Best Electric Smokers – Get That Delicious Flavor Of Freshly-smoked Meat

Coming home to a tender, smoked, juicy meal is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Of course, to do that, you’ll need a smoker or grill that doesn’t require any babysitting on your part. Set it and forget it – that’s what you need. Which means you need an electric smoker. No charcoal to light or fuel supply to check. You can set it up, crack a brew, and go binge on Netflix while you wait. You can even take a nap and awaken to beautifully cooked meat with that delicious smokey flavor. Naturally, not all electric smokers are made equal. To ensure you get the tastiest results every time, you’ll need to get the best electric smokers that suits your needs. And we’ve got just the list to help you find it.

Top 6 Electric Smokers Of 2020 Reviewed

1.  LANDMANN MCO 32954 Landmann Smoky Mountain 26-Inch Electric Smoker

Featuring a 443-square inch smoking area, the Landmann MCO 32954 is an effective electric smoker. The chrome-plated racks available in this smoker totals three. It has a magnetic door closure to tightly secure the smoking chamber. Through the viewing window, you will be able to see what’s going on inside the smoker. It comes with a three-in-one combination tray with a grease tray, wood chip box, and a water pan. This ensures you can easily access and clean it.

It comes with an independent temperature controller, which you can plug in and out at will. Thus, you will be able to control the temperature at which you want smoking to happen. Other features include adjustable feet leveling it on uneven surfaces, a double-wall door, and side handles so you can easily carry it. The interior of the smoker is made from 100 percent steel. This electric smoker is capable of producing up to 275°F. It works using the wet smoking method.

2. Masterbuilt 20078715 Electric Digital Smoker Front Controller

Best Electric Smoker For The Money

This electric smoker from Masterbuilt has just about everything you’ll need in an electric smoker. Its walls are 100% insulated and able to maintain temperature consistently which makes the smoker energy efficient. The temp and timer controls are easy to use. Plus, the digital control panel is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. You can even control temperature (ranging from 100 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit) from a distance, using an RF remote.

The side-loading wood chip tray makes it easy to add your any smokey flavors you like without losing heat or smoke. In case you’re curious, this smoker has 721 square inches of cooking space divided into 4 chrome-coated racks. You can easily cook food fit for an army or enjoy a wide variety of smoked meat. And, the front access drip pan makes cleaning up this smoker a breeze. However, there are drawbacks. For one, this smoker doesn’t feature a meat probe so you’ll have to have your own on hand. And two, moving the smoker from storage to patio and back again isn’t easy due to a lack of wheels.

3. Smoke Hollow 2614E 26-Inch Electric Smoker

Best Long Lasting Electric Smoker

The Smoke Hollow 2614E is an electric smoker, which means you don’t have to worry about refilling gas time after time. The heating element is capable of producing up to 1500 watts of power to enable you to effectively carry out all the smoking you want. This smoker has electric temperature control, which helps you to maintain keep it at a particular heat level. The cooking area measures a total of 1.3 cubic feet and comes with a couple of stainless steel grids for cooking. Thus, it is capable of cooking a family meal without trying too much.

This electric smoker is 19 by 16.5 by 35.5 inches in dimension. The cabinet consists of welded steel, which holds together very well. Inside, the grate is chrome-plated. It also has a wrap-around electric heating element, which evenly spreads out the heat while cooking. It comes with a convenient heat indicator that enables you to monitor the cooking temperature with precision. It includes wood and water chip pans so that you can cook your food in several ways.

4. Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker

Best Electric Smoker For Brisket

If a portable electric smoker is what you need, then you shouldn’t look any further than the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker. One of our favorite things about this smoker is its 12-foot power cord which means you won’t need to hunt down a nearby socket. The smoker also comes with 3-inch diameter rubber casters plus side handles which makes it easy to transport from one place to another.

The smoker has a load capacity of 22lbs and 3 removable shelves (though you can fit 4, if you want). The smoker is made of 18 gauge stainless steel with fiberglass insulation. The entire smoker is NSF-certified for restaurant use. However, you do pay quite a bit of money for that certification and solid construction. And it doesn’t offer a lot of cooking space.

5. Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker

Best Electric Smoker For Jerky

When it comes to controlling temperature, nothing beats the Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker. Yes, it’s a little bit old school without digital controls. But it comes with double-walled insulated construction that is great at keeping the heat in. It features dual exhaust ports for controlling temperature. The door-mounted temperature gauge allows you to check the temperature inside the smoker.

And the door features dual latches which seal all that heat in. Aside from keeping consistent temps, this electric smoker comes with easily accessible trays for the wood chips, water, and grease. You also get 3 chrome-plated cooking grates that provide you with 544 square inches of cooking space. However, it doesn’t come with wheels (though it does have carrying handles) so you’ll have to put your back into it when carrying the smoker too and from your garage.

Also, the wood chip tray is a bit on the small side. We also heard some reports that the smoker does get easily dented during shipping. That being said, this smoker is still a top choice for us since it’s so easy to use AND we really can’t say enough about its awesome temperature control which is key in low and slow cooking.

6. Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30″ Digital Electric Smoker

Best Electric Smoker For Beginner

The Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30″ Digital Electric Smoker also looks “old school” but it’s definitely a lot more modern than our Char-Broil pick. This smoker features an LED display and push-button controls for easy set up of time and temperature.

Beginners won’t have a problem operating this unit. Unlike other smokers on our list, this one comes with an integrated meat thermometer so you can keep a close eye on your food. The wood chip loader is accessible from the side which ensures you keep all that heat and smoke inside where it should be.

