SMOKERS : propane verses electric

[bama57]

I am going to get my son a smoker for Christmas. any advice? Here is the 2 I am looking at
Click here for link
Click here for link

[2Stater]

I am going to get my son a smoker for Christmas. any advice? Here is the 2 I am looking at
Click here for link
Click here for link

What little smoking I do, I do it in my gas grill, bit I understand electric smokers are much better than most people think.

[Catch Prothro]

I have a Masterbilt smoker similar to the one you list.  I've also used a Weber kettle (charcoal) grill for smoking.

As for electric v. propane, I think it is a matter of preference.  You're talking about a heat source, and not the source of the flavor.  How these smokers work is you put wood chips in a metal box near the heat source, and the wood chips fill the box with smoke.  So with electric you have a hot electric coil (like a burner on a stove) that heats the wood chips.  With propane you have, I presume, flame.

It is like choosing between an electric or gas oven.

Offhand, here are some considerations:

Electric. Pros: Probably the easiest to use.  Easy to monitor the temperature, like setting a thermostat.  You can set the time and temperature, and then just walk away, occasionally adding more wood chips through the convenient side panel.  Probably comes with a meat thermometer that gives you an instant read on internal temperature.  Cons:  1. Over time the electric connections will deteriorate with heat.  I've had to rewire the back of mine.  2. You have to locate the smoker near an electric source or tolerate a long extension cord.

Propane.  I haven't used one of these.  Assumed Pros:  1. Portability.  No need for an electrical source.  You can take it camping.  2.  Durability.  No rewiring.  Assumed Cons: Not sure if you can program in your cooking temperature with propane or how easy it is to monitor or maintain.  2.  You have to make sure you have enough propane on hand.  It's not an endless supply like electricity usually is.

[SUPERCOACH]

I have a Masterbilt smoker similar to the one you list.  I've also used a Weber kettle (charcoal) grill for smoking.

As for electric v. propane, I think it is a matter of preference.  You're talking about a heat source, and not the source of the flavor.  How these smokers work is you put wood chips in a metal box near the heat source, and the wood chips fill the box with smoke.  So with electric you have a hot electric coil (like a burner on a stove) that heats the wood chips.  With propane you have, I presume, flame.

It is like choosing between an electric or gas oven.

Offhand, here are some considerations:

Electric. Pros: Probably the easiest to use.  Easy to monitor the temperature, like setting a thermostat.  You can set the time and temperature, and then just walk away, occasionally adding more wood chips through the convenient side panel.  Probably comes with a meat thermometer that gives you an instant read on internal temperature.  Cons:  1. Over time the electric connections will deteriorate with heat.  I've had to rewire the back of mine.  2. You have to locate the smoker near an electric source or tolerate a long extension cord.

Propane.  I haven't used one of these.  Assumed Pros:  1. Portability.  No need for an electrical source.  You can take it camping.  2.  Durability.  No rewiring.  Assumed Cons: Not sure if you can program in your cooking temperature with propane or how easy it is to monitor or maintain.  2.  You have to make sure you have enough propane on hand.  It's not an endless supply like electricity usually is.

[bama57]

Thank you all! I guess I will have to pick his brain and try and get his prefrences

[Jamos]

I've never cooked on the electric grill but just bought a 40" model. I'm impressed with the safety of it versus the gas grill and like the convenience that the electric grills provides over the wood type grills. I plan on cooking something this weekend on mine before the Christmas company gets here to make sure I know how to use it.

[Hannibal Lecter, MD]

I've got a Masterbuilt electric that I've thoroughly enjoyed.  CP pointed out the one advantage I could see to a propane unit, and that's portability.  If he'll be using it at home or somewhere he has access to electricity, I don't think you can beat the electric unit.

[bama57]

He has indicated he would prefer the Masterbuilt electric with bluetooth
Thanks everyone!

[bama57]

does it make a difference if you use regular wood chips verses the pellets and if so: any suggestions?

[bama57]

does it make a difference if you use regular wood chips verses the pellets and if so: any suggestions?

I just read the booklet that comes with the smoker and it says to never use the pellets, always use wood chips.

[SUPERCOACH]

does it make a difference if you use regular wood chips verses the pellets and if so: any suggestions?

I just read the booklet that comes with the smoker and it says to never use the pellets, always use wood chips.

I thought I was the only one left who still actually reads the manual.

[Jamos]

I'm putting my cooker through the seasoning stage right now and you are right, better read the instructions first and then again as you go through the procedures.

[bama57]

He couldn't wait till Christmas, he is seasoning his now also!

[bama57]

Jamos, is yours the 40 inch Masterbuilt?

[Jamos]

Jamos, is yours the 40 inch Masterbuilt?

Yes it is.

You are right, I didn't wait for Santa to open it. I have company coming in for Christmas and there will be cooking to do so I wanted to get familiar with my new toy before they all arrive.

[Guest]

Username:
Password:
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

There aren't any users online.

Loading Tweet...