Smoking is a fun and delicious way to prepare your delicacies, especially if we are talking about meat. Many people recognize this fact and are always looking for the best, top-performing smokers that are out there.
Investing in a food smoker is quite a daunting task if you don’t know about the mechanism that operates this tool. Therefore, it is necessary that you first understand the fundamentals of a smoker before you start to educate yourself about this cookware. If you are planning to get one, these tools are not that cheap. In fact, the price tag might overwhelm you at first, which is why you will need to choose wisely if you are going to avoid wasting any of your hard-earned money.
So what are the things that you need to have in mind when you’re looking for a smoker? The answers to all of these questions are in the text below.
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Food Smokers Buying Guide
Understanding The Basics Of Smoking
First of all, I need to tackle the question of what a smoker actually is. I cannot do this, however, without first telling you about the concept of barbecuing, because to explain the function of a device, I need to touch on its intended application.
Barbecuing is a slow cooking method that subjects the food (usually pork or beef) to low indirect heat. This enables you to break down the fibers and connective tissues of the ingredients. While the fats are melting, some of their residues turn into moisture, which effectively stops the food from drying.
Smoking food is similar to barbecuing as they both involve an indirect heating method. Most of the time, both smoking and barbecuing happen at temperatures that range from 225 to 274 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike the high-heat methods, smoking takes time and can sometimes last up to an hour or more. For instance, it will take around 10 hours or so to smoke a 10-pound venison or brisket.
What Is A Smoker?
A smoker is a device capable of preserving low temperatures for extended periods. Since heat is involved here, a smoker can produce smoke too. This smoke is optimized by the use of wood chips.
Many people like to smoke food because it creates authenticity, as well as a delicious juice and flavor in every bite. But a high-quality smoker can also provide you with evenly cooked meat, even if you have prepared it in large quantities.
Different Types Of Smokers
The biggest dilemma that a person can encounter when choosing a smoker is deciding which one of the many devices to choose. There are various categories of smokers. In fact, the choice is so vast it will take you a day or two to take all in.
Fortunately, there is a way out of this if you choose a smoker that is based on the fuel type that is being used. These are three of these: electric, charcoal, and gas.
I want to emphasize from the beginning that all of these smokers are good products. However, there are some minor considerations that might sway you one way or the other to prefer a particular variant. Therefore, it is essential that you know the respective capacities and features of each of the smokers.
Charcoal Smoker
If you want to continue the fine tradition of smoking, then you will probably need to invest in a charcoal smoker. A lot of professional and expert gourmets consider charcoal smokers to be the epitome of smoking. Since they use charcoal as fuel, the flavor will be genuine and pure, so this is a perfect choice for those who want to test their smoking skills.
However, there are things that you should bear in mind before you get a charcoal smoker. Here are they:
- Charcoals smokers are not for amateurs. Well, anyone is free to choose what kind of smoker they want, of course, but you should realize that charcoal smokers require constant nursing and tending, from lighting it onwards. Therefore, remember that it might take you a considerable amount of time to cook with this kind of smoker.
- When choosing a charcoal smoker, you will need an adequate source of charcoal at your disposal. Otherwise, you won’t be able to maintain the temperature.
- Charcoal is not that cheap. When it comes to the cost of fuel, charcoal smokers rank the same as pellets. Propane might cost you less but electricity is the least expensive fuel of them all.
- Charcoal smokers are great for adding that authentic smokehouse flavor to your barbecues. In fact, most smoking and grilling competitions now require all of their participants to use charcoal smokers while cooking.
Gas Smoker
A gas smoker is a great option, whatever your skill level. It can yield delicious results and is capable of maintaining low and constant temperatures for an extended period because it relies on gas. These smokers are also quite ergonomic, as some of them come with automatic ignitions systems and temperature gauges. Therefore, a propane or gas smoker can produce perfectly made smoked products and delicacies.
Here are some of the things that you should know about gas smokers:
- Gas smokers are both easy and convenient to use. After pressing the start button, the device can operate itself. Heating is not a problem as it can maintain the internal temperature by itself, especially if it has a thermostat. So it is a good choice if you don’t want to nurse the device throughout the smoking process.
- Always be cautious when you use gas smokers as your fuel source is not really unlimited. Its power depends on the capacity of your gas tank, which can become empty. So you might need extra fuel tanks by your side if you are smoking large chunks or servings of meat. By doing this, you can ensure you won’t run out of fuel in the middle of the smoking process!
