Anybody use an electric smoker?

Caress of Steel

Caress of Steel

Joined
Oct 12, 2003
Messages
281
Just like the title says.... Anybody have any experience with them? I would like a wood pellet smoker like a Rec-Tec, but cost and my schedule/convenience factor is steering me towards electric.

John
 
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I have the cheap Brinkmann's electric smoker. Very easy to use and I made a lot of pretty good stuff on it. The biggest knock on it is that it runs kind of hot. There are "fixes" online to lower the power but they involved some bit of electrical knowledge so I didn't do it.

I haven't used it in a couple years. I'm not really sure why as it was simple to use.
 
My wife bought me a Masterbuilt smoker a few years ago. I like having the electronic controls because it makes it easier to control temperature, and I don't have to watch it as frequently.
 
I have a Green Mountain Davey Crockett - electric smokers are SWEET! Keeps the meat nice and moist - they're forgiving, even if you cook a bit too long. The Davey Crockett is "portable" (small), but I can put two large whole chickens in it. Just my wife and I though, if I was using it to entertain, I'd want a bigger one.

I will say this though, it doesn't completely replace a gas or charcoal grill. Some things (steak) are better with that direct heat. Electric smokers are technically indirect heat. Every back yard needs both.
 
JOELSM said:
I have a Green Mountain Davey Crockett - electric smokers are SWEET! Keeps the meat nice and moist - they're forgiving, even if you cook a bit too long. The Davey Crockett is "portable" (small), but I can put two large whole chickens in it. Just my wife and I though, if I was using it to entertain, I'd want a bigger one.

I will say this though, it doesn't completely replace a gas or charcoal grill. Some things (steak) are better with that direct heat. Electric smokers are technically indirect heat. Every back yard needs both.
Click to expand...

Absolutely... If you look out on our south deck you will see the smoker, our older big ass Weber gas grill that I totally rebuilt last year, and next to that is our new small Weber Q.

I would be lost without the Weber Q... I love that thing. I still haven't figured out why, but it gives the meat a totally different flavor than the bigger Weber does.
Everyone that has had a steak, burger or chicken off of the Q notices the difference and wants one.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I've got an charbroil infrared gas grill....running on natural gas so I've got the grilling part covered. The Masterbuilt was a consideration and also the Charbroil version as well. I'll wait and see what gets put on sale towards Christmas.

John
 
No pic, but I smoked a whole chicken last Sunday in my GM Davey Crocket. Smoked it for ~ 5 hrs. Started at temp at 200*. Slowly raised the temp through the process. Had an awesome smoke flavor - but not too heavy. Used the leftover the following day for a white bean chicken chili. So good.
 
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