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Smoking is one of the best ways of barbecuing food, isn’t it?
But it can become more of a nightmare when you have to clean up after a party. So, you need to have something compact for smoking, which is easy to clean as well. Keeping this in view, we have brought you a review of the best small electric smokers.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Small Electric Smoker
Comparison Chart of the Best Small Electric Smokers
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What Makes a Small Electric Model Great For Smoking?
There are multiple small electric smokers in the market, and it’s hard to choose one. The advertisements and features of all of these are equally inviting. So, how do you determine which one is better? Here are some of the features that take an electric smoker to the next level.
Electricity Consumption
Since these smokers run on electricity, they can put a strain on your electricity bills. So, you need to go for a smoker that consumes the least amount of energy. It should also have high energy efficiency to let you save more in terms of bills as well as electricity.
Thorough Cooking
The next important requirement is the thoroughness of cooking. This will be possible only if the frame of the smoker is tightly bound. The grills have to be at the right distance from the bottom as well for thorough smoking of meat.
Portability
Ease of carrying an electric smoker is quite significant as well. Since you use these smokers in the outdoors, you have to take them out from the store every time before using them. And dragging them around can damage your furniture and floor. So, they should be portable enough for you to carry around without dragging.
When Would I Use a Small Electric Smoker?
Investing in a small electric smoker will help you in a lot of ways. It comes in handy in many situations and provides you with delicious food whenever you want. So, let’s go through a list of scenarios where you will be using it.
Small Parties
A small electric smoker will help you a lot in small parties. No matter if it is your backyard or at someone else in your family, these smokers are best. Another great thing is that they cook the food really fast. This helps in cooking several batches of food so that everyone can have their fill.
Outdoor Cooking
Now, outdoor cooking is something that always gets hectic. With all the failed attempts at coal and wood burning, you kind of lose your motivation. This is something that a small electric smoker helps you avoid. All it takes is to just put all the meat on the grills inside the smoker and set a timer. Hence, you need a small electric smoker for any outdoor cooking.
Recreational Cooking
Electric smokers are great for recreational cooking as well. When you are out in the wilderness or even at a camping spot, you need something reliable for cooking. And these smokers will help you there as they connect to even the batteries of your RV.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Small Electric Smokers
Here are the best small electric smokers:
Review of the Best Small Electric Smokers
Getting the best small electric smoker is necessary for having an amazing cooking experience. This is why we have shortlisted some of the best models and reviewed them here for you.
Best Overall:
Presto 06013 Electric Indoor Smoker and Slow Cooker
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers liked this Presto electric smoker a lot because of all the features that it comes with. They approve of the black stainless exterior because it has a longer life. It does not get much damage and stays new even after years of use, so they found it worthwhile.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Its seal tight gasket and a glass cover help it stand out to us the most. They make sure that smoke does not escape into your kitchen while you are using it. The automatic shut off and a timer on it are also impressive. They make sure that there is no overcooking or undercooking.
Who Will Use This Most
This is most useful for those who want to smoke their meal indoors. It can be used in your own kitchen and has a small capacity, making it better for small families. This is also great for those who like to multitask when cooing. You can put everything inside, set the timer, and be free of all the worries.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this Presto electric smoker is that it comes loaded with useful features. The safety and overall construction of the smoker are quite trustworthy. So, you should go for it if you want to smoke food indoors as well as outdoors.
Runner-up:
Smokehouse Products Little Chief
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The people who bought this electric heater lately found it to be very useful for outdoor cooking. They liked that it has a sleek construction, which makes its storage and usage easier. They also liked the capacity of this smoker as it can cook a lot of food at once.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It makes it to our list as the runner-up electric smoker due to its aluminum frame. It makes the unit resistant to water and weather damage, as it does not corrode. It is also quite lightweight and has high portability. In addition to this, it has a warranty of 2 years which makes it more reliable.
Who Will Use This Most
This is best suited to those who love to have family gatherings in their backyard. They can take out the smoker and have it running within no time at all. The chrome-plated grills can take up to 25 pounds of meat on them, making it a better match for all your festivities.
Bottom Line
Overall, it is an amazing electric heater that is small in size but has many uses. It even comes with a complimentary packet of hickory flavored wood pellets. The recipe book that comes with it will also help you gain many more secrets to flavorsome smoked meals.
