Electric smokers work the same way as gas smokers. The difference is only the source of fuel or power. Gas types use propane or other gases, while electric, as the name sounds, uses electricity. In most cases, the wood pellets or chips are just for adding smoke flavors and not mainly for cooking. Therefore, if you are looking to buy one, this guide will give you the best electric smokers under $300 that you should consider.
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What Are the Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Electric Smokers Under $300?
It is important to take time and analyze all the specs and features before choosing an electric smoker. You will find that each one of them come with differing specs in terms of size, performance, efficiency, and even the overall design. Therefore, some of those important considerations you should put into account include:
Cooking and Smoking Area
The size of the cooking area matters a lot when it comes to choosing an electric or any other smoker. You need the right size, whether small or large. It all depends on the size of your family, or the intensity of your cooking. If you want to smoke large pieces of meat at once, then you will need a large capacity smoker.
The cooking and smoking area is normally rated in square inches. In addition to that, you can check on the size by counting the number of racks or grates that it comes with.
Control and Performance
In most cases, control is about the temperature adjustment. You need to check whether the appliance is easy to adjust the temperature or not. Whether it comes with a thermostat or analog control. In addition to that, you should check the overall performance in terms of efficiency, heating consistently and even cooking.
Design and Style
Smokers come in different designs. Even on this list, you will find different legged designs of different smokers and sizes. You will also come across different shapes. The round design is also present and, therefore, it becomes a factor to check due to differences in tastes and preferences.
Heating Element and Power
The power comes in terms of wattage. Therefore, you should read the ratings of the heating element. Whether it is enough, and whether it is adjustable to suit your smoking and cooking needs. Of course, low power may not be good for large amounts of meat as compared to high-powered smokers.
Material Construction
Each smoker comes with its unique design in terms of material construction. You need to find a material quality that will give you the longest lifespan. In addition to that, you should also check the double-walling features and insulation before buying any smoker.
What Are the Best Electric Smokers Under $300?
There are numerous electric smoker brands out there. When it comes to choosing the best of the best, our experts recommend Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker. It is one of those smokers that have garnered thousands of positive reviews and high-ratings. That shows the users are satisfied with the smoker and based on its specs and features, it is indeed a reliable product.
Choosing the best smoker would depend on many factors. Understanding the aspects of the appliance and what you need to achieve. The source of fuel or power is also a huge factor that would determine whether you will go for gas type or electric. But in this guide, we are only focusing on the electric smokers that are efficient and trustworthy in performance.
Top 9 Best Electric Smokers Under $300
We have just highlighted some of the factors that you need to check when buying an electric smoker. Now we bring to you our top picks of Amazon electric smokers that you ought to analyze. We have done our research and come up with the following:
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker
There is so much to anticipate with the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker. The first thing is that it comes with an affordable price. In all specs, it is the best Masterbuilt electric smoker that is efficient and reliable. It also comes with good cooking space with four shelves. This enables you to cook different food types at once.
Easy to Use Control Panel
This smoker is digital and comes with an easy-to-use control panel. The control settings that you have on the panel are for temperature control, time, on and off. Therefore, you won’t find any struggle while using this Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker.
Consistent Smoking and Cooking
If you want to enjoy evenly cooked and smoked food, then Masterbuilt MB20071117 Electric Smoker is the way to go. It features a thermostat that you can use to control the temperature and to enhance even and consistent smoking.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: If you are looking for the best insulated electric smoker, then the Masterbuilt MB20071117 model is the way to go. It is a reliable and efficient smoker and available at an affordable price.
Weber 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker
This one is a good charcoal smoker that works perfectly for smoking. With Weber 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker, you get to enjoy perfectly smoked flavors of different foods. It is efficient and easy to assemble. The other thing about Weber Charcoal smoker is that it comes with good smoking space. That is 286 square inches.
Durable Cooking Grates
Perhaps you will like the Weber 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker due to the design. As you can see, it is easy to smoke your meat with the design. There is everything that you need. A charcoal chamber, water pan, fuel door, and the cooking grates.
Easy to Read Built-in Thermometer
The good side with Weber 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker is the ease of reading the temperature. You don’t have to struggle to read the temperature of your food. This is because the thermometer is built-in on the lid and is with conspicuous design. That makes it easy to read while roasting your beef, or other foods.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: If you are looking for a charcoal smoker that cooks low and slow, then you have this versatile Weber 14-Inch Charcoal Smoker that is efficient and reliable.
Char-Broil 19202101 Electric Smoker
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This is the best electric BBQ smoker that is reliable and efficient. Char-Broil 19202101 Electric Smoker is one of the trusted smokers on Amazon. It is large in size and with double-walled insulated construction that enhances its performance.
