lets you add water, juice, or vinegar, which will increase the flavor of your food. The unit is easy to clean and comes with a removable drip tray to catch all the grease.
Pros
- Ideal for small amounts of meat
- Good quality smoker
- Insulated for cold climates
- 24-hour timer; ideal for long-term cooking
- Digital thermometer for maintaining an even temperature
- Digital display controls
- Wood chip loader located on the side of the unit
- Removable drip tray
Cons
- Not suitable for large gatherings
- No adjustment for controlling airflow
- Overflow pan is too small
4. Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker
Just like its name, the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker will have you cooking and smoking your meat like a professional. Strong and durable, the smoker is made from stainless steel construction and insulated with fiberglass that will reduce heat loss.
With a 400-watt element and 8 amps of power, the unit can cook up to 22lbs of meat per session (meat or seafood), and a rheostat for temperature control from 100-250°F.
Although this electrical smoker only weighs a little less than other models, weighing 64lbs, the newly designed side handles make it easy for you to move the unit and there are wheels that give greater portability.
There is plenty of room for all your favorite meat with 3 stainless steel grilling racks included, as well as a smokebox and a drip pan that slides under the smoker.
Special extra features include a sample of hickory wood to season your new smoker, a 12-feet power cord, and an integrated electric power cord hanger on the back panel of the unit where you can attach the power cord.
Pros
- Well made and compact
- Easy to use and clean
- Fiberglass insulation minimizes heat loss
- Generates great flavor
- Extra-long 12-feet power cord can be stored on a hanger at the back of the unit
- Heating element of this smoker can be replaced easily
- Wheels for greater portability
- Extra sample of hickory wood
Cons
- Expensive
- No digital temperature display or control
5. Bradley Smoker BTDS76P Digital Electric Smoker
Bradley Smoker is another company that specializes in meat and food smoking products, and their award-winning Digital 4-Rack Electric Smoker will provide you with 8 hours of controlled smoke, and cooking temperatures up to 320°F.
The patented “smoke generator” is located on the side, and the wood chips are automatically added onto the burner every 20 minutes.
If you are looking for an electric smoker that is easy to use with a ‘set and forget’ approach – then why not choose this funky, shiny unit that resembles a small refrigerator.
It is ideal for beginners and experts alike. The modus operandi is simple: plug the unit in, place the wood chips into the loader, fill the dish with water or whatever liquid you like, set it to your desired temperature, depending on what kind of meat you are cooking, and then sit back, relax, and wait for it to do all the hard work.
And the result – Voila! Perfectly cooked and smoked food.
The Bradley is powered by a 500-watt cooking element and a 125-watt smoking element, and it weighs 57lbs, including the smoke generator, which means it is one of the lighter models on the market.
The smoker is made from stainless steel which provides maximum insulation that enhances that much-needed heat retention, and it is perfect for outdoor cooking on hot and cold days.
It has ample cooking space with 4 racks, but if you are entertaining and creating gourmet foods for a large group, then maybe the 6 rack model is more suited to your needs.
For full operator control, there is a full digital display that helps you to monitor temperature, cooking time, and the right amount of smoke for perfectly cooked and smoked food. To clean it, you simply remove the drip pan and racks and clean it from inside.
Pros
- High-quality stainless steel smoker
- Easy to use and clean
- Easy to assemble and maintain
- Quiet
- Great cooking and smoking performance
- Full set of digital controls
- Large cooking space and adjustable racks
- Insulated
- Separate burners
Cons
- Expensive
- No handles or wheels
- Not ideal for indoor cooking
- No viewing window
- Can be difficult to maintain high cooking temperatures in very cold climates
Our Top Pick for the Best Electric Smoker
Our top pick for the best electric smoker is the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker.
This durable and high-quality unit is a ‘must have’ smoker for so many appetizing reasons. It is easy to use and it provides so many features that make it an excellent choice for both beginners and wood smoking connoisseurs alike.
Check the price on Amazon
