10 Best Indoor Smokers of 2020 (for Cooking Perfect Meals)

An indoor meat smoker, also known as an electric meat smoker, is an appliance that is used to cook and smoke a variety of meats in an indoor setting. The best indoor meat smoker will be easy to use, smoke food quickly, and will feature intuitive temperature controls (Source).

Indoor meat smokers work by heating wet wood chips until they begin to smoke. The smoke then penetrates the meat. This gives the meat that classic smoky flavor. Heat is then applied to cook the meat until it’s tender and juicy.

With an indoor meat smoker, you can smoke and barbecue a wide variety of meats, such as pork, beef, chicken, and hotdogs. There are several benefits to using an indoor meat smoker. You can use them all year round, they don’t require large outdoor spaces, they use less wood than a traditional smoker, and they give you far more control over the meat cooking process (Source).

With so many types of indoor meat smokers available across such a wide price range, it can be somewhat difficult to decide which one to get. Before buying an indoor meat smoker, one should consider its cooking speed, price, warranty, and ease of operation. It is also important to consider whether the smoker is vented or not.

In this run-down, we will give you the scoop on all the top-rated indoor meat smokers. All of the smokers in this review will deliver an excellent indoor smoking experience, whether you are cooking for a restaurant, or you are just wanting to be able to smoke meats at home all year round.

What Is an Indoor Smoker and What Is It Used for?

An indoor smoker is an electric appliance that can be used for smoking and cooking a wide variety of meals in different indoor foodservice settings. For example, you can use it to barbecue or smoke different types of meats, such as poultry, beef, pork chops, and chicken.

Moreover, they are used for salmon, steaks, vegetables, and so on. Whatever you cook, an indoor smoker will give your food the unique “smokey” flavor everybody loves.

Indoor smokers are usually smaller than their outdoor counterparts, so they won’t take up too much space in your kitchen. Keep in mind that smoking inside is more dangerous than cooking in your backyard or patio. Choose a smoker that meets safety requirements.

Quick Overview of the Top 5 Indoor Smokers

1. Oster Smoker Roaster Oven – Best Overall

This smoker was designed by Oster, one of the appliance industry’s finest. It is a multipurpose smoker that can also be used as a roaster or a slow cooker. The Oster Smoker Oven is incredibly efficient and consumes almost no wooden chips – and you don’t even need charcoal to make it function properly!

Smoking takes very little time with this roaster. Thick chicken can be done in less than two hours, and it leaves the meat feeling very tender. Smoking food with this product really emphasizes the taste of each ingredient. It’s one of the most effective food smokers that you can find online.

As a huge plus, it also comes with removable pockets that can be used to hold wood chips. This also makes the product a very viable option if you want to use it in the outdoors. It’s a high-quality smoker and roaster oven capable of making food taste like a proper BBQ meal.

Cleaning the product is a very straightforward process. It shouldn’t take a lot of time, as each part is easily removable for the user’s convenience.

2. Nordic Ware 36550 Indoor/Outdoor – Best Stovetop Smoker

The 36550 versatile indoor and outdoor food smoker is one of the best stovetop smokers that will certainly exceed your expectations after purchase.

It can be used to smoke many different types of food without any problems, and it’ll help you cook for that rivals anything that you can get in restaurants and bistros near your home.

All you need to do is be aware of how to use it (it’s not even difficult to operate anyway), and you should be more than ready to smoke any meat in your kitchen. The product is well designed, and its huge lid allows you to smoke large food such as whole chickens without any problem at all.

It does have some issues, but most can be easily overcome. For example, cooking ribs could be troublesome and a whole rack might not entirely fit, but you could cook half a rack at a time to solve the problem.

3. Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker – Best Electric Smoker

Electric smokers are usually more powerful and offer more room than regular stovetop smokers, and this is exactly the case with Char-Broli’s product. The smoker performs very well, and food takes little time to reach a fully-cooked level.

One of its most important features is its ease of use. It’s a great option for any beginner who intends to start smoking food in their own home. The build itself is also very solid and the product isn’t one to wear down quickly. You can get it for a very cheap price as well, which is a huge bonus if you’re on a budget.

It is well-designed to manage temperature easily, so your food never undercooks or overcooks. Also, since the smoker isn’t charcoal-based, it produces almost no smoke. This is what makes it such a great option for indoor cooking – you won’t have to worry about filling up your house with a ton of annoying smoke.

4. Camerons Products Indoor – Outdoor Stovetop Smoker – Best Budget Smoker

This indoor stovetop smoker comes at a very affordable price, which makes it a great option for anyone looking for a cheap option to improve their cooking. In fact, this doesn’t even need to be used on top of a regular kitchen stove; you can use this smoker in almost any heat source if it’s hot enough to cook.

The product is made with stainless steel, an ideal material for cooking appliances. It can be cleaned easily as well, as it doesn’t have any inconvenient areas which could potentially get greasy.

