Best Beginner Electric Smoker

Smoking meats is an art that some people just love. The smell of smoked meat, the unique taste, and even the marbled look of it is enough reason for many to try out smoking on their own.

If you are looking for a smoker to start with, this article will help you find the best electric smokers. These products offer good features and make it easy to cook meat in an even manner.

The following list of products is great for beginners who want to learn how to smoke meat.

Best Beginner Electric Smoker Reviews

Masterbuilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker Review

Looking for a smoker that is both easy to use and operate? Look no further than the Masterbuilt MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker!

This smoker can accommodate up to three chickens, two turkeys, three racks of ribs, or three pork butts – perfect for any smoking enthusiast!

The chrome-coated racks provide even heat distribution and ensure that your food will come out crispy and delicious every time.

With its 1,500-watt heating element, the Masterbuilt MB20070210 Smoker is perfect for smoking all sorts of meats, poultry, and fish.

The built-in temperature gauge makes it easy to control the heat, while the analog dial ensures that your food is cooked to perfection.

The Masterbuilt MB20070210 Smoker is perfect for beginners. It also features a wood chip tray so you can add your favorite flavors to your meat.

If you’re looking for an easy way to start smoking meats, then this is the smoker for you!

Masterbuilt 20070910 Electric Digital Smoker Review

The Masterbuilt 20070910 is an electric smoker that doesn’t compromise on space or insulation. This smoker has 730 sq. inches of cooking space, so you can cook for a large crowd.

The insulated body ensures that your food remains moist and delicious, even when smoking for hours on end.

This smoker is perfect for anyone who loves to cook outdoors. With four chrome-coated racks, it can hold up to two whole turkeys, six whole chickens, four racks of ribs, or four pork shoulders.

With its 800-watt heating element and digital temperature and timer controls, this smoker gives you all the power you need to create delicious smoked meats and vegetables every time.

You can control the temperature of the smoker with the thermostat, so your food smokes evenly. The smoke vent allows you to customize the smoking process to always produce tender, juicy smoked meats.

The removable drip pan catches any juices or grease, so your smoker stays clean, while the top air damper ensures that your food smokes evenly every time.

This smoker also features a side-loading wood chip tray, so you can add your favorite flavorings easily.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this smoker is perfect for anyone who wants to up their smoking game.

Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker Review

With four easily adjustable racks, the Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker gives you plenty of space to cook up a storm.

Whether you’re in the mood for ribs, brisket, or salmon, this smoker has got you covered. And with its digital temperature controls, you can rest assured that your food will come out perfectly every time.

With its glass door and stainless-steel dual-tone finish, it’s easy to keep an eye on your food while it smokes. The included remote makes it easy to control the smoker from anywhere in your yard.

The double-wall insulation ensures even heat distribution and prevents temperature fluctuations, while the automatic shutoff feature makes sure your food doesn’t overcook. Additionally, the warming feature keeps everything at a nice consistent temperature until you’re ready to eat.

It features a large, stainless steel locking latch for a smoke-tight seal and a removable temperature gauge for easy monitoring.

The smoker also comes with wheels and an integrated handle, making it a breeze to transport. Plus, the high-capacity grease tray ensures that you won’t have to spend hours cleaning up after your smoke session.

Z Grills ZPG-7002E 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker Review

The ZPG-7002E by Z Grills is the perfect grill for anyone who loves to cook outdoors.

This grill features 8-in-1 pellet grill technology, meaning it can do everything from smoking meats to searing steaks. With just the touch of a button, you can start up your grill and get cooking!

The ZPG-7002E smoker is a beast of a machine, with 700 sq inches of wide cooking space. But don’t worry – even if you’re a total smoking novice, this grill is easy to use!

With an adjustable temperature range of 180° to 450° F and an internal temperature sensor with digital control, you’ll be able to cook up whatever tasty masterpiece your heart desires.

The stainless steel built ensures that your grill will last you for years, while the 20 lb large-capacity pellet hopper means that you won’t have to refill your pellets as often.

The smoker comes with a three-year warranty. Plus, the included cover ensures that your grill stays in top condition.

Buying Guide for Best Beginner Electric Smoker

It can be tough to find the best electric smoker for yourself, given the variety of brands available.

