
Sliced Medium rare barbecue
Who does not enjoy using the best electric smokers 2021? Well, unless you are not a meat lover, you may never get to tell the difference in taste. Most of us avoid smoking our meats and instead choose to enjoy them at hotels. We tend to think that smoking meats is a tiring process and needs expertise. Nonetheless, this is not the case if you use electric smokers.
In comparison to charcoal and gas smokers, there is usually an unmatched difference when using electric smokers. They enhance the flavor of your meats, thereby making them tender while applying less effort over a short period.
Most electric smokers do not need much human supervision because of their advanced features. This ensures hassle-free smoking even for someone who is just starting to smoke. Their best features include their ability to control heat retention and temperature. Through this, you are able to achieve excellent smoking results.
Electric smokers are generally easy to start because you just have to plug them in and begin the smoking process. However, you need a power supply to make this possible. Also, they are always more massive than the other smokers, and their parts require regular maintenance and replacement.
Making a pick of the best smoker among a variety of them is a difficult task. Different brands have different features, so it becomes confusing. No worries! We review the 10 best electric smokers of 2021, not forgetting their pros, cons, and buyers guide.
Contents
- The Top 10 Best Electric Smokers 2021 Reviewed
- Master built MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker, 30 inches, Black
- Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker, 30”
- PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series Digital Vertical Electric Wood Smoker
- Smoke Hollow 26142E 26-inch Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control
- Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control, Black
- Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30” Digital Electric Smoker
- Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, Large, 725 Square Inch
- Bradley Smoker BTDS108P 990223 Bradley Digital 6 Rack Smoker
- Old Smokey Electrical Smoker
- Landmann MCO 32954 Landmann Smoky Mountain 26” Smoker- Black
- What To Look For When Buying An Electric Smoker Of 2021?
- FAQs on the Best Electric Smokers 2020
- Are electric smokers worth it?
- Which is better, electric or gas smoker?
- Do electric smokers use a lot of electricity?
- Why should you get an electric smoker?
- What size of electric smoker do you need?
- What defines the best electric smoker to buy?
- Is electric or propane better for smoking?
- Can electric smokers cook all kinds of meat?
- Conclusion
How Do Electric Smokers Work?
An electric smoker comprises a cooking chamber, water pan, grill racks, vents, dampers, wood chip tray, and heating rods. Basically, once you plug it into a power source, it starts heating the cooking chamber where air circulates so as to heat food through the convection process.
The heating rods at the bottom of the smoker simmer the meat to give it a rich taste. Further, there is a wood chip tray that allows you to place chunks of wood that burn slowly to produce smoke that cooks the meat. You are not limited to one type of wood, but you can use a variety ranging from oak, maple to hickory. Different wood types deliver different tastes of meat.
Moreover, there is a water pan where you place cold water before you begin cooking. The cold water helps to control the temperature inside the smoking chamber, in turn, emitting steam that contributes to cooking the meat. Stainless steel grill racks are for placing meat on them in readiness for roasting.
How To Use An Electric Smoker
Using an electric smoker is not hard and should not worry you because you do not have to monitor the smoking process. First and foremost, you need to season your smoker before use in case you are using it for the first time. You have to do this to get rid of any strange smell, dust, etc. by running it when it is empty.
Before turning it on, rub its surfaces with some oil then let it run for between 1 and 3 hours at a not so high temperature. After it has run, turn it off and wait for it to cool off before using it again. Then you need it to plug it to a power source and press the power button on its front. Further, fill up the wood chip tray with hardwood chips and slide it back.
Preheat the smoker to a temperature of between 200-225 degrees Fahrenheit and add water to the water pan located at the bottom of the smoking chamber. The smoker is ready for use. You can now season your meat and place it on the grills and start smoking after setting your desired temperature. Simple!
The Top 10 Best Electric Smokers 2021 Reviewed
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Master built MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker, 30 inches, Black
With an option of digital control panels, the Master built MB20071117 electric smoker provides you with the excellent smoking results. What makes it the best rated electric smokers 2021, is because of it being hassle-free as there is no need to use charcoal or propane to power it up. All you need to do is plug it to a power source and begin smoking at the comfort of your garden.
