<blockquote class=”body-blockquote”><strong>The Expert: </strong>I’m a cookbook author (<a href=”https://www.amazon.com/Cookies-Beer-Bake-Pair-Enjoy/dp/1449470882″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>Cookies & Beer</a>, <a href=”https://www.amazon.com/Stock-Broth-Bowl-Drinking-Nourishing/dp/1449472664/” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>Stock, Broth & Bowl</a>), food writer, and I frequently review appliances for national publications. I’m a Kansas Citian too, which means I grill, eat barbecue, and interview pitmasters at a rate that may concern my cardiologist. I have been a certified judge at the <a href=”https://www.americanroyal.com/bbq/” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>American Royal World Series of Barbecue</a> and co-created a <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZgD2pn8CAQ” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>barbecue documentary</a>. I’ve also owned a series of smokers and grills over the past two decades.</blockquote><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to Consider in an Electric Smoker</h2><p>Electric smokers are easy to start (if you can turn on an electric blanket, you’ve got it down) and effective at holding temperatures, which is great for producing consistently tasty barbecue. There are a number of things to look for when purchasing an electric smoker. The criteria below will help you find the right model for you.</p><p><strong>Cooking Surface</strong></p><p>The smallest electric smoker featured (the Old Smokey Products Electric Smoker at roughly 200 square inches) is great if you’re cooking for yourself or you and your partner. If you’re feeding five or six people, you likely want to look at the models with at least 500 square inches (starting with the Cuisinart Vertical Electric Smoker). Hosting a larger party? At least 900 square inches allows you cook several large cuts of meat like whole briskets and multiple racks of ribs.</p><p><strong>Heating Element</strong></p><p>The<strong> </strong>strength of the heating element is measured in Watts. You may want a higher wattage if you’re attempting to use an electric smoker for multiple seasons of the year. The stronger heating element will typically correspond with a higher temperature range and should help when your smoker is warming up.</p><p><strong>Temperature Range</strong></p><p>Electric smokers don’t get as hot as charcoal or pellet grills. Most electric smokers top out under 300 degrees Fahrenheit. So, we’re talking about the low and slow technique where you’re cooking a rack of ribs at a low temperature for a long time – something to keep in mind if you’ve got a hungry crowd waiting.</p><p><strong>Temperature Controllers</strong></p><p>Analog controllers mean you’re in charge of adjusting the temperature (by adjusting the power to the heat element) versus digital controllers which use sensors to adjust the temperature inside of your smoker. Electric smokers with digital controllers are usually more expensive but require less babysitting.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How We Selected These Electric Smokers</h2><p>I read through reviews, relied on my experience, and balanced design and budget considerations to find electric smokers for different budgets and with unique design elements. Further, I tapped the previous research by <a href=”https://www.popularmechanics.com/author/222669/bradley-ford/”>Brad Ford</a>, test editor for <em>Popular Mechanics</em>. Read on to discover the best electric smokers to get you set for summer and beyond.</p>” />