- Overall, gas smokers are great, whether you are smoking chicken quarters or salmon. It is a good idea to check out all of the great options for this device.
Electric Smoker
I would definitely recommend that amateurs and starters should use an electric smoker. The reason for this is they are very easy to use as most of their functions are automatic, which means you don’t need to pay too much attention to the details. Just put the ingredients inside the smoker and it will do the rest. This is the reason why many people see the use of electric smokers as a form of cheating. But hey, we’re not in competition here, are we?
- If you have an electric smoker, the the fuel source is not an issue. As long as you plug it into our power socket, this device will operate for as long as you want it to. But, of course, your electricity bills might sky-rocket as a result, especially if you operate the smoker for extended periods.
- The output of electric smokers is good, and they can produce very tasty and delectable smoked pork loins and ribs. The only dispute that purists have with them is that they are too easy to use and so go against the good old tradition of smoking. However, you can still expect a lot from these devices while cooking.
Best 5 Electric Smokers Under $200
Electric Vs. Charcoal Smoker
This is a debate that has gone on for a long time and doesn’t look like it will die down easily. I don’t know when it all began, but the unceasing arguments hurled between the supporters of these two types of smokers are genuinely unnerving. If you are a new buyer, then there is a good chance you might get caught up in these conflicting arguments.
Charcoal Smoker
Charcoal smokers and electric smokers are the two extremes. One represents the old fashioned tradition of smoking, while the other represents modern technology. If you are a purist, you will certainly be more inclined to support the old, traditional ways, especially as charcoal-smoked barbecues have an authentic, classic flavor and aroma that is simply irresistible. If you know how to use these smokers, then you can enjoy their benefits anytime that you want.
However, as I mentioned earlier, charcoal smokers are time consuming and the learning curve that you face can be quite a hurdle for a beginner. This means you will need to master the device before you can use it. Specifically, you will need to know how to maintain and control the temperatures if you want to achieve the desired results you are aiming for. Therefore, charcoal smokers are a tad harder to operate than their gas or electric counterparts.
Electric smokers are simple to use, from their mode of operation right down to their efficiency. So you don’t need to become an expert gourmet to understand how they work. Operating them is a breeze as the configurations are already given to you by the device.
There is no clear winner between the clash of these two smokers. So it is best to think about your own needs, and base your choice on your own preferences and skills.
- If you want to learn the art of smoking, get a charcoal smoker.
- But if you just want to have smoked food whenever you want, then it is best to invest in an electric smoker.
Gas Vs. Electric Smoker
Another interesting debate that you might want to explore is the dispute that exists between the supporters of electric and gas smokers. As I have previously mentioned, electric smokers are the direct opposite of charcoal smokers as they embody the convenience and ergonomics that are provided by many modern cooking products.
Electric Smoker
So what does a gas smoker provide? These devices are somewhere in the middle, right in-between the two extremes of electric and gas smokers. So if you want to get the best of both worlds, you might want to invest in a gas smoker. There are many who would agree with me on this.
Gas smokers have the kind of innovative features and modern components that digital electric smokers have (e.g. a thermostat, temperature gauge and quick ignition system). At the same time, they also allow you to smoke food, like a charcoal smoker does, and provide a certain level of authenticity when it comes to both the food’s flavor and aroma.
Moreover, gas smokers are not that expensive. Their price is the same as an electric smoker, so you can find a basic unit that will cost no more than $200. Once it’s in your kitchen, you will be surprised at the capacities of an entry-level gas smoker.
However, your decision about which kind of smoker you choose should really depend on your preferences.
- If you think that having a gas smoker will be a practical and convenient option, then invest in it by all means.
- But if you want to simplify your life, an electric smoker is the best route for you.
Conclusion
It’s a reassuring thing to have a food smoker in your household, as it gives you the confidence to create smoked delicacies for any event and gathering. Even simple family picnics will benefit from the addition of these machines. You just need to choose a unit that will give you the comfort and productivity you require.
Also, don’t forget to check the other features that these smokers will offer, such as their size, capacity, and build, because these can all determine the quality of the device. When you get all of these things right, then you will find that making any smoked recipe is a breeze!
I hope that you have learned something from this simple article of mine. If you want to know about other kitchen and cooking resources, then please subscribe to my site. C’mon! It is free! You can also send your comments and ask questions in the box below!
