Top 10 Best Electric Smokers Under $500
We love to eat meat. The demand for meat is at an all-time high. We’ve come up with different ways to cook it, to give it different flavors and different degrees of tenderness. Smoking meat has become hugely popular lately. This has triggered an increase in demand for smoker grills. With the mounting demand, designers and manufacturers have come up with many different types of meat smokers to give meat lovers many options and price ranges to choose from. With so many different types to choose from we’ve limited this review to The Top 10 Best Electric Smokers Under $500.
Smokers that are currently available include charcoal burning smokers, wood burning smokers, gas smokers, offset smokers, gas smokers and electric smokers. Different types of smokers come with unique features, as well as distinct advantages. Electric smokers, for instance, have many advantages that make them more ideal compared to other types.
Advantages of Electric Smokers
They are user-friendly: Compared to charcoal smokers, electric smokers are by far a lot easier and friendlier to use. This is because they do not require a lot of manual effort to light and use. Even if you’re new to smoking, with so many automatic features, you should get great results as you food cooks and smokes, practically on auto pilot.
They are convenient: All you need to do is plug in the smoker and select the temperature. It will cook your meat at your chosen temperature without any more work by you. Since your electricity is always ready for you, you won’t have to drive to buy more fuel, like wood and charcoal. That will always delay and maybe even ruin your dinner plans for that day.
They are safe to use: This is another great advantage. Unlike conventional smokers that keep the flame running for hours, electric smokers only run for shorter durations.
Factors to Consider when Buying an Electric Smoker
If you are planning to purchase an electric smoker to make pastrami, smoked turkey, barbecue or any other hot party items, you need to select the best one for your unique smoking needs. The following are the main aspects to think about:
Features: Modern electric smokers come with a host of features, including sensors, time settings, cooking mode and temperature settings. Generally, the more number of features the higher the price of an electric smoker. Therefore, it’s good to recognize the function of each of the features and only purchase a model with the features you actually need and will use.
Capacity/Unit Size: The size or capacity of a smoker is another crucial aspect of consideration. Don’t over-buy. It’s easy to get excited about the large, grand looking smokers. If you’re a regular entertainer, then a big electric smoker with a higher capacity might be right for you. Alternatively, if you are looking for a smoker that you can use to prepare meals for you and your family, you can go for a smoker with a smaller capacity.
Energy Conservation Features: As much as electric smokers are cost efficient in the long run, it is important for you to choose one that comes with energy conservation features. This will help to save on energy.
Quality: It’s also vital to consider the materials a smoker is made from. A good smoker is one that is made from robust and durable materials to ensure that it lasts longer. Also, go for a smoker that comes with insulated handles to ensure that you won’t get burn injuries while grilling.
This electric smoker will appeal to those who frequently throw parties for large groups of people. It has a total of 725sq.in of cooking space over 4 different cooking grates, which is more than enough space to cook up a great party. Another attractive aspect about this electric smoker is the abundance of features that it has. It also has a warming feature that keeps your food warm till it’s ready to be served.
The Char-Broil Deluxe smoker also features the locking latch with a smoke-tight seal, which ensures that both the flavor and smoke remains inside. Also featured are a removable temperature gauge, advanced control panel and a blue LED display. This smoker also comes with an integrated handle and wheels, both of which allow for easy mobility.
Pros
Large capacity
Large 4 cup capacity wood chip box
Insulated, double-wall assembly
Highly developed control panel with easy-to-read blue LED display
Detachable food thermometer
Highly efficient as the hassle-free construction allows you to fill the box with enough wood chips to cook your meat through.
Automatically turns off when the food is done cooking.
Glass door allows you to see your food when cooking, thus eliminates the need to open the door to check on your food.
Aesthetically appealing as it features a beautiful stainless steel, dual tone finish.
Price Range: Medium
This beautiful and functional creation came about as a result of the collaboration between Jim Beam and Bradley Smoker. The Jim Beam BTDS76JB it not only comes with all the features that an Original Bradley Smoker has, but it also has the benefits of digital technology. With this smoker, you can easily control smoke, temperature and time. This means that you can control the amount of smoke you want, the duration in which your food will be cooked, as well as the temperature. What’s more is that it gives you an easier way to barbecue automatically, smoke or roast your food in the outdoors.
