We’ve come to enjoy the succulent, delicious, and smoke-flavored food that traditional pitmasters regard as art. But if you’re new to smoking and want to recreate it, you may be wondering where to start.
And it’s not like everyone has the skills to perfect smoked brisket. To achieve great results, you must be familiar with the ins and outs of smoking machines. While conventional smokers are excellent for imparting authentic barbecue flavors, they lack the conveniences that electric smokers offer.
Electric smokers are easy to use and are ideal if you’re just getting into this cooking method. Simply set your desired temperature, walk away, and return when your food is done. They provide an efficient way to cook low and slow without having to manage a fire.
These smokers combine ancient and modern technology, promising delicious meals without all the fuss that comes with charcoal or wood smokers.
The main compromise is the smoke flavor you get from wood or charcoal smokers. So, are electric smokers worth it?
Let’s find out!
Electric Smoker Cons
Electric smokers are highly reliable if you want better temperature control. These smokers can hold their temperature and keep it consistent throughout the smoking process.
Aside from that, below are some of their advantages:
Good for Beginners
For many novices, smoking in a wood or charcoal smoker entails constant adjustments and experimentation. Well, the ease of use of electric smokers makes them a sweet option for beginners. It’s similar to using an electric oven. Just set the smoker to your desired temperature and the duration of smoking.
The smoker maintains the proper temperature by electronically controlling the heating element. So, all you have to do is read the temperature through the digital thermometer. This eliminates the learning curve.
Once you become accustomed to the smoking process, you may then go for something that pit bosses are using. Alternatively, you may stick to an electric smoker and maybe upgrade to a larger unit.
Easy To Use
The ease of usability of electric smokers not only benefits beginners.
They are easy to use. Just fill the tray with water, toss your wood chips, switch it on, set the temperature and timer, and place your food on the racks. Don’t worry, lighting up the wood won’t take long.
By eliminating the extra step of firing up a charcoal or wood smoker, controlling the airflow, and understanding the complexities of temperature fluctuations, you’ll have more time to concentrate on other tasks like making sauces, dips, and side dishes. There’ll be no need to fiddle with the dampers to adapt to the weather condition.
Budget-Friendly
Compared to other types of smokers, electric models are on the more affordable end. You can get a cheap electric smoker for under $100. Decent ones cost from $200 to $300, depending on the features and capacity of the unit. If it comes with the added bells and whistles, of course, it will cost more.
Some models may come with extras, but others don’t. So make sure to factor in the key accessories for an easier smoking experience.
Low Operating Cost
Besides being a less pricey alternative to a wood smoker or charcoal smoker, electric models are also inexpensive to run. You may spend only a few dollars for an 8-hour smoke. These smokers also use small amounts of wood chips or pellets, which are cheaper than wood chunks and charcoal.
Leaves Minimal Residue and Easy To Clean
Electric smokers win in this department vs charcoal or pellet smokers. Using an electric smoker means nearly mess-free smoking. Unlike its solid-fuel counterparts, there are no bits of charcoal or logs, nor are there any large piles of ash. Just make sure to clean the small amount of ash from the wood chips tray.
Besides not leaving a lot of mess, electric smokers also burn so cleanly. They don’t accumulate almost as much soot as other types of smokers. It also helps that most electric smokers are made of stainless steel, making them even easier to clean and maintain.
Great for States on Fire Ban
Some states impose fire bans during the summer, so this means you can’t smoke outside with a charcoal or wood smoker. Electric smokers don’t produce fire so using one won’t stop you from smoking those juicy ribs. You must double-check though as laws vary by state.
The Best Option for Cold Smoking
Electric smokers have a limited temperature range but that’s what makes them versatile as well. While you can adapt other types of smokers for cold smoking, they usually require a lot of fiddling.
If you need to cold-smoke bacon and cheese, an electric smoker will take care of it. It also lets you smoke meat, sausages, veggies, and desserts.
Cold smoking allows you to cook your food at a significantly lower temperature without melting or roasting them. This cooking method is ideal if you want your meals tastier.
Electric Smoker Pros
We love the conveniences and perks that electric smokers offer, but how about the downsides? Here are a few things you must think about before getting one.
No Smoke Ring
Every pit smoker will know the satisfaction of slicing a smoked brisket and finding that pink coloration just beneath the surface of the food. It’s a defining feature of southern barbecue and a good sign that your meat is smoked.
Unfortunately, electric smokers don’t give the meat the smoke ring. Not to get too science-y here, smoke rings are a reaction between chemicals myoglobin, nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide. And while it doesn’t affect the taste of your meat, it looks good on them!
Limited Temperature Range
While they’re great for cooking a range of food, electric smokers aren’t as versatile as other types of smokers. Searing steaks and grilling burgers? You’re better off with pellet grills!
Expensive Repair
An electric smoker is more complex and technical than a traditional offset smoker. Their sophistication contributes to their convenience and ease of use, however. So, when the parts break down, repairing or replacing them can be costly. You might even need to hire a professional.
Limited Portability
Since they require electricity to run, they need to be installed near a power outlet. This means you won’t be able to chuck it into the trunk of your car if you want to go camping.
FAQs
Why is there no smoke ring for electric smokers?
It takes proper temperature and gas combination to achieve a smoke ring. The smoke ring happens due to a chemical process influenced by the fuel you use. So if the temperature and gas mixture is incorrect, a smoke ring will not form.
And since there is less oxygen circulating through the fire with electric smokers, the wood burns brightly at lower temperatures. A charcoal or electric smoker, on the other hand, may create a deeper smoke ring around your meat due to the fuel used. Charcoal can reach higher temperatures.
Are electric smokers a fire hazard?
If the wood chip tray does not slide properly into the smoker, the wood may catch fire and the smoker’s cabinet door could fly open. And this can pose a fire hazard.
Regardless of the type of smoker you use, always take caution while dealing with fire and electricity. Make sure to clean your electric smoker on a regular basis to minimize grease accumulation. Grease fires are common among many smokers.
What can you cook with electric smokers?
Electric smokers can smoke meat, pork butts, veggies, nuts, and cheese. They are also great for cold-smoking bacon and smoked sausages.
Charcoal or electric smoker: which is better?
Charcoal smokers deliver delicious results and can achieve higher temperatures. However, electric smokers are more practical, and simpler to manage. And they are suitable for use in all weather conditions.
However, your food will always taste better when cooked over an open flame. And that is why charcoal smokers outperform electric models in this department. But the former can be a challenge to operate in windy conditions. Plus, they will consume excessive amounts of fuel in the winter.
Gas or electric smoker: which is better?
A gas smoker is more versatile since it will offer higher temperatures. Electric smokers, however, are ideal for cold smoking due to their lower temperature range.
Is it safe to use an electric smoker in the house?
Electric smokers are generally safe to operate due to their sealed chambers that hold the smoke in. This also makes some of them suitable for use indoors. Not all electric smokers are acceptable for indoor application, though. But you’ll find several models that are certified.
Conclusion
If you can go without the notes of wood smoke, an electric smoker is a great, low-cost, and easy-to-use option. That said, it still delivers delicious smoked food—no smoke rings, though!
All in all, buying an electric smoker can mean going for a cooking appliance that delivers outstanding, fuss-free results for smoking meat and a range of dishes every time. Good luck!
