Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker with Char-Broil Performance Smoker Cover, Kettle Grill review and price compare 2025
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1 of Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker
1 of Char-Broil Performance Smoker Cover, Kettle Grill
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Style:Smoker + Cover
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Questions about Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker with Char-Broil Performance Smoker Cover, Kettle Grill
Q:
If I want to use this smoker to smoke salmon do I need a cold smoking assembly? And if so do you sell one for this unit?
Answer: A cold smoking assembly would not be needed to smoke salmon in this Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker.
Answer: I think there is some confusion about the difference between hot and cold smoking. No way you can cold smoke with this unit...
Q:
How many amps does it run
Answer: This Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is rated for 10 amps.
Q:
Do you put the wood chips in the small tray above the heating element? Do you have to put water in the other tray? First time smoker :)
Answer: Yeah the wood chips go in the bucket above the heating element. You don'y have to put water if you want, but it helps keep the food from drying out.
Answer: Yes, the water goes in the tray on the left and the wood chips on the right. Although the water may or may not be needed depending on what you are smoking.
Answer: In answer to your first question. Yes
Answer: That's the way i do it. and the water to catch the drippings
Q:
Is this product good enough to make texas brisket?? Is any one has tried it?
Answer: I love mine. I've made brisket, chicken, pork loin. And it does a wonderful job. If you smoke a chicken and make chicken salad out of that chicken you will never make un-smoked chicken salad again...
Answer: Haven’t tried Texas brisket but it is great unit and holds temperature well
Answer: Yes yes yes. Cooked the brisket like a pro
Answer: I've smoked a couple briskets in mine. I've done ribs , pork butt and chicken. it works well .
Q:
Where is this smoker made?
Answer: Unfortunatly.......China. But it is well made and maintains the temperature perfectly. I did major research on smokers and all the digital ones crap out after a short time. I’ve had this one for a few months and cooked a brisket and several batches of jerky and it’s awesome. Still getting the duration down pat for jerky, but overall it’s great.
Answer: you're kidding, right? It's made where everything else is made. And I don't mean Iceland. If it could talk it would be able to converse with Mao Tse Tung
Answer: Not sure but it works great!
Q:
Can this smoke a whole brisket and/or does it need to be cut in half?
Answer: This depends on the size of your brisket. The body of this Analog Electric Smoker measures 28.54" x 16.9" x 13.66".
Q:
Do the drippings collect at the very bottom and the exit the smoker into the drip pan? If so, how much liquid can the drip pan hold?
Answer: This Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker has two grease boxes that can easily be removed. The holding area of each measures 4"length x 4"width x 1.7"height.
Answer: The drippings collect at the bottom but do not exit the smoker, they stay in the drip pan which collects about 12 ounces of liquid.
Answer: Are use an aluminum pan so I get no drippings
Q:
Need a new power cord thermostat control assembly, where can I find one. Thanks
Answer: The thermostat kit for this Analog Electric Smoker is model # AVES1058. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to assist with ordering.
Q:
Can this smoker be used on a wooden floor?
Answer: I use it regularly on a wooden deck and have had no issues whatsoever. It is fairly well insulated and you can touch the outside of the box without burning your hand while in use.
Answer: yes. It has metal legs that you must attach for air flow.
Q:
Wondering why I put it on 5 and the tempature gauge on the outside didn't move at all.. Had it on for 2 hours? Nothing in it but the trays.
Answer: The tempature gauge might not be working right try to get a oven tempature gauge that sit on the racks in side the smoker or the oven and try it
Answer: We're very sorry to hear of the frustrations. We value you as a Char-Broil customer and want you to enjoy using this Analog Electric Smoker. Please give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to best investigate and assist.
Answer: Did the thermostat control have a red light illuminate when you turned the thermostat to 5? If yes, then make sure you have the thermostat control assembly fully plugged into the socket on the side of the smoker. If it still doesn't heat, the heating element might be defective. I would call the tech support phone number listed in your instruction manual.
Answer: Just to clarify, are you saying the unit was hot but the outside temperature gauge was not registering?
Answer: Something must be wrong. My has to be plugged directly in the outlet . I tried it with extention cord , but it would not work.
Answer: sounds like heating element is not working
Q:
I'm getting a hard black residue above my wood chips pan, is this normal?
Answer: It's creosote from burning wood
Answer: Did you burn the paint prior to using the first time? That’s will explain your black residue
Answer: This may be carbon buildup. Please give us a call at 1-866-239-6777 and we'll be happy to investigate this and help.
Answer: Yup.....shove the pan up ur butthole and that should correct the issue
Answer: Yes. mine does the same. Still works as it should and I’ve had it for over a year now
Q:
how often do you refill chips during a smoke? is it hard to get back up to temp after closing the door?
Answer: Used it twice. Made bacon and smoked the meat and smoked ribs. Filled the chips and did not replace them. Temp goes back quickly. Food was delicious. Great flavor
Q:
Can wheels be attached to the bottom of the smoker instead of the supplied legs?
