Life

From BBQ Chicken To Smoked Salmon, These Electric Smokers Can Cook Your Favorite Meats Fast

by Margeaux Baulch Klein
Amazon

Why deal with the hassle of gas or charcoal smokers when you can cook perfectly smoked BBQ every time with an electric smoker? Ideal for people who live in fire-ban areas or for home cooks who are new to smoking, the best electric smokers are easy to use and their push-button controls allow you to manage the cooking temperature with far more precision than a gas cooker. They are also typically more affordable than their non-electric counterparts.

When shopping for an electric smoker, many of the best models boast features like viewing windows so you can visually monitor your food's progress or an extra-large amount of cooking space. You can even splurge on an electric cooker with a remote control that allows you to keep track of your smoker from afar. While these features are certainly nice to have, if you're on a budget, you can also find options that lack these bells and whistles but still offer a quality cooking experience.

Keep in mind that since electric smokers require access to an outlet, you can't just set them up anywhere. But for the money, you can't beat their value. Without further ado, take a look below at the three best electric smokers on the market.

1

The Overall Best, All Things Considered

For the best bang for your buck, look no further than this stainless steel Smoke Hollow electric smoker. It has an extra-large, 720-square-inch capacity with four chrome-plated racks that can fit twelve whole chickens or two entire turkeys. It also boasts a digital display and controls, and a glass viewing window that lets you monitor your food without having to open the door and let smoke pour out. With an external-loading wood chip tray that allows you to add more wood chips while you cook and a powerful, 1500-watt heating source, this smoker has earned its glowing, 4.1-star rating on Amazon.

2

An Investment-Worthy Smoker

With 730 square inches of cooking space over four racks, this Masterbuilt electric smoker is only a smidge bigger than the previous pick. Plus, it has a similar glass viewing window and digital display as the best overall smoker above. However, where this model starts to standout from others on this list is the convenience factor: This smoker comes with a remote control that enables you to monitor your cooking from a distance. With this model, you can keep an eye on the smoker's temperature and your meat's internal temperature from your couch without having to get up and constantly walk over to the smoker to check on it. It also boasts a wood chip tray as well as a removable drip tray that makes it easier to clean. With 800 watts of heating, it's not the most powerful electric smoker on the market, but it's certainly one of the largest and most convenient.

3

The Best Budget Smoker

Don't want to shell out a ton of money on an electric smoker? This Cuisinart electric smoker is a great, no-frills option that gets the job done. With 548 square inches of cooking space and three racks, it's smaller than the other options on this list but still has plenty of room to cook an entire meal. Since it doesn't have a window, you won't be able to peek in on your food as it cooks. You'll also need to load the wood chips in beforehand since they go at the bottom of the cooker. However, one major bonus of this model: It boasts a powerful 1500-watt heating element that quickly cooks food up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature. The cooker's temperature dial and a built-in thermometer on the door also help you control the temperature and make sure your smoked food comes out perfectly.

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