Propane smokers have been around for a long time, and there are still many users who swear by them. Electric smokers, however, offer more convenience with less maintenance cost. Which is the better option? We researched both to find out!
Propane smokers are typically better for yard use, because they can be used outside. Electric smokers are typically better for indoor use.
Tired of the time and money it takes to prepare, maintain, clean, and maintain a typical charcoal-burning smoker? If that’s the case, don’t assume that the only option is to cook in the kitchen and sacrifice the awesomely smokey taste profile and those fun afternoons spent cooking in the yard that we all like. Propane and electric smokers are two relatively easy alternatives to classic charcoal smokers, both of which are significantly more hassle-free, clean, and handy solutions. But which of the two kinds of smokers—propane or electric—is ideal for your backyard cooking adventures? Below, we provide a straightforward comparison of electric vs propane smokers, including the benefits and drawbacks of each kind of smoker as well as their performance in each of the parameters that will help you decide which is the best option for you.
Contents
What Are the Main Differences Between Propane and Electricity?
Traditional charcoal smokers, stick or pellet burners, kettle grills, and water smokers are all examples of smokers. Gas and electric smokers are the most efficient, simplest to use, and give the greatest value for money of all the many kinds of smokers.
As you may expect, each of these sorts of smoke allows you to cook your food in a different way: with propane gas or with electricity.
Electric smokers, in general, are very handy equipment, with easy temperature control and set-it-and-forget-it simplicity. These smokers are also incredibly simple to keep clean and maintain.
Electric smokers’ sole drawback is that, because to their need on a power cable, they are significantly less portable than gas ones, making them unsuitable for anybody wishing to perform their smoking on camping excursions or in a bigger yard.
Electric smokers also function at lower temperatures than gas ones, making them rather limited in terms of the sort of cooking/barbecuing you can accomplish.
Propane smokers offer two major benefits over electric smokers: first, they are considerably more portable since they don’t need electricity, and second, they can cook at much higher temperatures.
On the downside, gas smokers’ temperatures tend to fluctuate throughout your cook (meaning you might not be able to get the exact temperatures required for your specific culinary creations), they have ongoing fuel costs, and, of course, they use a fuel type that can be dangerous if not used correctly—something that could be a deal-breaker if the device doesn’t have an integrated sensor that detects when the flame has been extinguished.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros and Cons of Electric Smokers
Electric smokers, like electric cookers in your house, rely on mains electricity to cook. They take a little longer to heat up, feature a dial that enables you to simply adjust your cooking temperature, and are extremely low-maintenance, much like your home electric cooker. Some versions have a tray for wood chips, which may be used to give your meal the sought smokey taste.
Pros:
- Set your temperature and timer, sit back, break open a drink, and wait for your meal to cook with this simple-to-use, set-and-forget gadget.
- Far safer than propane models—propane is a flammable gas that must be handled with caution.
- While some lesser versions simply have three temperature settings (“low,” “medium,” and “high”), most models feature a temperature dial similar to those seen in home ovens, allowing you to be more accurate.
- Wood chips may be used to provide a smokey flavor to your cuisine.
- If you reside in an apartment building and want to cook on your balcony or patio, an electric smoker is likely to be permitted (gas or charcoal smokers probably not)
- They may be used as cold smokers because of their ability to cook at low temperatures, enabling you to cure meats and smoke more delicate items.
Cons:
- Smokers that do not have the same high heat capacity as propane smokers
- You’ll need a power outlet, which means you’ll have to spend more money on an extension cable and won’t be able to take the smoker camping unless you have a generator or go to a well-established campground with power connections.
- Even if you use wood in an electric smoker to get the desired smokey taste, electric smokers do not generate a smoke ring.
- Electric appliance repair is difficult and usually necessitates bringing the equipment to a specialist.
- Cannot be utilized in inclement weather.
Pros and Cons of Propane Smokers
Propane smokers are powered by propane tanks (or, less typically, natural gas) and can achieve significantly higher temperatures much faster than electric smokers. Gas smokers, unlike electric smokers, often include a burner at the bottom of the machine, followed by a shelf where you may add wood chips to assist develop a smokey flavor, and provide comparable taste and texture results as charcoal smokers.
