Top 5 Best Electric Smokers – In-depth Review and Buying Guide

Smoking your food is an American tradition. I say traditions are meant to be kept alive. But who has the space for a barbeque? These days we have to live in a matchbox and call it an apartment. Where do you keep a BBQ in there? And what about the grilling inexperience? It all mixes up to a fond memory of your dad cooking on Sundays and restaurant food.

But there is a middle way. Yes, you are on the right track.

An electric smoker!

You don’t have to monitor the entire process thoroughly, fret about the right temperature, smoke, and fire. An electric smoker is convenient, does a lot of work automatically and fits in the matchbox. It is so much more easy to operate than the fuel-based smokers like a charcoal smoker, an offset smoker, a pellet smoker, a propane smoker or even a natural gas grill. And what’s more? It is affordable too!

Buying an electric smoker is a daunting task. There are hundreds of options available. And you have to account for a lot of stuff like temperature control, make, sensor, cooking capacity and whatnot. Now, I know that not everybody understands this stuff. That’s why I am here. I will tell you which electric smoker is best suitable for which kind of requirement. And then you can just pick one for yourself.

The one!

Best Electric Smoker Reviews
Check out the list to buy the smoker you need for your cooking needs.

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”B07CN35FLQ” locale=”US” tag=”abitsavingoffer-20″]Masterbuilt 40 Electric Smokers[/easyazon_link]

The Masterbuilt 20070311 smokes the food even better than restaurants. Trust me! You will never go out for your grilled food. It comes with a window, a digital control board and RF remote. Well, when it comes to electric smoking, Masterbuilt is a name you can trust.

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Features

One of the best features provided by Masterbuilt is the Radio Frequency Remote Control. It feels fantastic when you don’t have to stand over your smoker to get the food cooked correctly. Because of RF control, you can adjust the smoker settings from anywhere in your house. The remote control can help you monitor your food, without having to keep looking inside. Once you set the time and temperature, the smoker will cook accordingly. You can also monitor the internal meat temperature by this remote.

I had fun using the remote. I cannot find anything to complain about the remote. It is a fantastic feature. The power-off button on the remote also switches off the smoker.

The cooking capacity of the smoker is 975 square inches which are huge. It can cook 12 whole chickens at a time. You have a lot of guests at home and cook for all of them easily. Any kind of meat can fit into its large racks.

The smoker has a capacity of running for 24 hours. Imagine!

Design

It is an electric smoker, so obviously, no other fuel is required which is best for beginners. Just plug-in and let the food cook. The design is vertical and huge with 4 cooking racks enameled with chrome. This coating makes it very easy to clean.

You can use wood chips to add flavor to your food. These chips can be added to a separate loader. Thus, you don’t have to open up the entire cooking area. It is a smart design that slides out separately.

Genius. I know!

There is also a huge glass window in the front door. It is lovely to look at but functionality-wise it is redundant. When the smoker is heated up properly, you cannot see what’s going on inside. So it’s not as if you can see the meat being cooked. But still, it is a beautiful design. The door is made of stainless steel which makes it durable and completely rust-proof.

Also, the smoker comes with 2 smooth wheels and a handle which makes it very convenient to move around. There is also a thermostat present which reads quite accurately most of the time. But there are inconsistencies.

Assembly

The smoker comes pretty much assembled. For the little of the job that’s remaining, you will only need a screwdriver. If you start from the bottom, you will need to attach the base and the wheels first. After that, screw the grease tray, handle and door latch in its place. Lastly, add the cooking grates and dripping pan inside and your smoker is ready.

Cleaning

Because of the chrome coating, cleaning becomes quite easy. You can wash the racks, dripping tray and water bowl with mild soap and water. The insides of the smoker, the glass, external body, the bulb inside and even the meat probe should be wiped with a damp cloth. Do not wash them. Also, don’t forget to throw out the ash from the wood tray. The door is nicely sealed and stays that way for a long time, but it is important to clean the edges and check for seal quality from time to time.

2. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01JGF97D0″ locale=”US” tag=”abitsavingoffer-20″]Masterbuilt 30 Electric Smoker[/easyazon_link]

For a home-smoker, this one becomes a backyard must-have. For whom smoking the food is a hobby, the Masterbuilt 20070910 will turn it into a passion. This pre-assembled insulated beauty cooks food to perfection.

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Features

Its ease of use is seen in every feature. Even for starting up the smoker, there is a simple push button. The smoker has a digital control board where you can set the temperature from 100 to 275 degrees. For achieving this high temperature, the smoker uses an800-watt heating element. There is also a cooking timer which can be set to a maximum of 24-hours. The automatic-shutdown feature makes sure your food is never overcooked or dry.

The cooking space of 730 square inches is available which makes cooking for the family very comfortable. And it is big enough to entertain sometimes. You will not be cramped for space. It can fir 2 big turkeys conveniently. Now imagine how many burgers can you make in this one!

Design

The smoker has been designed to out-perform all other electric smokers. When it comes to heat distribution and insulation, I have never come across a better design. It has a thermostat built-in but still the walls are all 100% insulated. The insulated walls keep the heat inside and save energy while cooking. The interior traps the meat flavors so that the cooked meat is all juicy and tasty.