Answer: i cut 4 blocks of wood and bolted them to the insides of the legs then put casters from harbor freight on mine, so yes but leave the legs on the smoker it makes it easier
Answer: It is not set up for that, but one could drill holes in the legs and attach wheels purchased separately.
Answer: I’m not sure, but I will say this unit is not super heavy. I’m not very strong and I can lift up and carry it from inside our garage out to our deck.
Answer: i built a frame from angle iron and added wells from an old lawnmower
Answer: Maybe with a drill and nuts n bolts
Answer: Try it and let us know...
Q:
Can I use 220-240 v electricity
Answer: No! This unit is set up for 110-115 volt single phase. (common american house wall outlet power.
Answer: 110 only.
Answer: No 110v only.
Q:
does grease drip onto the heating element?
Answer: No, there is a protective drip tray.
Answer: No, there's a metal tray above the coils.
Answer: I put my food in a tin foil pan to prevent that.
Q:
Can the electric coil be replaced?
Answer: The heating element for this Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is model # AVES1047. This part can be ordered directly from Char-Broil. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to best assist with ordering.
Q:
Can I smoke cheese in this smoker
Answer: Cheese is generally 'cold smoked'. This smoker, as designed won't allow you to cold smoke anything. I find it only starts really producing smoke at 225 or above. There are ways you can, however. But you'll have to google 'ways to cold smoke' for yourself.
Answer: You can if you get A-maze-n pellets. They generate a lot of smoke with their own smoldering minimal heat. No other heat needed.
Q:
What are inside dimensions?
Answer: Probably 12 inches deep by 16 inches wide. Plenty of room with 3 shelves. I love this thing. I’ve done a half of a brisket and a batch of jerky. The temperature maintains exactly where you want it. The brisket was perfect, but I left the jerky in too long and it dried out because the door seal works great and I didn’t refill the water pan. I’ll get it better next time.
Answer: 27" tall .....15" wide. ....13" deep ....built like a tank! Love it!
Answer: Read the specifications on it. They should be listed.
Answer: Don't know item was purchased as a gift.
Q:
Where can I get a screw for the rail at the bottom of smoker that cover the pans and element? Screw broke off and the left rail is leaning.
Answer: Not sure, my smoker came in damaged and I am still waiting for a new one to be shipped to me. ?? :(
Answer: You should be able to find all parts on the Char-Broil website. They do sell a hardware kit for $6.99
Answer: Contact Charbroil.
Q:
Is there an insulated cover that can be used for wintertime smoking?
Answer: The cover recommended for this model is model number 9496789P06.
Answer: Don’t really need one. It maintains temperature real good.
Answer: We live in a cold weather state and use ours all winter
Answer: I don't know, one did not come with the smoker.
Answer: Not included. However, this has worked well.
Q:
How many watts is the heating element rated at?
Answer: This Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is rated for 1200 W. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to provide more details.
Answer: It says 120v 1600 watts on the bottom of the heating control. I didn't see anything else on it.
Answer: I looked through the manual that came with mine and I can't find the wattage for the element.
Answer: I looked at the product description on Amazon and it says 1000W.
Q:
Can this smoker be stored outdoors with the cover on? Will the warranty be void if stored outdoor?
Answer: With the cover used, this smoker can definitely be stored outdoors. Give us a call at 1-866-239-6777 and we'll be happy to provide details on using this Analog Electric Smoker.
Answer: I dont know about the warrantee but after reading a number of reviews, we have decided to store it outside with a cover. The electronics that unplug are kept in a zip lock bag inside of an outdoor sauna. We are in Buffalo, NY so it does get cold and snowy here.
Answer: Yes ....I store mine with a cover on my balcony of my gulf beach condo for a year at least and it’s held up excellent so far.
Answer: All I can say is mines on a covered porch, with this cover on it. Unless you have a garage, I wouldn't want that in the house after it's used more than twice. Follow the manufacturer warranty guidelines to be safe. Mine isn't getting wet but it's still not inside.
Answer: I don't know about warranty, but I keep mine outdoors with cover on. It stays quite well. Since it is an outside unit I would imagine it is covered under warranty
Answer: Moisture can make the heating element rust which can cause an
Q:
can you please give me the shipping weight and carton dimensions for this smoker ? Thanks.
Answer: 50 pounds - box is apx 16 x 23 x 38 inches
Answer: Sorry, can't answer you. I do know I had to have a neighbor help me get it to the garage where I've got it set up. (I'm 75 yrs old)
Answer: no i can't
Q:
How is this smoker with maintaining steady temperature above 300?
Answer: The smoker maintains well at temperature 300. For further information on this smoker you can contact us at 1-800-241-7548.
Answer: Mine holds at all Temps I have used from 225-300
Answer: I’m sorry, I usually only smoke at temps lower than 300. But it does hold at those lower temps very well.
Answer: perfect, i use it on 350 and 400 all the time, it will go up to 400 degrees, even in winter time, the temp setting is kinda hard to set at first but once you get it you will get it first try every time after, it will hold the heat good till you put wood chips in it. when the wood chips first start smoking you will get about a 5 degree temp increase but thats just for a few minutes it will return to normal soon enough
Answer: It maxes out around 400
Q:
Will pellets produce smoke for a longer time compared to wood chips?