Pros:
- Portability: You can use a propane smoker anywhere as long as you have the strength to carry it!
- Cooks at far greater temperatures than electric smokers.
- Quickly heat up
- Electric smokers are usually more expensive.
- Food cooked in propane smokers tastes considerably more like food cooked in traditional charcoal smokers than food prepared in electric smokers.
- Repair is easier than with electric smokers.
- Smoke rings and bark, two of the most attractive characteristics of grill-cooked meat, are easier to accomplish.
Cons:
- Temperature control is not as exact as with electric versions.
- When the first gas canister runs out, you’ll need to have a backup on hand, which takes up extra storage space.
- Gas smokers’ cooking temperatures are more impacted by chilly outside temperatures since they are not well insulated.
- Because they utilize flammable gas, they are more risky than electric versions.
- In most apartment complexes, this is almost certainly not authorized.
Temperature Range
The majority of electric smokers have a maximum temperature of 275°F to 300°F. While low temperatures are good for “low and slow” cooking for preparing jerkies, they also entail extended cooking periods and an inability to rev things up to get a bark on your meal while keeping the juiciness.
One of the primary advantages of having an electric cooker is that you can cook at extremely low temperatures (as low as 150F), enabling you to smoke delicate items like fish, produce beef jerky, or smoke meals that need a lower heat, such as cheese and vegetables. Attempting the same with a propane smoker, on the other hand, is challenging because to the difficulties in maintaining a consistent low temperature.
Propane smokers are a whole other story. These appliances can achieve temperatures of up to 400°F in as little as five minutes, making them a better option for meals like crispy chicken, brisket, and filets or patties that need high-heat cooking to maintain the optimum taste profile.
Cooking at lower temperatures is difficult and requires you to keep an eye on the smoker and make adjustments to the vents and fuel output throughout your cook. While most propane smokers can cook consistently at temperatures in the 220-280F range, cooking at lower temperatures is difficult and requires you to keep an eye on the smoker and make adjustments to the vents and fuel output throughout your cook.
Using Smokers in Stormy Conditions
You invite your guests over for dinner, go to the market and load up on pound after pound of delectable meat and vegetables to cook in your smoker, and then the heavens open up…
Only one sort of smoker will enable you to carry out your plans and avoid disappointing your visitors in such circumstances: a propane smoker.
In terms of bad-weather smoking, the simple line is that you should never use an electronic smoker in even the lightest rain. Aside from the obvious difficulties of frying yourself instead of your meats if rain gets into the electric current while you’re cooking, a few droplets of water in the air might be enough to destroy your electric smoker’s control panel and render it useless.
Propane smokers, on the other hand, may lose a little performance and cooking speed while cooking in the wind and mild rain, but they pose no safety concerns.
If you live in a region where power outages are common, it’s also worth remembering that a propane-powered smoker will keep you cooking even if the power goes out.
User-Friendliness
Let’s start with the bottom line: if User-Friendliness is high on your list of priorities, an electric smoker will be a far better choice than a propane smoker in all but a few cases.
Although a propane smoker does not require a PhD in thermodynamics to operate, it does necessitate a bit more care and maintenance than electric versions. Also, when using a propane smoker, be prepared to do some appliance babysitting to ensure that temperature changes don’t result in undercooked or burned food, and/or that you don’t start a wildfire in your yard.
While electric smokers allow you to simply set the dial, toss in your food, and walk away to take care of laundry, dessert prep, or a fast shower before guests arrive, propane versions need you to monitor the temperature and adjust the gas flow every few minutes.
Cooking using a propane smoker, on the other hand, needs some smoking expertise, some technique, and a lot of patience. Electric smokes, on the other hand, need the use of one’s fingers. Oh, and there’s a power outlet, too. There isn’t much more to it than these two basics!
Better-Tasting Food with Smokers
While this is a very subjective matter, the general agreement on which kind of smoker produces the best results is that propane smokers come out on top.
Aside from being able to cook outdoors, one of the primary reasons we use a smoker to prepare our meals is the amazing taste profile these equipment enable us to generate. Propane smokers greatly outperform their electric counterparts in this regard, creating a taste profile that is far closer to that of wood and charcoal smokers.
