Please help me decide - Propane or Electric?

jayinct said:

I have finally decided to buy a smoker, and after countless hours researching the Internet, I have only been able to reach 2 conclusions:

1) Charcoal is what the pros use, but I do not have the time, skill, or patience for charcoal  I believe most  professionals, cooks and competitions use wood, charcoal is easily mastered with a bit of experience and very popular with the backyard smoker

2) Wood pellets seem like a close second, but I don't want to spend $700 for my first smoker  

Since I want easy, I am left with either propane or electric, and this is my real dilemma.  I have read in some forums, websites, etc, that electrics are fine for fish and cheese, but don't do a good job on meat.  On others, I have read that electrics are better than propane and are almost indistinguishable from charcoal, and still others that say there is no difference between propane or electric.  I am thoroughly stumped as to which one to choose. To be honest I have never heard any of that.  Forum members have good success with anything they decide to cook on either electric or propane.  I am very doubtful that electric is indistinguishable from charcoal or wood. but this is an ongoing discussion and either type of smoker properly used will produce great results.

I understand that propane and electric each have their tradeoffs, but which would you recommend considering:

1) I will be smoking only meats (mainly ribs, pulled pork, brisket, birds)  For now, once you get into it you will start trying to smoke everything you can imagine

2) My first priority is getting the best taste   As a dedicated wood burner I would say  "Then burn wood"

(I also live in CT if that factors in at all)  Unless you live in a condo or neighborhood that restricts open fires or the use of smokers where you live should not make a difference.  An electric or propane smoker  may be easier to use under a patio or porch then a wood or charcoal burner

The cheapest way to get into smoking is either a UDS  (ugly drum smoker) or an ECB (el cheapo brinkman).  If you don't mind spending a couple hundred bucks you can get a decent electric smoker and be perfectly happy with your purchase.  They tend to be set and forget and produce fine BBQ.

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by jayinct  
 

I have finally decided to buy a smoker, and after countless hours researching the Internet, I have only been able to reach 2 conclusions:

1) Charcoal is what the pros use, but I do not have the time, skill, or patience for charcoal  I believe most  professionals, cooks and competitions use wood, charcoal is easily mastered with a bit of experience and very popular with the backyard smoker

2) Wood pellets seem like a close second, but I don't want to spend $700 for my first smoker  

Since I want easy, I am left with either propane or electric, and this is my real dilemma.  I have read in some forums, websites, etc, that electrics are fine for fish and cheese, but don't do a good job on meat.  On others, I have read that electrics are better than propane and are almost indistinguishable from charcoal, and still others that say there is no difference between propane or electric.  I am thoroughly stumped as to which one to choose. To be honest I have never heard any of that.  Forum members have good success with anything they decide to cook on either electric or propane.  I am very doubtful that electric is indistinguishable from charcoal or wood. but this is an ongoing discussion and either type of smoker properly used will produce great results.

I understand that propane and electric each have their tradeoffs, but which would you recommend considering:

1) I will be smoking only meats (mainly ribs, pulled pork, brisket, birds)  For now, once you get into it you will start trying to smoke everything you can imagine

2) My first priority is getting the best taste   As a dedicated wood burner I would say  "Then burn wood"

(I also live in CT if that factors in at all)  Unless you live in a condo or neighborhood that restricts open fires or the use of smokers where you live should not make a difference.  An electric or propane smoker  may be easier to use under a patio or porch then a wood or charcoal burner

The cheapest way to get into smoking is either a UDS  (ugly drum smoker) or an ECB (el cheapo brinkman).  If you don't mind spending a couple hundred bucks you can get a decent electric smoker and be perfectly happy with your purchase.  They tend to be set and forget and produce fine BBQ.

Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...