Answer: I dont think pellets will get hot enough to start smoldering. They are very compacted . You would probably be better off with water logged wood chips.
Answer: personally In use a smoke tube which uses pellets. The larger ones will create smoke for around 6 hours. Bonus they can be used in your smoker for cold smoking also. I have found they work better than the chip tray that comes with the smoker. They last long enough you wont need to refill them. I have used different brands and shapes I have found the round 12 inch work best for me. If you don't need smoke that long adjust that by loading less pellets.
Answer: Yes...I use jack Daniels pellets
Answer: Yes pellets last longer
Answer: Based on our experience, they are about the same
Q:
what is the rack part number?
Answer: Each cooking grate for this Analog Smoker is model # FDES301084. This part can be purchased directly from Char-Broil. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to help.
Answer: all I have is that it is part # 10 on the parts list and is called "Cooking Grate"
Q:
So which is it 1200 or 1000W your add says both?
Answer: We apologize for the confusion. This Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is rated for 1200 W.
Q:
Are there any ports to route digital thermometer leads?
Answer: Yes. It can pass through the door edge or through one of the side vents.
Answer: Yes, you can run them right through the vents on either side.
Q:
Can this smoker sit out in the weather ?
Answer: I would not allow it to sit in the weather without a good waterproof cover because the electrical connector on the bottom side and the glass temperature gauge on the door. As with any man made object, weather will break it down.
Answer: We keep ours in our shelter house. I just take the cord inside after use. As far as in direct weather, I don’t think you would want to use in the rain, but would probably be ok outside with a cover when not in use. However, it is light enough that it would be very easy to move inside to store after use.
Answer: I have mine on a covered porch so I'm not sure. But I did buy a cover for mine because it is slightly exposed to the elements because it's near the edge. We love it!
Q:
Are the vent ports on each side adjustable, i.e. Will they close/open?
Answer: The vents on the sides of this Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker are not adjustable.
Answer: The vents are slots and are open at all times. We've never had an issue with temp control. This is our 5th smoker and is our favorite!
Answer: No, the vents on each side are fixed openings, Not adjustable.
Answer: They do not have a cover to close those vents you could probably make something quite easily,but not really needed it works fine the way it is
Answer: No they are not adjustable.
Answer: No.
Q:
what is the temperature range on this unit? Can i choose an exact temp, or do i have to guess at it?
Answer: No exact gage, you have to guess. My experience is the the numbers on the dial represent the degrees in hundreds (1=100 degrees-ish and so on). I just bought a remote cooking thermometer and keep a probe on the inside to measure the temp. Once you get it dialed it works like a charm but a lot of trail and error however I am happy.
Answer: It has a pretty accurate analog thermometer on the door. Practice in usage will give you a good idea where to turn knob on heating unit to reach a certain temp range
Answer: I have found that the range is from about 175 degrees F. on the low end to about 350 degrees in warm weather. In cold weather, it tops out at about 300 degrees. This is an analog smoker -- it uses a control like the ones on electric frying pans. You'll have to experiment to determine where to set the dial to achieve a particular temperature, but it doesn't take long to figure it out. If you want set-and-forget convenience, pay more for a digital electric smoker.
Q:
how hot can it get?
Answer: This Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is able to reach temperatures around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Answer: Mine tops out around 350F
Answer: Up to about 350F
Q:
Does anyone know how to order a 4th rack? The smoker is set up to handle 4 racks, but only comes with 3.
Answer: Call manufacturer. Good thing about this brand is they have parts.
Q:
What is the biggest turkey I can fit in this smoker?
Answer: The body of this Analog Electric Smoker measures 28.54" x 16.9" x 13.66". Please check the size of your turkey.
Answer: The smoker has removable shelves so it should be able to take a 16 to 20 lb turkey.
Q:
Can I use wood chunks instead of chips?
Answer: I have used my smoker just one time since I bought it a couple of months ago. Yes, I used wood chunks instead of chips. However, the container that holds the chips/chunks is not real large, so you may have to cut the chunks up a little to make them fit.
Answer: Yes, that's what i use. Need to use pieces that are not too high so the tray will slide in. One full tray is all you need for most smoking.
Q:
Is a basic cookbook included? can you spray nonstick spray like pam on grills for easier cleaning?
Answer: There was a small cooking inst. manual with it, but not really a cookbook. And I don't see why one couldn't spray the racks first, but mine clean up really well with only the drippings from the meat.
Q:
I looked at this at 1pm on primeday. it was listed at $99.00 i waited till after 3pm when prime day started and it juumped tp $127.00.why is this ???
Answer: On prime day items are offered for time slot, to benefit you need to buy during the slot
Q:
Can this smoker be used just as a warmer????
Answer: This Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker is able to reach temperatures up to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Answer: I think use as a warmer would work. You might need to test the setting of the thermostat control because it would be operating at a lower setting than the dial markings.
