Do you want to be able to easily set and forget your smoker, or do you want the ability to customize the smoke flavor for your food? If ease of use is important to you, then you may prefer an electric smoker. However, if you want more control over the smoke flavor, a pellet smoker may be a better choice for you.
In this blog article, we will compare electric smokers and pellet smokers in terms of ease of use, smoke flavor, and other features. You will learn the key differences between these two smokers. We will help you decide which type of smoker is an excellent choice for your needs!
Electric Smoker Vs Pellet Smoker
A lot of people think that smoking and grilling are the same, but they are not. BBQ smoker is used to cook food in a slow and low heat way while BBQ grills are used to cook food the fast way and higher temperature way. Though time consuming, the product will come out so tender and it is definitely worth the wait.
About Electric Smoker
Electric Smoker is a cooking device that uses an electric element or heating rod as heat source to cook food in vertically placed shelves, a boiling water pan along with burning of wood chips which produce smoke to provide food a smoky flavor.
You can find the wood chip tray between the heating element and the smoker racks. Electric smokers are made of cast iron or stainless steel and vary in size, shape, number of shelves, analogue or digital control options.
Generally, electric smoker is used for smoking of food that needs low temperature cooking like veggies, nuts, cheese and fish. You can’t grill with an electric unit. Electric models don’t get as hot as a pellet smoker, so you won’t be able to do any searing. The electric smoker is a low-and-slow cooker. You put your food in the smoker, set the dial to the temperature you want and walk away.
An electric smoker is designed for smoking at lower temperatures, typically around 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This kind of smoker is perfect for people who are just starting out and want an easy smoking experience. Before using the smoker, you shall season the smoker for about 3 hours and then cool it down. This process is to ensure all dust, oil or any substance is burned off before you use it.
Masterbuilt electric digital smoker is one of the easiest and best electric smokers to use to smoke meat and fish. Masterbuilt smoker has a temperature range of around 100 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
About Pellet Smoker
On the other hand, Pellet Smokers are outdoor cooking devices that use direct heat from food-grade compressed wood pellets to cook, smoke, or bake the food. Food-grade wood pellets are burnt to produce smoke which, in turn, cooks the food. The combustion process produces lots of heat, smoke, gas and solids. This combination of gasses impart the smoky flavor and smoke ring which electric smoker cannot produce.
Pellets have been used for a long time as fuel in open fire cooking. This is nothing new, but the technology has dramatically improved over the last decades. A pellet smoker was initially a metal cabinet holding a modified grill in order to burn pellets. The invention of technology has led to the evolution of pellet smokers into digital-controlled devices that feed automatic wood pellets into the machine and then automatically controls the release of heat.
One of the most affordable and best pellet smokers is the Traeger smoker grill. Traeger smoker has a temperature range of around 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
The value for money alternative is Z Grills pellet smoker.
Pellet smoker uses cleaner fuel source and is easier to use but has a lower temperature range than traditional charcoal grill or gas grill which can reach temperatures as high as 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Pellet smokers require bigger space than electric grills, which are more suitable for people who don’t have easy access to outdoor spaces.
Main Differences Between Electric And Pellet Smokers
Electric vs. Pellet: Flavor
When it comes to flavor, electric smokers can’t beat pellet smokers. Pellet smokers produce a much more intense smoke flavor than electric smokers because it uses the natural wood pellet as fuel source, which is perfect for smoking meat.
Electric vs. Pellet: Ease of Use
Both pellet smoker and electric smoker are simple to use. You just have to set and forget it, it’s that simple. You can use either of these smokers if you are a beginner. However, pellet smokers require more clean up than electric smokers. Pellet smoker is quite full of ashes after every use. You have to clean the grate regularly.
Electric vs. Pellet: Operating Costs
Electric smokers are the cheaper of the two. Pellet smokers use wood pellets as fuel while electric smokers use electric as fuel. On average you will use 1 to 2 lb of wood pellet per hour and that easily costs about $10 to $20 for a 10 hour operation.
Electric vs. Pellet: Price
The electric smoker is a more affordable option than the pellet smoker. On average, you can get an electric smoker for almost half the price of a pellet smoker. However, the pellet smoker produces better-quality smoke flavor and is more versatile than the electric smoker. Pellet smokers can reach much higher temperatures, so you can use them for grilling as well as smoking.
Electric vs. Pellet: Versatility
Pellet smokers are more versatile than electric smokers. They can be used for grilling, smoking, and baking. Electric smokers can only be used for smoking.
Electric Smoker Pros and Cons
Pros
– More affordable than pellet grills.
– Less operating cost than pellet smokers.
