Best Electric Smokers Review, Buying Tips[Experts Choice 2020]

If you are a fan of smoked meat then probably you would love to have an electric smoker to get your favorite perfectly cooked smoked food right on your table. To cook the perfect smoked meat, you may consider a smoker that can provide the right temperature and constant smoke. Choosing Best Electric Smokers means best smoked food to enjoy with friends or family.

Smoking refers to cooking meat at a very low temperature of about 67-177ᵒ F for a complete day or more than one day. Whereas, in BBQ, the meat is cooked at a normal temperature for about an hour or two. And for grilling, you cook the meat at a high temperature for a few minutes. For smoking your meat, traditional charcoal smokers are available but they are not easy to deal with. Thanks to electric smokers, it is possible now to smoke meet without any hassle.

Here we have compiled a list of the best 10 electric smokers for you to buy from. These are the most efficient smokers so far based on rating, user reviews and comments.

Best 10 Electric Smokers for You.

Review of the top 10 Electric smokers

Following is an in-depth review of the top 10 electric smokers. The review covers the features, pros, and cons of all 10 electric smokers. After reading this thorough review, you will become able to decide which smoker fits your needs.

1. Masterbuilt 20078715 (The best one yet)

Masterbuilt has been serving backyard meat fanatics for a long time now. It is a well-known brand that has been around for decades. This latest smoker by Masterbuilt has changed the smoking game with its attractive pros and features. The taste of the meat cooked by this beauty will be just like the traditional charcoal smoker, which is a plus point as the best and natural taste always comes from a charcoal smoker.

Features

Extensive cooking space

The best feature of this product by Masterbuilt is that it is huge due to its 975 square inch extensive cooking space which can hold up to 12 chickens at a time on its 4 racks. The racks are durable chrome coated with the best build quality. They are less prone to producing hot spots on your meat which allows you to place it anywhere on the racks without considering the center position.

Full foam insulation

The Masterbuilt Electric smoker is fully insulated to make sure the heat produced remains inside. Smoking requires a constant temperature to get the meat cooked properly. Masterbuilt ensures that you serve the best-smoked food to yourself and your guests.

Remote control

It’s got a remote control as well to monitor the temperature of the meat inside the device. This feature can come in handy in long cooking sessions where you have to constantly keep checking the temperature and the condition of the meat.

LED display

The LED display on the Masterbuilt allows you to easily determine the current temperature of the unit. The display is quite great and the figures can be seen even in bright daylight.

Digital control panel

The amazing digital control panel on the device allows you to easily adjust the temperature according to your needs. The digital control panel works fine and is a convenient way to increase or decrease the temperature as per need. The digital controls are better and accurate than the old analog gauges.

Wood chip box

Another great thing about the Masterbuilt 20078715 is that the wood chips can be easily loaded into the unit through the smooth side panel. This method doesn’t let the internal temperature of the smoker disrupt because there is no need to open the front door.

Drip pan on the front

The drip pan of the Masterbuilt is easy to access as it is located at the bottom of the smoker but comes out from the front. There are several smokers in which the drip pan either comes out from the side of the back which isn’t quite convenient. The drip pan in the Masterbuilt is extensive and connects a lot of greases that drips from the meat during the smoking process. You can easily take the drip pan out and empty it before returning it to its place.

2. Masterbuilt 20077515 (Second best choice)

This beast from Masterbuilt has some awesome features that a smoker should be expected to have. It’s got a 730 sq. inch where you can cook up to 80 pounds of meat at a time by placing it on its 4 chrome-coated racks.

Features

Full foam insulation

The heating element of the Masterbuilt 20077515 has about 800-watt power which is quite enough to get your food cooked properly. It’s also got the full foam insulation for the temperature to remain constant.

Remote control

It’s got a remote controller that can be used to turn it on/off conveniently along with having the information of the internal temperature of the smoker. It’s also has a meat probe to determine the real temperature of the meat.

LED control panel

The product comes with an LED control panel that lets you monitor the inner activity of the smoker. The display of the LED is in blue so you can conveniently read it during the day as well as night.

The food being smoked inside the smoker can be easily viewed because it’s got internal LED lights that turn on when you open it. Otherwise, you can view the food’s condition by the window, without opening the door.

Move it around

You can easily move the smoker around as it has a handle as well as four wheels to re position it as per need.

