Best Electric Smoker for Fish

Smoked fish is a delicious and healthy alternative to the usual smoked meat favorites.

If you love eating smoked salmon, trout, or mackerel but don’t own an electric smoker yet, then it might be time for you to pick one up!

Electric smokers are great because they offer the same quality of smoking as traditional wood-fired smokers without any hassle or attention required from you during the cooking process.

In this blog post, we will look at some of our favorite electric smokers that offer excellent value for money and should be perfect for your needs.

Best Electric Smoker for Fish Reviews

Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker Review

The Traeger Grills Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is the perfect grill for anyone who wants to be able to cook anything at any time.

With WiFiRE technology, you can connect your grill to home wifi so you can control it from anywhere, and Alexa technology lets you control your grill with voice commands. At 145 pounds, this grill is easy to move around your backyard.

With a massive 780 sq. in. of cooking space, this grill can handle anything you can throw at it. The porcelain grill grates are easy to clean up, so you won’t be stuck scrubbing for hours after dinner.

This amazing 6-in-1 grill can do it all, from smoking fish to searing steaks. The precise temperature control lets you cook your food to perfection, while the D2 drivetrain ensures quick and even heat distribution.

Plus, the built-in meat probe takes the guesswork out of grilling – just set your desired temperature and let the grill do its thing. Get ready to experience some of the best grilled food you’ve ever tasted with this Pro Series 780!

Char-Broil Standard Digital Electric Smoker Review

Step up your smoking game with this electric smoker from Char-Broil. With insulated, double-wall construction, you’ll enjoy hassle-free smoking every time.

There’s no assembly required – just load it up with fish, meat, and veggies and get started.

The smoker has a capacity of 725 square inches, plus four adjustable smoking racks to give you plenty of room to work.

The advanced control panel with an easy-read LED display makes it easy to set your smoking temperature and time, while the removable food thermometer ensures that your food reaches the perfect temperature every time.

The large locking latch keeps your smoker securely closed, while the glass door allows you to watch your food smoke and sizzle.

With its smoke box, you can create delicious smoked meats and flavors in just 4 to 7 hours. Plus, the smoker automatically turns off when it’s done, so you don’t have to worry about overcooking your food.

And if you need a little extra heat, the warming feature is perfect for keeping your food at the perfect temperature.

This smoker features a high-capacity grease tray, making cleanup a breeze, as well as wheels and an integrated handle for easy transport. Plus, it measures 18.1 x 16.5 x 32.5 inches, so it’s the perfect size for any cookout.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker Review

This smoker has 730 sq. inches of cooking space, so you can make plenty of food at once. The fully-insulated body ensures that your food will be cooked evenly and perfectly every time. And the four chrome-coated racks provide plenty of room for all your favorite smoked foods.

Its digital panel controls make it easy to turn on/off, set the cooking temperature and time. The Thermostat-temperature control ensures your food reaches the perfect smoking temperature every time.

The Max temperature setting of 275ᵒ F gives you plenty of flexibility to smoke all types of meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables.

This smoker comes with a side wood chip loading system, so adding your favorite flavorings is a breeze.

The dimensions are 20.47 x 19.88 x 33.26 inches, so it’s perfect for small to medium-sized gatherings.

Plus, because it’s electric, there’s no need to worry about constantly monitoring the temperature – simply set it and walk away!

Smokehouse Products Big Chief Electric Smoker Review

The Big Chief Smoker is perfect for the at-home chef who wants to smoke meats and fish with ease.

The smoker has a capacity of 50 pounds, and it’s easy to use – just plug it in and start cooking. The smoker’s quick startup and easy setup make it simple to get started.

This premium smoker is perfect for those who want to smoke their food with optimal ventilation, circulation, and dehydration.

With a 450W heating element, this smoker is sure to produce delicious smoked meats every time.

This smoker is the perfect way to get that delicious, smoked flavor without having to go through all the trouble.

The wood chip flavor pan ensures that your food will have that smoky taste, and the small size makes it easy to store. It’s also UL and CUL certified, so you know it’s safe.

Buying Guide for Electric Smoker for Fish

Electric smokers for fish seem to be a great option with many conveniences such as the ability to store the food and keep it in good condition for several days without having to worry about any problems.

Although not all electric smokers offer this same quality, there are still plenty of excellent options that you can choose from in order to get what you need.

Regardless of the specific type of smoker that you get, there are a few things that will be important in making your decision.

These features should always be studied to make sure they match what you need and want from your electric smoker for fish. In this guide, we will go over some of these features so that it is easier for you to decide.

