Have you heard about electric smokers? Are you looking to buy one but are still unconvinced whether it’s right for you?

Electric smokers are not in any way inferior to charcoal smokers as what some people would say. These things are easy to use and especially helpful for beginners looking to dabble in smoked foods. With all the electric smokers on the market, it’s can be challenging to find the best smokers
for your home. But with that being said, it is not impossible to do so. With the right amount of research, hopefully you’ll be able to find the right one for you.

Below is a detailed list to help you buy the best electric smoker and understand the benefits of having one.

Size

As what would some people say, size matters. This is true when we’re talking about electric smokers. If you’re someone who’s only looking to use your smoker for backyard parties, then you may opt for something small. However, for those looking to use it for a small business, you can get something big and has a lot more features.

A bigger size would obviously mean that you’re able to cook a whole lot more food in it. But bigger isn’t always better. According to FireFoodChef’s list, you need to find a smoker that fits your individual needs.

For example, if you’re going to cook a lot of food but have limited smoking space on your smoker, some of your food may lose the smokiness flavor because of overcrowding.

You should also consider the rack space as this will have an impact on the type of food you are cooking. The following are two classifications for tray configuration:

• Horizontal tray – good for cooking meat and vegetables
• Inclined tray – good for cooking fish and other kinds of seafood

Be sure to also check the quality of the tray. It should be made of durable material such as stainless steel.

Temperature Control

The secret to a good-tasting smoked food is the right temperature. Find out if the smoker has an opening in which excess heat can get out. This cavity or opening will help maintain the appropriate temperature inside the smoker.

Additionally, make sure you buy an electronic smoker with your preferred temperature control. There are two types of temperature controls available in electric smokers:

• Rheostats – Also known as a dimmer dial and works just like a regular dial. You can adjust the amount of heat you want to get using the dial, but the temperature isn’t regulated in any way. This kind of module is often seen in less expensive electronic smokers.
• Thermostats – This type of module is often what experts use as they allow accurate temperature reading and heating consistently. A thermostat is what you would usually see in more expensive electric smokers.

Temperature and timing are what makes good smoked food. Find an electric smoker that has a temperature module you’re more accustomed to as this will make cooking more convenient.

Maintenance and Portability

Now, electric smokers don’t come cheap, and this is probably the reason you’re reading this. You want to get the best bang for your buck when buying an electric smoker. Just like any other equipment, maintenance is what will make your unit last a long time.

You should also consider portability based on how you wish to use the smoker. If you’re someone who will use it on a regular basis, you can opt for those that are around 50 pounds or less as they are easier to pull out. There are also units that come equipped with wheels for easy storage.

Then there is the power source to consider as well. Some electric smokers operate on a battery, others you plug into a power socket. However a plug-in smoker does not mean you are limited in portability as you can easily get an electrican compay like SALT (saltle.com/electrician-texas-service-areas/austin-tx-electrician/) to install an external power socket. That will save you from putting down extension cables when you want to take your smoker outside.

Finally, find a smoker that has racks, panels, and trays that are easily removable. Smoking food can be messy, and you don’t want to be leaving it in a poor state after use.

Now, these are just buying tips to help you look for the best electric smoker. To make the decision even easier for you, here are three benefits of owning one.

#1 Perfect for beginners – If you’re someone who’s cooking smoked foods for the first time, ease of use will be a big factor. Electric smokers are easy to use because of the temperature control. You just plug it in, set the temperature, and wait for your food to cook.

#2 Safer – When compared with a traditional smoker, an electric smoker is safer by a mile. A typical smoker will require you to keep the fire on for hours, and if you have kids or pets in the house, this can be a cause of an accident.

#3 Price – A traditional food smoker will need charcoal or wood to maintain fire while an electric smoker will only need electricity. The money you save from wood can be used to buy new rubs and sauces to create tastier smoked food goodness.

Conclusion

An electric smoker is a good investment as it can save you time and provide ease of use even for beginners. The tips listed above should help you find one that will fit your needs and your budget. Cooking smoked foods is now made even more comfortable with an electric smoker – just plug it and let it cook.

This is a Sponsored guest post by Sarah Morris