There are 4 cooking racks in the smoker which are all chrome coated for durability and easy maintenance. The top of the smoker has an adjustable stainless steel damper which maintains the smoke quantity inside efficiently. The wood chip loading system is on the side so that you don’t have to open the cooking area for adding wood chips.

The smoker also comes with a stainless steel water bowl to keep the meat tender and moist. At the bottom, there is also a drip pan which has been made from a rust-resistant material. Most of the smoker parts are stainless steel to give it durability.

Assembly

The Masterbuilt 20070910 comes pre-assembled. So it does not take up much time to put in the remaining pieces together. After the smoker arrives, you will need to fix it in small parts with a screwdriver. The legs, the wheels, the digital controller, door latch and the cooking grates. After the outside has been fixed, set up the inside by placing grates, drip pan, water bowl and wood chip loader in their respective places. It hardly takes half an hour.

Cleaning

It is essential that you follow all the cleaning and maintenance guidelines as given in the instructions manual. If you fail to do so, the smoker ca rust in under 2 years. Never leave it open without the protective cover. When you have used the smoker, leave it just like that and let it cool down. After every use, you need to perform the cleaning sequence.

You can clean the cooking grates, the water bowl and the drip pan with a mild detergent but then dry them immediately and thoroughly.No part should be left humid or else it will start to corrode. Remove the dust and residue from the wood chip loader without fail. The body of the smoker, interior as well as exterior, can be wiped with a damp cloth. Do not use any cleaning agent on the surfaces. And always check the seal and wipe the edges before closing the unit and putting it on the cover.

3. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01NCYMGJA” locale=”US” tag=”abitsavingoffer-20″]Smoke Hollow Electric Smoker: The Ideal Stainless Electric Smoker[/easyazon_link]

This Smoke Hollow 3016DEWS is stoutly built and very intelligently designed. All the meat lovers are going to love the taste of the food cooked inside this electric smoker. It looks small but can cook up an entire meal for a family very comfortably.

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Features

The smoker is full of superb features necessary to cook up perfect meat. It has 3 temperature levels for different kinds of meat. Not all meat needs the same heat for cooking. Be it fish, chicken, turkey, anything; there is a temperature setting for that. The lowest setting can be left on for days for a flawless slow cooking. The temperatures are achieved by a heat source of 1500 watts which can be adjusted according to need.

You can control your smoking sessions with the digital controller which is detachable. It has a 5-inch cord which makes the smoking session a lot easier. It has been made of heavy-duty steel and is durable. But it is still portable.

However durable a smoker is, the heating elements eventually wear out. Smoke Hollow has come up with a solution for that one. The smoker comes with a replaceable heating element, a simple solution to the problem really. You don’t have to fall into the hassle of replacements and opening the entire unit.

Design

The smoker has been built to last long. It has been made with a double-wall construction which keeps it well insulated. It is made of steel which makes the unit durable. It has been built sturdily and because steel is a good conductor of heat, the double-wall insulation traps the heat and meat taste inside for a perfect slow-cooked meal. The insulated construction makes this one the best outdoor smoker. Even on cold days, the temperature inside the unit is not affected.

The legs are made of robust metal and give enough ground clearance for proper ventilation. There is a tempered glass window on the door so that you can keep an eye on your meat without having to open the door.

The wood chip box is also made of steel and has been painted in the interiors to make it durable for years. Even after heavy use, it will take years before it shows any sign of weathering. One common problem found in most smokers is the smoke leak. This unit solves that problem nicely. The door has a magnetic latch that is very sturdy and fits the door tightly. So no chance of a smoke leak.

It is really tight!

The smoker does have a tiny problem, nothing can’t be solved though. Sometimes, the fat and grease drainage does not drip as they should. Occasionally, the grease remains in the main chamber instead of dripping down in the greased pan. But that is not a major problem. A little adjustment on the inside of the smoker can solve the problem.

Assembly

It is very simple and fast to assemble the unit. All the pieces fit perfectly with each other. Just following the manual should do the job in under half an hour.

Cleaning

All the parts from inside can be removed which makes cleaning really easy. You can take out the grates, drip pan, water pan and the grid tracks and clean them mild soap and water. Make sure you dry them thoroughly. Clean the ash and dust from the wood chip loader without fail. Everything else including the probe and door seal should be wiped down with a damp cloth. Maintaining this smoker properly will last you decades.

4. [easyazon_link identifier=”B078483MRB” locale=”US” tag=”abitsavingoffer-20″]Masterbuilt Bluetooth Smart Digital Electric Smoker[/easyazon_link]

This smoker is the definition of technology meets tradition.

You get the grilling and smoking old American style but the convenience of the modern-day. The integrated smart Bluetooth technology makes sure you do not have to stand on top of your smoker to take care of the food being cooked.

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Features

There are 2 sizes available for this smoker – 30-inch and 40-inch. The 30-inch model has a cooking area of 721 square inches while the 40-inch one has 925 square inches of space. The smoker comes with 4 chrome enameled cooking grates which can accommodate up to 80 pounds of food. You can throw a party and cook meat for everyone at the same time.