Price of the Electricity

The first consideration will be how much it costs to use the smoker. This is especially true if you are only planning on using fish as your option for smoking.

This food can be less expensive than some other options but still requires electricity to power the smoker itself. If it is very costly, it might not be worth it in the end.

On the other hand, if you can find a smoker that uses little electricity to run, then this will work for your situation.

There are many such models that use far less than 100 watts per hour to operate successfully and can even help save money on your monthly bill when compared to other options.

The overall cost of the electric smoker comes into play with this aspect. If it is very expensive but only uses a small amount of electricity, then you will need to decide whether or not that is worth it for your situation.

Temperature Range

There are several different temperature ranges that you might need to look for in an electric smoker.

This will help you get the kind of food that you want without any problems. The overall temperature range can be used to get different kinds of results, so it is best to study this carefully before simply choosing a smoker at random.

For example, if you are looking to hot-smoke fish in your smoker, then it is best to get one that has a minimum temperature of around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be the ideal range for you to have in order to get the flavor and texture that you want from this type of food.

On the other hand, if you are looking for cold-smoking fish, then it is best to get one that has a maximum temperature of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help you achieve the right flavor and texture for your food without having to worry about overcooking it or making it taste bad.

Smokers vs. Smokers & Grill

Some electric smokers for fish also include grills as well, which can be a great addition to have. This can be especially useful if you are planning on smoking fish as well as other kinds of meat at the same time.

However, this might not be a necessary feature for your situation, and it is also often more expensive than just getting an electric smoker that does not include a grill.

Electric smokers without grills offer the ability to turn the unit into a normal smoker, which can be very useful. This will help you get some good results without having to worry about paying for features that might not be necessary.

You should look at your options carefully and decide whether or not it is worth it, in the end, to combine smokers with grills together.

Material

The material that the electric smoker is made from will have a lot of impact on how it works. There are many different kinds of materials that one might be made from, so looking at this carefully is important to finding the best electric smoker for fish.

Some electric smokers are made from stainless steel and can help ensure that it works well and lasts a long time.

However, the metal itself is thinner than some other options and might not be as durable in the long term. This could wind up affecting how well your smoker works over time and what you get out of it when compared to other options.

Glass is also a good option for smokers and can be very useful in the long term as well. However, glass smokers might be more expensive than other types of materials and can sometimes break or shatter easily if not looked after properly. You will need to weigh the pros and cons carefully when thinking about which material is best for your smoker.

Type of Smoker and Fuel Used

If you are willing to buy an electric smoker, it’s best to go for those that use electricity as a source of heat. Propane smokers are also good, but they are usually expensive.

Also, make sure the food will be far away from the heat source and at least two inches below the heating element for smoke to circulate properly inside the unit.

Total Cooking Area

The size of the cooking surface is important when smoking a lot of food such as whole chickens, pork butts, and more. You will need at least 15 to 20 square inches of space on average per pound smoked. So, you should go for at least 25 square inches in total if you want to smoke up to 20 pounds of meat.

Dimensions and Weight

Make sure you check the dimensions and weight of the smoker before buying. This will save you from future inconvenience when using it, especially when transporting it to other places.

Warranty

It’s best to go for electric smokers that come with a good warranty. Some may only come with 6 months, while others may have longer terms of up to 2 years or more.

Benefits of Using Electric Smoker for Fish

1. Safe smoking: Electric smokers are much safer to use as compared to traditional smokers. There is no need to add any extra fuel or fire, and hence there is no risk of fire.

2. Controlled smoking: Electric smokers allow you to control the temperature and smoke output, thus ensuring that your fish is smoked perfectly every time.

3. Less smoke is produced: Electric smokers produce less smoke as they are enclosed units that allow you to regulate the flow of oxygen and smoke, with the added advantage of not producing any flames.

4. Can be used indoors: Electric smokers can be used indoors due to their low noise levels and the minimal amount of smoke production.

5. Affordable: Electric smokers are affordable as compared to traditional smokers and can be easily found in most retail stores.

6. Compact and easy to use: Electric smokers are compact in size and very easy to use, making them perfect for smoking fish or any other food item.

7. No charcoal or fire needed: Electric smokers do not require any charcoal or fire, making it a very convenient option for smoking food items.

8. Timer feature: Most electric smokers come with a timer feature that allows you to set the time for smoking your fish, thus ensuring that it is smoked perfectly every time.

9. Affordable and easy to maintain: Electric smokers are affordable to get and are very easy to maintain. All you need to do is clean it once in a while with any household cleaner.