Pros
Large capacity, with 4 fully-supported, detachable racks
Comes with a beautiful digital interface
Has user-friendly digital controls
Has changeable temperature, time and smoke settings
Automatically feeds wood bisquettes via the smoke generator
Features an insulated stainless-steel door
Integrated thermostat on the inside
Separate burners for oven and smoke
Stainless-steel interior is capable of heat retention, and it’s also easy to clean
Comes with a 1-year warranty
Price Range: High
Smoking is not only simple, but it is also smart with this electric smoker. This appliance makes the task of smoking simpler as it comes with highly functional and features. Master built takes smoking a top notch higher by integrating Bluetooth Technology into this appliance, which enables you to control the smoker with your smart device. It also helps that this smoker has a capacity of 721 sq. Inch, with 4 chrome-coated racks.
Pros
Its 800-watt heating elements allows for even and consistent smoking
Features a side wood chip loading mechanism that prevents loss of smoke or heat
Comes with an integrated meat probe thermometer that allows you to monitor your meat’s internal temperature.
Has ample cooking space
Makes it easy to monitor internal meat temperature
Price Range: Medium
One of the unique aspects about this electric smoker is that it is easily portable, which makes it an ideal option for road trips, tailgating or camping. It comes with foldable legs that easily fold under. It also has a large capacity that is enough to smoke a whole ham or turkey, BBQ, or slabs of ribs. It also features easy-to-use controls with low, medium and high settings. Furthermore, featured are an easy-to-read temperature gauge, water pan and a detachable wood chip tray.
Pros
Easy-to-read temperature gauge
Wood chip tray is detachable
Easy to use, clean and store
Simple controls with various convenient temperature settings
Produces clear and steady smoke
Has a large capacity, yet easily folds up. Camping anyone?
Price Range: Low
The Smoke Hollow 30162E an ideal smoker for outdoor cooking, and it can be used to smoke veggies, meat and more. It comes with a fully modifiable electric heating element, with a total of 3 chrome plated cooking racks that have several adjustable levels. Furthermore, included is porcelain coated steel water pan. This electric smoker also features a magnetic door-latching system.
Has multiple adjustable levels
Varying temperature settings
Has 2 side handles that come in handy during transportation
Easy to assemble and use
Comes with instructions for use
Price Range: Low
This Bradley 6-rack Digital Smoker is an upgrade to their original smoker by adding digital technology. Temperature, time, and smoke are now completely controllable so you can decide how much smoke you want, how long your food is going to be smoked for, and at what temperature. Perfect for entertaining, creating gourmet foods in your own home with our smoking recipes, or just enjoying the flavor that smoking brings.
Pros:
Digital Interface
Maximum Temperature of 280 degrees Fahrenheit
Separate Burners for smoke and oven
Insulated stainless steel interior
One year warranty from date of purchase
Internal thermostat
Four fully supported, removable racks
Can hold up to 8 hours of smoke
780 square inches of smoking space
Price Range: High
This smoker is especially appealing to people who wish to maintain an original flavor. Its fuel consists of flavored hardwood pellets. It measures 38 x 35 x 22 inches, weighs 79 pounds and has wheels suited for multiple terrain, making it very portable. For ease of use, the grill has a digital thermostat with a LED display incorporated to afford full control of temperature. The grill has a three year warranty.
Pros:
The grate is large and spacious
Digital thermostat and LED display
Made of steel and sawhorse chassis hence very durable
Price Range: High
Enjoy the delight of viewing your barbeque as it cooks with this smoker. The Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker has double doors and a viewing window. It also features adjustable legs suiting rough terrain. This smoker boasts of an expansive cooking area of 440 square inches. It has a remarkable 3 in 1 tray that ensures easy access during cleaning. Further, the smoker has a temperature controller that may be plugged in.
Pros:
Easy to use
Very affordable
Viewing window allows easy monitoring
Easy to clean
Price Range: Low
Its simple setup procedure and ease of use makes the Old Smokey Electric Smoker stand out among many. It measures 29 x 15.5 x 15.5 inches and weighs a mere 24 pounds, making it very portable. The smoker has a solid build of steel making it durable and a flat top that ensures the barbeque retains all its sweetness. It also features a heat thermostat, which opens a door for customized roasting ways.
Pros:
Easy to set up and move with
Has a remarkable heat distribution
Durable
Price Range: Low
Powered by a 120 volts 8 amp unit, a 400 watt heating element and enough space to roast 22 lbs of meat at a go, Smokin-It Model #1 Electric Smoker is, without doubt, remarkable equipment. The portability of the smoker is enhanced by its properties and features; it measures 12.5 x 17.2 x 13.5 inches, weighs 59 pounds, have side handles for easy lifting and wheels for uneven terrain. The smoker comes with three shelves and rheostat to control temperatures of maximums of 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros:
Comes with free hickory wood
Insulated to prevent heat loss
Large cooking area
Durable and portable
Easy to regulate temperature with rheostat
Price Range: Medium
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