One slight distraction, and there you have it – a slice of burning meat out of your traditional smoker. If you want to be the backyard cooking sensation, it’s high time you ditch that old-school appliance.
An electric smoker can skip the guesswork and deliver perfection each time. Sure, many people love lurking around in excitement for their smoked briskets to come out. But for the majority of us, traditional smokers add to the chore.
Buying the best electric smoker is as tricky as getting the correct temperature in the traditional smoker. If your shopping hunt for electric smokers has not yielded any results yet, you’ve come to the right place.
The Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker can be a part of your cooking arsenal; since it has two variants and all the frills. Owing to its extra-wide cooking space, it’s perfect for small gatherings. It’s our best pick!
So, before you burn another batch of briskets, let’s take you through our best electric smoker picks!
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Electric Smoker 2021:
With that kind of variety in the market, narrowing it down to one product can be tricky.
So, what if we told you we have five professionally hand-picked options for you?
This list of the best electric smokers was curated considering all possible features in mind. The following review section digs out the pros and cons of each one:
Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker
Masterbuilt is known for the quality and performance of its smokers. With a cooking room of 730 square inches, you can throw in backyard parties often! Besides, having a bifurcation with four chrome-coated cooking racks, you can simultaneously cook different kind of meat.
Its digital control panel will allow you to set temperatures between 100 to 275 degrees fahrenheit. Whether it is veggies, fish, sausages, turkeys, briskets, this smoker will deliver tender and juicy results everytime.
The quality construction of the 20070910 allows you to achieve a heavy-duty performance. Its steel exteriors give it a sturdy and aesthetic look, while the overall black finish hides dents and stains that come with longer use.
Given its electrical operations, using this appliance is quite hassle-free. You don’t have to deal with dangerous propane or dirty charcoal with this!
In fact, the smoking consistency and output of this smoker is such that you don’t need to babysit it. Even in sub-zero freezing temperatures, the insulated chambers do a good heat-retaining job.
It also has a programmer for auto-shutoff. So, you can set it and get busy again with the rest of your chores.
To round it off, this electric smoker can serve as many as 30 people.
- Cooking chambers are insulated
- 800-watt heating element results in faster and more efficient heating
- A powder-coated body retains the heat for long
- Easy to use push-button digital controls
- Budget-friendly choice
- Removable water tray and racks for easy cleaning
- The meat thermometer is absent
- It is prone to rust
Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker
Char-Broil is the gem of the electric smoker market. Its mesmerizing aesthetics and features will melt any passionate homechef’s heart. Or if you’re looking to dip your toe in cooking waters, this Char-Broil model is a good place to start.
This nifty electric smoker has competitive pricing and versatile features. We love how Char-Broil opts for 100% insulation and is double-walled to maximize heat retention. Also, the seal-tight smoker door ensures that the heat and smoke don’t escape.
So, why is this Char-Broil smoker a suitable beginner-friendly model? Well, this is because it is easy to move around and also simple to assemble. The meat probe ensures perfect temperatures and an ideal cooking environment for your dishes.
What’s more? The large wood tray lasts for a whopping 7 hours!
This means, you can continue cooking for a long time without having to refeed. With a temperature range of 100 to 275-degrees fahrenheit, you can achieve a slow-cooking and a cold smoker process.
- More freedom with removable temperature gauge
- Accurate readings with competitive pricing
- The grease tray has a high capacity and the cooking chamber is spacious
- Double-walled and 100% sealed for effective heat retention
- The large transparent window helps you keep a check
- Reputable brand
- Maintains a consistent temperature throughout
- Using grass or wood can be dangerous
- It lacks a convention fan
- In colder areas, the cooking time is more
Bradley Smoker BTDS108P 990223 6-Rack smoker
It’s unimaginable to create a list of the best electric smokers and not have a model from Bradley in it – Bradley surpasses the checklist for having the best features. This Bradley smoker leads the race when it comes to offering extensive cooking space!
If you own a restaurant or host parties often, the 858 square inches space will feel like a blessing. You can smoke everything from apple-cobbler to briskets on its six removable racks.
