Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. ... Electric Vs. Charcoal Smoker for Beginners. I love the smoker and use it usually at the least once a week! Real easy to use and clean. But then I discovered the magic that is a chimney starter. So I have this old electric box style smoker that the burner has gone out on and I was looking to replace it but then I thought what if I cut a hole in the bottom to fit it with a propane burner so that I can save the cash and still have a decent smoker. Uses plain old wood chips, great temp control, lots of room inside and typically under 200 bucks. The pellets are an expense, but I never found it to be way too pricey. However, it is harder to figure out how use. And keeping temps around 250 won't take you long to master, as long as you don't get a smoker with super thin meta (looking at you, brinkman). With a gas smoker, a natural gas or propane burner ignites the smoke source, which is typically wood chips. Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. If you are not attentive to this fact, you could end up ruining a good piece of meat. What makes electric smokers different from their propane/gas, charcoal, and pellet smokers is that they heat up thanks to, you guessed it, electricity. This applies to a Propane vs electric smoker. This was super easy since it just sits right on top of the same pan with an electric element. Electric pellet smokers, like Traeger and Green Mountain are always a great option, if you're looking to spend a few hundred dollars. Combustion takes place. Blind tests have proved this fact a few times. I'm a geek so, naturally I wound up with a gadget'y smoker. Links to the best electric smokers we listed in today's electric smoker review video:1. Does an electric smoner make a good bark on the meat? Gas smokers. you get all the results of cooking with real wood, but with set and forget computer controlled thermostat results. A small charcoal smoker, for example, will be easier to move around than an affordable gas-powered smoker that needs a propane tank. It cannot go off the grid. Don't want straight wood or charcoal due to time involved. Folks on here swear by the WSM. No more messing with that little wood chip tray. If you wanted an electric one so it could be more "fire and forget" than charcoal, you might consider a Traeger or other pellet smoker. If propane is clean then electrical smokers are the cleanest. How well does that electric fan control work? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. In addition to this, side leaks are not in place, which would make clean-up a whole lot easier. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Smoked food is the most fascinating and delicious dish for outdoor parties. Personally, I like it. They are compared with the electric smokers in terms of operational ease and with the charcoal or wood smokers in terms of food flavor. The heating element helps keep it at a relatively constant temp but the most important part is wrapping the wood chunks in aluminum foil and striking them so they they smolder over a couple hours. Feb 16, 2018 #21 I just got an electric masterbuilt and it freaking awesome! For me this is an excellent way to smoke especially if the unattended cooking is important for you, as stated it’s huge for me. If you choose charcoal smoker over electric smoker, be sure to limit your smoking sessions to the outdoors. Mine gets used a couple times a week. Parts can break easily, but just about every hardware store has replacement parts. I've made jerky, smoked salmon, beef brisket, rib-eyes, beef roast, pork ribs, macaroni and cheese, baked potatoes, pork belly, and more. The differences between propane and electric smokers. Smoker: electric or propane. Pellets are also free from fillers and additives typically present in briquettes. Pre-season your smoker prior to first use. Some of the different smoker options include: Pellet Smoker At least for me anyway. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.smokerify.com/best-propane-smoker-reviews/. I like moist chewy not dry and brittle. I have a smokin tex electric smoker it takes any small chunk of wood. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If you prefer portability and need something that you can fit in your vehicle, there are portable electric smokers. Propane vs. Electric Smoker - You will find which smoker provides maximum benefits or advantages to customers. Electricity or propane gas. I can put a butt in my smoker and leave town for 36 hours if I wanted to, and come back to a grill still smoking the shit out of that pork. In terms of disadvantages to pellet grills vs. electric grills, you should always think about the following: Buying hardwood pellets is going to be more expensive potentially than paying to run an electric grill unit. I smoke meat to eat, not because I want to spend a day tending a fire. See our review with product details. Once you learn, though, smoking on the Akorn is very simple. However, there is never one best type of smoker; all have their pros and cons. The all-encompassing smoky environment is the main medium that smokes the food. What type of budget are you looking at? 1. I got a BGE and love it (pricy, but the ceramic insulation = super long cooks without