It is 30 inches in height, thereby allowing you to have enough room to smoke different kinds of meat all at once. Besides, it features four chrome-plated racks that are large to give you enough space to smoke 4 pork butts, 6 chickens, and two turkeys all at once. This is enough serving for a group of friends or family at a barbeque.
Furthermore, you do not need to open up the whole smoker so as to load wood chippings into it. On its bottom right side, there is a patented wood chip loading system that enables you to add chippings, thereby preventing heat loss because you do not have to open the door. With its fully insulated steel body, heat retention is taken care of.
Additionally, the thermostat control feature ensures that your meat cooks evenly and consistently to give you excellent, flavorful taste by controlling the cooking temperature. Besides, there is a water pan beneath the smoking chamber that moisturizes your meat, thus enhancing its flavor.
Pros
- easy to clean
- patented side wood chip loading system
- four chrome-plated racks
- digital panel controls
- does not need supervision
- thermostat control
- fully insulated body
Cons
- does not have an internal meat probe
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Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker, 30”
Perfect for both beginners and pros, the Cuisinart COS-330 electric smokeris mainly useful for barbeques because of its large interior of 548 inches. It allows you plenty of room to smoke both meat and vegetables concurrently. You can easily create a memorable experience with your friends and family by inviting them over for a barbeque.
The meats smoke under perfect temperatures to give you excellent results. Once you power it up and set the temperature according to your preference, there is no need for monitoring. Just sit, relax, and wait for your food to be ready. It has a 1500 watt element and a dial style thermostat that generate temperatures of up to 400 degrees.
Three removable stainless steel smoking racks enable you to smoke large amounts of meat. Also, they are super easy to clean and are durable. Because of the removable water pan, your meat not only gets enough moisture but also becomes really tasty.
Using an in-built thermometer that is easy to read, you are able to monitor the internal temperature of the smoker as your meat cooks. Moreover, it needs wood chippings to produce smoke, so you can use different types of woods, including hickory and maple, to increase flavor.
Pros
- easy to read built-in thermometer
- easy to clean
- 1500watts heating element
- user-friendly
- removable chrome racks
- large smoking area
- removable water pan
Cons
- smoke production is limited
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PIT BOSS PBV3D1 3 Series Digital Vertical Electric Wood Smoker
Taking you through both cold and quick smoking for large batches of meat, the PIT BOSS electric smoker does not disappoint, especially if you are starting to concentrate on smoking. With a heating element of 1650 watts (doubling the elements of most smokers in the list above), it smokes your food up to a temperature range between 150- 400 Fahrenheit.
It boasts of a 760 square inches smoking area, fitted with three removable chrome-plated racks that allow you enough space to smoke not only meats but also bake vegetables and pizzas at your desired temperature. You are able to monitor its internal temperature using an easily programmable meat probe.
Do you know that you can easily adjust the smoke temperature to either high or low depending on your preference? It is an inbuilt redesigned wrap-around lower element that makes sure of this. The digital push-button control panel enables you to easily monitor cooking temperature and time to give you excellent results.
Additionally, a 1008 square inches water pan coated with porcelain keeps your food moist all the time, thereby adding flavor to it. Because of its double walled construction, together with blanket insulation, there is a lot of heat retention within the smoker. Besides, an oversized wood chip tray at its front offers you about two hours of cooking time for each load.
Pros
- removable racks that make it easy to clean
- double-walled blanket insulation
- locking caster wheels
- large cooking area
- push-button digital control
- programmable meat probe
- front glass viewing
Cons
- needs close monitoring
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Smoke Hollow 26142E 26-inch Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control
Prepare your meat comfortably without worrying about getting burnt during smoking with the Smoke Hollow electric smoker. It comes with a fully welded steel cabinet comprising of a cool-to-touch spring wire door handle with a sure-lock latch system, side handles, and adjustable draft controls. All these work together to ensure your safety.
Nonetheless, adjustable chrome-plated double racks make it easy for you to smoke your meats at any height you prefer using the grid track system. Combining a heating element of 1500 watts and temperature ranging between 175- 325 Fahrenheit, you are able to smoke your meat evenly and with much consistency.