Other features

Similar to the above product, it has a drip pan that contains the grease or food drippings on it that can be easily cleaned.

The device is quite easy to use. Just place your meat inside it and set the desired temperature. Now turn the smoker on using the RF remote control to begin the smoking process. Keep monitoring your food using the LED control panel.

3. Char-Broil Deluxe (Best for mid-price range)

The Char-Broil Deluxe is a 725 sq. inch professional digital electric smoker. It comes with a 1500 wat heating element with 4 smoking racks. If you are a pro smoker, this is the equipment you need to buy to get your smoking to the next level.

Features

Heating element

Char-Broil Deluxe can be adjusted between 100-275 degrees Fahrenheit to get you the perfect temperature for your meat to get smoked.

Heating modes

This smoker lets you cook with two modes. You can either choose the smoking by temperature mode or smoking by cooking time mode. Both are effective and easy to use. They can be enabled using the control panel. The control panel also informs you about the internal heat of the smoker. You can change it any time using the same control panel. When your meat gets to the set temperature, the smoker will automatically enable the keep warm mode which will save it from getting overcooked.

The internal meat probe can be efficiently removed to check and determine the remaining time. Just insert the probe on to your food and set the temperature you desire. When smoking gets done, you will get an alert from the smoker. It comes with remote control as well to control it conveniently from a certain distance.

LED control panel

This one also has a blue light LED on its control panel to study the temperature readings easily.

Construction

The smoker is built with fine quality stainless steel along with a finish in dual-tone. There is a glass window on the front to check out the smoking process. The locking system is made up of stainless steel. It’s got double-wall along with tight insulation to make sure that the temperature inside the smoker remains constant. In this way, wood chips become more useful and effective in this smoker as compared to the other.

The wood chip box can hold up to 4 to 7 hours supply of wood chips. After that, you will have to refill the box. It can be easily moved around as it comes with a pair of wheels to accommodate it.

Easy to use

Operating this device is easy as a piece of cake. Just set the temperature and sit back and relax. Once you get the alert sound, grab your food out of the smoker. It’s that simple!

The temperature gauge is removable to easily monitor the smoking process.

Cleaning

The stainless steel built electric smoker can be conveniently cleaned with a damped cloth in a jiffy. The drip pan or grease tray can hold up to 8.5 cups of food drippings to make sure nothing leaks out of it. It can be later on cleaned easily.

4. Masterbuilt 20070910 (Best Budget electric smoker)

This one is a great electric smoker if your budget is less than 200$. It has 730 sq. inches cooking space with 4 chrome-coated racks. The smoker can smoke your chicken for a large or normal family gathering.

Features

Heating element

The 30-inch Masterbuilt smoker comes with 800 watts heating element.

Temperature

The device can be used to adjust the temperature between 100-2755 degrees Fahrenheit to smoke your food according to your desire

Controlling the temperature

The device comes with a control panel on the top for controlling the internal temperature. In addition to this, it has a timer that can be set for a specific time so that you don’t have to check your meat again and again.

LED display

The Masterbuilt electric smoker has a digital LED display installed on it. In addition to this, the device has a remote controller that can be used to control it from a specific distance for ease of use. The display of the LED can be conveniently read and set. The remote controller can be useful for determining the smoke temperature and cooking time.

Construction

The device is made up of stainless steel which makes it better in build quality along with being capable of long-time use. The equipment is also efficiently insulated for the heat to remain inside to maintain a constant temperature.

When it comes to wood chips, Masterbuilt can be easily loaded with wood chips from the side without disrupting the smoke inside its cabinet. Whereas, the electric power of 800 watts is more than enough to cook your food to perfection.

There is an air damper located at the top of the smoker along with a removable drip pan on its side which makes it easy to clean the food drippings.

Using the smoker

Using the smoker is easy due to the soft push buttons included in the control panel. To get the smoking started, adjust the temperature with the help of the pushbuttons and start the process. Now all you need to do is sit back and relax and wait for the cooking process to complete.

Cleaning

The best thing about Masterbuilt is that it has a great and extensive drip tray that can be easily cleaned afterward. It can contain a lot of greases that drops from the meat. The grease drops directly on the drip pan which can be later on taken out of the smoker easily to get it cleaned.