Answer: It can do low temperatures. It’s quite possible.
Q:
How big of a turkey will this hold, and can I do more than one at a time?
Answer: This depends on the size of the turkey. The body of this Analog Electric Smoker measures 28.54" x 16.9" x 13.66".
Q:
Will this hold a full size catering pan????
Answer: No it will hold half pans
Q:
How hot can this get to?
Answer: Max seems to be about 225 F
Q:
does the door come with a Gasket?
Answer: There is no gasket on or around door opening.
Q:
I do not see a handle to open the door...how does the door open?
Answer: Unlatch the two clips on the right side of the door and pull it open.
Q:
How do I get a replacement cord plug?
Answer: Call char broil.
Q:
It seems like this smoker kicks out a lot of smoke way more than Smoke Hollow electric smoker. Has anyone else noticed this?
Answer: If you are experiencing any issues with this Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker please give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to best investigate and assist.
Q:
What is the highest temperature on this unit?
Answer: I am not sure what the highest temp is because I use mine for smoking meat only. I never go over about 300 degrees which correlates to about a number 3 on the analog controller, which goes up to 5. based on that it MIGHT go to 500 degrees, just a guess.
Answer: The highest I have had mine is 300 F
Answer: I believe it will get up to 350 with most things cooked will need only 170 degrees.
Answer: they say 350 but mine will and has hit 450.
Answer: 350 degrees
Answer: 350
Answer: 400
Q:
Is their a stand for this smoker
Answer: No, we do not provide a stand for this smoker. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Answer: You attach the legs to the smoker as shown in the picture and then sit it on a flat surface. It works great!!
Answer: No stand. We just put it right on the grass. But 4 patio bricks would also work.
Q:
Lost instructions. How do we season our new electric analog smolker?
Answer: Run it on the highest setting for 3 hours. Make sure all the racks and pans are in it. Don’t put chips in it, just run it empty.
Answer: Place all internal accessories inside the smoker and latch the door. Turn on high heat for 2 to 3 hours and then let cool.
Q:
How hot will this unit get?
Answer: A lot of variables to that question, but we haven't had any trouble getting it to 350F
Q:
Is it already assembled?
Answer: It is about 97% assembled. Just install the racks and the burner and drip trays. Good to go.
Answer: No, some assembly is required. The legs must be put on, but each only have 2 bolts. The electric element has 3 bolts, and then the drip tray, wood chip tray, water tray, and grates just have to be slid into place. So, assembly is fast and easy.
Answer: Minimal assembly (i.e. feet and burner)
Answer: No. Some assembly is required.
Answer: You have to put on the feet, handles, and the element shelf.
Product reviews of Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker with Char-Broil Performance Smoker Cover, Kettle Grill
B K : Won't smoke
Got my smoker in perfect shape and was excited to try it out. I got wood pellets by mistake the first time. Put them in anyway and turned the smoker to high as per the instructions, until I saw smoke, not a lot but a steady stream. Put my meat in and turned down to where I estimated I needed for 250 degrees. came back 15 minutes later to check temp and there was no more smoke.Temp was correct on the thermometer on the door but those are famous for being off. Put the portable thermometer in and the one in the door was very close. I wrote that off to my mistake of using pellets and ordered the proper chips. When they arrived, I tried again with the same results. Reread the instructions still thinking that I was doing something wrong. Tried again. Same results. Went to town and bought a different brand of wood chips. Same results. Pretty sure its the smoker!
Buddyjay : Good - Please read Updates!
Please read Update below as I have amended my initial review -
Initial - I was trying to decide between this smoker or the Masterbuilt 30”. Due to the many stellar reviews in the Char Broiler, I decided on this one...should have gone with the Masterbuilt. But other reasons I chose this one is that it has a 1200 watt heating element where most Masterbuilts have 800. And it has double walled insulation which is rare for ovens in this price range. Shipped and received quickly and I was lucky that I had no damage when delivered.
But go to any smokers forum and you will see the smokers that most buy are Masterbuilt. But they also have their own set of problems. Since my GF has the high end MES, I decided to go a different route and try the Char Broil.
I had initially given this smoker only three stars as my complaint was that the chips did not burn consistently. The tray is pushed tightly up against the drip tray and impedes air flow somewhat. Sometimes the chips only partially burn. When I take the chips out into the open air they burn nicely which showed me that airflow is a problem. UPDATE - Although I still believe their needs to be a little space between the chip tray and drip tray, I tried a different brand of chips that were smaller and they burned very well...even at 225*. Weber chips were a little too big but Kingsford and Western burned great.
Initially - the temps are VERY difficult to control. I have tested these temps with no food and the swing is vast. Am having trouble getting it to settle on a specific temp. I also use a dual probe digital thermometer that has been calibrated and tested to be accurate. 212* exactly at boiling water test. The door thermometer maxed at 235 during boiling water test. That’s a 13* difference! I just cannot understand why mfg make these lousy inaccurate door therms. Makes no sense.