Moreover, you’ll have no complaints in terms of construction quality. Its stainless steel exteriors look classy and extravagant.
It also has an epoxy coating and sealing for better durability and heat retention.
Its six racks neatly fit into the place, offering a trouble-free cooking time. You should also note that this electric smoker runs on wood bisquettes – anyone in their right mind will agree that nothing is better than those wood bisquettes with the original smoky flavor!
The fact that the smoker allows you to control the temperature makes it more user-friendly. This feature also allows more customization in the cooking process. Thanks to the auto shut-off feature, the unit will automatically turn off when your lovely smoked dishes are ready, thereby making it more energy-efficient.
- Perfect insulation
- Comes with a 12-month warranty
- The digital panel is user-friendly and facilitates easy cleaning
- Rust-resistant and highly durable structure
- You don’t have to open the door with the automatic feeder
- Spacious interiors yet a compact footprint
- It only works with Bradley’s wood bisquettes
- Lacks an alarm for alerts
- Owing to the absence of wheels, it is hard to move it around
Smokin-It Electric Smoker
Smokin-It LLC is one of the leading producers of high-quality electric smokers. Its 18-gauge stainless steel framing takes a narrow escape from damage. Its heating consistency and compact design are also quite impressive.
Plus, with that kind of price tag, you don’t have to empty your wallet to get the best. Leave everything; two significant reasons you should choose this oven-style smoker, over all else, lie in its spectacular smoky flavor and outstanding craftsmanship.
The manufacturers seal the cooking chamber to maintain the perfect moisture levels for cooking. In a nutshell, your meat will come out perfect without much input or hassle.
Speaking of convenience, this smoker has four castor wheels so you can move it around freely. We also took the time to research its replacement parts. And guess what? The replacement parts for this smoker are readily available.
To deliver precision, the smoker has a built-in rheostat. There are no gaps or crevices for the smoke and heat to leak. Besides, its oven-style structure is pretty straightforward to clean too. Again, what’s better than having an NSF-approved smoker at such economical prices?
- Well-insulated internal structure
- High-quality and durable construction
- 2-year warranty on several parts
- Portability assured with caster wheels
- Small footprint is easy to store
- NSF-approved electric smoker with highly affordable pricing
- Small cooking area not suitable for serving a large crowd
- The heating element is not very powerful
- Lacks meat probes
Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Digital Electric Smoker
Dyna-Glo is the ultimate option if you are looking for the best electric smoker. This electric smoker has all the bells and whistles and is totally beginner-friendly.
It boasts a 732-inch interior space, which means this high and narrow electric smoker will not take up much of your backyard space!
With the three adjustable cooking grids, it is perfect for small families. The analog controller on the electric smoker allows you to control the temperature effortlessly. The best part? Its 800-watt heating element heats up only in a few minutes.
One downside of this product, however, is that it skips the look-through windows. Owing to this, you have to be extra precautious while setting the temperatures. On the brighter side though, it has a small passage for re-feeding the wood chips.
The construction quality of this smoker is also slightly better than premium brands. It has a double-walled and insulated firebox. Moreover with a 1-year warranty, you know you always have a backup.
For all the lazy cleaners, this Dyna Glo has good news! It comes bearing removable parts for quick cleaning. And the tray in this electric smoker is dishwasher safe as well. All in all, you can expect the Dyna-Glo to be an enjoyable part of your backyard cooking setup.
- The price tag is suitable for budget-conscious buyers
- Easy to use digital display controls
- Removeable features such as water bowl, grease drip trays, and baking racks make cleaning blissful
- Robust and long-lasting construction
- 800-watt heating element retains heat for prolonged periods
- 1-year warranty and extensive capacity
- External ports for loading wood chip
- No glass on the door makes it a tad inconvenient
- It leaks out more smoke
- Pre-heating can take about half an hour, depending on the weather
Electric Smoker Buyer’s Guide
Having an understanding of the appropriate electric smoker features can come in handy. Now that you have narrowed down your range to five products, this buyer’s guide will help you succeed in your hunt for the best electric smoker!