It has an inbuilt thermometer for temperature control. The thermostat can control temperatures up to 275 degrees F.But no feature compares to its Bluetooth compatibility. The Bluetooth from the smoker connects with your smartphone and gives you complete access through the phone. Your smartphone then becomes a remote control.

Cool, isn’t it?

The rest of the features like a glass window and the side wood chip loading system are not that exclusive. Almost all good electric smokers have that these days.

The smoker has an LED display digital controller which can be used to set the light, temperature, time, internal meat temperature and whatnot. It has a push-button on/Off too.

Design

The entire smoker is made of silver steel which makes it quite durable. Being a rust-proof metal and a good conductor of heat, steel is the best option there is for a durable smoker. The 4 cooking grates are chrome-coated which makes their lifelong and cleaning an easy task. The wood chips which can be loaded from the side makes it very convenient to refill.

The classic blue LED control panel is in the front and has a sunshade for longer life. It’s like they have thought of everything. For easy movement, the smoker also has all-weather wheels. Moving it around is very easy.

Assembly

Most of the smokers will come pre-assembled. You will just need to fix the feet, wheels, back handle, bottom tray, and the wood loader. After that, set up the insides. Place the grates, grease pan, water bowl and everything else in its place. All you will need is a screwdriver.

Cleaning

You need to clean the smoker after every use if you want it to last long. Once you switch it off, unplug the smoker and let it cool completely. Then take out the racks, cooking grates, drip pan and water bowl to clean. You can wash them with a mild detergent but be thorough while drying it. There should be no water droplets or humidity left.

For the wood chip tray, just remove the ash and swipe a dry cloth. Nothing else is needed. You cannot let the wood place to be humid. Rest of the smoker – glass door, interior and exterior body and even the door edges and seal should be wiped down with a damp cloth. Do not use a cleaning agent on any surface.

After cleaning it thoroughly, store it in a dry place and cover it with the all-weather cover. The smoker has a chance of getting rust even while covered. So if you are not using it for a long time, keep checking under the covers.

5. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01N1Q9CID” locale=”US” tag=”abitsavingoffer-20″]Heavy Duty Stainless Steel 11″ Smoker[/easyazon_link]

An electric vertical smoker which weighs less than 40 pounds, this is the best indoor electric smoker. Slow cooking at a stable temperature and a great smoky flavour; what else do you want in a smoker?

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Features

This small and compact smoker comes loaded with good features. The digital control panel is situated on the top surface of the body. It will let you set the time and temperature. The smoker has an integrated thermostat which most of the time reads the correct temperature.

Which is a relief!

Seriously, an in-built thermostat that works correctly is a feat the majority of the companies cannot achieve. I have always preferred an external digital thermometer. If you live in a cold place like Minnesota, you will love this one.

It is fully insulated and the double-layered wall makes sure that the heat is properly trapped inside. The consistent internal temperature makes sure you get perfectly tender and cooked meat. The outside cold will not affect the cooking inside.

Design

When you will look at the smoker at first, it will look like a mini bar fridge. It is sturdy, short and black. It sits low on the ground and when you use it you will have to do a lot of squatting on the ground. In looks, it is very basic. There are no unnecessary design elements. But that is why it looks sleek and simple.

The controller is placed in the right place though. To prevent heat loss, the wood chips loader is on the side of the smoker. It slides out easily and slides back in equally easily. the latch mechanism on the door is very tight and sealed. No chance of a smoke leak or heat loss because of the accidental door opening.

The 4 cooking grates are chrome-coated for resisting the corrosion and are spacious enough for cooking and smoking 64 sausages at a time. When you buy the smoker, you get smoking chips with it so that the beginners can start away immediately.

Assembly

The smoker comes in a well-packed box. All the parts are packed tightly in Styrofoam. All the racks are also wrapped and tied into place. The company takes maximum care that nothing gets damaged in transportation.

When you unwrap the parts, you will realize that most of the smoker is assembled. You don’t need to do much. Just attach the legs and interior parts and you are good to go.

Cleaning

Cleaning is very easy because of the chrome coating. All the racks, dripping tray and water bowl come out easily. You can lean them with soapy water but do not use any cleaning chemicals. And be sure to dry them immediately to avoid rust and corrosion.

For cleaning the interior, you can make a 50/50 solution of hot water and apple cider vinegar. Put in a spray bottle and spray it on the interior walls. Then swipe a clean sponge on the surface. Do not use any other cleaning agent.

Conclusion

Whichever electric smoker you buy, make sure that you season it before you use it for cooking. No smoker should be used directly before heating and seasoning it. The rest of the features depend on your requirements, budget, and suitability. Traditional smokers do get you the charcoal flavor you cannot achieve with an electric one.

But all is not lost.

You still get a wood-burned flavor. Something is better than nothing. Right?

Living in the city has its disadvantages. But there is always a solution when I am here. Happy grilling. The weekend’s almost here. Go buy a smoker!