5. Masterbuilt 20078616

The Masterbuilt electric smoker is small in size but can cook relatively equal food than the large-sized electric smokers. It can cook up to 50 pounds of food at a time. It comes with 2 porcelain-coated racks along with 295 sq. inches of cooking space.

The weight of this electric smoker is less than most of its competitors. Hence, it is easy to carry it around to a relative or friend’s house for a meat smoking session.

Features

Heating Element

The device comes with a heating element of 1650 watts.

Temperature

The temperature gauge can be set to four modes including low, medium, high or off. It is located below the handle on the smoker. The temperature of the equipment can go up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit which is quite enough to smoke numerous sorts of food at a constant temperature.

Controlling the temperature

The temperature control gauge that comes with this model is analog. After setting the gauge, sit back and relax and let the smoker do its job. Don’t worry your food won’t be overcooked.

Construction

There is a small door located at the front of the smoker that can be used to load the wood chips easily as the knob located on the door is heat resistant. The chip tray is removable and is made up of porcelain material. The good thing about the smoker is that it has a drip pan that can collect the food drippings.

The Masterbuilt electric smoker can be easily carried anywhere because it comes with curved handles to carry it. The handles and knobs on the device are heatproof hence you don’t have to carry your kitchen gloves around with you wherever you go.

Using the smoker

The smoker is easy to use. Its big advantage is that it is portable. For getting the smoking process started, plug in the smoker, add some water and wood chips, adjust the temperature on which you want your meat to be cooked and just wait for the job to get done.

The unit has an air damper that can be utilized to determine the amount of smoke and moisture inside the smoker so you can adjust it easily.

Cleaning

The internal area of the Masterbuilt smoker does not need frequent cleaning. The drip pan can be conveniently cleaned after the smoking of your food is done. You can clean it and put it inside for later use.

6. Smoke Hollow 30162E

If you are a beginner in the meat smoking game, Smoke Hollow is the device that you want to buy to get things started decently. Why? Because this smoker is the simplest and easiest one to use as an indoor Electric smoker.

Features

Temperature

There are very straightforward three temperature options included in the Smoke Hollow 30162E which makes it easy to decide the temperature for the beginners. Talking about the power capacity, the device uses 1500 watts heating element to smoke and cook your food with perfection. The temperature inside the device is guaranteed to remain constant during the whole cooking process no matter what the external temperature is.

Display

There is an analog gauge located on the front door that can be used to monitor the temperature. The device has no control panel display.

Construction

This device is a must-to-buy for a group of young friends who like outdoor food parties. The Smoke Hollow promises to provide an unforgettable cooking experience for newbies. It doesn’t have any wheels on it but as its weight is only 55 pounds, it can be easily carried around with those sturdy handles on its side.

The smoker has double-walls which never lets the heat escape from the inside. The water pan is porcelain coated while the wood chip box comes covered in black paint.

Using the smoker

As the smoker can be easily handled and carried around, it can serve as the perfect choice for beginners in the smoking game.

Cleaning

As the wood chip box, rack, and also the water pan is covered with porcelain material, hence it is easy to clean them for later use.

7. Smokin-It Model #1

Smokin-It Model #1 has a simple and effective design. It has a cooking area of 468 sq. inches along with three stainless steel cooking racks. It’s another electric smoker that is efficient and easy to use.

Features

Temperature

Model #1 has a temperature range between 100-250 degrees Fahrenheit which is quiet enough for a small smoker like itself. Whereas, the heating element of the device has a power of 400 watts. It’s a simple and budget electric smoker for beginners.

Using the smoker

Using Model #1 smoker is quite easy. You just have to put your food in, add some wood chips, adjust your desired temperature and you’re good to go. It’s the good old “set and forget” style electric smoker. Assembling the smoker is also quite simple and can be done in a few minutes.

Construction

The unit is made of stainless steel and comes in excellent build quality. The walls of the device are completely insulated with fiberglass which prevents heat loss to contain a constant temperature. The door of the smoker is also made up of stainless steel which plays an important role in preventing the heat from escaping as the walls.

Cleaning

The Smokin-It Model #1 has a drip pan that helps to prevent any grease from the food from dripping on the other areas that are tough to clean. The drip pan easily slides out of the unit and can be cleaned conveniently and then put once again inside for later use.

