How Does an Electric Smoker Work?

What is an Electric Smoker?

When most people think of a smoker, they imagine traditional smokers, not electric smokers. An electric smoker, however, can offer many of the same benefits. The only difference is that an electric smoker relies on electricity to generate heat and function.

An electric smoker works the same way as a standard smoker, acting as an outdoor cooking medium. It can use smoke for cooking various food types, including meats of all kinds—red meat, poultry, and fish—as well as vegetables.

How Do Electric Smokers Work?

All smokers have a closed space where smoking occurs, and electric smokers work similarly. Electric smokers use electricity to heat up a closed chamber using an electric heating feature.

The electric smoker’s heat may cook the meat, but the smoking still comes from the use of wood. Wood is used to create a delicious smoked flavor, which is what smoked food is so well known for.

As the electricity heats up the cooking chamber, anything inside of it will start to cook. Electric heating chambers can also offer different temperatures, which are controlled by a simple gauge to allow users to set the appropriate smoking temperature.

The Pros and Cons of an Electric Smoker

Every type of smoker has benefits and drawbacks that can influence the cooking experience. Knowing the pros and cons in advance can help you to make a decision that best supports your personal interests and cooking habits.

Pros

There are several benefits to using an electric smoker:

• Consistent Temperatures—These systems stay at the right temperature during the cycle.
• Easy to Use—Using an electric smoker is a very simple process in most cases, even for beginners.
• Can Be Used with Different Foods—Smokers are highly versatile, and electric smokers are no exception.
• Less Smoke—Since electric smokers use electricity, the smoke is often less severe and more direct. This is ideal for those who love smoked food but do not like smoke or live in areas with fire bans.
• Needs Less Monitoring—Since electric smokers do not require manual work, they can be left to their devices while your food cooks.
• Low Price—Electric smokers can be obtained at a great price.

Cons

There are a few drawbacks that are associated with using an electric smoker:

• Cannot Reach High Temperatures—Most electric smokers cannot reach high temperatures over 300°F, so you cannot grill on an electric smoker.
• Least Amount of Flavor—Electric smokers give much less smoky flavor than cooking over a pellet or charcoal grill. Because there is no actual fire.
• NoSmoke Ring—Electric smokers can’t create a smoke ring on the meat.
• Dependent Upon Outlets—Without an electrical outlet, you cannot use your electric smoker.

Preset Settings Don’t Always Work—Some believe that presets on available electric smoker models can be limiting compared to other options.