{"id":2784,"date":"2021-04-28T13:18:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T05:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/?p=2784"},"modified":"2024-03-07T17:20:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T09:20:45","slug":"electric-vs-pellet-smokers-which-set-and-forget-is-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meatsmokinghq.com\/electric-vs-pellet-smokers-which-set-and-forget-is-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric vs Pellet Smokers – 14 Major Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Electric smokers and pellet grills are extremely popular because they offer convenience, complete temperature control, and are as easy to use as a conventional oven. Plus, they can be used year-round with minimal supervision. I wanted to compare the two of the easiest smokers on the market, and find out which set-and-and-forget smoker is best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although electric smokers and pellet grills both use electricity, they are very different smokers. Pellet smokers produce better tasting meat, but are more expensive to buy and operate. They also require some supervision. Electric smokers cost less and more economical to run, and much safer and more convenient.However, electric smokers produce less smokey meat.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric Smokers vs Pellet Smokers – Main Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Electric Smoker <\/strong><\/td>Pellet Smoker<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
More affordable<\/td>More expensive<\/td><\/tr>
More economical<\/td>Less economical to run<\/td><\/tr>
Unable to cook above 300\u00b0F<\/td>High cooking temperatures<\/td><\/tr>
Safer when unattended<\/td>Better tasting meat<\/td><\/tr>
Better for cold smoking<\/td>Larger cooking area<\/td><\/tr>
More compact<\/td>More smoke<\/td><\/tr>
The best winter smoker<\/td>Carries some risks if unattended<\/td><\/tr>
Produces no smoke ring on meat<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Uses a heating element, not a fire<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Less cooking capacity <\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Less flavor<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Less smoke<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
The major differences between electric smokers vs pellet grills<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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1. Electric Smokers Use A Heating Element<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Electric smokers produce heat through a heating element similar to an oven or stove, whereas pellet smokers burn wood pellets (compressed sawdust) in a fire pot as a source of heat. Meat cooked with fire has a distinct flavor, which is why the food tastes better on a pellet smoker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Electric Smokers Produce Less Smoke <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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One of the most common criticisms you will hear about electric smokers is the lack of smoke that they are able to produce. However, electric enthusiasts have found their way around this problem by using smoking tubes<\/a> inside their electric smokers. Pellet grills are fueled by wood pellets that not only provide the heat for cooking but also a nice flow of pure wood smoke to flavor the meat. Pellet grills produce less smoke when cooking at higher temperatures, but if you cook low-and-slow, the meat will get plenty of smoke. Electric smokers have a wood chip tray that slides in above the heating element. The wood chips smolder throughout the cook, flavoring the meat with smoke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Pellet Grills Can Cook More Meat <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Pellet smokers have a larger grilling area than electric smokers, therefore can cook more food at one time. Electric smokers are vertical and the cooking racks are narrow, whereas pellet grills have a wider cooking area which allows for more food to be spread out across the grill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoker<\/strong><\/td>Grill Area (sq.in) <\/strong><\/td>Rib Racks<\/strong><\/td>Chickens<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill<\/td>575 sq. in. <\/td>5<\/td>4<\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill<\/td> 650 sq. in.<\/td>5<\/td>8<\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Pro 780 Pellet Grill<\/td> 780 sq. in.<\/td>6<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
PitBoss 3-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker<\/td>721 sq. in.<\/td>4<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
PitBoss 4-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker<\/td>1,077 sq. in.<\/td>6<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker 30 Inch<\/td>711 sq. in.<\/td>4<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
Cookshack Smokette Electric Smoker <\/td>588 sq.in.<\/td>3<\/td>2<\/td><\/tr>
