Propane vs. Electric smokers

propane is a 'wet' heat so less likely to dry out what you're smoking.


propane is 'set and forget' as once you dial it in, you're good to go but a bit more tricky initially to get it set to the right temp.

electric has a temp gauge so its very easy to set it, but if you open it during the smoke, it takes 30 minutes or more to get back to the right temp.

i prefer propane if you're choosing between the 2.

I just got this for Christmas. Any recommendations on what I should do to get my feet wet with smoking? Are ribs the easiest?

I got one for Christmas too. Was told Boston Butt would be the most forgiving meat to start smoking with.

Easy stuff thats fairly quick, couple of hours at most- half chickens, thick cut pork chops, small chuck roast, chicken thighs.

Pork Butts are the most forgiving large cuts of meat. They take a long time. Did an 8lb PB for New Years, took 14hrs at 225. It was awesome.

Ribs are good and relatively easy, just make sure to remove the membrane on the back and cook with the 3-2-1 method.

Always use a thermometer for meat deciding when its time to pull the meat, never trust a time cook schedule unless its ribs.

Smokers are a blast.

buy a cook shaq or smokin tex electric smoker. Pellet smokers are also popular

Charcoal is the only way to go baw

I recently purchased a gas smoker and there have been times where I wished I'd gotten an electric, especially when a tank ran out overnight during a pork butt smoke.

I can get the temp close to what I want, but I have to play with it to keep it consistent. Although I have a Maverick probe, electric smokers may come with a built in probe so that it will shut off when the target temp is reached, which means you need not be awake when your product is finished. Also, there is the burden of refilling the tanks. Both have pros and cons.

I got a propane smoker for Christmas. I made 3 racks of ribs using pecan chips. 5 1/2 hours at 225 in the smoker and it was good to go. Very easy cooking and great tasting ribs.

Make sure you keep water in the pan. Other than checking the temperature (outside temp was dropping while it cooked) I had to add water to the pan once.

Thanks fin.

They seem awfully proud of theirs...