having to add charcoal). They won't offer the benefit of including a grill, but they can be transported in smaller cars. Cooking. The heat source is the wood not the electric element. inch food preparation area Masterbuilt 20070210 — this is an analog control electrical smoker with 548 sq. ... KitchenAid 740-0781 Built Propane Gas Grill Review & Buyers Guide; Or does that only come from charcoal or wood? . Best Electric Smoker & Gas Smokers by Masterbuilt Masterbuilt Front Controller Electric Smoker . The first difference that comes to anyone’s mind when thinking about a propane smoker vs an electric smoker is portability. Recommended article: How to Use Wood Chips in an Electric Smoker (3 Methods) Propane smokers are also much cheaper than the pellet smokers, a feature that makes them popular among many people. If you buy it, consider getting the "cold smoker" piece as well. Disclaimer . David Go to a junk yard and buy an old water heater that has porcelin lining on the inside. you will have to learn how to control air flow by opening and closing air vents. I’m a fan of the master built 30” digital electric smoker. Additionally, electric smokers are faster than charcoal smokers just like any other electric appliance. This is my experience with all of them, keep in mind your experiences will be different. As the name says, it allows you to cold smoke cheese and fish, but is also used with hot smokes. While I do have a propane/charcoal smoker, I am in the market for an electric one and was wondering what the best one were thanks! There is just something that doesn't work right flavor wise with a brisket, yet with a pork butt I cannot tell a difference between it and my stick burner. The propane smoker grill combo is roughly 200-pounds, which makes it difficult to pick up, but the rolling wheels will help you get the grill from your shed to the backyard. What’s the Big Difference between Propane & Electric Smokers? The powering source that charg… Go. Curing your smoker will rid the unit of oils produced in the manufacturing process. Everything Off-Topic . I live in an urban area, so having a normal one doesn't really make sense, and my electric is the next best thing. Edit: if you want electronic temp control, you could always add something like this: http://pitmasteriq.com. honestly in that price range - I would build your own. INSTRUCCIONES DE PRE-SAZONADO DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER For Assembly Assistance, Missing or Damaged Parts Call: MASTERBUILT Customer Service at 1-800-489-1581. Prev. The major difference between the Propane vs. electric smoker is heat difference such as the high and low, comparison related to reliability, wether Propane smokers can't get cool enough for a cool smoked fish. This entire process adds to the flavour of the meat. Electric or propane smokers have the advantage of being able to increase the smoky flavor, simply by increasing the quantity of chips or chunks in the chip box…without increasing the internal temperature of the smoker… giving you more control over the level of smoke flavor. Propane vs. Electric Smoker: An In-depth Guide To Finding Your Next Smoker. But let's be honest. I do wish my Brinkmann had better temp control, but hey it is cheap and easy. In the Masterbuilt you are getting a small wood pan that smokes briefly for flavor and then it is just an electric oven. I live in a condo, so they are the only option! In my humblest of humble opinions, certain things you just cannot taste the difference between electric and wood fired. When you add wood to an offset, or propane/wood chip smoker you get thick black acrid smoke, which makes your meat black. I give a lot of credit for this to the fact that I am able to use large chunks of wood that smoke for a while. I'm a big fan of pellet smoker grills. + Delicious Taste: Propane smokers provide flavors better than electric smoker but slightly less than a charcoal one. I have a Bradley. But there is definitely a learning curve, so I understand if you are hesitant. If you enjoy smoking, then save your money and buy a nice one. In addition to this, it also gathers juice which is formed by the process of condensation and makes them to drop on the meat. RECIPES, RECETAS ADVERTENCIA Este manual contiene … Thread starter 6mm Remington; Start date Aug 24, 2017; Forums. There are different types of food smokers available in the market for you to buy. I'm a huge fan of the Smokin-It Model Electric Smoker. Don't worry with the briquettes, just use good chunks. It is electrically controlled so.. fire and forget to some extent. Offset vertical smokers have a different shape than other smokers, but at the end of the day, they do the same job. A place to discuss techniques, tips, recipes, and pictures of smoking meats, vegetables, fruits, or anything else consumable. January 31, 2020 at 4:44 am. The bark might not thick as it would be if done at a higher temperature, but the meat tends to be less tender at higher temps as well. Like you I sacrifice a little but gain some freedom.My buddies hate my smoker. To start the smoker, push the on button just once. Looking for a new smoker to replace super-cheapo bullet-shaped Brinkmann charcoal one that has finally self-destructed. However, there is a considerable