10. No draining of water: Most electric smokers allow the water tray inside to be drained off or emptied after smoking without changing the taste or quantity of food items. This makes them a better option for anyone who plans to smoke small quantities of food items.

Electric smokers are definitely the best choice when it comes to smoking any types of fish or other kinds of food items. They offer numerous benefits which you won’t get in traditional smokers, with an added benefit that they are easy to maintain and use.

Some Tips on Smoking Fish

Use a special rub for fish

You can marinade it overnight, or if you’re pressed for time, you can use a mixture of pepper, garlic salt, and any other spices that will suit your taste best. Just make sure your rub is not too salty to avoid the fish becoming soggy.

Don’t overload the meat

Smoking fish is generally more challenging than smoking other types of meat because it’s sensitive, and overloading can cause the flesh to fall apart or become tough and rubbery.

Use a vertical smoker

This will maximize the space for cooking which you need if you want to smoke a lot of fish. Also, it’s easier to monitor the temperature using this type of smoker than with the horizontal type.

To keep the fish moist, baste it frequently

You can use salad oil for this purpose. Just rub some on the fish every so often while smoking to maintain a layer of moisture in its skin. If you have a fan over your meat, turn it off so the heat is trapped inside near the meat, which will help cook it faster and more evenly.

Remove the fish from the smoker when it’s done

When you think the fish is already done, wrap a piece of foil tightly around its gills and as much as possible as long as it fits well inside. The reason for this is to prevent moisture from escaping from the fish so it will remain moist and tender.

Let the fish chill for a while before serving

Once it comes out from the smoker, let it cool for about 10 minutes or so. Wrap it again with foil, then store it in a refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do the different fuel sources make any difference in how smoked fish tastes?

The answer is no. You can use any type of fuel source to smoke fish, including wood, charcoal, and propane. Each will give you the same result in terms of taste, smell, and moistness of the flesh.

Which accessory items should I buy for my smoker?

A digital thermometer – This will help you monitor the temperature more.

Is it safe to cold-smoke fish?

Yes, you can cold smoke most fish varieties. This means that instead of cooking the fish at a high temperature throughout, the meat is only exposed to wood smoke for a few hours until it’s done.

This requires an electric smoker with adjustable settings so you can maintain low temperatures inside. With this process, the food retains all its vitamins and nutrients while producing a distinctive smoky flavor.

What do the terms “hot smoking” and “cold smoking” mean?

Cold smoking is a term used for food that’s smoked without cooking it, so the fish remains uncooked inside. This process allows all the natural flavors to seep in, making it tasty and healthy at the same time.

Do I need to use probe thermometers to control the temperature while smoking?

No, you don’t have to use a probe thermometer to monitor the temperature of the smoker. You can just rely on dials or controls since most electric smokers come with accurate control temperatures.

How much time does it take to smoke fish?

Most meats take between 4 and 10 hours, depending on how big they are. If you’re cooking a whole fish, expect it to take about 5 hours for 12 pounders and up.

What type of smoker is best for fish?

The best type of smoker for fish is an electric one. With variable controls, it’s easier to maintain the correct temperature inside, which will allow you to smoke the fish evenly and thoroughly.

Can I cook fish with other meat in my smoker?

Yes, you can cook fish together with other meats as long as they are cut into smaller pieces, so they fit properly inside the smoker. Make sure they don’t touch to prevent them from sticking together during cooking.

There are so many different types of electric smokers available. Does price matter?

When it comes to electric smokers, you needn’t spend too much to get a machine with all the right features to smoke food perfectly every time.

Does the number of heating elements matter when smoking food?

No, you don’t have to worry about the number of heating elements in an electric smoker. All these smokers come with a heating element that can reach up to 300°, which is more than enough for producing great tasting dishes.

Where is the best place to buy an electric smoker?

You can purchase from any authorized dealer of each brand. Check online sites as well as local stores for deals on smokers, and you’ll surely find one at a reasonable price.

What is the ideal temperature for smoking fish?

A temperature of around 225° is ideal for smoking fish. Of course, you can set the smoker to any level between 150° and 275°, depending on your preference.

How long does it take to smoke fish at 225 degrees?

An electric smoker can maintain an internal temperature of about 225° to smoke fish perfectly. This means that it will take around 5 hours to cook a whole fish.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found the best electric smoker for fish that your family will love. Remember, a quality product can make all the difference when it comes to cooking and eating healthy food. You can also check our article on Best Electric Smoker for Turkey.

If you have any questions about our favorite picks from this list, feel free to contact us anytime. We are always happy to help!