Compare the differences between a charcoal and an electric smoker, including features, flavor, and ease of use, to determine which type is best for your needs. Some prefer the smoky taste of food prepared in a charcoal smoker, while others insist using an electric smoker is more convenient. But as to whether a charcoal or electric smoker is better, the answer depends on your personal preferences.

If you’re unsure which type to buy, we’ve highlighted the main differences between charcoal and electric smokers below.

CHARCOAL VS. ELECTRIC: WHAT ARE THE FEATURES TO COMPARE?

The main difference between an electric smoker and charcoal is the source of fuel. An electric smoker uses electricity to generate heat for smoking food products, so it must be plugged into an electric power source. A typical electric smoker comes equipped with a thermostat to control the smoking temperature. As its name implies, a charcoal smoker uses charcoal to smoke food.

WHAT SIZE SMOKER DO YOU NEED?

Before purchasing a smoker, make sure you know how often you will use it and for how many people. If you plan to smoke large quantities of food or use the smoker for food preservation, go for a large model. But if you’re smoking a holiday turkey or hosting the occasional weekend gathering, choose a small smoker.

ELECTRIC VS. CHARCOAL: HOW MUCH WILL THE SMOKER COST?

Electric smokers are generally more expensive than charcoal smokers, but it’s important to note that other factors influence the total cost. There are cheaper versions of each type of smoker; the features and size of the smoker will affect the final purchase price. Also, keep in mind you must buy charcoal plus wood every time you want to use a charcoal smoker, but will spend less for the wood or smoker Bisquettes® to use with an electric smoker.

HOW PORTABLE IS AN ELECTRIC VS. A CHARCOAL SMOKER?

While electric smokers are more portable than other types, they are bulky to allow good rack space for food, and not especially easy to move around. Charcoal smokers, on the other hand, are usually a lot heavier, bulkier, and less portable than electric smokers. In the end, since you’ll usually be in your backyard, the smoker’s portability will be less important than its size, which will depend upon how much space you have.

ELECTRIC VS. CHARCOAL SMOKER: TEMPERATURE REGULATION

An electric smoker allows precise temperature control; you can set the desired temperature and walk away, making it easier to operate for the home chef who prefers hands-off cooking. Some electric smokers, such as the Bradley Raven, come with integrated Bluetooth control for easy management.

A charcoal smoker requires more effort: You must add or remove coal regularly to control its temperature. You must also monitor and adjust the airflow in the smoker.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

Electric smokers tend to have a narrower temperature range versus charcoal smokers. The temperature range in a typical electric smoker is 100 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 121 degrees Celsius), ideal for cold smoking (cheese and sausages, for example) or cooking low and slow for tender and juicy results. Charcoal units can reach much higher temperatures—up to 350 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (177 to 260 degrees Celsius).

Charcoal smokers are unsuitable for cold smoking, but will sear or cook food faster.

WHICH PRODUCES MORE SMOKE—A CHARCOAL OR AN ELECTRIC SMOKER?

Charcoal smokers produce more smoke than electric smokers. This can be desirable or not, depending on what you’re looking for in a smoker. Whether the flavor a charcoal smoker produces is better than the flavor resulting from an electric smoker is a matter of personal preference.

The importance here is control over flavor; in most electric smokers, you can choose to cook and smoke, only smoke, or only cook. So you can smoke ribs using the 3-2-1 method to achieve the delicious flavor you want without wasting fruit wood (needed for only four of the six total cooking hours).

One of the most important things to consider is using the wood as a source for both heat for cooking and to generate smoke, and to understand how that changes the flavor. Some notice a more acidic and foul taste that results from cooking with charcoal. Before you buy, know the difference between food smoking and cooking food with wood and how this might affect your smoker choice.

FUEL MANAGEMENT IN AN ELECTRIC VS. A CHARCOAL SMOKER

Charcoal smokers require a lot of babysitting, from starting the fire and making sure it is delivering the right temperature to keeping charcoal available and constantly tending to it.

Some types of electric smokers must be opened to empty and refill a wood tray from time to time. Vertical electric food smokers are available with a variety of wood feeding systems; our recommendation is to purchase one that feeds wood automatically to avoid babysitting it.

CHARCOAL VS. ELECTRIC SMOKER MAINTENANCE

The maintenance required for an electric versus charcoal smoker varies widely. For an electric smoker, all you need to do is to wipe down the exterior and interior and wash the racks, which are dishwasher safe. Use our Magic Mats or foil on the racks to make cleanup easier. Follow the instructions on your manual to keep your smoker in great condition for longer service. Charcoal smokers, on the other hand, require more time and effort to maintain. The carbon buildup must be removed after each use, which makes the cleaning process more time-consuming than for an electric smoker.

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY AN ELECTRIC OR CHARCOAL SMOKER

It is no secret that the taste of smoked meat depends on which type of food smoker you use. Smoking meat is considered to be an ancient method of preparation, and some smokers manage to preserve all the tastes and nutrients perfectly.

But before you choose a charcoal or an electric food smoker, consider the most important variables: size, price, portability, ease of use, and temperature control. If you’re still not sure which smoker is right for you, ask yourself these questions:

• How often will I use it?
• For how many people will I be smoking food?
• Do I need a portable smoker?
• What is the maximum temperature I need to smoke food?
• Do I want a smoker that’s easy to use and allows more control over the temperature?

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FOOD SMOKING?

Consult our blog to learn all you need to know about the types of wood to smoke, how to pair every type with your recipes, and more. Whichever food smoker you decide to buy, do your research first so that you know exactly what to expect from it. For more great ideas, or to learn our tips and tricks, check out the articles on our food smoking blog, including directions on how to smoke multiple types of meat together.