When you are on the budget your one and only priority should be getting the most quality out of the lowest price. This is why we chose to present you this model by the Landmann company. This company has been around for such a long time, that they surely know what they’re doing. The Smoky Mountain Electric Smoker proves this fact. It is super easy to use and requires no previous knowledge on meat smoking or electric smokers. It has a large enough size to fit enough food for a small outdoors BBQ and even has a see-through door which allows you to closely watch your food being prepared. The temperature controls on this unit are also impressive, considering the low price-tag.
Features That Make it Stand Out
First, let’s talk about the unique 3-in-1 tray on this unit. It holds the water pan, the grease and the wood chips into a single location. On the back wall of the unit there is a ventilation port which allows for proper heat distribution and smoke release, therefore giving you a good control over the resulting meat taste.
With this model, you don’t have to be a master chef to cook a good smoked brisket, as all it takes to get used to it are a few minutes. If you want you can stack up a lot of meat inside, onto the three chrome-plated racks which provide a total of 430 square inches of space. We found that this is enough space to prepare meat for anywhere between 5 to 10 people. Another feature that will make it BBQ friendly is that is is relatively lightweight and can be carried around easily.
We also tried smoking all sorts of meat at the same time with this unit. We were pleasantly surprised when the taste of salmon didn’t mix at all with the chicken meat we placed inside. It can also easily take a 10-pound turkey inside for those Thanksgiving dinners. For improved taste you can get a pack of BBQ smoking chips with it.
An important thing to point out here is that this unit is best used outdoors. Don’t use it in poorly ventilated areas, nor anywhere near combustible objects. Not that it there is a huge risk around it, but let’s just be on the safe side of things.
It’s biggest downside is probably the temperature control, or better said – the lack of it. There is a simple dial mechanism which can be set anywhere between “low” and “high”. The Smoky Mountain operates around 100 to 260 degrees Fahrenheit, although wind and outside temperatures affect it greatly. It also heats up relatively slowly. If you want a smoker which is a bit more expensive, but a lot better, we suggest checking out the Char-Broil Deluxe.
Of course, being an electric smoker, it has tons of other practical advantages, which are common in all-electric models. You can check all of those in our Buyer’s Guide article.
Advantages
- One of the cheapest electric smokers
- Sturdy construction
- Relatively lightweight
- Can pack up enough meat for up to 10 people
- Doesn’t mix flavors of different meats that are cooked at the same time
- Has a window for checking in on your food
- Double walls for better heat insulation
Disadvantages
- Isn’t consistent with the smoke production
- Comes with a short cord (you will need an extension)
- Lack of advanced controls
- The door can sometimes leak smoke due to fitting loosely
Cook Out Pal.com Product Rating:
If you are looking for a relatively good, but also super cheap smoker, this one is a great choice. It basically checks all the boxes in terms of quality and meat flavor. Sure, there are some minor issues, such as the door leaking smoke, and that it cannot hold a lot of meat inside, but it still is ideal for beginners and people who want a small and cheap smoker for their backyard BBQs. We rate this product 4 and a half out of five stars.
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