While electric smokers provide good food, the final product is frequently too close to what we would accomplish in our kitchens due to their lower heat and inability to generate the same chemicals that build a smoke ring or develop bark.
What’s the bottom line? In terms of flavor, propane is a clear winner.
Best Smokers for the Money
Although gas smokers are often less expensive to purchase than electric versions, the value for money delivered by any smoker isn’t just decided by the price you spend at the store.
In addition to the initial purchase price, both propane and electric smokers have considerable ongoing operating expenses that may quickly pile up.
Although the cost of propane gas and electricity varies greatly from one place to the next, we can estimate that the cost of operating a propane smoker for one hour is roughly Although the cost of propane gas and electricity can vary widely from one location to another, working on averages we can estimate that the running cost for a propane smoker for one hour comes in at around $0.50, whereas an electric smoker is more likely to be around $0.10..50, while an electric smoker is more likely to be around Although the cost of propane gas and electricity can vary widely from one location to another, working on averages we can estimate that the running cost for a propane smoker for one hour comes in at around $0.50, whereas an electric smoker is more likely to be around $0.10..10.
While the difference between the two running may seem little, if you’re a smoker who uses your smoker regularly throughout the year, the difference between the two running may be enough to influence your selection.
Durability and Reliability
For the most part, both propane and electric smokers are quite dependable. Propane smokers, on the other hand, are more likely to endure the test of time in the long term.
This is mostly due to their design’s simplicity. Most propane smokers are little more than a box or barrel linked to a regulator, which means there isn’t much that can go wrong.
Electric smokers, on the other hand, are controlled by an electronic panel. Anyone who has ever owned an electronic item (which is all of us, right?) understands how susceptible they are to failure and breaking.
Unfortunately, electric smokers are no different, and the damp, greasy, and hot atmosphere surrounding your smoker only increases the chances of its electric components failing down the road, especially in cheaper versions with a poorly sealed and weather-proof control panel.
Brands of the Best Smokers
The following are some of the greatest electric and propane smoker manufacturers on the market:
Masterbuilt: This company has been around for over fifty years and produces a broad range of dependable charcoal, propane, electric, and pellet smokers.
Char-Broil: This brand has been producing grills in some form or another since 1948, and it is now Masterbuilt’s most direct mass-market rival.
Smoke Hollow: This brand, which was purchased by Masterbuilt in 2017, produces a variety of cheap electric and gas smokers in a variety of sizes.
Camp Chef: This company, which was founded in 1990, produces a few high-quality gas versions in addition to its standard flat-top grills, pellet grills, and camp stoves.
Bradley Smoker: This Canadian company makes a selection of high-quality, dependable electric smokers that can all be used with the company’s flavor-enhancing bisquettes.
FAQs
What is a smoke ring, exactly?
A: A “smoke ring” is a band of pink-colored flesh on the exterior of any smoked meat that is usually recognized as the hallmark of juiciness and softness in the barbecuing industry.
Nitric acid forms on the surface of the meat when nitrogen dioxide from the smoker’s burning wood reacts with the water in the meat, resulting in smoke rings. As a result, without the use of wood, a smoke ring is difficult to produce using propane or electric smokers.
Q: On a propane smoker, how long do propane tanks last?
A: On most barbecues, a regular 20-pound propane tank should last around 18-20 hours.
Q: Are wood chips used in electric smokers?
A: There’s around a 60/40 split between electric smokers with a wood chip pan and those without. Even if your electric smoker does not have a wood ship pan, you may add flavor by wrapping a handful of wood chips in aluminum foil or putting them in an empty tin can and storing them at the bottom of your smoker.
Q: How can I insulate my electric or propane smoker more effectively?
A: For smokers who utilize an aluminum cover to keep heat and smoke in, most manufacturers supply optional insulating jackets. While you may get them at yard shops or from various internet retailers, the ones manufactured by the maker of your smoker are likely to be the best choice since they are specifically intended to suit the smoker.
Q: How do you clean a smoker’s interior?
A: Wipe any oil or residue toward the bottom of the smoker by removing all of the racks, the water pan, drip tray, and smoker box. Sweep away all of the crumbs and debris from the cooking chamber. Then, using a sponge and warm soapy water, clean the internal surfaces of the smoker and dry with a towel.