Best for the Money:
Landmann Smoky Mountain 26" Electric Smoker
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Well, recent buyers have given a mixed response regarding this product from Landmann. They are in favor of the temperature gauge on the front door. It is within easy access of the users to control the temperature easily. But they had some issues with the door latch which comes off frequently. Despite that, they had no complaints about investing in it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It distinguishes itself to us with its chrome-plated grates, which can house large quantities of meat. There is a viewing window as well, which lets you keep an eye on the meat while it is in the smoker. It helps you avoid any kind of excessive cooking of the food.
Who Will Use This Most
This is most useful for people who like to smoke their food in the outdoors. It has adjustable feet, which help in balancing the smoker even on rough terrain. It is also light in weight and side handles for added movability, which makes it more suitable for campsites.
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this is one of the best small electric smokers for those who like recreational cooking. Its size, portability, and the overall design support this kind of cooking. So, take it along if you want to enjoy smoked food on your adventures.
4. Pit Boss Grills 77221 2.2 Digital Smoker
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Nearly all recent buyers of this Pit Boss Grills smoker are quite satisfied with their purchase. They like it due to easier temperature configuration and heat settings. The buyers also like its large view window on the front door, which helps in seeing inside the smoker without opening it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like this unit because of its blanket insulation, which keeps the heat trapped inside the smoker. The double-walled frame helps in creating a blanket of air that insulates the heat effectively. Along with this, the high-temperature door seal helps in keeping the heat inside the smoker too.
Who Will Use This Most
This is most useful for people who like to have quicker smoking. As the heat stays within the smoker and cooks the food thoroughly within no time, it is great for campers. This smoker is suitable for those too who want to cook all the meat in one batch as it has a large space in it.
Bottom Line
So, this is a highly reliable small electric heater which satisfies the needs of most outdoor cooking lovers. It has a simple design with effective mechanisms in place for retaining the heat. Hence, you will love using this smoker if you choose to invest in it.
5. Masterbuilt MB20073716 Patio-2-Portable Electric Smoker
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This Masterbuilt small electric smoker has become a favorite of its recent buyers with its price to features ratio. They loved how affordable this is as it offers high-quality operation. They found its temperature gauge and settings quite easy to configure as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It catches our eye with its sleek and compact construction. The dimensions of 15.9 x 23.6 x 23.3 inches are quite practical in terms of storage and cooking space. They allow for the maximum amount of meat to be cooked without taking up much floor space.
Who Will Use This Most
This is for all those who love to travel around and cook on the go. This electric smoker has just the right size and construction for traveling. The legs fold to make it even more compact and easy to carry. So, if you are into recreational cooking, then get this product for yourself.
Bottom Line
To sum up, this is a highly affordable electric smoker which you can find on the market at present. It has two chrome-plated grilling shelves as well, which let you put on all the food for smoking. Thus, you must go with it if you have a budget to abide by.
Pros and Cons of Small Electric Smokers
Well, small electric smokers are undoubtedly great in their structure and working. But, they have a few drawbacks as well. So, let’s have a look at the major pro and cons of these smokers to see if they are worth it.
Pros
First, let’s look at some primary benefits:
Quicker Smoking
The major perk of using a small electric smoker is that it smokes your food quickly and thoroughly. The heat stays within the smoker, so there is more cooking in lesser time. Another benefit of quicker smoking is that there is a lesser consumption of power too.
Easy Cleaning
Cleaning a smoker after a cooking session is definitely a difficult task. But, it gets better once you have a small electric smoker. Since there is no wood or coal-burning involved in electric smokers, they do not create any mess. This makes it quite easy to clean and store them after use.
Environment-Friendly
Now, the environment is a major concern of everybody living across the globe. People care about the conservation of their environment and try to create the least amount of pollution possible. This is something you can achieve with electric smokers. Since there is no burning or combustion involved, these smokers are quite eco-friendly.
Cons
On the other hand, it has some limitations, which include:
For Small Gatherings
The only prevalent issue with electric smokers is that they are usually small. This enables them to cook food for only small gatherings. And multiple rounds of cooking are needed when you are using these.
Conclusion
Summing it all up, you need to have a small electric smoker if you enjoy a thoroughly smoked meal. These smokers are both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. As they do not create much mess, you can have multiple smoking sessions. So, compare the available options carefully and see which one works the best for you.