8. Old Smokey Electric Smoker

Old Smokey is a decent electric smoker that you can buy at an affordable price. It comes with 2 cooking racks along with a cooking space of 280 sq. inches. The build quality is quite good.

Features

Heating Element

Old Smokey Electric Smoker comes with a heating element of 1250 watts which is enough for smoking your meals to a decent level.

Flat design

The unit has a flat roof design which means that the condensed juices will get up to the top and then drop back while maintaining the original taste, moisture and juicy meat instead of being dry.

Construction

The good old smoker is made up of aluminum steel with a simple design. Both the racks can be easily taken out of the unit, hence, making them removable. Each of the racks can easily hold about 6 large burger patties. To get access to the wood chip box, you need to remove the lower grill.

It does not have any kind of reader or control panel to know the meat temperature, however, you can always buy a cheap meat probe to determine the temperature of the meat smoking inside the Old Smokey.

9. Masterbuilt 20070411

Masterbuilt 20070411 is an electric smoker that has a cooking space of 721 sq. inches along with 4 chrome-coated racks. It has a beautiful design and is comparatively smaller in size as well as lighter in weight as compared to other Masterbuilt products with the same or almost similar specifications like this one.

Features

Heating Element

The Masterbuilt comes with a heating element of 800 watts.

Great Design

The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is a 30-inch electric smoker with a black powder-coated body. The front door of the unit is made of stainless steel. There are wheels connected to the unit to easily move it around whereas the weigh itself is not much, it’s about 50 pounds. There is a rear handle that can be used to reposition or relocate the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker with ease.

Remote Control

The Masterbuilt comes with a push-button to start the smoking process but if due to some reason, the push-button stops working, there is a remote controller included with the device to easily control it in such cases. The remote control allows to conveniently monitor the temperature as well as time settings.

Meat probe

The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker comes with a meat probe so that you don’t have to worry about checking out the meat from time to time to determine whether it’s cooked or not. The meat probe will let you know the internal temperature of the meat to guess whether it is ready to be eaten or not.

Construction

The design and the material of Masterbuilt are quite good. There is a wood chip box that can be easily inserted from the side of the smoker without disrupting the internal temperature of it. You can easily reload the wood chips and then insert the wood chip plate right into the smoker to get your food the genuine smoky taste.

There is a drip tray at the bottom as well that can be removed and cleaned with ease, making the cleaning process of the Electric Smoker easier.

10. Cookshack SM009-2 Smokette

The last on the list comes with a 588 sq. inches of cooking space with 3 nickel-plated racks. The build quality is rock solid and stainless steel has been used on the interior as well as the exterior of the Cookshack SM009-2 Smokette.

Features

Heating Element

The electric smoker comes with a heating element of 500 watts which is enough but could have been better. The temperature can go between 140-250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Construction

The Cookshack electric smoker comes with double-walls and stainless steel in and out of the container. The drip pan is made of aluminum. The power cord of this electric smoker is 63-inches. Hence, it is good enough to place it in your backyard where power outlets aren’t near enough.

The removable parts are machine washable to get them cleaned in a jiffy. There are 2 pairs of small tires included at the rear to get the smoker relocated wherever you want.

Using and Cleaning

Assembling the Cookshack is easy and takes about 30 minutes even if you have no experience in the assembly of any smokers.

Cleaning this system isn’t a hassle. You just have to take out the dripping pan and cleanse it with some water or rub a damp cloth on it to get it ready for the next use.

Experts choice

You might have probably guessed about the best electric smoker, right? Yes, you’re right. The Masterbuilt 20078715 deserves the crown. Why? First of all, it comes from a top-notch brand that never disappoints. Secondly, it has a lot of amazing features that have already been mentioned at the beginning of this article.

In addition to the features, its cons are relatively lesser than that of its pros. If you have a lot of money set aside for a great electric smoker, then this beast is what you need to grab and put in your backyard. It surely won’t disappoint you.

If you are still curious about spending a lot of money on this device, you should better check out its user feedback on the internet before buying it to get satisfied. When you are completely satisfied, go for it then.

Best electric smoker

So far the best electric smoker is the Masterbuilt 20078715 due to its extensive space, full-foam insulation, and a lot of other great features that have been previously discussed.