Furthermore, it has a porcelain coated water pan at the bottom of the smoking area that produces steam, which helps in the cooking process and also moisturizes your food. You get to quickly load your wood chips when exhausted via a porcelain coated chip tray.
Moreover, there are adjustable air vents that control airflow into and out of the smoker. Unlike other smokers, its temperature gauge sits at the front door, thus eases supervision during smoking. Besides, it has a compact design that simplifies its storage and portability altogether.
Pros
- great temperature control
- 1500 watts electric heating element
- adjustable chrome-plated racks
- easy to assemble
- cool-touch spring wire door handle with latch system
- easily portable
- removable water pan
Cons
- limited warranty
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Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker with Adjustable Temperature Control, Black
Versatility is vital for the Royal Gourmet electric smoker as it does not limit itself to smoking only but also does functions such as firewood grilling, drying, and steaming, among others. Owning this smoker allows you a variety of activities to suit your barbeque needs and create memories with friends and family.
It boasts of a double-walled construction that enables it to retain enough heat to maintain a constant smoking temperature for optimum results. Three chrome-plated racks are sitting on a smoking area measuring about 458 square inches. This allows you to smoke food that can serve up to about 15 people at once.
Additionally, a 1500 watt heating element ensures consistent smoking at all times to achieve food rich ina smoky flavor. Checking the internal temperature of the smoker is simple by the use of an integrated thermometer hence easy monitoring. The presence of two side handles ensures that you can quickly move it from one point to another without a hassle.
Furthermore, it’s cool to touch the spring door handle curbs against burning your hands during smoking. Cleaning this smoker is simple as there is a replaceable grease cup lying under the smoker that collects drippings generated while you smoke your food. A removable water pan makes your food moist, thereby enriching its flavor.
Pros
- grease management system
- three adjustable chrome-plated racks
- latch system ensures a good seal
- double-wall construction
- removable and adjustable digital control
- versatility
- spacious smoking area
Cons
- it takes time to generate smoke
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Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30” Digital Electric Smoker
Suitable for both pros and beginners, the Dyna-Glo electric smoker smokes meat slow and low to give you a rich and an unmatched flavorful taste. You do not need to use charcoal or gas to run this smoker. There is a side access wood chip loader that allows you to reload your chips, making sure that no heat is lost as you do not have to open the door.
Besides, it is easy to monitor the smoking process with the use of digital push-button controls. A digital integrated meat thermometer helps you keep track of the internal temperature. Remember, there is no need to open the door once again. Instead, you just push a button to manage the temperatures.
Additionally, its smoking area is large enough to accommodate four chrome-plated smoking racks. These can smoke food that serves between 15- 20 people at most. Further, there is even cooking because of the 800-watt heating element.
Similarly, it retains heat efficiently due to its double-wall construction firebox, which is insulated. Also, its high-temperature door seal plays a significant role in heat and smoke retention. It offers hassle-free cleaning as there is a removable tray that helps to dispose of grease, oil, and other unnecessary liquids.
Pros
- side access wood cheap loader
- easy to clean and dispose of grease
- great heat retention capability
- digital push-button temperature control
- integrated meat thermometer
- four chrome-plated steel racks
- easy to use
Cons
- the wood chip tray is small
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Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, Large, 725 Square Inch
Ideal for outdoor barbeque or patio smoking, the Char-Broil electric smoker serves to deliver tasty food rich of the smoky flavor leaving you craving for more. A 725 square inch smoking area houses four chrome-plated racks that are not only removable but also adjustable to allow you to smoke a wide variety of food at any height you desire.
It features a double-wall insulated construction on its exterior that ensures maximum heat retention during smoking. No heat is lost. Also, there is a glass door that gives you a clear view of the interior, thus easy monitoring. With an extensive stainless steel locking latch system, you are assured of a smoke tight seal, thus keeping smoke within the smoker.
Additionally, its 4-cup capacity wood chip box is large such that it accommodates wood chips that can give up to between 4-7 hours of smoke without having to refill. Very convenient, right? It is easy to monitor the internal temperature of your food using an integrated meat probe that is easily removable.
