Yahoo Lifestyle 7 Best Electric Smokers to Up Your Home-Cooking Game
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7 Best Electric Smokers to Up Your Home-Cooking Game
There's nothing like the taste of smoked meat — brisket, wings, you name it. But trying to get that amazing flavor without an electric smoker is definitely a hassle. That's why investing in an electric smoker is a great option for home chefs who want to up their meals — even if you're a beginner cook.
"Smoking meat is like slow cooking or braising, which also tenderizes meat, but imparts flavor in a different way. The flavor of meat is accentuated in smoking," says Nicole Papantoniou, senior testing editor and producer at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances Lab.
But not just any electric smoker will do. You'll want one that is able to hold temperature well, and the easiest way that can be done, the better says Papantoniou. So with that expert intel in mind, here’s our list of the best electric smokers on the market right now.
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1) Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt
amazon.com
$349.00
Masterbuilt’s 40-inch digital electric smoker features bluetooth technology so you can monitor and control your smoker temperature from your smart device or digital control panel. It has a side wood chip loading system so you can add chips without opening the smoker door. Plus, it has four chrome-coated smoking racks. An interior light illuminates food in low-light conditions when the door is open. And it has wheels and a rear-mounted handle, so it’s easy to move.
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2) Analog Electric Smoker
Char-Broil
amazon.com
$143.97
Char-Broil’s electric smoker has 544 square inches of cooking area across three chrome-plated grates. Double-wall insulated construction helps retain the heat and smoke. And this option has dual exhaust ports, which allow consistent smoke production and better air flow. There’s a door-mounted temperature gauge, and a front-access water tray, grease cup, and wood chip tray.
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3) Digital Bluetooth Electric Smoker
Dyna-Glo
amazon.com
$223.19
Dyna-Glo’s 30-inch electric smoker has four chrome-plated steel cooking grates which combine to provide 732-square-inches of cooking space. Use the digital thermostat and control panel display to set and monitor cooking times and temps. An integrated thermometer allows you to track food’s internal temperature without interrupting cooking. A removable rack and sausage hooks provide added versatility. A bottom-access drawer lets you get to your water or wood chips without letting smoke or heat escape, as does a flexible, high-temperature door seal. A 1,000-watt burner generates major cooking power in cold conditions.
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4) Electric Smoker
Smokin-It
amazon.com
$529.99
This electric smoker has a chic-looking and durable all-stainless steel construction. The smoker is insulated to reduce heat loss, and a replaceable 800-watt heating element is certified for restaurant use. This smoker includes three-inch diameter rubber casters and four removable shelves. Side handles make it reasonably easy to move, too.
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5) Electric Smoker
Cuisinart
williams-sonoma.com
$199.95
Cuisinart’s 30-inch electric smoker has three stainless steel racks, providing a total of 548 square inches of cooking space. A 1,500-watt heating element produces temperatures from 100 to 400 degrees, and Papantoniou notes that, “a larger temperature range is desirable; it allows for more versatility.” A thermometer monitors internal temperature, and a removable water pan and wood chip tray make startup and cleanup easier. The frame is also lightweight, with two side handles, making it easier to use, move, and store.
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6) Electric Smoker
Cookshack Amerique
bbqguys.com
$1899.00
Cookshack Amerique’s electric smoker might be the appliance of your dreams — at a splurge-y price point. Top-end insulation ensures consistent internal temperature for a huge amount of food: It has more than 1,000 square inches of cooking area, allowing as much as 50 pounds of food to be smoked at once. A digital controller allows for precise automatic cooking to pre-set temps. And the 140 to 300 degree temperature range allows big variety in what you can successfully smoke with this one: meat, fish, vegetables, and a range of other options.
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7) Front Controller Smoker
Masterbuilt
amazon.com
$399.99
Masterbuilt’s 40-inch front-controller smoker has a massive viewing window, which Papantoniou cites among the features to consider when making your purchase. It also has a remote control for operating features such as temperature, time, and light. This option also features four chrome-coated smoking racks, for significant cooking space. And this smoker includes thermostat temperature control for even heat and consistent smoking.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro cook, it's the best (and easiest) way to smoke meat.
