Do you love smoked food as much as we do? Do you want a grill that is able to give you the rich, smoky flavours while keeping your food juicy? Briskets, smoked fish fillets and smoked chicken are one of the three most popular smoked food items that people crave. What if we told you that you, too, are capable of making gourmet smoked dishes at home? 

An electric smoker is a cooking appliance that cooks your food by using the heat that is generated by electricity. All you need to do is plug your electric smoker in a power outlet and you’re good to go. By using an electric smoker, you will have better control over temperature. There are likely to be more cooking options available when compared to a propane smoker. It is built to make your life easier. With the best electric smokers at your service, you will be able to make any five-star smoked meals at home with ease.

Quick Comparison: The 12 Best Electric Smokers

1. Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker

The Masterbuilt 20070910 offers an 800-watt heating element. This allows the grill to cook at a minimum temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and you can reach a maximum temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit. This gives you the opportunity to smoke any food that you like. 

You can regulate the temperature inside the grill using the thermostat temperature control. This feature allows you to achieve even heating throughout the cooking surfaces. You will also be able to retain heat well. 

The digital smoker comes with a removable drip tray that lets you retain the juices of the meat, giving you a tender meal. The top air dampers allow for air ventilation that helps to cook your meals to perfection. 

You do not need to open the smoker in order to refill the wood chips. There is a small window on the side that lets you refill the wood chips easily. As a result, heat is not lost and the meat will cook evenly. This feature allows you to retain a constant temperature inside the smoker. 

You do not need to be an expert at smoking food for using this grill. The controls are easy to operate and the smoker comes with clear instructions.

2. Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker

The Masterbuilt MB20071117 has four chrome-coated smoking racks. This gives you the opportunity to accommodate several foods into the smoker. To give you a visual, you can cook 6 chickens, 2 turkeys or 4 pork bellies. You can easily cook smoked meals for 8-10 people. 

This smoker has a patented wood chip loading system that lets you insert the wood chips into the smoker without having to open the door of the smoker. You can control the smoke with the addition of air dampers. The smoker also has a drip pan that allows you to retain the moisture in your foods. This feature helps to keep your food tender and juicy. 

This grill also has a solid construction. It has a fully insulated body that is made to retain heat properly. You will not have any problems maintaining a high temperature inside this electric smoker.

3. Masterbuilt 20077515 Front Controller Electric Smoker

The digital panel comes with a blue LED display that makes it easy to see cooking temperatures and settings in direct sunlight. You can use the RF remote controller to monitor the temperature inside the smoker as well. You can also change the internal light inside the smoker. This electric smoker has a built-in meat probe thermometer that allows you to cook at a precise temperature. It also makes sure that you maintain a safe temperature for cooking the meat. 

The grease tray is placed in the front for easy access. For easy transport, this smoker has a handle and rear wheels. It uses 800 watts of energy to distribute heat evenly across the four cooking surfaces. The body of the electric smoker has full foam insulation that makes it suitable for retaining high temperatures for longer periods of time.

4. Masterbuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker

This puts you at ease since you do not have to wait in front of the smoker while your food cooks. Plus, you do not need to go in front of your smoker to change the settings. You can simply do it while you are seated on the couch.

This model comes with four cooking racks that have a chrome-coating. The racks are heavy and the surface is non-stick. The addition of multiple cooking racks allows you to cook several items at the same time. You can easily cook for 6-8 people using this electric smoker. 

5. Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow SH19079518 Digital Electric Smoker

This Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow SH19079518 comes with three smoking racks that are chrome-coated. The inside of the smoker is quite spacious which allows you to cook several different kinds of food at the same time. You can easily cook 9 chickens, 24 burgers or 3 racks of ribs using this smoker.

This smoker has a simple design and the unit is well insulated. This allows the smoker to retain heat well. The digital electric smoker uses 800 watts to heat the element evenly. It also has a built-in thermostat for better control over temperature.

Thanks to the adjustable air damper, you also have control over the smoke produced. The grease drip tray is removable and easy to clean. You do not need fancy brushes or special chemicals to clean it. The smoker also has a removable water bowl that allows the food to retain moisture and remain tender and juicy.