However, if you have a basic understanding of these products, finding the one that is ideal for your needs will not be difficult.

All you have to do now is remember what you’re looking for and limit down your options until you find the perfect product.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most crucial elements to think about when buying an electric smoker.

Size and Cooking area

Size and cooking area are two of the most important factors that you must consider before buying an electric smoker. These products vary a lot in size, and if you buy one that is too small for your needs, then it will not be able to cook enough food for you and your family.

It may be a better choice to get one that is larger than you need, just in case. This way, if you do start having gatherings or parties at home with friends and family, then you will not have any problems cooking enough food for everyone.

We recommend choosing an electric smoker with at least 4 racks. This will give you enough space for most recipes, and it is also quite comparable to the cooking area of many other types of smokers that are available on the market.

Price

Price can be a bit difficult to determine as some people think that the more expensive products are always better than, the cheaper ones. However, this is not true, and in many cases, you can get the best product for the lowest price if you know how to pick them out.

If we take a look at review websites such as Amazon, then we will find that the most expensive products are hardly ever rated five stars, whereas some of the cheaper ones often are. Therefore, you should not always go for the more expensive products if you want something that has great reviews.

Build Quality

If you want a product with the great build quality, then you should go with one that is solidly made and has a few parts that are going to last for a long time – two years at the very least.

The most common type of electric smokers have stainless steel doors and racks, which is definitely something that you should look out for as it means that the parts are going to last much longer than if they were made from a different material.

Temperature Control

There are two types of temperature control in the market today. It is either with analog or digital temperature indicators. 

So, if you are more on the modern side, then go for digital temperature controls, which look better and more accurate compared to analog ones.

If you are not so concerned about the appearance or what’s inside the equipment, then go for analog temperature control. It may be cheaper than digital ones, but it can sometimes deliver inaccurate results, especially when cooking.

Efficiency

Another factor in buying the best electric smoker is about its efficiency. How fast will you be able to finish your task? The faster you can cook, the lesser time it takes, which means less money spent on electricity or fuel.

One thing about smokers is that they are made to slowly cook the meat, so if you want to cook it faster, then it might not be the best choice for you.

Features and Settings

If you prefer a product that has a few more features to play with, then it would be a good idea to check out electric smokers with digital display settings so that you can set them up much easier than with some of the simpler models.

Ease of Use

The best electric smoker should also be easy to use. Those who are new to using this equipment will definitely have a hard time figuring out how to start it up. That’s why you better check the specifications of the smoker before buying so that it has a simple and easy system which can be understood by beginners too.

Portability

Some people like to carry their electric smoker around with them when they go camping, but these products are usually too large and bulky, which means that they can be quite difficult to carry. If it is important for you to have a product that is easily carried, then we recommend looking for a very small and compact model that you can bring along with you.

Available Support

Another thing that you should consider is the available support for each product. You might not need much help using your electric smoker, but it will be a good idea to check out the warranty and any other services offered by the manufacturer in case something goes wrong with your unit, which makes it necessary for you to get it fixed.

With these factors in mind, it should be much easier to buy yourself a product that will give you many years of good service without requiring too much maintenance or taking up too much space in your home.

5 Tips for Beginners to Use an Electric Smoker

If you’re thinking about buying an electric smoker and just started searching to find one, then it’s best that you read some tips for beginners first to use it properly.

Keep these 5 tips in mind, and you’ll soon start cooking up beautiful meals with your new smoker!

1. Make sure your smoker is clean before using it. This means scraping out the ash catcher and any leftover grime from the cooking process. A clean smoker will produce better-tasting food.
2. Preheat your smoker before adding any food to it. This will help ensure that your food cooks evenly and at the right temperature.
3. Don’t overcrowd your smoker. Leave enough space between the pieces of food so that the smoke and heat can circulate properly.
4. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food as it cooks. This will help you ensure that your food is cooked through properly.
5. Experiment! Try out different recipes and techniques with your electric smoker to see what you enjoy most.

Best Tips for Beginners to Maintain an Electric Smoker

1) Keep the smoker clean

This is probably the most important step in maintaining your electric smoker. Make sure to clean out the ashes and grease after each use. This will help keep your smoker in good condition and extend its lifespan.