difference in the use of both electric smokers and gas smokers.While one type of smoker may be good in a particular aspect, another type may outdo the other in a different aspect. A complete guide to both types of smokers is as follows. Agree with you on the egg. My other one is a Brinkmann electric smoker, which was actually a charcoal smoker I converted into electric. The smoke gives the food smoky flavor without having to add wood chips as in charcoal smokers. Ended up giving it to my father in law. First Prev 2 of 3 Go to page. This implies that electric smoker is convenient and allows for automation. Some of the lower end electric versions will not get higher than 200 degrees, making it truly a cool smoker or a dehydrator that infuses smoke. A place to discuss techniques, tips, recipes, and pictures of smoking meats, vegetables, fruits, or anything else consumable. Q: Do propane and electric smokers still taste “smoky”? Internal smoking space of 4,320 cu. On everything you've got the hang of a Kamado, it's very simple to use. Just a thought. This is a great unit. PitBossForum.com is not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed or sponsored by Pit Boss Grills. No complaints. There is bark and mostly everything I’ve done in it has been excellent. You can find many good models for under $200. I got other shit to do. Posted by 3 years ago. Asking for advise from folks who have them or have used both types. Gives you upwards of 6 hours of smoke. Jerky, poultry and pork butts fall into this category. Smoke Hollow 44 Inch 44241GW Propane Gas Smoker with Window This Smoke Hollow smoker model 44241GW is for those who like to smoke lots and lots of meat, fruit or whatever floats your boat! User account menu. Go. We get all sorts of gases, plus some solids as well. A charcoal smoker requires more effort to use. I started looking at it to try and use what I … The food will be better and it is more versatile. I could never get a good smoke ring on my electric. As someone who just bought a propane smoker myself... Why did you decide to go to electric? Propane smokers have ignition buttons, which means that you won’t need a lighter to get the smoker started, You simply need to press a button. Grilling Zen. Generally, yes. Nice looking, compact, and really easy to use. Electric for fish. It is electric and it uses these little "pucks" rather than pellets and has a motor that pushes a new puck onto the heating plate every 20 minutes. If you didn’t catch it there’s one feature of this smoker that makes it stand out among competitors. This unit has 700 sq. Is there an advantage to one over the other? No one smoker does it all. This is for the purposes of safety precautions. Propane smokers are good if you are new at grilling and smoking meats. This is an independent, unofficial enthusiast run site dedicated to Pit Boss owners that share the same passion as we do. Close. I've actually had a lot of success on an electric ECB. 3. SMOKER: electric or propane. I started with an electric because charcoal seemed difficult to start and maintain temps with. Guys who claim tending the fire is half the fun are doing a different thing than me. It's fine for pork butts, ok for ribs, and terrible for brisket. Even when you use lighter fluids or charcoal chimney to get the fire going, it will still take a while before the smoker is ready to start cooking. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. That said, it's INCREDIBLY easy to use/maintain, and everything that I've made (that I haven't fucked up) has been great and my friends all love it. Electric smokers make some great tasting food – but let’s see what we get with pellets before we decide which is best for us. I get a ton of smoke with mine, but agreed... it won't be like some of your other options that use a real fire. Electric smokers, even high end electric smokers, don’t attain temperatures much higher than 325 to 350 degrees. You just have to be mindful of remembering to fill the canister with fuel when using propane. Branded electric smokers begin in the $300 to $400 range and prices do, of course, rise significantly for the higher end models. This makes them burn up almost completely and leave almost no ash. My buddy is a huge fan of his WSM and acts like a BBQ purist when it comes to his smoking, but he even concedes that when I do things on the Brinkmann he cannot tell a difference between mine and his. Super easy to get the fire going. Everything I've made on my WSM has been better than anything I made on the electric. They like to sit by their smoker all day and make an event of it. However, these run on a canister of propane gas and can be placed anywhere outside. Propane or Electric? I own every type of cooker except the electric smoker. I just use my wood smoker on special occasions now. For both electric and propane you’ll add a box full of wet wood chips of your favorite style. You can find more about propane smokers at https://www.smokerify.com/best-propane-smoker-reviews/. (automatic feeding is a plus). Next is the pellet meat smoker, which will give you the convenience of propane or electric smokers – but provides the flavor of a charcoal smoker.. The good news is that there are a couple of great LP gas options for you if you love the convenience