Best Electric BBQ Smoker

BBQ is a technique of cooking meat, veggies, and other food items by slow roasting or grilling method over an indirect flame which offers a unique taste to the food.

A smoker comes in handy while you have a party at home because it allows you to prepare your meal during a short notice period. In addition, if you are planning to make some vegan food, you can go for electric smokers, which can offer great taste without adding any preservatives or other toxic ingredients.

Some people also use it indoors because it provides the same taste as the outdoor grilling method but with less smoke emission. This is a cost-effective way of cooking your meal at home.

Electric smokers are found in various brands and models; you need to choose the best electric smoker based on your preferences and cooking needs.

Each product has its own benefits and drawbacks, which might get difficult for buyers to choose the right product for them.

We have reviewed below what we consider the best electric BBQ smokers.

Best Electric BBQ Smoker Reviews

Masterbuilt MB20071117 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker Review

The Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker is the perfect option for anyone who wants to smoke their favorite meats.

With four chrome-coated racks and cooking space of 730 sq. inches, it can easily accommodate large turkeys or pork butts, as well as racks of ribs or chickens.

The smoker is fully-insulated, ensuring even heat distribution and consistent results every time.

The digital panel allows you to easily control cooking temperature and time, while the thermostat ensures consistent heat throughout your food. With a max temperature setting of 275ᵒ F, you can smoke whatever you like, however, you like.

It also features a patented side wood chip loading system that makes adding chips to the smoker easy and convenient, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

Bradley Smoker BTDS76P Digital Electric Smoker Review

The Bradley Smoker BTDS76P is the perfect smoker for anyone who wants to make delicious smoked food at home.

The smoker is made with an insulated design and a stainless steel interior, which helps keep heat in. It also includes four cooking racks and quick assembly instructions, making it easy to get started.

The Bradley Smoker BTDS76P gives you complete digital control over your smoking experience, letting you set temperature, time, and smoke intensity to create the perfect smoked meal every time.

The smoke vent and smoke diffuser ensure even distribution of smoky flavor throughout your food.

The smoker comes with a replaceable heating element; the temperature of the smoker is controllable up to 320 degrees F. This smoker can easily provide you with 8 hours of controlled smoke.

You can also use the smoker to collect wood smoking bisquettes and grease with the included water basin.

Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker Review

This smoker is perfect for the at-home chef who wants to up their smoking game. With 725 sq. in. of cooking space and four adjustable racks, this smoker can handle any size meal.

The included remote makes it easy to adjust the smoking temperature without ever having to leave your seat. The glass door and dual-tone finish give it a sleek look that will complement any kitchen.

This smoker has double-wall construction to keep the heat in, resulting in perfectly smoked food every time.

The smoker also has a wattage of 750, so you can be sure your food will be cooked evenly and thoroughly.

With the automatic turn-off feature, this smoker is easy to use and requires little attention, leaving you free time to enjoy your smoked food.

The warming feature also ensures that your food will stay warm until you are ready to eat it.

A large stainless steel locking latch stops smoke from escaping, while the removable digital temperature gauge ensures everything stays under control.

With an advanced electronic control panel and LED display making sure things are always easy to read – this smoky beauty is simple to operate, so no one will be left out of the fun!

It has wheels and an integrated handle, so you can transport it with ease. Plus, the high-capacity grease tray ensures that your smoker will stay clean.

Pit Boss 77220 2.2 Analog Electric Smoker Review

The PIT BOSS, a 2.2-field analog smoker, will easily handle all of your needs for a perfect barbecue with style and precision like never before!

That’s because this hog is equipped with three porcelain-coated cooking grids, allowing you to grill up 6 racks of ribs or 13 pork butts at one time; 593 sq inches, to be precise.

With this Pit Boss smoking system, it’s easy to control what comes out of the smoker from 150F – 325F in 15-minute intervals.

The door thermometer ensures that you always have an accurate reading of the temperature inside the smoker. The integrated analog controls make it easy to adjust the heat so that your food cooks perfectly every time. Plus, the included analog meat probe takes all of the guesswork out of smoking meat.

For one, there’s no need to fear getting burned (or lighting anything on fire) with its separate glass window. For pit professionals who also love the great outdoors, the porcelain coated water and wood pan are easy-to-clean too!

Smokin-it Model #2 Electric Smoker Review

The Smokin-It Model 2 Electric Smoker is perfect for the smoking enthusiast who wants a quality smoker without any fuss.

This smoker is made with all stainless steel construction and is insulated with fiberglass, making it durable and easy to use. It comes fully assembled, so you can start smoking your favorite foods right away.

With a holding capacity of 35 pounds, this smoker is perfect for mid-sized gatherings.