Furthermore, your food stays warm even after cooking as you wait to serve because of its dynamic warming feature. Besides, there is an 8.5 cup capacity grease tray that collects grease and other drippings during smoking, thus allowing you an easy time to clean afterwards. You can quickly move it across your backyard with the in-built wheels at its back.
Pros
- sturdy and durable steel construction
- easy to clean
- integrated removable meat probe
- easy to read blue LED display
- insulated double-wall construction
- large capacity wood chip box
- built-in wheels
Cons
- does not come with a remote controller
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Bradley Smoker BTDS108P 990223 Bradley Digital 6 Rack Smoker
This is a vertical electrical smoker that is very easy to use, allowing you to have maximum control of the temperature, smoke, and cooking time of your food. Using its digital LED display panel that is simple to operate, you can easily adjust the time, temperature, and even smoke levels according to your preference. This ensures your food cooks low and slow with much consistency.
It features an auto-thermostat that helps you monitor the internal temperature of your smoker while you relax and wait for your food to cook, making it the best electric smokers 2021 under 500. There has been an upgrade on this smoker that includes an auto-off function that automatically turns off your smoker for you in case you forget to.
Additionally, it is durable and retains heat efficiently thanks to its stainless steel double-wall construction with a coating of epoxy. Its 6 wide removable smoking racks are easy to clean and also give you enough room to smoke a large number of different food varieties. Besides, it allows you to use 9 different flavors of wood briquettes to provide your food rich taste.
Similarly, the removable ashtray collects ash and any other residue that generates during smoking to simplify the cleaning process. Wipe the stainless steel exterior using a damp cloth, and you are good to go. Because the smoking racks and drip trays are removable, you can wash them after use.
Pros
- easy to set up
- stainless steel material exterior construction
- six removable smoking racks
- complete digital control
- removable ash catcher
- digital LED display
- easy to clean
Cons
- underperforming heat element of 500 watts
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Old Smokey Electrical Smoker
The Old Smokey electrical smoker exhibits a vertical design for smoking. This means that it uses a convection process whereby smoke moves from the bottom part of the smoker up as it cooks your meat low and slow. Besides, it boasts of a compact design, which makes it easy to store even in tight spaces.
Its exterior consists of a stainless steel material that ensures its durability and also helps to retain heat. With a total of 280 inches of the smoking area, you can make food to fit about 8 people for a single serving. This may not be a perfect fit for barbeques as the capacity is regrettably small.
Even though this smoker is not perfect, it still does its job and is well worth the price. Its downside is mainly on the temperature control feature as it does not come with a temperature gauge, so it might be hard to monitor the temperature as the food cooks.
Furthermore, its flat top lid creates a system that is entirely sealed, thereby curbing smoke and heat from escaping during smoking. Therefore, food gets tastier and tender as all the moisture contained inside the smoker.
Pros
- perfect for beginners
- sturdy and durable
- compact design
- 280 inches smoking area
- smokes low and slow
- budget-friendly
- 1250 watt heating element
Cons
- does not have a temperature gauge
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Landmann MCO 32954 Landmann Smoky Mountain 26” Smoker- Black
The Landmann electric smoker is a great smoker from Landmann MCO, which manufactures the best of the best barbeque making tools across the globe. It is one of the few smokers that have a compact design allowing you to store it comfortably even though you lack enough space for this.
Uniquely, it boasts of a 3 in 1 combo tray that houses the water pan, grease pan, and wood chip box altogether. The water pan steams the food by the use of the convection process, thus leaving it moist and with much-improved taste. Removal of grease and excess drippings is a simple procedure when you use the greased pan.
Usually, it has three steel cooking grates coated with chrome that provide you enough room to smoke different types of food all at once. Its door has an adjustable latch for a perfect seal to prevent smoke from escaping. Further, the door has a transparent glass window to enable you to get a sneak peek of whatever is happening inside the smoker during cooking.
Additionally, it has a 1500 watt heating element that smokes the meat evenly and consistently to enrich its flavor. Besides, there sits a temperature gauge on its door that allows you to adjust the temperature and smoke so as to attain excellent smoked food. The two handles on either side of this smoker make it easy to shift it from one point to another without hassle.