Choosing any product depends on personal requirements, so be mindful of those at all times. For instance, a small cooking space can be a poor choice if you host parties quite often. Likewise, if you travel and go on weekend getaways often, portability should be on your checklist.
This buyer’s guide will spell out all the essential features of the best electric smoker to help you reach a wise decision.
Exhaust Ports
One of the key reasons to invest in an electric smoker is to contain the hot hair inside the appliance. However, when the electric smoker touches its maximum levels, it needs to release that heat through exhaust ports.
Without proper exhaust ports, your electric smoker can end up getting damaged. In some cases, it can also cause the smoker to overheat or explode!
Heat Retention
You don’t want to be waiting another hour to get another bite of tasty briskets. For this reason, the heat retention capacity of the smoker should be adequate. The smoker should ideally be able to maintain a consistent temperature for cooking throughout to avoid delays.
To ensure this, look for electric smokers with digital controls. The controls will ensure that the temperature is consistent.
If you have to keep opening the door to check the meat, it’s quite counter-productive. Besides, the interiors of the best electric smokers are double-walled and insulated, which means they can do a better job at heat retention.
Cooking Capacity
Cooking capacity is one factor that entirely depends on your usage and requirements. When it comes to cooking capacity, there is no one-size-fits-all kind of thing. You have to ask yourself how many people would the electric smoker be serving.
If you are only buying an electric smoker for a family of four, a large cooking capacity is impractical.
On the other hand, if you run a commercial food outlet, an expansive cooking capacity is what you need. Also, if you plan to cook large batches, having a large heating element will do the trick.
Temperature Range
The very essence and advantage of having an electric smoker is its ability to speed the cooking time. A few twists and clicks, and you’ll have your meat ready in under 10-20 mins.
Besides, you can set the temperature to get the kind of meat you like. What is more important therefore, is that your electric smoker offers a diverse temperature range.
If you don’t have the right temperature for your variety of dishes, you might end up undercooking or burning them!
Ease of Use
If you are looking for an electric smoker, it’s possible that you’re tired of struggling with your old manual smoker. What if your electric smoker needs dozens of settings to cook your meat? We know, it doesn’t sound very ideal.
Especially for beginners, more controls can complicate the process. You want your equipment to be an easy affair. So try to ditch those complex features whenever possible – they only sound good on paper.
Also make sure that temperature controls, feeding wood chips and cleaning are easy. If the electric smoker poses challenges while using, it’s not worth your time.
Portability & Wheels
You might love the idea of spending vacations at your winter home. But in that case, don’t you want to take along your electric smoker as well? The best electric smoker will have heavy-duty handles and wheels to offer portability!
If you’re fond of picnicking with your electric smoker, you should opt for a portable one. Also, weight is another trait you should pay attention to. A lightweight electric smoker will be way easier to transport.
That said, electric smokers with a small footprint also add to portability.
Pricing
Whether you have hundreds of dollars to spare or a tight budget, make sure whatever you pick offers value for money. After all, there is a vast difference between something that’s affordable and the other that’s downright cheap. You might find lucrative deals, but remind yourself of the long-term regrets.
You can avoid poor quality electric smokers by doing a little homework. The best electric smoker with top-quality will come with a warranty. With the warranty, you can rest assured the brand will back you in case of any mishap.
Easy to Maintain
The thought of cleaning the smoker after a wholesome delicious dinner can be chilling. Sometimes, you might altogether cancel plans over just the thought of having to clean the appliance post-barbecue.
But thankfully, not all electric smokers demand elbow grease. Most electric smokers come with removable parts. You can remove the racks, grease tray, water bowls to quickly clean the parts.
Having removable parts encourages easy cleaning since you don’t have to squeeze in the smelly and greasy smoker to make it spick and span once again. Some of the electric smokers discard wood before they turn into ashes. As a result, maintenance is less of a fuss.
To Sum It Up
If you want to spruce your backyard meals, an electric cooker can go a long way. All the electric smokers on our list are practical and efficient.
Such appliances are apt for homeowners and chefs alike. It can save you a whopping amount of cooking time and take deliciousness to another level!
So, which best electric smoker do you think will make it to your home? Leave a comment below to let us know!
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