Best Electric Smoker Reviews

Masterbuilt 2007815

Pitmaster Rating: 4.1

The display is done in blue LED making it easy to read off the screen even in bright sunlight. This makes things significantly easier when you are cooking outdoors in the scorching sun.

The Masterbuilt 2007815 is designed to be easy to set up, manage, and use. The digital controls are pretty straightforward, as is the general setup. This is a user-friendly product.

The contemporary design effortlessly keeps the heat at any set temperature. This reduces your direct involvement in the cooking process, meaning you won’t need to check on the food continuously.

The built-in thermostat helps you monitor the temperature in the unit by giving precise readings. What is more, the insulation system is efficient and durable. The product can keep a consistent temperature with ease for many years to come.

The quality design maintains an 800-watt heating system. You can organize the food onto the six racks, set the temperature and just relax. The smoking unit is so reliable you won’t have to lift a finger.

One of its best features is the large cooking area. At 721 square inches, this product can prepare food for big families or large groups of people.

Moreover, it allows you to sort different food into groups, divide them with grates and spacers in the racks and prepare them all at once. This feature saves you time and money and is energy-saving.

The only con will be its bulky build, as it prevents you from easily transporting it outside or away from home. This product is meant to be used in the convenience of your own backyard.

Char Broil Vertical Electric Smoker

Pitmaster Rating: 4.0

The design incorporates three adjustable chrome-plated racks. This makes it easy to manage, divide and organize food into groups before smoking it. Even though it falls into the category of more compact electric smokers the product offers a fairly large cooking area.

The design also has an interesting characteristic which is analog temperature control. Nowadays, people are getting used to everything being digital especially with cooking appliances. However, the Char Broil vertical smoker is becoming a leader in delivering accurate and reliable temperature readings.

Analog controls are less prone to cause setbacks and malfunctions. They are a more cost-effective choice when it comes to design and overall functionality. The use of a built-in thermostat and analog dial you will be able to set the perfect temperature effortlessly.

This product will deliver the authentic smoky flavor which every foodie craves. The design of the smoker includes a wood chip box and a water pan which contribute to making a unique and smoky aroma.

You can place your choice of wood and wait for the smoking chamber to create the perfect setting. The liquid and smoke from the wood will be well mixed and make your food juicy and flavorful.

The smoking unit is well-insulated, designed to retain keep the given temperature consistent and to be durable. This means that your smoking sessions will not be hindered by cold weather. Your food will still be evenly cooked.

Most users praise the product for its easy maintenance. The racks can be removed, and the whole unit can be wiped down in record time. The excess grease and food are gathered in a unit at the bottom of the smoker which can be taken out and cleaned separately.

Choice of Wood

Be sure to carefully choose the wood for your smoker as it will influence the overall flavor of the food. A safe option would be any type of hardwood. Preferably wood like mesquite and hickory are a good choice.

Try to avoid scrap wood and wood which has been treated as this can produce a bad aroma or worse, release harmful gasses. Opt for store-bought, pre-packed firewood.

It is important to remember to soak the wood in water before putting it in the unit. This way, you will have better control over the temperature, and the smoky flavor will come gradually. In the end, wet wood will last longer, and you will have achieved an intense smoky flavor.

Preseason

This is an old trick most culinary veterans will know of. To reach the perfect flavor, you can preseason the unit beforehand. Be sure to set the temperature to 275 degrees and leave it for a generous amount of time – at least 2 hours.

Although this seems a bit excessive, it is a useful part of the preparation process. Once you’ve applied this technique, you’ll definitely notice the difference. Your food will have a distinct and unique flavor.

Treat the Meat

People usually smoke different types of meat and fish. The smoking process will inevitably depend on the kind of meat, its thickness, and size, as well as its natural juiciness or dryness. Based on these characteristics you will decide what temperature you’ll need to smoke the meat properly.

What is more, you will want to avoid drying out the meat as it will lose on the flavor. Make sure you baste the meat at least once during the smoking process. If it naturally has a dry texture, baste it twice.

The Clean-up

One of the most important rules of maintaining a smoker is to clean it out regularly. This includes getting the excess food, grease, and oil off of the unit after every use. This will keep the racks from going rancid.

Remember to clean the unit more thoroughly at least twice a year with vinegar and water. This will be easy if you can take it apart and wash each part separately. However, if this is not the case, make sure to clean at least the cooking racks properly.

Cleaning will be much easier if you remember to preheat the unit beforehand. Avoid using any hard chemicals in the cleaning process. Also, never leave the smoker on longer than needed. The high temperatures make the leftover food and grease stick to the cooking racks.