Talking about the price, you have to spend some bucks to get the best device for your use. Well, spending about $360 for this gadget won’t be a bad choice because you don’t buy electric smokers every day. The equipment is durable and long-lasting. Hence, if you are spending this much amount of money on an electric smoker, you should also know that your money isn’t going to be wasted.

Masterbuilt customer services are also appreciative. If you are facing some kind of problem with your smoker, you can ring them and get the issue fixed in no time. With all these facilities and features, you surely won’t regret buying the Masterbuilt 20078715.

Budget-friendly

If you have a tight budget but still want a great electric smoker, you might want to purchase the Masterbuilt 20078616. This electric smoker can be availed for less than $100. It has all the necessary equipment that have been already discussed above. The cool thing about this budget-friendly smoker is that it can get up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

It has a gauge for the temperature determining purpose. The cooking space isn’t less than any of its competitors. About 395 sq. inches cooking space along with two porcelain-coated racks come with the Masterbuilt 20078616

Cleaning up this device is easy as well because it comes with an easily removable drip pan, wood chip tray, and water bowl. You can clean these up and put them back for later use in a jiffy.

Talking about the cons, reloading the wood chip might be difficult as it is located in the central cabinet. The device doesn’t come with insulation so you will have to cope with it as well. Some users recommended using windshields with it during the winter season. We are sure that might help.

7 Tips to buy the best electric smoker

With tons of electric smokers available in the market, it’s always a hard choice for a newbie or even an experienced person to buy an electric smoker. Well, to help you get the best electric smoker for yourself, we have compiled a list of some tips that you can follow before buying one. Here is what you need to consider before purchasing an electric smoker:

• Cooking space: Determine the quantity of food that you cook in normal scenarios. If you have family gatherings or receive guests quite often, you might buy an electric smoker that can hold a lot of food at a time for all of your people to eat to their fill.
• Controlling the temperature: The main key to smoking is the right temperature. If you have set the right temperature, you are good to go. Hence, you should always consider an electric smoker that has a simple temperature controlling configuration that is easy to understand as well as easy to set. Digital temperature controllers are quite easy to use rather than the analog ones. Another plus point here is that the digital temperature controllers can have a remote controller as well. But it all depends on your choice. If you fancy the analog controllers, you are free to buy a smoker with an analog controller. Just determine what you can easily operate.
• Consider the features: If you are a beginner in the smoking game, you might consider an electric smoker that has tempered glass food so that you can easily monitor the smoking process. In this way, you can keep an eye on your food’s condition without opening and closing the door frequently as it will disrupt the internal temperature which can eventually affect the quality of food.
• Fuel: Nowadays, charcoal and wood smokers have been almost extinct. People are buying modern-day electric smokers to initiate a better and faster cooking session. Whenever you plan to buy a smoker, make sure it can work with electricity along with a few wood chips to enhance the taste.
• Components: You should also consider the racks, trays, and pans as well as the electric smoker you are about to buy. You should be more careful about the material or coating of the racks or the drip pans. If they are good in quality, they will surely last for a long time.
• Technology: Modern-day electric smokers are coming with Bluetooth, remote controllers and other useful equipment that can greatly assist you in your smoking process. Remote controls can help you in controlling and determining the temperature from a distance. Bluetooth enabled electric smokers can be easily controlled remotely. Before buying an electric smoker, check out the included technology. Buy the one you are comfortable with.
• Budget: Determine your budget and search for the nest electric smoker in your range. If you have found an electric smoker in your range, check out its competitors that will have the same price but can have extra or other amazing features that can come in handy. Before buying an electric smoker, make sure to check the reviews on the internet of the one you have planned to buy.

Electric Smoker Best Brands

There are a lot of brands available in the market that are constantly producing electric smokers and making them available for the general public. But certain brands are the pioneers of electric smokers. Here we have mentioned the top 5 brands that you should consider before buying your next electric smoker

CHAR-BROIL

The Char-Broil company was found in the late 19^th century. The company was established as a cotton factory. The company then sold products of various categories including farm equipment, fishing gear, BBQ grills, etc.

In 1949, the first-ever Char-Broil grill came out and was liked a lot by people around the globe. Since that year, the company has become a pioneer in the BBQ equipment business. The unique thing about the Char-Broil is the Tru-Infrared technology that is being used in almost all of their smokers and grills.

