Smoked food is arguably one of the most delicious types of food. If you don’t have a smoker and want to invest in one for your backyard barbeque parties, buying one that suits your needs is important. Smokers come in a wide range of shapes and forms and they can cost anywhere between $50 and $10 000. There are three basic types of barbeque smoker models – electric, charcoal and gas. Every type of BBQ smoker has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the ins and outs of all three types will help you pick the right one for your needs.
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Electric Smokers
Electric smokers are obviously electric powered, and they’re considered better than the conventional charcoal-fuelled units. The reason for that is their simple plug-and-play operation method, where all you have to do is plug them in a mains power source and pick the right temperature. The smoker will cook the meat at the set temperature without any interference. Some of the most important factors you’ll have to consider when buying this type of smoker is its capacity, features and your budget.
If you’re someone who frequently throws barbecue parties for family and friends, you’ll need a larger model, but if you’re only going to occasionally cook a Sunday meal for your family, you can get a smaller model. As far as budget goes, you want something that won’t cost a fortune but will serve you well for at least several years. In the world of smokers, the more you pay, the more you get. Some important features that you should consider include temperature settings, time settings, cooking modes, sensors, thermometers etc.
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Some of the advantages of electric smokers include user-friendliness (since they don’t require too much manual effort), cost-efficiency (they are more expensive to buy but are cost-efficient in the long term), and their safety. But there are also some disadvantages. For instance, they don’t provide the same smokey flavour as conventional charcoal smokers, and they can be complicated to use properly if you can’t manipulate the different settings they come with.
Charcoal Smokers
For most people, these smokers are the ones that provide the most authentic smoked barbeque taste. Similarly to electric smokers, charcoal barbeque smoker models are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They require manual maintenance of the temperature and airflow of the smoker. However, most modern units have made the smoking process much simpler. Some factors you’ll need to consider when buying a charcoal smoker are its price, versatility, quality and usability. If you have space constraints in the yard, you’ll need a smoker that can double as a grill. As far as quality goes, it’s the same as electric smokers – you get what you pay for. And in terms of usability, you’ll have to make sure you pick a model with adequate capacity and ability to cook the types of meat you intend on cooking.
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The advantages of charcoal smokers are that they’re easy to maintain since they don’t have a lot of small parts like electrical smokers have. The only thing you’ll need to change is the grates when they get chipped or start rusting. Additionally, they have a can for collecting the ash, so they’re also easy to clean. Lastly, quality charcoal smokers provide an easy way to control the temperature. You can add or remove coal to increase or decrease the temperature. The disadvantages are cooking in winter, potential trouble maintaining the flame, and maintaining the oxygen levels.
Gas Smokers
If you’re looking for an easy way to get the authentic BBQ flavour at home, gas smokers combine the advantages of charcoal and electric smokers to give you just that. When a quality gas smoker smokes the meat, it provides an aroma that no other cooking method can match. These smokers are ideal for people who don’t want to constantly keep an eye on the meat, and don’t want to fiddle with coals and embers to maintain a smoking temperature.
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Some factors you’ll have to consider when shopping for a gas smoker are its capacity, reliability, price and materials. To ensure reliability, get a smoker from a reputable brand. While you may pay extra, you’ll have peace of mind your smoker will deliver the expected results every time. As far as capacity goes, gas smokers vary in size from small, portable units, to large, fixed models. The materials the gas smoker is made of will have a huge impact on its quality and durability. You want one that’s made of thick steel and is insulated. If it isn’t insulated and is made of thin materials, it will lose heat.
The advantages of these smokers are that they’re easy to use, most models are portable, and can reach optimum temperatures without a hassle. However, they require constant refuelling, and they have small parts that can break often, especially if you have bought a cheaper model.