Pros
- lightweight and compact design
- 1500 watt heating element
- 3-in -1 combo tray
- adjustable feet for accurate leveling
- 3 chrome-plated steel cooking racks
- digital temperature gauge
- minimal supervision
Cons
- The wood chip tray is not removable, leading to heat loss once the door is open
What To Look For When Buying An Electric Smoker Of 2021?
You want to get yourself an electric smoker, but you don’t know where to start from. Of course, there are some factors you have to consider so as to get the best electric smoker for you. We, therefore, highlight some of the essential points you need to be on the lookout for so as to get something worth the money.
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Capacity
Before making a purchase, make sure you determine the length and width of the smoker. This is important as it dictates the amount of food you can smoke all at once. If you need to prepare food for your family with less than 9 people, then you can get one having a smoking area of 30 inches.
In case you are into barbeque and patio smoking for friends and family, then you definitely need to buy a more significant smoker; 40 square inches and more.
Different smokers fit with varying numbers of smoking racks. The more, the better. The racks allow you to place your meat on them during smoking. If the smoker’s cooking area is large, then it is able to house more cooking racks for convenience.
However, when it comes to size, consider a smoker that has a lightweight design which enables you to move if from to place quickly, a smaller one for that. But it should still have enough cooking space area for you.
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Durability
If you want your smoker to last long, then you really should be keen to check the materials used to build it as you shop. You ought to invest in a good quality smoker and not go for a cheap one that will break down after a few attempts of using it.
Smoking, of course, uses heat; thus, you need to get highly durable materials, considerably steel or aluminum. They will ensure that you can smoke a large number of meats into the smoker without the fear of it wobbling and falling off during the barbeque process.
Also, it is essential to check that the grates and ashtrays also have strong materials to help them endure any kind of harsh temperatures. The handles on the doors of the smoker should be well fixed, and the rivets pinned well enough for optimum results.
However, steel may easily rust, and thus you need to consider stainless steel, which can be quite expensive, but if you look at value for the money, then you would not hesitate to get stainless steel. Aluminum rarely rusts and is lightweight and a bit easy to clean.
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Smoker Features
Most smokers differentiate with the features they have. Some of these features are what define the best electric smokers. So before buying one, consider some of the unique features as they play a significant role in smoking your food for optimum performance.
The presence of air vents in the smoking area ensures that heat and smoke that come out so as to maintain a constant internal temperature. This prevents your food from burning, and thus your meat becomes tender and sweeter.
Moreover, a water pan is a must-have for a smoker. Why? If you want your meat to be tender and juicier after cooking, then your smoker must come with a water pan that makes this possible. Not all smokers have a water pan, so be keen when shopping.
Heat retention is essential as it ensures your food cooks at a constant temperature. Your smoker needs to have an insulated double-wall construction that prevents heat loss, thus retaining heat that cooks food low and slow for perfect results.
Some smokers have wheels that simplify the process of moving it from one place to another. The wheels have a safety lock feature that prevents them from moving while the smoker is in use. Others have side handles that you can grab and carry the smoker from point A to point B.
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Controller
Most electric smokers have digital control panels to help regulate the temperature and time of cooking. These are easy to use and help to give an accurate reading to ensure your food does not overcook, burn, or undercook.
Using the digital control panel, you are able to set the temperature and cooking time of your food and just sit there and relax and wait for it to cook. Also, you are able to determine the smoke level you want using this.
Most electric smokers come with an inbuilt integrated meat probe that monitors the internal temperature during smoking. With this present, there is less monitoring as it does the work for you. This ensures your food cooks at an even and consistent temperature throughout.
Besides, there is also an easy to read thermometer that determines the temperature inside the smoker to make sure food is cooks at an appropriate temperature. This is an option when your smoker does not have a meat probe.
Nonetheless, some smokers have remote controls and Bluetooth controls that help to monitor temperature and time and also power on and off your device. This allows you less supervision.