Large Cooking and Smoking Area
Char-Broil 19202101 Electric Smoker comes with four shelves. This gives you more than enough space to smoke and cook. The cooking area is 725 square inches. This makes the Char-Broil brand smoker large enough for a large family.
Easy to Use and Manage
One thing with Char-Broil 19202101 Electric Smoker is that it comes with easy-to-use features. It features a removable food thermometer, and a control panel with LED display hence easy to read. There is also a glass door that makes it easy to monitor your dishes while cooking without the need for opening the door.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: This is the best grill for under 300 and with a large cooking area. That enables you to cook for a whole family with ease. It is efficient and reliable in performance.
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Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker
Cuisinart is one of the well-renowned brands and you can rest assured Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker is the right choice of smoker to buy. This smoker is good for both indoor and outdoor use. It is 30-inches in height, minus the height of the legs. Therefore, it looks stable and comfortable to have it in your home for your grilling needs.
Great Smoker for Outdoors
This smoker is perfectly made for outdoor grilling. It is the best in performance and good in size. Just to mention the size, Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker comes with 548 square inches of cooking space and that is just enough for a whole family.
Of course, it’s versatile and you can also use it in your kitchen. It features a vertical design with 3-removable stainless-steel racks.
Easy Control and Management
Managing this Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker is an easy task. You don’t have to open the door to monitor the temperature. It features a built-in thermometer on the door that you can read with ease. It is also easy to clean the removable trays after use.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: Cuisinart COS-330 is generally a good electric smoker that does not disappoint. It is good for outdoor and indoor grilling and cooks enough for the whole family due to its good size.
Smokehouse Products Electric Smoker
Smokehouse brand is the best portable electric smoker that you can have. It comes with a lightweight design and you can easily carry it with you. That makes it ideal for camping and other outdoor events. With this Smokehouse Products Electric Smoker also, you get a bonus recipe and instructions making it easy to use and manage.
Even Cooking and Smoking
The design that comes with Smokehouse Products Electric Smoker is such that it heats food evenly. It comes with four shelves and a 250W heating element. That makes it efficient and heats food consistently at low temperatures. Low and slow cooking is what you get with this smoker.
Durable Construction
Smokehouse Products Electric Smoker is made of embossed aluminum material. This gives it the capacity to last for long. The material also gives it the suitability for outdoor use. The fact that it does nit rust or corrode is what enhances its lifespan.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: This is a great and one of the best budget smokers on Amazon. It comes with a durable and portable construction making it good for camping and other outdoor grilling needs.
Masterbuilt MB20070210 Electric Smoker
This vertical electric smoker is a great choice for any home. It is good for patios, backyards, or for camping among other outdoor events. The Masterbuilt MB20070210 Electric Smoker is reliable when it comes to its function. That is smoking and cooking performance. It also comes with a competitive price and you can afford it easily.
Performance and Control
The Masterbuilt MB20070210 Electric Smoker is one of the easiest to manage. It features analog control features that are easy to manage. The temperature is adjustable and you can adjust to suit your cooking needs. There is also a conspicuous temperature gauge that is easy to read.
Cooking and Smoking Area
You will choose this Masterbuilt MB20070210 Electric Smoker because of its size. It is not too big nor too small. It is just a perfect size that is enough to cook for a whole family. With this smoker, you can cook for all your family and friends without strain.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: This 1500W smoker is efficient in performance. It heats food evenly and consistently for perfect results. Masterbuilt MB20070210 Electric Smoker is, therefore, a reliable brand for choice.
Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker
This is another useful and versatile smoker that you need for your home. Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker comes with all that you need to enjoy, and good space for cooking. It comes with three shelves and is the right choice with an affordable price.
Smoking and Cooking Area
As we have mentioned, Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker comes with a good cooking area. The 3 racks or shelves is enough for versatile cooking. You can use it to dry your food, steam, smoke, and roast among other functions. It comes with 457 square inches of cooking area and is just the right size to get for home use.
Control and performance
On performance, Royal Gourmet SE2801 Electric Smoker is efficient and reliable. It comes with 1500W heating power. The temperature is adjustable and easy to control. In addition to that, it comes with a built-in thermometer that you can read without the need to open the door.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: This is a 28-Inch electric smoker that is efficient and recommendable. It comes with an affordable price and works perfectly for smoking and cooking.
Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Electric Smoker
Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D is a 30-inch electric smoker with 800-watt heating element. It heats food evenly and consistently even during cold seasons. It features a thermostat for temperature control and is easy to use. It is one of the largest and spacious smokers with five shelves.
