How to Use an Electric Smoker – A Guide for Beginners and Experts

Are you an immense BBQ lover? Do you find it hard to use an electric smoker? Don’t worry! In this article, you will learn how to use an electric smoker.

Did you know there are around nine types of smokers and electric smokers are the easiest to use out of all? Now, why is it that the electric smokers surpass the others in the list?

Well, two main factors justify this statement. First; the easy setup of an electric smoker. Second, there is no need to check up on the temperature from time to time.

Using an electric smoker is not only easy; but time-saving as well. This is because an electric smoker does most of the job itself, and you hardly need to do anything.

How to Use an Electric Smoker

However, even if we say there is not much to do, your job is to carefully perform the electric smoker setup and follow the electric smoker instructions mentioned either on the manual or the website.

Plus, If you know how to use an electric smoker, cooking meat with a smoker will become a lot easier. Not to ado further, let’s dig into the details and learn how to use an electric smoker.

What’s an electric smoker?

To understand the concept of an electric smoker, picture it as any other electronics in your house or kitchen. What do you do? Conveniently plug-in the switch and leave the rest to the device, right?

Similarly, electric smokers have the most convenient and efficient way of smoking meat. They do not take much of your time. Plus, even the electric smoker setup doesn’t require much effort.

But yes, using an electric smoker is tricky for beginners but not a hard nut to crack either. Now let’s see how to use an electric smoker step-by-step.

Find the Right Place

First, clear your mind off everything and look for the right location and surface to place the electric smoker.

When using an electric smoker, make sure to provide it with the maximum ventilation to avoid accidents.

Remember that the Best place for an ideal electric smoker setup is outdoors, for example, the backyard or rooftop.

Don’t worry if you have a mini yard. There are some useful small electric smokers available in the market. They are portable and save you from worrying about small space. 

Know How to Season an Electric Smoker

Now to know how to use an electric smoker properly, you need to know how to season an electric smoker first.

Seasoning the electric smoker is the most important step, to begin with. But what does seasoning mean? And how do you season an electric smoker?

The word seasoning simply means to clean the inside of the electric smoker from any residual impurities from the factory. But what do you need to do to season an electric smoker?

All you need is any cooking oil. Rub it well on the racks, walls, and every corner using a clean cloth.

Note: Remember, you only have to season the electric smoker once, that is when it’s new and hasn’t been used by you.

After the seasoning process, adjust the temperature at 250 to 275-degree Fahrenheit and leave it On for two to three hours. This will ensure complete cleaning of the electric smoker.

How to Use Wood Chips In an Electric Smoker

This is the step where you have to be Strong with the calculations when using an electric smoker. So consider it the most tricky and crucial part of the whole electric smoker setup.

Before knowing how to use wood chips in an electric smoker, you must know about the wood chips to use in an electric smoker.

Hardwood chips like; apple, hickory mesquite are ideal for electric smokers. Now follow these simple steps to add the chips;

• Slide-out the chip tray (if there is any)
• Fill it with the chips
• Ideally, add four cups of wood chips for three to five hours of smoking.
• Refill the chips-box once the first pack turns to ashes.

This is one of the Basic steps of how to use an electric smoker. To confirm the figures, follow the electric smoker instructions given in the manual.

Fill the Water Container

Though not Important, this step enhances the quality of the meal.

Most but not all of the electric smokers have a small container inside or water pan (to be precise). Fill it with hot water and place it under the smoker or at its designated place.

Some people tend to skip this step. So it doesn’t have a major role in providing the smoke for the meat. However, the water helps you in two ways:

• It keeps the meat moist and juicy (just the way you want!)
• Plus, it ensures that the temperature remains stable throughout the smoking process.

Note: This completes your electric smoker setup. You are all set to move on. However, don’t forget to close the door using the door latch!

Preheating and Heating

Finally, the last step in using an electric smoker is to plug in and preheat the smoker like you preheat the oven before baking.

The digital electric smokers have small buttons to set the temperature. All you have to do is:

• Press the button up or down to fix your desired temperature.
• A temperature of 200 to 225-degree Fahrenheit would do the job.

The best part is: once you have settled the temperature, you wouldn’t have to readjust it. This is because the electric smoker will keep it maintained. And will inform you when the delicious meal is ready.

After preheating, place the meat inside, and wait. Meanwhile, enjoy the smoky aroma around the yard.

Be cautious when sliding out the try as it would be hot. And close the smokers’ door when you have taken out the fully smoked food.

After using the electric smoker, that is when the meat is smoked, and out of the cooker, don’t forget to clean it.

FAQs

Conclusion

So that was all you need to know about how to use an electric smoker. In short, seasoning the electric smoker before first-use and adding the right quantity of wood chips are the two important steps to consider when using an electric smoker.

Hopefully, using an electric smoker is not rocket science anymore. In fact, the electric smoker setup is the simplest and easiest of all. And there is no need to actually learn anything to be an expert.

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