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Ease of Cleaning
While shopping for an electric smoker, ensure that all its parts are freely accessible for ease of cleaning. This means that the grates, grills, and water pans should be easily removable. Also, find out if the removable parts are dish washer safe to enable you to clean them after use.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to clean up the inside of your smoker as that is where you are preparing your food from; therefore, it must always be clean at all times. Most smokers have a stainless steel exterior, which is really easy to clean by wiping using a damp cloth.
Some smokers have drip pans that are located just above the water pan to serve the purpose of holding oil and grease drippings during smoking. It is advisable to get a smoker with a removable drip pan because you can easily clean off the drippings, unlike a pan that removed quickly.
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Easy to Use
It is worth noting that electric smokers are the easiest smokers to operate because all you need to do is plug them in. Also, they are rarely hard to maintain. Therefore, it is essential to buy one that is hassle-free when it comes to operating it.
A smoker that has a removable wood chip tray at the side allows you a comfortable time when reloading the wood chips. This is also an advantage as no heat is lost because you do not have to open the smoker door to add more chips.
Get a smoker that needs less supervision during cooking. You do not have to keep checking what is happening inside the smoker. This should be an automatic process, and some smokers offer this. Just plug it in and let the smoker do the rest of the work.
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Budget
The budget entirely depends on how much you are willing to spend on your smoker. How much do you have? What is your account? You should get the best electric smokers 2020 under 400 that is good value for the money to avoid much disappointment.
You might be tempted to get a cheap smoker, but I would not advise you to do so. You will regret it as it may break down quickly after using it a few times.
Moreover, if you are new into meat smoking, then there is no need to get a big or expensive smoker. Try a less expensive one but that which offers quality results. All in all, buy a smoker that meets your smoking needs and fits your budget altogether.
FAQs on the Best Electric Smokers 2020
Are electric smokers worth it?
- Yes, they are. For example, if you leave in a place that does not allow the use of charcoal or propane, then an electric smoker comes in handy. Besides, they are easy to use and clean up. Operating them requires does not require a lot of costs.
Which is better, electric or gas smoker?
- Gas smokers are usually more expensive to operate than electric and need keen supervision. However, they deliver the best flavor used in any weather condition. Electric smokers never run out of fuel and are easy to use and maintain.
Do electric smokers use a lot of electricity?
- No, they rarely use a lot of electricity. As you will notice, most smokers use 800 watts of power per hour, which translates to 6.4 kilowatt-hours. So on average, it will consume 192-kilowatt hours per month.
Why should you get an electric smoker?
- Electric smokers are ideal for cooking different varieties of food, ranging from meats, fish, loaves, hot dogs, or desserts, thus making it a versatile tool. Also, they allow for cold smoking and are very easy to use.
What size of electric smoker do you need?
- This entirely depends on the purpose you intend to use it for. If you are planning to use it at home to make food enough for your small family, then we recommend you get a small one, about 30-40 inches. If you are planning to use it for barbeques, a bigger one will serve you better.
What defines the best electric smoker to buy?
- The best electric smoker needs to have great temperature controls, insulated walls for heat retention, large capacity smoking areas and should be easy to clean; thus, it is part ought to be removable. The price should also be quite reasonable.
Is electric or propane better for smoking?
- Both of these smokers are excellent, but of course, there are slight differences between them. Electric smokers are more convenient and easily affordable as compared to the propane ones. Propane smokers, on the other hand, can be used anywhere because they do not need a source of power.
Can electric smokers cook all kinds of meat?
- Electric smokers are best suitable for smoking fatty cuts such as pork shoulder or ribs and beef briskets. This is because they contain high-fat content, which keeps them moist and tender during the smoking process.
Conclusion
Having gone through this article, you can now identify some of the most popular brands of electric smokers, including Masterbuilt, Char-Broil, Dyna-Glo, and Bradley, among others. These smokers give out the best smoking results with their unmatched features.
We mostly recommend the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker as the best among all-electric smokers. Try it out, and you will not regret it. Alternatively, the rest of the smokers in this article also give out quality results having been tested.
Get to understand the factors you need to consider before purchasing to make the right decision. The top-notch features of smokers are what make them the best electric smokers in 2020. Also, get to read reviews from other people who have purchased so as to be sure.
We hope our article will help you make the right decision of the smoker basing on the best 10 that we have discussed in depth.
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