Cooking and Smoking Area
Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Electric Smoker comes with a cooking area of 732 square inches. That is large enough for large cooking needs. It also has five shelves or racks where you cook a variety of food at the same time without struggle. It is, therefore, a reliable smoker when it comes to performance and space.
Control and Performance
When it comes to using Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Electric Smoker, you will enjoy the intuitive controls that make it easy to operate. It features a thermostat that is useful for temperature control, and is easy to monitor the cooking time. There is also a built-in meat thermometer that helps you note the temperature of your meat at all times.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: If you are looking for a large smoker, then definitely you are going to consider the Dyna-Glo DGU732BDE-D Electric Smoker. It is spacious enough for large cooking needs and is also efficient..
Old Smokey Electric Smoker
This electric smoker is round in shape and design. As it sounds, Old Smokey Electric Smoker looks old in design but works perfectly for smoking and cooking. It is also good for steaming due to the design; a flat top that works as a dripping surface. The dripping effect will add smoke flavor for delicious dishes.
Control and Performance
There is a thermostat that is useful when controlling the temperature. Of course, not all smokers come with thermostats. Therefore, though the Old Smokey Electric Smoker looks old in design, it is modern in performance. The thermostat helps a lot in controlling and adjusting the temperature where and when needed.
Cooking and Smoking Area
The round design reduces the space and makes Old Smokey Electric Smoker relatively small in size. Therefore, it is not large enough for large grilling needs. However, if you need a small smoker that is ideally for home use, then an Old Smokey Electric Smoker would be enough for a family.
PROS
CONS
Expert opinion: Old Smokey Electric Smoker is only good for small grilling needs. The round shape and design of this smoker is unique and impressive. This smoker is, therefore, affordable and recommendable.
Frequently Asked Questions of Best Electric Smokers Under $300
When it comes to choosing the best smokers, you will come across a lot of questions that most people are asking. Some of those common questions include the following:
How to Use Wood Pellets in an Electric Smoker
Wood pellets are known for the best smoke flavors and are useful with electric smokers. It is, however, recommended to use wood chips by some brands.
If you are going to use wood pellets, then you need to pick your desired flavor of the wood pellets. Since the wood pellets catch fire quickly, it is recommended that you put only a small amount at a time. Spread them uniformly on the tray and light them up using a pellet tube.
Can Electric Smoker be Used Indoors?
Electric smokers are safer for use indoors. However, it is always important to consider how your electric smoker works before attempting it inside the house. You must ensure that it doesn’t burn gas, charcoal, or any wood fuel. This is because it may be unsafe to breathe the gases emitted. Therefore, it is important to understand your smoker so as to dictate whether to use indoors or not.
Which Electric Smoker Is Best for the Money?
All the smokers in my list offer great features, but the most recommendable model is MasterBuilt MB20070210 MES 35B Electric Smoker because it gives ample cooking space as compared to other smokers of the same price. You can also go for MasterBuilt MB20073519 Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker as it offers advanced Bluetooth features and digital controls. This is the best electric smoker under 400.
Are Electric Smokers Better than Gas Smokers?
Somehow, we can say yes and somehow not. Electric smokers are easier to use as compared to gas smokers. But on the other side, gas smokers give more smoky flavor to the food as compared to electric smokers. So, both are considered as the ideal options.
Which Features worth the Most?
Large cooking capacity, glass window, easy temperature controlling and glass window are the features that are most considerable in the market as it makes smokers easy-to-use.
How to Choose the Best Smokers Under $300
Since we want to help you make the right choice, we have factored in most aspects as we rate our list. There are numerous factors that we have considered as we have earlier mentioned. Now when picking your best, we have these criterions to help you further:
Best Overall
It is just as it appears on the list. The best overall smoker is Masterbuilt MB20071117. It is one of the most efficient and trustworthy in performance. In terms of size, it also comes with a large space. Therefore, there is so much to anticipate with this electric smoker.
It has been rated highly for its performance and reliability and also received thousands of positive feedbacks.
Best Budget
Taking other factors constant, Smokehouse Products Electric Smoker is the cheapest of all on this list. Though there are other varieties that are affordable, this brand is good for those struggling with budget. It is cheap in price but works perfectly and efficiently.
Another option that is affordable and good for budget is Old Smokey Electric Smoker. If you do not mind the old school round shape, then it would be a fantastic choice. The price is also relatively low and you can afford it without strain. The assurance is that it works perfectly but a bit smaller in size compared to other models herein.
Conclusion
There is always light at the end of each tunnel. We hope that you have found light with this awesome guide. You don’t have to spend all your time when we have the best electric smokers that we have reviewed. The aim is to give you ample time to compare a few of the best that have been analyzed by our experts as you make an informed buying choice.
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