You can use it easily in your kitchen and it smokes food at a very reasonable rate, although it isn’t as quick as other products that we’ve reviewed today.

The best way to use this product is to use it on medium heat sources, allowing everything to cook at a decent rate without burning your food. It will release some smoke inside your house, but not enough to trigger most house fire alarms.

5. Budweiser Stovetop Smoker – Best Multipurpose Smoker

This multipurpose smoker is designed to work great from the go. You don’t really need to go through a steep learning curve with this product, all you need to do is be clear what you want to cook and be done with it.

Its straightforwardness is what makes this multipurpose smoker one of the most viable options for every home cook out there. Cleaning this appliance is also very easy if you use a product based on vegetable oil. Aluminum foil also helps facilitate the cleaning process.

It works very quickly, and you can smoke a bunch of food in little to no time, even when comparing this product’s efficiency to that of other more expensive appliances.

Your food should come out well smoked and well flavored, if you make sure you don’t overcook anything. In any case, make sure you experiment a bit with this product to find out the perfect cooking time for your meals.

6. Presto Indoor Electric Smoker And Pressure Cooker – Best Double-Duty Option

If you’re like a lot of individuals in urban areas, having a kitchen that’s spacious isn’t going to work. You’re going to need to have equipment that is capable of doing double-duty, and that’s why Presto’s Indoor Electric Smoker and Pressure Cooker made our cut.

If you’re looking for a pressure cooker for some Thursday-night pot roast, this will remain useful. It has a great nonstick pot that’s removable and machine washable. It also comes with a warming setting so you can get a hot meal ready.

Unlike other pressure cookers, though, it doubles as an extremely versatile smoker. You can choose from cold smoke, hot smoke, or a combination setting that brings out flavor beautifully. Its hot smoke setting is phenomenal for chicken, salmon, or pork. Cold smoking will let you get that yummy smoke into your favorite cheeses and veggies. What’s not to love?

7. Charcoal Companion KitchenQue Smoker – Best Analog Option

Maple smoked bacon at home? Indoors? It’s doable, especially if you are a fan of the Charcoal Companion KitchenQue series. This smoker is somewhat unique since it doesn’t require any electricity in order to work its magic. It’s basically a way to bring wood-based BBQ smoking inside your home, complete with the grill.

The KitchenQue smoker works by placing superfine woodchips at the bottom of its tray, then adding a grease catcher and grill on top. When you light up your oven you place the KitchenQue on top and let the smoke from the wood do its thing.

The non-electric aspect of this model can be both a boon and a bust. This smoke is great if you want to cook food and impart a classic smokey flavor to it. However, if you were hoping to cold smoke, it might not be the right choice for you.

8. Chefhut Portable Smoke Infuser – Best for Small Dishes and Drinks

Did you know that one of the hottest trends in the bar scene is smoke-infused drinks? It’s true, and it is nigh impossible to do with a traditional indoor smoker. To be able to get a taste of the trend, or if you’re just looking to infuse smoky flavor into a small dish, getting a portable smoke infuser is ideal.

Portable smoke infusers are phenomenal because they take up little space, can work with a very wide array of different foods, and can even make it possible to add a little smoke to your cocktail. Better still, it uses minimal smoke, so you don’t have to worry about large clouds of black smoke staining your walls.

What most people enjoy about Chefhut’s cool addition to this list is the fact that it’s easy to use. You do not have to be a veteran smoker to be able to get that flavor with this thing.

9. Demeyere 4-Piece Stainless Steel Indoor Smoker – Best for High Heat Food Prep

When you decide to do hot smoking, there’s hot and then hot smoking. Ultra-tender cuts of meat, or specialty dishes often can’t be made the “low and slow” way. That means you might need to invest in an indoor smoker that can handle very high heats, like the Demeyere.

This chef-grade indoor smoker is an analog option that is made of stainless steel, with welded handles and an 11-inch cooking diameter. Though you can always smoke things up at a low temperature setting, the smoking kit has been designed to be oven-safe up to a shocking 600 degrees.

Like with other traditional hot smokers, the Demeyere is more akin to an indoor grill with smoking abilities than a full smoker. If you aren’t good with grilling on wood, you’re going to want to try a different option.

10. Emson Indoor Pressure Smoker – Best Splurge

When it comes to getting great smoky flavor, there’s something to be said about investing in a quality indoor smoker. Sure, you could go for a regular stovetop cooker, but that often releases smoke into your home and can be difficult to work on a precision basis. Emerson’s pressure smoker is a true luxury.

This pressure smoker is an amazing choice for people who hate the “slow” in “low n’ slow.” By using high level of pressure and state-of-the-art monitoring, the Emson smoker reduces cooking times by 50 percent. It can also cold smoke, sear, and cook food.

Worried about having a hard time navigating everything? Don’t worry. This cooker has digital button settings, an easy-to-clean build, and can cook a whopping four pounds of food per session.

How Do Indoor Smokers Work?