UPDATE - This is my fifth time using this smoker and I am happy to report that the temps are EXTREMELY stable. Not sure why I had problems in the beginning. I am smoking a chuck roast now and I set the temp at 225* and it held it perfectly. I then raised it to be at 250* and holding perfectly. There are swings sometimes as when the desired temp is reached the element shuts off which drops the temps about 15*. It then comes back on and raises back up. The swing usually averages out to your desired temp and these swings are normal. But today, no swing at all. Holding at 250*!
People complain that although it can hold four racks they only give three. That’s because they are trying to control cost and make the initial price seem competitive. You can buy another rack. Others have complained about having to open the door to add chips. Some MES ovens have a side load chip tray BUT you have to add chips every 30’. If cooking something for 8-10 hours, do you realllly want to do that? I have no problem opening the door to load. The chip tray is larger than MES and the temps bounce back fairly quick. Plus the tray holds enough chips for about an hour.
Their is no door gasket on this model and some heat does escape. But it is minimal. On a positive note, the unit is easy to put together. And a very surprising thing is that, the four different rack placements have temps that are very close to each other. The top shelf was at 250 AND SO WAS THE VERY BOTTOM SHELF! Probably because the bottom shelf sits near the metal drip shelf which is hot and thereby keeping the temps similar. But that’s a good thing.
I have also purchased the Amazen Pellet Tray and was very pleased about the production of consistent, steady stream of smoke. I tested it once and used it once. I was concerned about it may not getting proper air flow but works beautifully. A channel and a half of pellets gave over three hours of smoke! And as I mentioned...consistent smoke.
I felt compelled to amend my initial (poor) review of this smoker as it was becoming a disappointment to use. But is working great now (fingers crossed) and am pleased the way it is.
January 2021 - unfortunately I must go back to my original three star review as the smoker had now had its order coating peeling in the corners. No way should this happen at the low temps used for smoking.
armaraas : Hmm...quality control issues?
Alright...finally getting ready to set this up after 2 weeks of waiting. The first one I received had a hole in the box that dented the door and chipped the paint, so I sent it back. Not the manufacturer's fault likely, not sure when it happened. So waited for the replacement this week, finally unboxed today. The box was nice and clean, no damage. But upon opening it, the front door has a big dent near the top, where you can see the braces in the corner in the door now because they protrude around the dent...I'm thinking the goal should have been a nice smooth surface on the front...right?? And the edge of the door has another dent. The box appeared never opened so they packed it this way??? Sad comment on the quality you can expect. I cannot recommend this at its full price because it seems a crapshoot if what you will get does not come dented already. Been looking for a smoker for months now, so not sure what I'll do with this. What a hassle.
Bob S : Strong and heavy build
I am impressed by the quality of this product, i used only once but it was a good experience Temperature control it was good, it reach temp of 300F whiteout any problem and i was capable to keep constant 100-150F for cold smoke I smoked cheese, fish and sausages at different temperature with good results Good product
Pamela Richardson : A Great Choice
I've read the reviews for electric smokers. I went from the least expensive to the most expensive and I settled on this one and boy oh boy, was this the right choice. Easy to assemble, it holds the heat well and it's easy to use. My family loves it when I smoke meat, it comes out moist and flavorful. A pointer: wrap your meat in butcher paper. It come out so tender its scary. I smoked a turkey and it literally fell apart when I opened the bag. It tasted great.
Lee : Great Smoker
After seasoning the smoker, I smoked three Thanksgiving hams, a Christmas turkey , and ribs on different days. I used pecan pellets without soaking and each time only replenished them one time and that was just the right smoke taste for us. I set the smoker on highest setting until it got hot, turned it down to 3 1/2 added the water and pellets, and that kept the temperature at 250 which I like to smoke my meat. Love my new smoker
Mark L. Dodge : Solid little smoker for the money. Works great.
Best smoker for the money if you’re just starting out. Super easy to use and to clean. I ended up purchasing a ThermPro 4 probe meat thermometer so I would have a way of monitoring meat temp verses smoker temp. The analog thermometer that comes with this smoker is pretty close. I get smoke at around 180 degrees. Temperature is pretty stabile during hot or cold weather which is really nice. Well built. Door seal is solid. I recommend this smoker to anyone.
Clint : really good for the money
it is built really sturdy. It came with a big dent in the top corner and two small dings in the door. thanks UPS. I didn't complain about it cause it doesn't keep it from working at all. since it doesn't have wheels I put it in my wagon to pull it from the garage to my back patio. I have cooked sausages, chicken, and a pork roast. they all came out very tasty. one thing that I noticed is that doesn't start smoking until you get up close to 250F and if you try turning it down the smoke stops. I have only gone by the gauge on the door. I will test it with a probe and if that is the case I will have to rig something up to dampen the temp and keep the smoke.
jdp : UPDATE: Low temp and no work
Gaugue shows Internal unit about 40 degrees lower than my digital temp probe, and stopped working. Unplugged from smoker and light came back. Recounted and light off. No heat.