The high-temperature door seal, as well as double-walled insulation, also help in maintaining a consistent temperature. And if you’re planning to feed a horde, don’t worry. This smoker comes with 732 square inches of cooking space (4 chrome-plated cooking grates)! However, we did notice that the wood chip is pretty small so you need to refill it quite frequently. There are a few leaks around the door and it doesn’t produce enough smoke.

How to Choose the Best Electric Smoker: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Buying a smoker, whether it’s electric or not, isn’t a walk in the park. There are a lot of things that you’ll need to consider if you want to find one that suits your needs and cooks meat beautifully. To ensure that you don’t go into a store blind, we’ve created this informative guide on electric smokers and what to look for.

Should I Buy an Electric Smoker?

There’s quite a lot of debate as to whether electric smokers are any good. Now, there’s no question that traditional smokers (the ones that use charcoal or pellets) produce seriously delicious eats. After all, that’s what makes traditional grills incredibly popular among backyard chefs. Electric smokers can also produce tasty meats. Of course, when you compare the two, traditional will beat electric hands down. But for those who aren’t able to play with fire (you know what we mean) or if your lifestyle is more suited to a set-it-and-forget-it kind of cooking, then you definitely should get an electric smoker.

If you’re not convinced whether you should go electric or not, we’ve listed some of the benefits of electric smokers that you won’t find anywhere else:

• Electric smokers are easier to use and maintain. There is no need to clean up ashes or worry about running out of fuel while you’re cooking. It really is a set-it-and-forget-it smoker which makes it ideal for low and slow cooking.
• Electric smokers are considered safer than all other types of smokers. This is because it has less inherent risks. Leaving it on for hours on end isn’t as dangerous as leaving a charcoal or gas smoker running while you’re out of the house.
• Electric smokers are perfect for beginners. You don’t need years of grilling experience to handle one of these babies, especially if you get a digital electric smoker.
• Electric smokers are more environmentally friendly. Electricity is a cleaner form of energy compared to charcoal and gas. Aside from the fact that you’re not burning anything which contributes to pollution, you also aren’t exposing your food to as many contaminants.

How Much Cooking Space do I Need?

It depends. Most of our picks, like the Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker, have more than 500 square inches of cooking space which enables you to cook enough meat for a group of 5 or more. Anything over 700 square inches like the Masterbuilt 20078715 Electric Digital Smoker Front Controller can feed a group of 8 or more people. The Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker, on the other hand, has half the capacity and can only feed around 2 to 4 people.

How Portable is it?

Since this is an electric smoker, it’s not one that you can keep out in your backyard. If you plan on keeping this in your garage and cooking there, portability isn’t something you need to consider. However, if you need to transport the smoker from one part of your house to another, you may want to consider a unit that comes with carrying handles such as Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker. Now, if you want something truly portable, you need to look for a unit that features wheels and maybe a long electric cord such as the Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker.

What Should the Electric Smoker be Made of?

Just like traditional smokers, an electric smoker should be constructed of a material that handles heat very well such as stainless steel. This also ensures the smoker’s durability and makes maintaining temperature easy. Some electric smokers are made of aluminum which is great for portability but they can also get easily dented.

Digital or Analog?

You may have noticed that electric smokers come in two kinds. Analog electric smokers feature a temperature gauge and a knob you can turn to set temperature, similar to an oven. Digital electric smokers, on the other hand, are much easier to use since they feature a control panel with push buttons for easy setup. These smokers sometimes also feature a timer along with an automatic shut-off feature.

Do I Need to Choose a Specific Temperature Range?

It also depends. The temperature range of your electric smoker will determine the types of food you can cook with it. Those that can stay as low as 100°F can be used to cook cheese. Large birds like turkeys need an electric smoker that can reach up to 275°F. The Masterbuilt 20078715 Electric Digital Smoker Front Controller, for example, has a range of 100 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit which makes it perfect for cheese and small items as well as large turkeys for Thanksgiving.

How Many Racks do I Need?

Most electric smokers come with 3 to 4 racks. Some like the Smoke Hollow 3016DEW 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker will have height-adjustable racks which means you can configure the space to fit meats of various sizes. Take note that most racks are chrome-plated but a notable few such as the  Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker feature cast iron cooking grates.

Any Other Features I Should Consider?

Chip loader

Unlike traditional smokers, an electric smoker will need to add wood chips to create the smokey flavor you’re looking for. There are typically two ways to load chips. Some will require you to open the door of the smoker to refill the tray which means some of your heat and smoke will escape. Others like the Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D 30″ Digital Electric Smoker have a side-loading system which prevents heat and smoke loss.

Window

While electric smokers are perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it kind of cooking, that doesn’t mean that you won’t want to check on your food once in a while. However, opening the door of your smoker means letting the heat and all that delicious smoke out. Fortunately, some manufacturers include a window with their smoker like the Smoke Hollow 3016DEW 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker. This enables you to monitor your meat without opening the door.

What About the Price?

Any backyard chef will tell you that buying quality outdoor equipment is an investment. Of course, not everyone has the same amount of money available for investing. The great thing about electric smokers is that a lot of them are affordable with an average price of $250. In general, a model at this price would have a lot of the necessary features a cook is looking for. Of course, there are models that cost a lot less but the quality may not be to your liking (i.e. poor heat retention, fluctuating temperature). High-end models may seem better but, unless you have money to spare and require the bells and whistles, we suggest sticking to those in the middle tier.