Look around. It’s cold and cloudy outdoors. In Michigan, severe frosts won’t let you go out often in February. Even if traffic is normal now, flurries and snow showers are possible. Road and weather conditions can change the situation at any time. Can you use an electric smoker indoors? Even if snow accumulation is low now, you won’t use your fire pit in winter. Dropping temperatures won’t let you do it comfortably. Romantic dinner at home is a great opportunity. If you are not able to go to a restaurant, it’s a perfect way out. So, let’s discuss the possibility of smoking food indoors safely and easily.
Can You Use Electric Smoker in Winter?
St. Valentine Day is a special holiday. You might want to cook something delicious: it lets you express love to your close ones. Delicious meat or fish with rich, smoky flavor delights your family members. But what will the weather be like on Sunday? Heavy snowstorms and blizzards may come back this weekend.
I hope, it won’t put you out of humor. I’d visit a local party store beforehand. Order a gift online, and, I hope, a diligent courier delivers it in time. Why don’t you pank snow with your kids? It’s a great winter entertainment. Build a snowman or play snowballs in your yards.
Nevertheless, you might use your best smoker for fish in winter. It’s possible if you:
- find a shelter;
- pick a good, windless day;
- pre-heat the smoker;
- keep it closed;
- apply a weather-resistant extension cord.
Do you want to prepare delicious barbecue for your family? It might be opportune even in winter. If the weather is calm and the air in your area is not as humid as in Michigan.
Can You Smoke Meat Indoors?
Indoor smoking is another terrific opportunity. It’s easy and convenient. But cooking flavorful dishes may impact the smell of your home. If you live in a private house, it’s acceptable. What about an apartment in a multi-story building? Grilling or smoking on your balcony might be not allowable. It might pose a fire risk.
A small and safe smoker fits your kitchen. So, let’s compare gas vs electric vs charcoal smoker to choose the right type.
| Smoker | Gas | Charcoal | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Size, ‘ | 3*5 | up to 4 *6 | 2*2 |
| Ease of Use | simple | harder | maintenance-free |
| Versatility | roast, grill and smoking | smoking and roasting | smoking only |
| Quality of Food | good | excellent | less flavor |
| Temp Range, F | 150-400 | 125-350 | 100-275 |
| Weather Issues | windy/wet | wind | wet conditions |
Thus, your electric device is easier to use. It doesn’t let you get intense smoky taste of your favorite dishes. But it’s mess-free, intuitive to maintain. Additionally, you don’t have to monitor its operation. Outdoor use doesn’t require it. Smoking indoors, don’t leave it on and unattended. Keep an eye on it to eliminate fire risk.
Does Outside Temp Affect Electric Smoker?
Cooking outdoors, in nasty winter winds might be tricky. You are to maintain even smoking temperature. Metal is thermally conductive. Smoker’s walls absorb cold, losing heat, especially when you open a door. Additionally, you risk catching a cold during a snowstorm. Use a shelter that keeps you warm.
Frosty air may impair cooking process. Quite naturally, insulation helps a lot. Advice: wrap your smoker with a heat-resistant blanket or jacket. Shall you keep your electric smoker vent open or closed? Don’t cover them, neither outdoors, nor indoors. It might impact the unit’s operation.
Additionally, consider several useful features, such as:
- Digital thermometer.
- Remote control.
- Sturdy, heavy-duty design.
- Insulated construction.
Cooking outdoors in winter, find a favorable location. Letting a house, shed or garage wall block the wind. In heavy rain or snow, don’t use any electric devices at all. It might pose significant hazards, up to electric shock. Digital controller of your smoker in wet environment may corrode. Nevertheless, it’s a useful feature. It lets you keep the smoker’s door closed. Monitor food temperature online, staying at your warm home.
Do Indoor Smokers Work?
Cooking indoors, you face other challenges and risks. It might be dangerous. You are to ensure proper ventilation. It should be able to exhaust carbon monoxide and other harmful gases from your kitchen. Reduce fire risk, keeping flammable agents and materials far from hot surfaces.
Electric smoker is a suitable device. It doesn’t make mess, being clean and simple to maintain. You may use it to cook light versions of your flavorful dishes. Meanwhile, cold smoke vs hot smoke method is the safest indoor solution. It doesn’t pose risk of burns or fire.
Only your perfect electric device is able to maintain low temperatures of 70°F-100°F in the chamber. Indoor smokers are special. They are:
- compact;
- lightweight;
- low-capacity;
- adjustable;
- feature-rich.
But for outdoor devices, indoor electric smokers may come with glass, see-through windows. Smalls devices may hold only several pounds of meat or fish simultaneously. Adjustable shelves or grates would be helpful. Meanwhile, cold smoking may take a lot of your precious time. Thus, a digital thermostat with remote control is still essential.
Do You Have to Use Wood Chips in an Electric Smoker?
Your compact device is convenient, intuitive to use. It’s a perfect opportunity for beginners to start cooking. This way, you can celebrate your first family occasion creatively. Pre-tuned settings let you avoid continuous monitoring of cooking process.
Nevertheless, you are to:
- enable sufficient ventilation;
- keep flammable and other objects away;
- season raw food properly;
- pre-heat your smoker;
- check the meat from time to time;
- add hot water to the pan when necessary;
- eliminate gas and food poisoning risks.
Fumes and smells are the greatest concerns. Don’t forget to watch the smoke. Quite naturally, you can use your electric device like an oven without fuel. But it may affect the taste and safety of food.
Wood chips or pellets for electric smokers are necessary. They are especially helpful when it goes about cold smoking. It lets you get more flavorful, delicious results. But amount of chips is to be very small. They shouldn’t burn or ignite. Smoldering is ok. So, don’t add wood chips too often and follow manufacturers’ instructions.
Bottom Line
Are you going to buy a new electric smoker? Consider its application. Indoor and outdoor use have their special aspects. These devices are not the same. Above all, they may differ by size, wall thickness and isolation. Some features like thermostats and durable smoking racks are common. Other ones, such as wall insulation or inspection window are specific. So, buy an electric smoker that meets your needs. Use it to cook your delicious dishes. But don’t forget about safety precautions, keep cool and well!
Video Review: Can You Use an Electric Smoker Indoors?
Smoking fish or meat is really easy and doesn’t take long. You can use a smoker that can be used at home, even indoors. The main thing is to choose it correctly!
With this, you will get great results and enjoy all the delicious smoked flavors.