UPDATE: Sorry about the previous text. Sent it on my phone. Anyway, gauge still shows about 30-40 degrees higher than digital, but if you crank heat to the 250 mark, you'll be around 220. Still don't know why it the control shut off, then came on when unplugged, but it apparently kept working. Chicken and brats tasted great. Five pound chicken finished in 2 hours. However, increase your cooking time if doing several foods. Two days later, did babyback ribs, another 5-pound chicken, brats, baked beans, mixed nuts. Ribs, brats, beans, nuts were great (hint: don't brine soak nuts like they tell you to do, 'cause it makes them soggy). Chicken not fully cooked after 3 hours, probably because temperature never got above 200, even when thermostat cranked to max for 3 hours. Guess it's an art and not a science. Let's see what happens with 14-pound turkey tonight.
Brenda : Damaged door.
I ordered this last minute to use for the 4th of July. It arrived the 3rd in a box with barely any discernible damage. The unit was super easy to assemble, however, as I was finishing I noticed an edge of the front door had a dent and paint peel. After further inspection, the opposite side of the door has same type of damage. I feel as though this must have been done in production or packaging at the manufacturing facility as the box only had slight damage on one side only. I am proceeding to season to use tomorrow. Hoping damage is only cosmetic. Will update review after use if function is not compromised from damage.
**Update: some smoke did escape around the door, but all in all worked well otherwise. Pork loon roast was excellent...my ribs need more practice! I just hate that it arrived damaged, as did another item I received today.
Jeb Hoge : Hey ma, I got a smoker!
Bought this for myself as a birthday present, because I've never tried smoking meats and some local restaurants have opened my eyes to possibilities. This Char-Broil smoker is easy to use and works great even in cold and wet conditions. I ordered an extra chip tray direct from Char-Broil, which definitely makes it easier to swap out spent & fresh chips with minimal temperature loss. The smoker racks, floor, and pans are small enough to go in the dishwasher if needed, but you could also smoke two whole chickens at one time if you wanted. The thermostat/temperature control unit is simple and should be easy to replace if needed. Order a heavy-duty extension cord to go with it because the attached cord isn't very long.
So far we've done chicken thighs and wings, a pork shoulder, and a whole chicken, using cherry, apple, and hickory chips. Everything has come out delicious.
Felterstuff : Broke after 5 uses.
Heating element and controller went out on my unit pretty quickly. I called for support and charbroil wanted $55 for replacement parts before shipping. I'm not paying for something that's only gonna last 5 times. Go with a different brand.
jmarsh : Great smoker - Not so good customer support.
Great smoker. Customer support kinda lacking First, the smoker... This is a great smoker. It works very well and produces excellent food. Two things though... One, I have to use a wireless temperature gauge to judge how hot it is inside the smoker. The gauge on the front is not accurate plus after one rain, its so fogged up you can't read it anymore. Wish they would have taken more time with that. Second issue is the customer support.
Customer support My smoker came with the wrong wire racks. I have tried multiple times to contact support but have not had much success. It seems that the technology they use is terrible. Can't click support replies and they insist on a picture of the racks they sent. I guess, they don't believe me and assume I am just looking for more free racks??? However, the website wont let me upload anything. Just gives me an error saying to try again later. The support people don't seem to care and closed my ticket instead of helping me figure it out.
So, I found some adjustable racks at the hardware store and am using those.
I expected more...
RJ : Too beat up to use
I can’t say for sure if it’s good or bad because it was too beat up to use. This is in no way a reflection of the seller, or the product itself. Sadly somewhere between point A & point B it looks like it got hit with a sledge hammer a few times. I will say I am less than thrilled with the return policy. Is what it is. This does inspire me to go buy one in person at an actual store just like I did before I succumbed to the ease of online ordering.
Amazon Customer : This is a great smoker for the money
This is a great smoker for the money. My only regret is that I wish I spent a little more and got the digital one because I use a smoke tube and it seems to cause temperature fluctuations. it would be nice if the unit automatically kept a preset temperature, but of course in order to have that feature you need the digital version. I cannot take away a star from the product because this is not meant to have a smoke tube in it, you are supposed to use the wood chip tray. Otherwise it holds the temperature perfectly.
sally l corey : It was a gift and a good one
We purchased this for our son for Father's Day. He loves it and cooks on it all the time. It is portable so he can take it to anyone's house and use it. It's good value for the money. There are more expensive one and cheaper ones but this one is a good starter smoker. Our son is really happy with it and he is a professional chef!
Bob S : Strong and heavy build
I am impressed by the quality of this product, i used only once but it was a good experience Temperature control it was good, it reach temp of 300F whiteout any problem and i was capable to keep constant 100-150F for cold smoke I smoked cheese, fish and sausages at different temperature with good results Good product
Charlie : Great Smoker- easy to use, easy to control. Love this thing!
I really like this smoker. My 10 lb pork shoulder/Boston butt came out absolutely perfect on the very first try. If you are new to smoking, get an internal temperature probe for your meat so you can tell when the internal temp is reached. Other than that it was very easy to get this smoker working, and keep it at the temperature I wanted. Yes I wish it had a digital adjustment and not a turn knob, but it was actually surprisingly easy to adjust and I had no trouble keeping the temp exactly where I needed it for 12+ hours. I am extremely happy that I went with an electric smoker and not a traditional kind, this was so much easier and the results were fantastic.