6. Char-Broil 17202004 Digital Electric Smoker

The smoker has a solid, stainless steel double-wall construction. The whole unit is insulated which helps to retain heat well. The glass door lets you keep an eye on the food without having to open the door. There is no heat loss and the meal cooks fine. The smoker has rear wheels that make it easy to move the 50.2-pound smoker from one place to another.

It comes with a temperature gauge that lets you monitor the temperature of the food inside the grill. This temperature probe is removable and washable too. You can also monitor the smoker using the remote that comes with it. The remote will let you turn the smoker on or off, set timers and temperatures. It will also show you how much time is left to finish smoking your food and what the internal temperature is of the smoker.

7. Bradley BTDS76P 990216 4 Rack Digital Smoker

The four racks are removable and are safe to be put into the dishwasher. They are also adjustable. The four cooking racks together give you a total of 520 square inches of cooking space. You will be able to cook several items at once. The smoker also comes with a smoke diffuser at the bottom to ensure that the smoke is even throughout the unit. 

The Bradley Smoker can provide controlled cool smoke for up to 8 hours. It is capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 320 degrees Fahrenheit. A digital generator is attached to it that gives you control over temperature, cooking time and also smoking time. 

The advanced technology integrated into the Bradley Smoker makes it one of a kind. It does not require you to monitor the smoker at all times. When the pellet burns out, the Bradley Smoker automatically replaces it. This is done after every 20 minutes. This feature allows you to relax and spend time with your loved ones.

8. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker 

The temperature gauge is mounted on the door of the smoker. This lets you read the temperature inside the grill easily. The smoker comes with a water pan that helps to retain the moisture in the food. There is no doubt that you will get juicy and tender meals using this smoker. The heating element uses 1,200 watts of energy. 

This electric smoker has a removable grease tray that makes for easy cleanup. The cooking grates are also easy to clean. All you need to do is wash the grates using warm, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly. Keep in mind that you need to need to pat the grates completely dry in order to prevent them from rusting. 

9. LANDMANN MCO 32954 Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker 

The grill weighs only 33 pounds and its compact design makes it easy to store. It does not take up much space. The handles on each side allow you to carry this smoker without any difficulties. Moreover, the 26-inch smoker has a 3-in-1 combo tray that includes a water pan, a grease tray and a box for the wood chips. The water pan keeps your meat juicy while the grease tray keeps the smoker from making a mess. A removable grease tray makes the unit easier to clean. On the other hand, the wood chip box comes in handy as you need to refill between cooking periods. 

A clear window on the front lets you check on the food without having to open the door. Heat loss is minimised and your cooking time is not extended. Moreover, the built-in thermostat lets you monitor the temperature inside the grill.

10. Old Smokey Electric Smoker 

The tray for the wood chips is placed right on top of the heating element. This design allows you to intensify the smoky flavour in your food. 

This smoker has a compact design which makes it easy to store. The low weight and the heat-resistant handles on both sides mean that you can carry this smoker with ease. Moreover, this grill has two cooking racks that offer a total cooking surface area of 280 square inches. Although the smoker has a compact design, it has enough space to cook 8 pounds of briskets easily.

11. Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker  

The heating element uses 1,500 Watts of electrical power to produce an even layer of smoke throughout the smoker. With adjustable temperature control, you can easily set a temperature that fits your cooking style. This smoker has a minimum temperature of 240 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature allows you to smoke your food in a short period of time. You can cook in many different styles since this smoker is multi-functional. You can barbecue, steam or even grill using firewood. 

This smoker has a solid construction. The double-wall firebox helps to retain heat well and maintain consistent smoke temperatures inside the smoker. The door of the smoker has a heat-resistant handle that makes it easy to open. The side handles on each side make the smoker easy to move from one area to another.

12. Landmann USA 32948 Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker 

The heating element requires 1,500 Watts to generate the smoke. You also have flexible temperature control. You can set a minimum temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature of 260 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that you can smoke any food that requires a temperature between that range. 

This smoker has a simple design and is quite easy to operate. It has a built-in thermometer so that you are able to keep an eye on the inside temperature of the smoker. The door has a handle on it for easy access. The wood chip box, the water pan and the grease pan are all lined up next to each other. This 3-in-1 combination feature is convenient and makes your cooking process much smoother.

Things To Consider Before Buying An Electric Smoker

Digital or Analogue?

