If you smoke meats or vegetables, you are probably very familiar with propane smokers. However, you might not be aware of how an electric smoker is actually capable of delivering better performance, resulting in better foods. In fact, compare with the traditional smoker, an electric smoker not only cooks with extreme precision, it also offers a variety of health and culinary benefits not available from those propane or charcoal dinosaurs still on the market.
Taste
In terms of precision, an electric smoker allows you to set the temperature to the exact temperature required for certain foods. For instance, fish is best smoked at temperatures hovering between 175 degrees and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Ribs require temperatures around 225 degrees. Various steaks require 145 degrees.
With charcoal or propane, it is slightly more difficult to reach and maintain such precise temperatures. If the flames are too hot, your meat can scorch. If your heat is a few degrees too low, the meat can dry out. With an electric smoker, the temperature is exactly what it needs to be to ensure all the flavor is locked in and the final texture is what your taste buds desire. Culinary expert Dave Jones adamantly swears by them for consistency and quality in the final product.
Finally, for flavor and aroma, most electric smokers have an efficient system to easily add wood chips without opening the smoke door. This type of system helps maintain temperature and cooking consistency.
Convenience
If you are smoking different types of beef, you can simply adjust the temperature and throw on a different cut of meat. After a few hours, you can do this again. In fact, each time you change cuts, all it takes is a turn of the dial for the required temperature. This is difficult with propane and next to impossible with charcoal smokers.
Extended usage
An electric smoker can be used indoors during the winter. If you live in an apartment, you can also use an electric smoker because it will not emit carbon monoxide during use. For areas that are under a fire watch or fire ban, electric smokers allow you to cook without endangering others or the environment.
Versatility
Some meats, such as jerky, require a low temperature that serves to dehydrate the meat. Electric smokers are capable of doing just that. All you have to do is set the temperature to the required setting, and your jerky dries evenly.
Cold smoking is also within the reach of anyone who owns an electric smoker as many can be fitted with kits. These kits make smoking cheese a delicious hobby perfect for festive holiday gatherings or a nice day of wine pairings.
Safety
In addition to not emitting any harmful exhaust fumes, electric smokers can be set to a timer. If you set you electric smoker to a timer, nothing overcooks, burns, or gets too hot. This is important because a 1,500-watt smoker operates at relatively high temperatures for a long time. Timers help provide an extra layer of automatic supervision that is not available with charcoal or propane smokers.
Additionally, because electric smokers are so safe, you can treat them as you would a refrigerator or air conditioner that you leave running all night. When you wake in the morning, your meats are smoked.
Capacity
Depending on your environmental needs, you can find a smoker capable of fitting in a small room while still being able to handle your favorite foods. For instance, it is easy to find an electric smoker capable of smoking chicken or even whole roasts. Such units are often very compact with multiple shelves. That said, they can fit comfortably on a deck, in a kitchen, or in a connected smoke-house room. Moreover, some table-top units designed to fit on a kitchen counter can offer over 400 square inches of cooking capacity.
Technology
As with other types of electronics, electric smokers are smart. Depending on your unit, you can install an app on your phone that allows you to control your smoker from another room and adjust settings on the fly if you are unable to attend it. Additionally, for voice command, these apps can also connect to Alexa.
From a technical perspective, such apps can keep the drivers on your smoker updated and allow the operating system to update for improved performance. In terms of variety and fun, apps also provide you with hundreds of novel recipes to keep your shelves and larder stocked with the most delectable flavors.
Hi there! I’m Sethu, your go-to guy for all things tech, travel, internet, movies, and business tips. I love sharing insights and stories that make life more interesting. Let’s explore the world together, one article at a time!