Gourmet Knight : Grease trap does not function properly
This is a great starting point for any meat-smoker with the exception of the grease/dripping collection tray. Every time I've used this smoker the grease traps does very little and I have grease running outside of the intended area.
If you use this over concrete I advise putting a ground cover under it first to protect your outdoor flooring space.
paul : Deff have to know its limitations
Great smoker for the money. It has a secure box to let all the smoke run through your meat. We have a good quality wireless thermo that shows us the temp inside the smoker and inside the meat. It DID NOT come damaged by the warehouse guys (we were one of the lucky ones even though people give it a 1 star rating because it came dented at no fault to CharBoil). It takes some time to fully understand the power level on the knob as it can be inaccurate due to your voltage and chips or pellets your are burning inside. Overall great intro smoker.
Julia A. : Dented upon arrival but still a good purchase . . .
After reading reviews from others that mentioned dents and dings upon arrival, I was prepared for the same. Sure enough, ours arrived with an edge dinged with chipping/peeling paint. Oh well - for the cost and ease of use I can get over the blemishes, which are merely cosmetic. This smoker is super easy to set up, use and clean. Our first several meals from this hot box have turned out well. The temperature gauge is accurate enough but for a true reading of the meat inside we also purchased a separate meat thermometer to use in conjunction. Compared to our previous gas smoker, this is far easier to use and the temperature is more consistent. We won’t be winning any state fair prizes for meat smoked with this, but for the casual backyard grill master, I would recommend this smoker. For the fair price and ease of use it was a good purchase, even with the dents and dings upon arrival.
marion louis rathbun : Great smoker
For several years I used a large gas fired smoker to make the usual jerky, sausages, bacon, etc. Now my family have all moved away and the smoker, although still doing a good job, was just too large for just me. So, I gave that smoker to friends and decided to try this smaller, electric, Charbroil smoker... Am very glad I did. So far I have been curing and smoking pork loins for Canadian/back bacon and its working like a charm.. Took a short learning curve and still have a way to go, but, its doing a really great job,,,,,, and the bacon is delicious...
So, the package arrived and after a thorough check could find no dents or dings.. All parts were there as well..Assembly took about an hour or so working alone.. No problems at all. Was very impressed with the smoker, it is insulated, it looks very nice, fits in a small space, and seems quite sturdy..
I decided to smoke a cured pork loin for a trial run. I had some fairly wide temperature swings till I got the hang of adjusting the thermostat. I use applewood chips for smoke and one pan filled lasted about an hour. About three hours later the loin was finished, I let it cool then tasted it----was perfect! Very very delicious. I have smoked 5 or so more cured pork loins since the first and all have been perfect --just the way I like them... So am very pleased with the smoker... I wouldnt hesitate to buy another if necessary... I have found that as the meat smokes and comes up to temperature, I do have to adjust the thermostat to a bit cooler a couple of times, for me thats not any problem. The pan of wood chips smokes for about an hour or so, sometimes longer, and the smoke flavor is always just right, for me at least..
I purchased two items to go with this smoker,, a Veken two probe remote sending thermometer and since I use pink salt #1 in the cure I also purchased a Brefit scale for accurately measuring down to 1/10 gram. I have not regretted making either purchase. So, in summary, in my opinion I feel that for the cost this is a really good smoker that doesnt have many frills, but it gets the job done.. Thanks Charbroil... btw,, nobody is or has paid me to write this review,, its totally how I feel about this smoker...
RJ : Too beat up to use
I can’t say for sure if it’s good or bad because it was too beat up to use. This is in no way a reflection of the seller, or the product itself. Sadly somewhere between point A & point B it looks like it got hit with a sledge hammer a few times. I will say I am less than thrilled with the return policy. Is what it is. This does inspire me to go buy one in person at an actual store just like I did before I succumbed to the ease of online ordering.
Gregory O. McVey : High Heat 2-3 Hour break-in period cycle issue, however Alderwood Salmon turned out Great!
During the initial 1st out of the box, High Heat 2-3 Hour break-in period cycle, black paint coating began to peel back on the bottom surface located immediately underneath the electrical heating element...Not pleased with this cosmetic look of peeled back black coating on the 1st Time using this product...The first run of alderwood smoked salmon came out Great, just have to ignore the cosmetic appearance of the peeling black coating underneath the electric heating element. The front door is closed most of the time anyway. Would also recommend “user adjustable” louvre covers be added to the two side smoke vents.
Glenn T : 100% Pleased!
Absolutely love it! Was worried that it wouldn't maintain and heat properly on my porch in 18 degree windy weather, performed like a champ on medium to medium low settings once the 16 pound turkey has heated up somewhat. I do recommend putting a blink camera in front of the temperature setting so you can keep an eye on it without getting your toes cold! :) highly recommend, built with quality!
TN BOB : I love this smoker!!
