Recommend a good electric smoker

Yiplong · 03-21-2019, 10:37 AM

As mentioned in my other thread, I will move into a condo, and replace my charcoal smoker and charcoal grill. For the grill I will go with propane and for the smoker I've decided to go electric.

I'm looking for something high quality, big enough to cook a meal for 5 with a bit of leftover but not much bigger than that. 4 racks of ribs or 1 brisket or 1 butt would suffice. I currently use the 18-inch WSM and that's about the right size, maybe something a little smaller could work. Definitely must have good seal so it can keep the smoky flavor in. Prefer smokers that use chunks instead of chips (if such thing exists). With chips I may have to refill, and if I'm going to go electric, I rather maximize convenience.

Any suggestions?

Joshw · 03-21-2019, 10:41 AM

Checkout Cookshack electric models. Personally I would rather have pellet, over electric though.

creek bottom · 03-21-2019, 10:46 AM

I personally use a Masterbuilt 30" electric smoker . It's a cabinet, has 4 racks, digital control, plenty of room to cook in. I can get 2 8# butts in with no problem... Reasonable price at WalMart or Amazon. Just my 2 cents...

Yiplong · 03-21-2019, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creek bottom

I personally use a Masterbuilt 30" electric smoker . It's a cabinet, has 4 racks, digital control, plenty of room to cook in. I can get 2 8# butts in with no problem... Reasonable price at WalMart or Amazon. Just my 2 cents...

The "tube" that holds wood chips look small. How long does the smoke last and how often do you refill? I've only used chunks.

Bacchus2b · 03-21-2019, 12:18 PM

Cookshack for best quality.

- Insulated Stainless Steel
- Built like a tank
- Made in America with easy access to replacement parts if needed
- A smokette elite with two shelves sounds like it would be around the size you need, and while they retail for $899, you can find them used on Craigslist in the $300 range.

https://www.bbqguys.com/cookshack/sm...q-smoker-sm025

Dmakkk · 03-21-2019, 12:26 PM

Pellet Grill...

LYU370 · 03-21-2019, 12:42 PM

I used to have a Cookshack SM020. The non stainless version of their SM025. The main difference in their smokers is basically just the number of shelves. 025 is 2 shelves, 045 is 3 shelves & 066 is 4 shelves. More expensive, but will last a lifetime, uses chunks, but don't use too many as you can easily over smoke things.

KevinJ · 03-21-2019, 01:22 PM

Cookshack is the best of the best, Smokin-it if you want to spend less.

Yiplong · 03-21-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinJ

Cookshack is the best of the best, Smokin-it if you want to spend less.

Smokin-It will probably work fine for me. Looks like it's a real small shop, how long have they been around? I am concern about the ability to get spare parts if the heating element etc burn out.

cookingdude555 · 03-21-2019, 01:58 PM

Ive had my smokin-it #3 for 5 years. Its a fantastic smoker. Ive bypassed the rheostat temp controller and added a WiFi controller by auber. Smokin it are basically clones of smokeshacks. Steve, the owner is great to work with and very helpful.

Jason TQ · 03-21-2019, 02:06 PM

Get a pellet if you can. It's electric with no more flame than a gas grill.

cookingdude555 · 03-21-2019, 05:27 PM

I should add, electric removes much chance of a smoke ring, if that is your thing. My pellet grill produces a huge smoke ring, but honestly I think the smokin it produces a better product than my pellet grill.

EyeBurnEverything · 03-21-2019, 05:59 PM

+1 on the pellet. And don't get a vertical if you want to do 4 racks or even a whole brisket. I use my MES30 for tweo things, cold smoking Jerky and Salmon.

JWFokker · 03-21-2019, 06:26 PM

Definitely go pellet over electric. Electric is only good for cold smoking. Pit Boss makes some perfectly good units for about the same price as a Smokin It and they have a five year warranty now.

LYU370 · 03-21-2019, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWFokker

Definitely go pellet over electric. Electric is only good for cold smoking.

I'm guessing that you've never used a good electric smoker...

03-21-2019, 10:37 AM	#1
Yiplong Got Wood. Join Date: 03-19-19 Location: NJ Name/Nickname : Larry	Recommend a good electric smoker As mentioned in my other thread, I will move into a condo, and replace my charcoal smoker and charcoal grill. For the grill I will go with propane and for the smoker I've decided to go electric. I'm looking for something high quality, big enough to cook a meal for 5 with a bit of leftover but not much bigger than that. 4 racks of ribs or 1 brisket or 1 butt would suffice. I currently use the 18-inch WSM and that's about the right size, maybe something a little smaller could work. Definitely must have good seal so it can keep the smoky flavor in. Prefer smokers that use chunks instead of chips (if such thing exists). With chips I may have to refill, and if I'm going to go electric, I rather maximize convenience. Any suggestions? Last edited by Yiplong; 03-21-2019 at 10:56 AM..

