An electric smoker is one of the best ways to cook food, and it’s also one of the most affordable ones. Side by side with gas grill racks, smokers are the perfect solution for cooking delicious foods that will stay moist and tender.

If you’re looking for a way to spend less money on your grill or BBQ while still getting great-tasting food, an electric smoker is the answer. But, how does an electric smoker work? This article will give you all sorts of information about how an electric smoker works so you can start smoking like a pro!

What Is an Electric Smoker?

An electric smoker is a type of smoker that uses electricity to heat the smoking chamber and to power a fan that circulates a flow of smoke around the food. Some models include a digital controller that allows you to set the temperature and cooking time, while others use preset programs. 

Electric smokers are easy to use and maintain, making them a popular choice for both beginner and experienced smokers. Electric smokers come in a variety of sizes, from small tabletop models to large units that can accommodate an entire hog!

The most common type of electric smoker is the vertical smoker, which has a chamber that runs parallel to the ground. Horizontal smokers are also available, as are cabinet smokers, which resemble small refrigerators.

The electric heating element in an electric smoker is usually located at the bottom of the electric smoking box chamber, so it’s important to use a drip pan to catch any drippings. The pan can be filled with hot water or juice to help keep the food moist and add smoke flavor. Some smokers include a built-in probe thermometer that allows you to monitor the temperature of the food.

How Does an Electric Smoker Work?

The first thing you need to know is that electric smokers aren’t the same as charcoal or gas smokers. While these types of units do use electricity, they require direct heat and flame from either coals or a burner in order to function.

An electric smoker uses an internal heating element and vents around the cooking chamber to create smoke and cook the food. The heating element is what gets the smoker up to temperature, and then the smoke is created by the cups of wood chips or pellets that are placed in a wood chip tray on top of the electrical heating element.

The heat from the element causes the types of wood chips to smolder and produce consistent smoke, which circulates around the cooking chamber and cooks your food. Electric smokers are very user-friendly and usually come with a temperature gauge.

This allows you to see exactly what temperature your food is cooking at, which lets you monitor the process without opening the unit too much (which will allow heat and moisture to escape). It also makes for easy cleanup because there’s no excess grease or fat that has to be cleaned up like with other types of smokers.

Since they don’t require any additional fuel, electric smokers are also very cost-effective when it comes to smoking meat at home. They’re almost completely automated, which makes them ideal for beginners who want to try their hand at the smoking process but might not know much about the process.

They’re also very convenient since they can be used indoors or outdoors. This makes them perfect for tailgating and camping as well! They don’t require any additional equipment as gas grills do in order to operate efficiently.

Since there’s no mess with electric smokers (other than the small number of wood chips that need to be replaced occasionally), they are the ideal choice for people who live in apartments or condos.

The main downside of electric smokers is that, while convenient and fairly easy to use, there’s no flame involved at all during the cooking process. This means that you can’t get that same “smoked” flavor that you would from other types of smokers.

The good news is that there are a number of electric smoker recipes out there to help you get the best possible smoked-style flavors using your unit, so don’t give up before trying.

With a little bit of practice and some trial and error with different kinds of dry wood chips, you’ll be able to create some deliciously smoked food that everyone will love!

Factors to Consider When Buying an Electric Smoker

When buying an electric smoker for professional kitchens, there are some factors that you need to consider before making a purchase. A good quality smoker will not only give you a delicious and tender type of meat with a distinct flavor, but it should enhance your cooking skills while saving time and money. 

So, what kind of features should you look for in the best electric smokers?

Capacity

The size of the smoker is an important consideration. If you’re only cooking for a small family, then a small smoker will be sufficient. However, if you have a large family or like to entertain guests often, then you will need a smoker with a larger capacity.

Temperature Control

Smokers come in all different shapes and sizes but all of them have one thing in common: they need to be set at a low temperature to cook the cuts of meat slowly. Make sure that the smoker you choose has an accurate thermostat or digital thermometer so you can control the cooking temperature.

Ease of Use

Smokers can be quite complicated to use, especially for first-timers. However, some smokers are easier to use than others. Buy the perfect smoker that allows for easy internal temperature control and has well-labeled buttons so you can quickly adjust the variety of settings to your desired cooking temperature or time.

Smoker Type

There are three types of smokers on the market today: propane smokers, charcoal smokers, and electric smokers. Electric ones are best suited for beginners because they are the easiest to use and they come with a pre-set temperature. However, smokers that run on propane or charcoal give you more smoky flavor options.

Durability

Smokers can be quite expensive, so it’s important to buy one that’s made of high-quality materials and is built to last. Look for an average smoker that has strong handles, sturdy hinges, and latches that will not easily break.

Conclusion

Electric smokers are a game-changer for the BBQ industry. They offer some unique advantages over traditional smoker or wood-burning options, including more consistent cooking temperatures and no smoke which makes them perfect for those who don’t want to deal with all of that mess.

We hope this article has been helpful in answering the question “How does an electric smoker work?” If you have yet to try an electric smoker out, now is the time!