– No supervision required during cooking process, just set it and leave it for longer period without any problem.
– Easy clean-up
Cons
– Only produce smoke flavor at low temperatures, typically around 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Not as versatile as pellet smokers. Can only be used for smoking meat.
– Do not produce the same intense smoke flavor as pellet smokers.
– Longer Cook Time Than Propane Smokers
– Inability to sear meat at very high temperatures.
Pellet smoker Pros and Cons
Pros
– Reach much higher temperatures than electric smokers, so you can use them for grilling as well as smoking.
– Come with a variety of different wood pellets, so you can experiment with different flavors until you find the perfect one.
Cons
– Require more maintenance than electric smokers. You have to clean the grill and the drip pan regularly, or the pellets will start to burn.
– On average, pellet smokers cost more than electric smokers.
– Produce smoke that is less strong than an offset smoker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a pellet smoker work?
A pellet smoker is a type of digital smoker that uses wood pellets as fuel source. The pellets are fed into the smoker through an automatic feed system to generate heat to smoke your food. Natural hardwood pellets are moved from the hopper to the fire pot by an auger where they’re ignited to feed the flames and add delicious wood-fired flavor to your smoking. The combustion process happens at the bottom of the cooking chamber where the pellets are ignited by air. Air is brought in by intake fans. Pellet smokers come with a variety of different features, such as digital temperature displays and automatic shut down cycle.
What are wood pellets?
Wood pellets are small pieces of wood that are used to fuel pellet smokers. The pellets are made from compressed sawdust, so they’re a sustainable source of fuel.
A more advanced pit master will use wood pellets in their smoker grills to achieve the smoky flavor they crave. While pellets are available in a wide range of wood flavors, including apple, oak, maple, hickory and mesquite, you can also get creative by mixing two or three different flavors together for an interesting twist.
Why are pellet smokers so popular?
Pellet smokers are popular because they produce a much more intense smoke flavor than electric smokers. They’re also versatile, and can be used for grilling, smoking, and baking. Pellet smokers are a bit more expensive than electric smokers, but the flavor that they produce is worth the extra expense.
Can you grill on an electric smoker?
No, electric smokers are not designed for grilling. They can only be used for smoking meat.
What is the big difference between a pellet smoker and a charcoal smoker?
The major difference between a pellet smoker and a charcoal smoker is the type of fuel that they use. Pellet smokers use wood pellets as fuel, whereas charcoal smokers use charcoal. When it comes to taste, it’s hard to compete with the intense smoke-infused flavor provided by charcoal smokers. Pellet smoker is more superior in terms of ease of use and the clean-up.
Can you use a smoker in Cold Weather?
One thing to note about electric smokers is that they don’t work well in cold weather. If the temperature outside is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, your smoker will probably not reach the desired cooking temperature. This can be a problem if you want to smoke meat during the winter months. The problem is electric smokers don’t produce enough heat to get the smoker up to temp. Pellet smoker, on the other hand, works well and is the best smoker in cold weather. The pellets burn slowly and generate a lot of heat, so you can still smoke meat in the winter months. Pellet smokers also come with a temperature controller, so you can adjust the temperature as required.
Which smoker is better for beginners?
The electric smoker is the better option for beginners. It generally costs cheaper than a pellet smoker, and it doesn’t require as much maintenance. Pellet smoker is a bit more expensive and has higher operating costs because it uses wood pellets as fuel source. However, the flavor that pellet smokers produce is worth the extra expense.
Which smoker is better for experienced users?
The pellet smoker is better for experienced users. It has more features than the electric smoker, and it’s more versatile and can be used for grilling, smoking, and baking.
Which smoker is better for making brisket?
The pellet smoker is better for making brisket than the electric smoker. Pellet smokers generate more heat than electric smokers, which is necessary for smoking brisket.
Do electric smokers use much electricity?
No, electric smokers use very little electricity. They only require a small amount of power to generate heat and smoke your food.
Can you BBQ on a pellet smoker?
Yes, you can BBQ on a pellet smoker. Pellet smokers are designed for both grilling and smoking, so they’re perfect for barbecuing chicken, pork, and beef.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use smoker that produces great results every time, then electric smokers are the way to go. If you’re looking for a smoker that offers more flavor and complexity, then pellet smokers are the better choice.
For those who have an outdoor kitchen in their backyard, it’s important to note that smokers can be used in conjunction with your other appliances. It is best to choose one style for your main unit before purchasing another type for your outdoor kitchen.
Whichever style you choose, know that there are a wide range of options to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re using pellet smokers or electric smokers, look for something that suits your budget and needs so you can spend more time with friends and family instead of tending to the grill all day long.