Digital smokers have a digital panel that allows you to set a timer, adjust the temperature according to your cooking needs and also control the smoke produced inside. Digital smokers often come with a remote that lets you control almost everything starting from turning your smoker on to changing the temperature inside the smoker. 

Some electric smokers that are digital have Bluetooth Smart Technology that lets you monitor and control the settings in your smoker. You will need to download an app and stay in range in order for it to function properly. This feature lets you keep an eye on the smoker while you relax. Moreover, electric smokers that are also digital allow you to set exact temperatures. As a result, your meals will be cooked to perfection. 

On the other hand, analogue smokers usually require more supervision compared to digital smokers. You might not be able to set a specific temperature as the temperature in such smokers tends to fluctuate. Moreover, analogue electric smokers might have fewer convenient features compared to digital smokers.

Cooking Surface

How much cooking surface you require will depend on the number of mouths to feed. If you want to prepare a smoked meal for a large number of people, you should look for an electric smoker that has a cooking surface at least 600 square inches. On the other hand, if you usually cook for a small crowd, investing in a big smoker may not be a smart move. You could look at smokers that have a cooking surface between 250 to 500 square inches. 

It is important to know that a large cooking surface area will allow you to incorporate more food items to smoke. However, most electric smokers have multiple cooking racks so you can cook several items at the same time, even if your cooking surface area is low. Usually, electric smokers will have two to four cooking racks. Smokers with multiple racks usually have more cooking surface area.

Temperature Control

If you want to set accurate temperatures inside your grill, you should invest in an electric smoker that has adjustable temperature control. You should also look for an electric smoker that has a built-in thermostat. Make sure that the temperature readings are accurate in order to get the best results. Digital smokers tend to have better temperature control compared to analogue smokers. It is best to invest in an electric smoker that has an accurate temperature control in order to achieve the best flavours in your smoked food.

Temperature Range

Most electric smokers start at a minimum temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and go up to a maximum of 260 or 300 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures will cook your food faster. It will also help to incorporate the smoky flavour in your food. 

Other Accessories

Electric smokers that have a built-in thermostat, a water pan and a removable grease tray make your cooking experience more convenient. You should look for an electric grill that has a slidable wood chips box so that you do not need to open the smoker door frequently to change the wood chips. Electric smokers that have a window or glass on the front let you monitor the food while it cooks in the smoker. By not opening the door frequently, heat loss is minimised and the cooking time is not extended. You should also ensure that the magnet on the door is of good quality. A cover for your electric smoker will help to protect it from dust and debris when not in use. It will also keep it from rusting or corroding.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Electric smokers with removable smoking racks and removable grease trays are easier to clean. Rust-resistant cooking grates should be easier to maintain. The material of the unit matters as well. A nylon bristle brush will make it easier to clean the smoking racks. You should look for a smoker that is easy to clean and maintain so that you do not need to spend hours of your precious time doing something so boring. 

Portability

Electric smokers with side handles will make it easy to carry from one place to another. If the legs have wheels, then you can move the heavy smokers with ease. Moreover, electric smokers that have adjustable, sturdy legs come in handy when cooking on uneven grounds. You will want to have your smoker levelled while the food smokes. A compact size will also aid in carrying the smoker with ease. 

Power and Energy Efficiency

You should invest in an electric smoker that uses electrical energy efficiently. You would want a grill that performs well without draining much power. Electric smokers usually use 800-1,500 Watts of power to reach the desired temperatures. 

Usage

If you intend to use your electric smoker outdoors, make sure that the smoker has good wind resistance. You would not want your electric smoker to be affected by outside temperatures as it would be very difficult for your smoker to reach high temperatures. On the other hand, if you intend to use the smoker indoors, you might want to look for a compact design that is easy to store. Moreover, if you intend to use it for a long period, then you should invest in an electric smoker that has a durable construction and is made with high-quality materials. 

Conclusion

An electric smoker is a modern cooking appliance that lets you smoke your desired food items within a short period of time. Electric smokers have a simple design that makes it easy to operate. Most of these appliances come with clear instructions that are easy to follow. You do not need to be an expert at smoking foods in order to produce juicy, tender smoked meats. Moreover, smoking food using an electric smoker is said to be a healthier option than using firewood or charcoal. Plus, it requires less maintenance compared to other traditional smokers.