of LP propane. With a gas smoker, a natural gas or propane burner ignites the smoke source, which is typically wood chips. Anything that doesn't take long and smoke ring isn't too much of an issue anyways. Mar 24, 2012 3,759 29. ivorytip Veteran member. I saw a guy online put some charcoal briquettes in with the wood on one of his electric smokers, so maybe that can still yield a similar flavor? Replace the water a couple times as well and it's done. It is better than nothing, but is nowhere near as good as a good ol' wood fire. There are limitations when it comes to where you can use it. Electric smokers … If I was going to get the MasterBuilt 30-inch for example, would the trade off of flavour for ease of use be worth it? This is a nice option if you don’t have a source of electricity nearby. I want to do this right the first time and I don't know if I should get the Propane smoker or the Electric smoker. Sam's club has a little propane smoker right now that looks like it would be a great size to carry along camping (and a great Father's day gift), but I don't know how much DH would actually use it. Electric and gas smokers represent relatively new and latest smoking techniques. An electric smoke in … Char-Broil Deluxe — this is yet one more electronic control electric smoker with 725 sq. It is similar to the model above however is quite a bit larger boasting about 6.5 cubic feet of smoking space – easily enough for a large cookout or family gathering. I have the Masterbuilt electric and love it also. Well I'm not looking for the best of the best in terms of flavour, rather a good balance between ease of use and flavour. Pricey, but totally worth it. They are both simple to use and good for modest budgets. … It is electric and it uses these little "pucks" rather than pellets and has a motor that pushes a new puck onto the heating plate every 20 minutes. A smoker is essentially an outdoor cooking apparatus that prepares food at low temperatures in a completely controlled manner. Thread starter 6mm Remington; Start date Aug 24, 2017; Prev. pretty much what the comment below said, I want one that can go with minimum management in addition to being careless and not realizing I ran out of propane 3 hours into a smoke. If you’re looking for the best “Gas” Smoker Grill combo, the options are a little more limited – as gas grills rarely come with smoker boxes built-in. inches of cooking space with a flashy blue led display for easy viewing. A cold smoker's fuel runtime will be dictated by how much wood chips or wood pellets you can add to the cold smoke generator. You just have to be careful about drying out the meat, make sure you keep everything moist. As someone else said, the smoke ring is not very good either. SMOKER: I need your help guys I've been looking at getting a new smoker and have eyeballed the Masterbuilt smokers at Cabelas and Sportsman's Warehouse. But I usually prefer Propane Smokers to Electric smokers as they don't need electricity to power them. If you don't … Personally, I like it. This will be my first smoker so I'm thinking of buying one just for the convenience/ease of use of the thing. You can run out of fuel midway through your smoke. An electric smoker on the other hand, is all convenient. It will be more versatile, better smoke flavor and just as easy as electric. The Best Electric Smoker by Masterbuilt is the 30-inch electric digital smokehouse delivers tremendous flavor to all of your food. Dating back centuries, before the invention or existence of preserving chemicals and machines like refrigerators, smoking emerged as one type of food preservation method. It’s safe to use because you don’t have any risks of sparks, flare-ups, or risks associated with propane. Archived. so, i think ive decided on getting a traeger, i was going over the different models and was wondering what is the actual difference between all of them. Next Last. What did you go with? I will dive into electric smokers first. The best thing about the electric is just setting it and forgetting it.. Not sure a propane smoker would be as 'set and forget' as electric. Any longer and it gets too dry. Not that there’s anything that isn’t proven technology here, but electronics and the outdoor elements may not always get along, and keypads do wear out eventually. inch food preparation room Char-Broil Vertical — this electric cigarette smoker has 505 sq. Thanks for the help. You just get it set, come back in an hour, and maybe nudge the dial a bit one way or the other. I've never had a normal one, but I know from my limited experience that the flavor isn't quiiiite as good, and I don't get much of a smoke ring. Sadly, even the best electric smoker will not give you the exact smoke flavor that can be achieved on propane and other smokers. Mac n cheese and Ribeyes with hickory chips is hard to beat!! Steel is an extremely durable metal, and it’s a sign of quality in oven boxes, cooking grates, water trays, and wood chip trays. But you will never achieve the same flavor with an electric that you will with a fire, but for me the sacrifice is worth it for the convenience. As their names suggest, these smokers use different fuel sources to cook your food. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. With propane and electric you can more precisely control the smoke flavor you get whereas charcoal tends to overpower even the most aromatic wood chips. gas smokers or electric smokers) do. Shut down and allow to cool. What I think is that for the price of that plus a grill for burgers and such, you could buy an Akorn and have money let over. If your smoker is powered by natural gas, you will need to have your smoker hooked-up to your gas supply by a professional. 3. The truth is a propane smoker when correctly used, will produce a taste that is on a par with traditional smokers. The long, vertical shape of these smokers will give chefs more room to cook without taking up the entire patio or deck. A: They do indeed! bushman13 said: Electric will always give a great finished product because consistency in temp is the key to smoking. Works great. Smoke Hollow 38202G 38-Inch 2-Door Propane Gas Smoker The Smoke Hollow 38202G greatest feature is its dual door design that allows users to feed wood and water to the smoker without losing heat or smoke. Another major advantage of using pellet smoker is how easy it is to cook at high heat or low heat depending on your preference. This can be helpful for less experienced users learning to safely smoke meats. We’re not saying that electrics are inherently less reliable than charcoal smokers. What would you get? You need both Just fill with chips and you have enough smoke for about 6 hours, rather than having to full every half hour. Most people won't know the difference and will love it. The Smoker For Beginners Reddit is one of the best on the market. CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD Burning wood chips gives off carbon monoxide, which has no odor and can cause death. Reply . Gas smokers, and electric smokers, are often easier to operate and maintain temperatures than charcoal smokers. This comes to mind because an electric smoker requires a power outlet. Setting the smoker to your desired temperature also takes a while as well. I'm a geek so, naturally I wound up with a gadget'y smoker. Whether it is a pool party or a camping trip, smoked food is always on your mind, and for that purpose, you need a food smoker. Besides, an electric smoker is extremely energy efficient and its insulation prevents much heat loss. Propane smoker capacity At 165 with an electric smoker its hard to get the chips to smoke, about 220 to 225 will get it smoking. Joined Sep 19, 2016 Messages 1,651 Location South Florida. In fact, they tend to offer much more space than cabinet smokers (i.e. They are easy to run, hold temperature well, and can cook anything you like. Getting a smoker for fish and some meats. In a pellet smoker, the electric element is used to ignite wood pellets which create heat and smoke. In this smoker I do pork butts and turkeys and have done ribs. Like an electric smoker, you set the temperature and walk away. Temperature range from 100 to 275 degrees F. Control Panel. Propane smokers are constantly exposed to heat, smoke, and weather, which makes the materials used in their construction a vital consideration. My smoker only holds about 3 lbs at a time but at 220 it only takes an hour to an hour and a half. I always get a nice smoke ring on my butts but I use large chunks of wood placed around the heat element and they smoke for a fairly long time. Log In Sign Up. My Masterbuilt is great for quick and easy things like burgers, sausages, salmon, etc. It fits in the outdoors and indoors as well. Most people can't even tell what wood was used to smoke, because all you taste is that thick acrid smoke, not the actual wood flavor. 1; 2; 3; First Prev 3 of 3 Go to page. There are some features on this Masterbuilt you wouldn't expect in a lower-priced electric smoker. A powder-coated exterior is a plus in terms of standing up to abuse, as is a multi-layered oven for superior insulation. Propane smoker: The propane smokers are similar to the electric smokers in design and process. the cost itself isnt an issue, but value for the price is nice. Electric smokers take advantage of some pretty sophisticated circuitry to hit and hold your ideal smoking temperature. Press J to jump to the feed. If you have a propane smoker, you use an external propane tank. How a Pellet Smoker Grill Works – Besthomegear.com . The best propane smoker for your yummy meals. Cut a hole in back add a fire box with a few slabs of steel and place a grate inside the water heater. Smoker: Guys I've been looking at the Masterbuilt smokers at Cabelas and Sportsmans Warehouse. I plan on making brisket, ribs, turkey, and maybe more stuff that I can't think of right now. Smokehouse 9800-0000000 Little Chief Top Load 11.5 x 11.5 x 24.5 Inch Portable Outdoor Cooking BBQ Electric Wood Chip Smoker with Chrome Grill Racks Smokehouse Products $121.92 reg $180.99 I feel I made the right decision over getting the propane. Can be a grill or a smoker; Can be used in any weather; Cons of Pellet Grills. (automatic … Press J to jump to the feed. My advice to OP is if you go Masterbuilt; get the 40" and get the Cold smoke attachment. The best part about is it comes in an assembled form and we don't have to do anything. Let's get started. There's one on sale this week - a 30 inch Masterbuilt unit that comes in either propane or electric.