Cookshack Electric SuperSmoker<\/td>756 sq.in.<\/td>6<\/td>4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Cooking capacity of pellet grills and electric smokers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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4. Electric Smokers Can’t Cook Over 300\u00b0F<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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One of the biggest advantages a pellet smoker has over an electric smoker is a wider temperature range. Pellet smokers can cook between 150-500\u00b0F, but electric smokers can only reach about 270\u00b0F. Turkey and chicken need to be smoked in the 300\u00b0F range to get a nice crispy skin, which is why birds smoked in electrics end up with a soft rubbery skin. The way around this problem is to finish your turkey or chicken in the oven to get a nice crispy skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Are Electric Smokers Any Good? The Pros and Cons (Plus 6 Top Models)” <\/a>
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Smoker<\/strong><\/td>High Temperature<\/strong><\/td>Low Temperature<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Electric Smokers<\/td>275\u00b0F<\/td>100\u00b0F<\/td><\/tr>
Pellet Smokers<\/td>500\u00b0F<\/td>170\u00b0F<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Temperature range of pellet grills vs electric smoker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Electric Smokers Are Better For Cold Smoking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Electric smokers can smoke food at lower temperatures, which gives you the option for cold smoking. The lowest setting on an electric smoker is usually around 100\u00b0F\u00b0, but the smoker\u2019s temperature will drop even lower in winter. Electrics are perfect for smoking foods such as cheese, which can only be smoked below 90\u00b0F otherwise it will melt. It\u2019s very difficult to drop the temperature on a pellet grill below 170\u00b0F without having to use ice trays. Cold smoking isn\u2019t impossible on a pellet grill, it just requires more work. Winter is the best time to use your pellet grill for cold smoking since they run colder in the cooler weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Electric Smokers Need Less Space <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Most electric smokers follow the same vertical cabinet-style design with three or four shelving racks, while pellet smokers look similar to a standard hooded outdoor grill. Some pellet smokers have a vertical design that resembles an electric smoker, but most follow a hood design. Electric smokers are compact and will sit on a small deck or patio, whereas a pellet grill will take up more space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoker<\/strong><\/td>Size – Inches<\/strong><\/td>Weight<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker 30 Inch<\/td>20.4 W x 33.2 H x 19.8 D<\/td>45.9 lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Timberline 1300<\/td>58 W x 51 H
x 28 D<\/td>		255 lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Ironwood 885<\/td>53 W x 47 H
x 27 D<\/td>		170 lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Pro Series 780<\/td>49 W x 55 H
x 27 D<\/td>		145 lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Traeger Tailgater Portable Grill<\/td>37 W x 36 H<\/td>62 lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Pit Boss 3 Series Vertical Pellet Smoker<\/td>26.7 W x 54.90 H<\/td>97 lbs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Size and weight of popular pellet grills and electric smokers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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7. Electric Smokers Cost Less<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Electric smokers are more affordable, and you can buy a decent electric for under $400. The Masterbuilt Electric smoker (MES) is arguably the most popular electric smoker, and Amazon sells a variety of MES models for around $300-$400 (check for exact pricing here<\/a>). Smoking-Tex and Smokin-it are both good electric smokers, and prices range from $400 to over $1000. Cookshack make high-quality commercial-grade electric smokers, but the prices start at around $1000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Pellet Grills Use Real Fire <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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People often mistake pellet grills as electric smokers because they both use electricity, but they are very different smokers. However, they have some things in common. Pellet smokers use electricity to power the fan, the digital controller, and the auger to feed pellets into the fire pot. The major difference between the electric and pellet smoker is with an electric smoker, the heat comes from a metal rod, while the pellet smoker produces heat though burning wood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Which Traeger Should I Buy? The Complete Guide To Traeger Pellet Grills”<\/a>
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9. Electric Smokers Are Safer For Overnight Cooks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Electric smokers are true set-and-forget smokers. All you need to do is set the temperature and walk away as you would a conventional oven. This makes electrics the safest choice for overnight cooks. Although pellet grills are classed as set-and-forget smokers, because they use real fire, they carry more risks when cooking unsupervised. Electrics use a heating element rather than a fire, which makes them a safer choice for overnight briskets. Also, it’s not uncommon for pellet grills to have back burns in the pellet hopper. I’ve had this occur, and I was glad to be there to deal with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OpUcN-UljCI<\/a>