The smoker is 800 watts with a LED indicator light and a rheostat for temperature control from 100F to 250F degrees so you can keep an eye on your food.

Keep things interesting with the included sample of hickory wood, or experiment with other flavors! The four stainless steel grilling racks provide plenty of space for whatever you’re cooking up.

Expertly designed for convenience and ease of use, this electric smoker is perfect for newbies and master chefs alike. The Double Latch Door System allows access to your meats without having to worry about heat escaping.

There’s a Drip Pan in it, so you don’t have to clean up after your session! And because we know how messy condensation can be on expensive flooring, Rubber Casters are included as well.

Buying Guide for Best Electric BBQ Smoker

There are so many smokers on the market that finding a great option can be quite difficult. In order to make sure you end up with something worth your time, check out some of the factors below:

Size & Cooking Capacity

This is one of the things that people tend to forget when thinking about purchasing a smoker. It usually takes up more than you think, so make sure you get an idea of how much food it can easily fit in before making any decisions.

Price & Durability

You don’t want to purchase something that will not last for very long since this defeats the purpose. A good smoker should have a long lifespan and an affordable price.

Electric or charcoal?

There are certain advantages that each option has, but you will have to make a choice based on what you think is best for your needs. Make sure you check out both types before making a decision.

Where to find an electric BBQ smoker?

If you live in a very small town, you might have a hard time finding a store that sells smokers. In this case, going online is the best option you have since there are thousands of sellers ready to offer you exactly what you need right away. Go ahead and check them out before making any purchases.

Ease of Use

If you like to smoke meat often, make sure the smoker you choose is simple to use. This way, it will not take up too much of your time and effort, allowing you to spend more time outside grilling delicious meals for yourself and your friends.

Features to look for

Even if you don’t really care about the features, knowing more about them might prove useful.

One of the things you should check out is whether or not it has an internal thermometer so that you know when food is ready. Additional factors include attachments and ease of transportation.

Safer option

Electric smokers do not give off smoke, so it’s easy to use them inside or in areas where there are no open flames.

Portability

This is an important thing to think about if you plan on taking the smoker with you during your camping trips. A good option should be easy to take along and not too bulky or heavy.

Budget

If you want to purchase something affordable, make sure you set your budget and stick to it no matter what. This will help you focus on finding the best option without going overboard with spending.

Pros and Cons of Buying an Electric Smoker

There are a few pros and cons that come with purchasing an electric smoker. Make sure you consider them before making up your mind about whether or not this option is for you.

Advantages

Electric smokers usually have more cooking options, allowing you to choose between hot smoking, cold smoking, or something in between.

Also, the unit will never run out of fuel, so you won’t have to worry about it going out during a long smoking session.

Disadvantages

Electric smokers do not give off smoke or heat, so if you are used to traditional grilling methods, this might not be the best option for you.

Also, you will have to purchase fuel, and it can be harder to maintain than charcoal powered one.

Summary: If you want to cut back on the hassle of smoking meat with traditional methods, an electric smoker is usually your best option. It doesn’t emit smoke or heat, so it won’t bother anyone around you and offers easy use.

10 Tips on Making Barbeque in an Electric Smoker

Here are ten tips you should keep in mind when making your next barbecue masterpiece.

1. Plan Ahead

Like all good things, barbeque takes time. You should always plan ahead when smoking meat so that you have enough time to let it cook low and slow. This will give you the most succulent and tender barbeque imaginable!

2. Use the Right Wood

The type of wood you use in your smoker will make a big difference in the taste of whatever you are smoking, so always keep this in mind. Here is a list of some common types of wood and their characteristics:

Apple – This produces a sweet and fruity smoke that works great with poultry and pork.

Cherry – Another fruit-flavored wood, cherry is good for both red meat and poultry.

Hickory – Hickory is a strong wood that is perfect for smoking ribs and pork shoulders.

Oak – Oak has a mild flavor that pairs well with beef and lamb.

Pecan – Pecan is a sweet wood that goes great with chicken and turkey.

3. Temperature is Key

Getting the temperature of your smoker right is essential for producing the perfect barbeque. Too hot, and your meat will be charred on the outside while still raw on the inside. Too low, and it will take forever to cook. Find the sweet spot where your meat is cooked through but still juicy and tender by using a smoker thermometer.

4. Marinade Your Meat

A good marinade is a key to great barbeque. Not only does it add flavor, but it also helps to tenderize the meat. There are endless combinations of ingredients that you can use in your marinade, so experiment until you find one you love!

5. Use a Rub

Adding a rub to your meat is a great way to enhance the flavor and give it some added texture as well. Most rubs contain spices that will stick to your meat but also have ingredients that will form a nice crust when exposed to heat.