The working principle can be different from smoker to smoker. However, most indoor smokers are meant to heat wood chips until they begin to smoke. This smoke will then surround and penetrate the meal.

That process can give the food a sweet and smoky flavor. The meat is soft and juicy thanks to the heat that is applied throughout the cooking process.

What’s the Difference Between Cold and Hot Smoking?

Generally speaking, there are two types of smoking:

• Cold smoking: The food is surrounded by smoke so that the temperature doesn’t get above 90°F (about 32°C). That lets the food remain raw and keep the delicate translucence. Cold smoking is ideal for foods, such as butter or cheese, that is prone to melting when heated.
• Hot smoking: The food is cooked at about 300°F (150°C). This method is most commonly used for pulled pork, pastrami, brisket, and ribs. As for quicker foods, hot indoor smokers are great for duck aiguillettes, mackerel, and salmon. These only take half an hour to hot smoke.

Pros and Cons of Inside Smoking and Indoor Smokers

Before buying an indoor stovetop smoker, it is a good idea to know all the benefits and drawbacks of using one. Read on to find out.

Pros of Using Indoor Smokers

• Indoor smokers fit inside any kitchen space. So they are suitable for food-service establishments and urban restaurants without outdoor space.
• Indoor smokers can be used throughout the year. You will not have to worry about bad weather. They can be used in any climate all year round.
• Indoor smokers will save you money over time. They can help you cut down your household bills by using fewer utilities or wood.
• Indoor smokers allow you to have better control over how the meals cook. As high-tech devices, indoor smokers let you have precise control of the smoke level, heat, and moisture.

Cons of Using Indoor Smokers

• Indoor smokers are expensive compared to the outdoor varieties: They are a bit costly due to the added functionality. However, an indoor cooker can pay for itself in utility bill savings in a matter of months.
• Indoor smoking changes the smell of home: This is a process that produces different kinds of aromas and flavors. While the smells quickly disperse when you’re smoking outside, your home will get a smokey flavor when you’re cooking inside. This means you’ll have “smokey” carpets and furniture.
• Indoor smoking can be dangerous if you are not careful: Keep an eye on your smoker to prevent things from going wrong. As you know, smoking can last more than two hours sometimes, meaning you will have to be in the kitchen all the time. So, do not leave it alone while cooking.

What to Consider Before Purchasing an Indoor Smoker

Indoor smokers are often smaller than their outdoor counterparts, as outdoor smokers are made to cook large amounts of food without worrying about the amount of smoke generated.

These indoor smokers are made to cook less food, but they also produce less smoke than a full-sized smoker.

These products are made to give food a different taste and color, making it different than what it would look (and taste) like if you grilled it. Keep in mind that the taste of smoked meat tends to be sweeter, as their properties often tenderize and become sugary after the smoking process.

An indoor smoker is also made to be used all year round. You don’t need good weather to make them work, all you need is a heat source and, in some cases, electricity.

Be keen on the following list of features and you should be able to find your dream indoor smoker in no time.

Food Quality

Look at other people’s opinions before purchasing an indoor stovetop smoker. Reading the opinions of other buyers might be the best way to know if you’ll be pleased or displeased with the smoker’s food quality before purchasing it.

If you feel like you’re happy with what other people have to say, the product might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Easy To Clean

An indoor smoker must be smartly designed to be able to be cleaned without going through much hassle. In some instances, you’ll need to clean the smoker after each use – especially if you intend to cook different types of meats on it. The process of cleaning shouldn’t take too long or it could become troublesome in the long run.

If you want an easy cleaning, consider buying the best downdraft cooktops as they are made of stainless steel.

Cooking Time

Since indoor smokers are smaller than their outdoor-specialized counterparts, they often tend to cook food at a slower rate. Although this is understandable, you still need to find an indoor cooker capable of smoking food at a relatively decent rate. Having to wait several days for your food to be ready is far from ideal!

Amount of Smoke Generated

It is very important for an indoor smoker to generate low amounts of smoke when used. Most of these devices are bought mainly to be used in a kitchen, so being able to cook without having to worry about the device triggering a smoke detector is a crucial feature for them.

Rest assured though: most of the products we’ve shown you today excel at cooking while generating little smoke in the process.

Ready To Buy The Best Indoor Smoker?

Indoor stovetop smokers are essential tools for anyone who lacks enough space to cook outdoors in the comfort of their own home.

An indoor smoker will provide you with a very efficient appliance which will make your food taste like a BBQ meal without having to rely on any space apart from that of your own kitchen. In case, if are looking for outdoors, you can go for affordable gas grills.

If you want to create homemade, flavorful meals, consider purchasing one of the small smokers that we’ve shown you today. You’ll have absolute control over the amount of food you cook – so be careful not to overdo it!

When using an indoor smoker, lots of smoke may rise. Consider also installing a ductless range hood in your kitchen to control the smoke.

Which of these indoor smokers are you going to buy? Will you use it solely at home or do you plan to give it a try outside? Let us know in the comments below!