2) Use a cover

It’s also a good idea to keep your smoker covered when you aren’t using it. You can buy covers made for electric smokers or make your own if you want.

3) Keep the vents clean

If you control your smoker with a thermostat, keep the vent clean and free of grease to ensure accurate temperature readings. You can use a Q-Tip to clear out any obstructions in the vents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does an electric smoker work?

An electric smoker works by heating up a coil in the base, which will then heat up the wood chips or chunks so that they smoke and give off flavour to whatever you are cooking inside your product.

The chips or chunks will continue to smoke so long as the heat is still being produced, but if you leave your smoker unattended for too long, then it might stop working.

What are the advantages of electric smokers?

One of the best things about an electric smoker is that it requires very little attention on your part. Once you have set up your cooking time and the temperature that you want it to reach, then there is very little else to think about apart from occasionally refilling the wood chips or chunks if necessary.

Can electric smokers be used by beginners?

Yes. If you are a beginner, then do not worry, as electric smokers are very simple and easy to use for all beginners with less experience. Electric smokers do not need any experience or skill; that is why it is the best choice for beginner-level smoking lovers.

How much can a beginner-level electric smoker cost?

The price of an electric smoker varies depending on what kind of features and settings it has to offer, which will naturally influence the price. You can find many models with very simple features that are priced at under $200, but if you want to buy a product with lots of advanced settings, then it will obviously cost more.

How long does it take to smoke food in an electric smoker?

Electric smokers are generally faster than other types of smokers, which means that you can have your food ready in a very short amount of time.

What kind of food can I cook with an electric smoker?

An electric smoker can be used to smoke all kinds of meat and fish, but it is also possible to cook vegetables, cheese, and other types of food that you can add a smoky flavour to.

What is the best way to smoke meat in an electric smoker?

Place your meat on a rack inside your smoker, make sure that there are no bones protruding from it that could pierce the walls, and leave the product to cook for around 6-7 hours.

You can place it in a tin foil container with the juices from the meat and some spices to make it more flavourful.

What is the easiest thing to smoke?

The easiest thing to smoke is chicken breasts, but you should take it out of the packaging before you start smoking them.

What kind of wood chips or chunks should I use in my electric smoker?

Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions when using your electric smoker for the first time, as they should tell you which type of wood chips or chunks you should use in order to get the best results.

You will need to add more if your product takes a long time to heat up and goes through the smoking process very slowly, but if it is working too fast, then you shouldn’t add extra because this can cause your chips or chunks to catch on fire.

How often should I refill my smoker?

If you are using an electric smoker, then you will need to refill the wood chips or chunks every 30 minutes, which means that this process is quite time-consuming.

How do I control my smoker temperature?

Some electric smokers come with an adjustable thermal regulator, which allows you to increase or decrease the temperature as you go along, but some models rely on a probe inside of the product, which will tell you when the food has reached its desired level of smokiness.

How do I clean my smoker?

Electric smokers are also very easy to clean as they don’t make a big mess when in use. You can wipe off any excess moisture that might be present on the inside of your product with a cloth, but you should never submerge it in water or clean it with harsh chemicals.

Is it safe to use an electric smoker?

A lot of people worry about using electronic products because they think that they might be dangerous, but as long as you ensure that you read the manufacturers’ instructions and follow them carefully, then there is no reason why an electric smoker should be any more dangerous than a traditional barbecue.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into choosing the best beginner electric smoker, and deciding one will not be an easy task. You can also check our article on Best Portable Electric Smoker.

However, if you keep the tips mentioned in this post in mind, then finding a great product should not be too difficult for you.

Just remember that the cooking area is the most important thing to consider, and everything else will fall into place after that, so do not overload yourself with information until you have decided on the size.

We have focused on giving you all the information that you need before purchasing an electric smoker so that you can make the right choice according to your budget and personal requirements.

It is always good to know what options are available, but most people will only want a small or medium-sized model which will suit their needs perfectly. Make sure that you go for something that will not cause too much hassle in the long run!

Thanks for taking the time to read our post, and we hope that you have managed to find the information that you were looking for.