6. Mop It On

A mop sauce is an excellent way to add even more flavor to your barbeque. Not only does it add a bit of moisture to the meat, but it will also help break down the meat surface and give it an extra tasty coating.

7. Preserve the Smoke Ring

The smoke ring is that pinkish-red layer just below your barbeque’s golden brown skin and is formed by nitric oxide in the smoke reacting with myoglobin in the meat. To preserve this layer, don’t let your meat sit in the ‘smoke’ for too long after it is finished cooking. This usually means closing up your smoker to minimize airflow until it is ready to serve.

8. Keep It Moist

As you probably already know, barbeque is best when it’s moist. Good barbeque is all about the smoke, spice, and fire, so don’t let something as simple as moisture get in the way of your perfect barbeque!

9. Let It Rest

The best meat for smoking is usually very lean, which means that it can become dry if overcooked. To keep your meat juicy, let it rest for 10-15 minutes after it comes off the smoker. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

10. Enjoy!

Once you have followed all of these tips and created your perfect barbeque masterpiece, sit back, relax and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best BBQ Electric Smoker for smoking?

To get the best results, you need to look for a large BBQ electric smoker that’s made from durable materials like cast iron or stainless steel.

The cooking surface should be large enough so you can fit different kinds of food at once, and it should have racks too.

Lastly, make sure the lid seals tightly, and there’s sufficient insulation because this will help trap in the smoke and cook your food faster.

What’s a good brand for an electric smoker?

There are a lot of brands that specialize in electric smokers, but when it comes down to it, they all have pretty much the same features.

Without knowing your specific needs, it’s impossible to recommend one brand over another, so you should consider product specifications before making a purchase.

Do electric smokers make good BBQ?

There are plenty of reasons why electric smokers are better than traditional options; one example is insulation. This makes it easier to control the temperature so you can smoke your food more consistently.

Why does an electric smoker need electricity?

Electric smokers don’t really need electricity, but since they use electricity to heat up, this is the best way to go. There are gas models out there, but electric smokers tend to reach optimal smoking conditions in a shorter amount of time.

How to maintain an electric smoker?

Keeping your electric smoker in good shape will depend on how much you use it, but here are a few steps that will help you get started: 

• Always clean the outside of your smoker after use.
• Clean out the food tray and drip pan after every cooking session.
• Brush off any crusted residue that forms on the inside walls of your smoker.
• Store your electric smoker in a dry, cool place where it won’t experience extreme temperatures changes. If you don’t have a place to store it, you can buy a weatherproof cover that will protect your smoker from moisture and dust.

Can I cook on an electric smoker?

Some models have cooking racks so you can place your food inside while smoking but others don’t.

If you’re looking for a smoker that has cooking capabilities, you should get one that’s compatible with all the additional accessories.

What temperature should I set my electric smoker at?

There are multiple factors that will affect optimal smoking conditions but generally speaking; most electric smokers will reach ideal smoking temperatures between 180 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to achieve the same flavors as traditional smoking methods, you should set your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you have to add wood chips while cooking on an electric smoker?

Yes, but this depends on the specific model that you get.

The best way to add wood chips is by using a water pan underneath since it will catch the drippings and prevent flare-ups from occurring.

If your unit doesn’t have a water pan, you can put the chips on top of your food, and this should work just fine.

How much electricity does an electric smoker use on average?

The amount of energy that each unit uses varies by model, but on average, most smokers will have a power consumption rate between 1500 and 2000 watts on the highest settings.

If you plan on using your electric smoker a lot, then you should look for a model with a low power consumption rate.

Are electric smokers as good as charcoal?

There are many reasons why electric smokers are the best choice for beginners, and one of them would be their ease of use.

If you’re just starting out, it may be better to pick an option that’s easier to control compared to more complex options with multiple temperature controls.

How do you clean an electric smoker?

The best way to clean an electric smoker is by using a solution of 1 part water and 2 parts vinegar.

If there’s a lot of residue stuck on the racks, then you can also use a steel brush to get rid of it completely. Never use any abrasive, harsh, or acidic cleaning agents because that will damage the material.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best electric BBQ smokers. Now that you have an idea of the most important things to consider, it should be easier for you to pick one out. Whichever option you choose, just remember that you’re now on your way to preparing delicious meals for your family and friends! You can also check our article on Best Digital Electric Smoker.

As you can see, electric smokers are a popular alternative for those who don’t want to use traditional methods. They are also ideal for beginners since they are so easy to use and maintain. Make sure you pick the best electric BBQ smoker to suit your needs.

Good luck with your purchase!