Propane Smoker of the Year
1. Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker (Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker)
Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last update on 2022-02-23.
This 40-inch unit wins our vote as the Propane Smoker of the Year on the market in 2019 on account of one feature that essentially negates the most commonly cited failing of propane models—namely, a thermostatic temperature control feature that allows you to regulate the flow of gas to the burner for far more precise cooking at both low and high temperatures.
Granted, this smoker isn’t the cheapest on the market, but it also has four chrome-coated racks for ample cooking space, can cook at temperatures ranging from 180 to 350°F for added versatility, is safer than other gas smokers thanks to a sensor that shuts off the gas flow if the flame goes out, and uses a single stainless steel burner with a 15,7500 BTU output and a heat diffuser located above the burner that distributes the heat more evenly.
Overall, a really well-made, strong, and dependable device that, owing to that all-important heat-regulation function, goes one step further than other gas smokers.
What We Enjoy
- Thermostatic control helps you to maintain consistent cooking temperatures.
- When you’re about to run out of petrol, the fuel gauge will alert you.
- The temperature range is fantastic (180-350F)
- Wheels make it simple to move the smoker around your deck or yard.
- The glass door allows you to keep an eye on your food while it cooks.
What We Don’t Care For
- In comparison to other companies, the one-year guarantee duration is a tad on the short side.
Propane Smoker Runner-Up
Cuisinart COS-244 Propane Vertical 36-Inch Smoker
Sale
Cuisinart COS-244 Vertical Propane Smoker with Temperature & Smoke Control, Four Removable Shelves, 36″, Black
- INTERIOR: 5. 45 SQUARE FEET: With a 5. 45 square foot interior, you’ll have plenty of area to smoke a range of meats as well as numerous trays of veggies. Its vertical footprint makes it ideal for patios and grilling stations.
- Dimensions of the product: 19.3″ L x 18.1″ W x 38.6″ H | 69.5 pound weight
- FOUR REMOVABLE STAINLESS STEEL SHELVES, 14 X 14 INCHES: For smoking entire birds or huge portions of meat, four stainless steel racks may be readily removed. Dishwasher-safe racks make cleaning a breeze.
- BUILT-IN THERMOMETER: The front entrance has an easy-to-read thermometer for convenient monitoring of the indoor temperature.
- TOTAL TEMPERATURE AND SMOKE CONTROL: The quantity of heat is controlled by an adjustable gas supply. To manage the quantity of heat and smoke escaping the oven, two doors and a rear vent may be opened or closed to provide optimal smoker access.
Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last update on 2022-02-23.
The Cuisinart 36″ Vertical Propane Smoker is a wonderful alternative for people on a budget who don’t want to make too many concessions compared to more expensive versions of smoker.
This smoker, like the Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL, has four detachable steel grill racks that let you keep various kinds of food separate while cooking and fit enough food in there to satisfy the entire family (and maybe a few neighbors, too!).
It also has a pair of doors that allow you to add wood chips without losing all of the heat, an adjustable gas supply, a 40-inch hose and regulator that connects fast to a normal propane tank, and a built-in thermometer to keep track of interior temperatures.
It may lack some of the features included in the Masterbuilt model mentioned above, but in terms of value for money, this smoker is a clear winner!
What We Enjoy
- Priced reasonably
- Sturdy and well-constructed
- Interior area of 45 square feet
- 4 racks for smoking and frying
- Warranty period: 3 years
What We Don’t Care For
- There is no glass in the door to monitor the progress of your meal.
- Temperature adjustment is difficult.
- Due to the absence of temperature control, it is not suitable for low and slow cooking.
Electric Smoker of the Year
30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker by Masterbuilt
30″ Black Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
- On/off, cooking temperature, and time are all controlled via a digital panel.
- Dimensions of the electric smoker are 20.47″ W x 19.88″ L x 33.26″ H | Maximum temperature setting is 275° F | Inside capacity is 2 turkeys, 4 pork butts, 4 racks of ribs, and 6 chickens
- You may add wood chips without opening the door thanks to a patented side wood chip loading mechanism.
- Temperature control with a thermostat for uniform, steady smoking
- The fully insulated body keeps the heat in.
Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last update on 2022-02-23.
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is a fantastically simple-to-use device that’s perfect for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, effective, and adaptable digital smoker that won’t break the budget.
While bigger and smaller versions are available, this 30″ smoker provides 730 square inches of inside room and four cooking racks, which should plenty for most users who aren’t feeding football teams or tiny armies (!).
It also has a built-in digital control panel that enables you to adjust the internal temperature of the smoker to anywhere between 100 and 275 degrees Fahrenheit and manage the cooking duration.
What We Enjoy most about this smoker, however, is that—unlikely many competitors—it’s very Cleaning is a breeze. thanks to its chrome-coated stainless steel materials and also reaches your chosen cooking temps in just a few minutes after powering up. And unlike the vast majority of propane smokers out there, moreover, this smoker maintains a consistent internal temperature and can be left to get on with cooking while you look after the kids, reply to emails, or kick back, goof off, and/or crack open a beer…!
What We Enjoy
- Priced reasonably for a 30” smoker
- The digital control panel makes it very simple to operate.
- Cleaning is a breeze.
- It has solid insulation, so it works well even in cold weather.
- It’s perfect for chilly smoking.
- Cooking area of 730 square inches
- You can add chips without opening the door and lose heat with this handy wood chip tray system.
What We Don’t Care For
- The wood chip tray is tiny and will need to be refilled often during longer heats.
- Larger chunks of meat may not be able to fit on narrow cooking racks.
- The warranty duration is rather short (90 days)
Electric Smoker Runner-Up
Electric Smoker (Old Smokey)
Sale
Electric Smoker (Old Smokey)
- Grey in color
- Dimensions: 15.5″w x 15.5″d x 29″h Dimensions: 15.5″w x 15.5″d x 29″h Dimensions: 15.5″
- Because the top of this smoker is flat, fluids flow straight back onto the meal.
- A chip tray sits on top of the heating element, where wood chips are placed for smoke flavor.
- A heat thermostat regulates the temperature in this smoker, allowing for a broad range of cooking periods and styles.
Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last update on 2022-02-23.
The Electric Smoker (Old Smokey) is a frill-free workhorse of a smoker that might not win any prizes for fancy features but ticks just about every box that needs ticking for users who want a simple device that gets the job done without any fuss.
This small, vat-style smoker has a good 280 square inches of cooking capacity and one of the most straightforward designs you’ll ever see. This simplicity, we should point out, is an advantage rather than a flaw, implying that there are considerably less components to break or fail, making the Old Smokey more likely to retain performance over time.
This smoker isn’t the most roomy, with just two cooking trays above the drip pan and chip tray. This sleek tiny smoker, on the other hand, is a winner for little families, couples, or individuals who don’t mind reloading from time to time.
What We Enjoy
- Simple to look at…
- …as well as the pocketbook
- Convenience of “plug-and-play”
- Well-made and long-lasting
- Cleaning is a breeze.
What We Don’t Care For
- There is no way to install chips since there is no access door.
- Capacity is restricted.
- There is no glass in the door to keep an eye on your food.
- Its lack of insulation means it won’t keep you warm in cold weather or keep you safe in severe winds.
- The metal surface on the outside may become quite heated.
- There is no temperature gauge.
The Final Word
Your choice between an electric and a propane smoker will eventually come down to what is most important to you.
If flavor, speed of cooking, and the flexibility to move your smoker about the yard or take it on the occasional camping trip are among your top priorities in a smoker, then a propane smoker is unquestionably the way to go.
An electric smoker, on the other hand, is likely to be a better alternative if you choose a low-maintenance equipment that is safer, simpler to use, can run at lower temperatures, and allows you to go on with other duties while it cooks your meal.
Regardless of the style of smoker you pick, we’re certain you’ll be cooking up many a spectacular feast in the years ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better an electric smoker or propane?
Can electric smokers stay outside?
A: Yes, you can place your electric smokers outside.
Can you use an electric smoker in the winter time?
A: You can use an electric smoker in the winter time, but you must be sure to take all precautions that are needed when using any type of heat. For example, never leave children or pets alone during cooking and always keep a close eye on them while theyre being cooked.
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- best smoker for beginners
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