MASTERBUILT

Masterbuilt has been satisfying the backyard cooking sessions for decades now with their fabulous equipment. They are considered a top-notch brand that delivers quality products worldwide since the year 1998.

Masterbuilt sure is expensive but they do deliver quality products. But if you are looking for a low budget but a good quality smoker, you should better consider brands like Char-Broil or Bradley.

BRADLEY

There is a popular story which is likely to be true is that the founder of the company once met a master smoker. He asked him to teach him how to smoke salmon and in return, he will teach him how to fish. So, after learning how to smoke, the guy decided to open up a brand of his own. So, in the 1970s, Bradley was officially launched and started delivering its service to a vast area.

SMOKEHOUSE

The electric smokers built by Smokehouse are usually great for outdoor BBQ parties. They mainly focus on creating kitchenware. A smoker from Smokehouse is likely to have at least 4 grill racks in it.

SMOKIN-IT

Another top-notch brand, Smokin-It, are NSF certified and are delivering their services to customers worldwide. The unique thing about them is that they are interested in creating smokers that are fully insulated. This helps a lot in containing the smoke inside and the quality of the food is also maintained.

How electric smokers work?

Though we have discussed the top smokers and their features, if you are curious how an electric smoker works and how is it different from the traditional charcoal or wood smoker, we’ve got you covered.

Some normal electric smokers use a rheostat whose job is to turn down the flow of electricity to the coil. The process is similar to that of an electric hotplate or a stove. While some other have temperature control settings usually with three modes – low, medium, and high.

Some expensive smokers use thermostat which is quite expensive equipment as compared to the rheostat but you can easily determine the temperature for cooking the meat to perfection. There is no point in smoking if you can’t control the temperature. You probably won’t like a smoker that can’t have a precise temperature. That was the problem with traditional charcoal or wood smokers. You can never be precise in their case. Having an electrical smoker with the modern gauges can show the most accurate temperature reading which you can utilize for getting your meat cooked to the best level.

Verdict

Getting a top-notch electric smoker ensures that the food you prepare for yourself or your guests is perfectly smoked and has an amazing taste – some because of your skills while the rest because of the great features of the smoker.

If you are a restaurant owner or working somewhere as a permanent chef, electric smokers are something that you need to save you a lot of time and hassle.

If you are a housewife and want to frequently surprise your husband and children by serving them with quality food, electric smokers might help you a lot.

Electric Smoker FAQ’s

1. Can electric smokers be stored outdoors most of the time?

Well, electric smokers are made durable to withstand the hot and cold weather so they can be stored outdoors. But, it is better to store them inside because these are electric equipment and electric equipment should be placed somewhere inside safe and sound. If you are not a frequent user, it is better to store it somewhere inside. That place can either be your garage or your shed but just make sure there is no ceiling leakage. It’s better to cover it with a cloth to prevent any sort of grime settling on the top of the smoker.

Whenever you plan to have a smoky night, just grab your smoker by the handles and get it out of your garage. If it has wheels, you can drag it easily and after smoking you can place it back where you took it from. Otherwise, if it doesn’t come with wheels, you can simply ask someone to help you out carrying it to your backyard.

2. Can it be used when it’s raining?

As you all know that electric smokers are electric appliances, you should never use them in the middle of a storm. Well, if the cord is fine and you just want to use it for any reason, you should always take some precautions.

And placing it in the rain might get it rusty in no time. Though the build quality and the materials used for these products are great still there is a probability that your electric smoker can get damaged or rusty if you use it in rain. Besides, who wants to get outside time to time to keep checking their smoked meat in the middle of the rain?

Another problem is that, if any wire is exposed, it might get in contact with the ground and, as it is pouring, there is a high probability of you getting shocked. While, such scenarios don’t happen much, but you need to ensure your safety as it is more important than smoked meat, isn’t it?

3. Can it be used with charcoal instead of wood chips?

Yes, you can use charcoal instead of wood chips. Usually, people use wood chips but if you are willing to use charcoal, there isn’t any problem. The main thing that you need to be concerned about is keeping the charcoal contained.

Well, talking about the company-made stuff, most of the electric smokers are usually built to be used with wood chips. You can surely try other stuff but it is better to use what the company recommends to be used with their product. Wood chips and charcoal will surely do the same job. It’s up to you to decide.