03-21-2019, 12:18 PM	#5
Bacchus2b is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-01-14 Location: North Texas	Cookshack for best quality. - Insulated Stainless Steel - Built like a tank - Made in America with easy access to replacement parts if needed - A smokette elite with two shelves sounds like it would be around the size you need, and while they retail for $899, you can find them used on Craigslist in the $300 range. https://www.bbqguys.com/cookshack/sm...q-smoker-sm025 __________________ KCBS Certified BBQ Judge SCA Certified Judge Lone Star Grillz Large IVS Cookshack FEC-100 Weber Summit 420 Gasser Pit Barrel Cooker Weber 26" Kettle PK Classic Grill

03-21-2019, 12:26 PM	#6
Dmakkk Take a breath! Join Date: 11-18-14 Location: LBNY	Pellet Grill... __________________ Weber Genesis E-310 Copper GMG Davy Crockett + Pizza Oven Attachment

03-21-2019, 12:42 PM	#7
LYU370 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-28-14 Location: Streamwood, IL	I used to have a Cookshack SM020. The non stainless version of their SM025. The main difference in their smokers is basically just the number of shelves. 025 is 2 shelves, 045 is 3 shelves & 066 is 4 shelves. More expensive, but will last a lifetime, uses chunks, but don't use too many as you can easily over smoke things. __________________ Andy FEC100 - Big Joe - Weber Spirit II Gasser Are you ready for a THROWDOWN?!?!? Join us, It's a BLAST!! Join us for the Inaugural 2024 South East Bash - May 2024 Tennessee - Sign Up Link

03-21-2019, 01:22 PM	#8
KevinJ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-09-15 Location: Pensacola, FL	Cookshack is the best of the best, Smokin-it if you want to spend less. __________________ MAK Grills ★ Gateway 30gal Weber Performer w/SnS & Vortex WGA :plane: [SIZE="2"][I]All American Moinkballer[/I][/SIZE] 🇺🇸

03-21-2019, 10:41 AM	#2
Joshw Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-25-17 Location: Oklahoma	Checkout Cookshack electric models. Personally I would rather have pellet, over electric though.

03-21-2019, 10:46 AM	#3
creek bottom is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 03-14-19 Location: Northwestern PA Name/Nickname : Joe	I personally use a Masterbuilt 30" electric smoker . It's a cabinet, has 4 racks, digital control, plenty of room to cook in. I can get 2 8# butts in with no problem... Reasonable price at WalMart or Amazon. Just my 2 cents...

03-21-2019, 01:58 PM	#10
cookingdude555 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-18-09 Location: USA	Ive had my smokin-it #3 for 5 years. Its a fantastic smoker. Ive bypassed the rheostat temp controller and added a WiFi controller by auber. Smokin it are basically clones of smokeshacks. Steve, the owner is great to work with and very helpful. __________________ John - Utah Too many cookers ...

03-21-2019, 02:06 PM	#11
Jason TQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-10-11 Location: Lawrenceville, GA	Get a pellet if you can. It's electric with no more flame than a gas grill. __________________ -Jason I didn't choose D-Canoe life..........

03-21-2019, 05:27 PM	#12
cookingdude555 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-18-09 Location: USA	I should add, electric removes much chance of a smoke ring, if that is your thing. My pellet grill produces a huge smoke ring, but honestly I think the smokin it produces a better product than my pellet grill. __________________ John - Utah Too many cookers ...

03-21-2019, 05:59 PM	#13
EyeBurnEverything is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-04-18 Location: In the Matrix Name/Nickname : Candice	+1 on the pellet. And don't get a vertical if you want to do 4 racks or even a whole brisket. I use my MES30 for tweo things, cold smoking Jerky and Salmon. __________________ Timberline 1300, Rec Tec Controlled Pit Boss 820D, Weber Master touch, MES30, Fireboard Extreme

03-21-2019, 06:26 PM	#14
JWFokker Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-13-19 Location: Innawoods Name/Nickname : Anon	Definitely go pellet over electric. Electric is only good for cold smoking. Pit Boss makes some perfectly good units for about the same price as a Smokin It and they have a five year warranty now.