My brother is a smoke chef and recommended the high end smokers. Being a novice, I was pretty intimidated about how to smoke meat and felt like it would take a while before we figured out how to get a tasty product we would enjoy. We read the instructions that came with the smoker, and bought chicken legs as our first try. It was 34 degrees outside but after following directions and keeping the temperature around 200F, we got exceptionally good, smoke infused legs that lasted one meal. We have used it two other times on fish and more chicken and both times we obtained great results. I will not be getting a Traeger because this was priced very well and works perfectly for our needs. I would highly recommend it. We keep it cleaned after each use and hope it will last a long time.
Brenda Sanchez : CharBroil Smoker
I just received the smoker, and it is all damaged. :( I have attached a few photos. The 1st is the box, the 2nd is the damage that matches the box which is on the back,, the 3rd is the upper left side, the 4th is the right top and the 5th is the left top. They might seem minor to you, but this is a gift.
:(
Amazon Customer : Great!
Perfect! I bought this for my fiance's birthday and he loves it! The wood tray is a bit small and we have to change wood periodically while smoking things but other than that, it is an amazing smoker!
john heath : language
I am an American. I read write and speak English ["American"] I refuse to write a review about a product that the owners manual is printed with a bunch of other FOREIGN languages. Want to know how I feel about your product, change your manual to American. "ONLY"
Mark L. Dodge : Solid little smoker for the money. Works great.
Best smoker for the money if you’re just starting out. Super easy to use and to clean. I ended up purchasing a ThermPro 4 probe meat thermometer so I would have a way of monitoring meat temp verses smoker temp. The analog thermometer that comes with this smoker is pretty close. I get smoke at around 180 degrees. Temperature is pretty stabile during hot or cold weather which is really nice. Well built. Door seal is solid. I recommend this smoker to anyone.
Amazon Customer : Great little smoker
I spent 2 days reading reviews and trying to sort the good from the bad. Reviews are like a jungle! I thought a glass door would be nice until I read where once the box filled with smoke it’s hard to see anything I read where several units have 2 hinges and 1 latch and the door warps. This unit has 2 latches. Nice! There are 3 shelves for good cooking capacity. Nice! I hate the mess you usually have to deal with on a grill so I researched foil pans and wire trays to fit into the pans. After the first cook the inside of the box was clean. I found the trays at Costco and the 8 x 10 trays on Amazon. I would highly recommend this. The only recommendation I would give the designers of this unit would be to make the inside width 16 1/2 inches to accommodate a 16 inch pan that I commonly found. My first cook was baby backs and a thick ribeye. I normally cook ribs in the oven and people rave about them. I pre-cooked the ribs in the oven for 1.5 hours at 350 covered with rub and then covered with foil for a steamed affect. Then smoked for 2 hours at 220. They were delicious and the meat came off the bone and had the right amount of chew to them. Tender but not mushy. I seared the steak on both sides and smoked it for 2.5 hours. Tender and delicious just a little pink in the middle. I would highly recommend this unit for home use. I never write reviews on products but figured I owed to all the people that wrote the reviews that led me to purchase this unit
Old Texan : Works perfectly.
This smoker works perfectly. I'm 80 and trying to keep a wood fired smoker going is difficult. This is the perfect solution for one person. My Mom owned a barbecue cafe many years ago. I smoke meat like her cook did. I don't like a heavy smoke. The chip drawer is kind of small, and the pecan chips (unsoaked) lasted about an hour. I finished cooking the meat in the smoker as I only had two trays. I smoke meat in pans, either resting on the bottom of the pan or on a rack in the pan. I don't like a black, greasy smoker. The cabinet and hinges stay cool enough to touch. My toaster oven cabinet gets hotter.
Soggy Bottom : There is a learning curve
A smoker takes some getting familiarity. The smoke needed is not a heavy thick smoke. Buy some inexpensive meats and give it a whirl. Once you know the thermostat setting it’s easy. And very good. Unlike most Chinese made stuff, this smoker was well made and well insulated. I’d recommend it.
Chase : Do not purchase!!!!
Received with the right side pushed in. Not just dented. Box was in perfect condition so it wasn’t from shipping. Appears to be from originally assembly. When they screwed/riveted the inside panel. Heating element and shelves won’t fit. Not happy. A dent would have been fine but this is ridiculous. Including pictures but the black finish makes it difficult to see. Guess I’ll use it to weigh down the cardboard it came in for recycling.
G. Jenkins : So far a great smoker
I have used this smoker twice now and it has performed good. I wish there were a little more space between the wood chip pan and the shelf that supports it. There was hardly any smoke coming out of the vents so I opened the smoker and slid the tray out. As I did, the wood chips starting smoking more. When I slid it back in, the smoke decreased. Maybe there needs to be a few vent holes in the shelf over the tray to allow more air flow. Or maybe more air flow would allow the chips to catch fire. Don't know. The chickens I smoked recently still had a good flavor so maybe its not an issue.
hear it live : So glad we didn't buy one of those expensive smokers.....
this electric smoker is great!! It is easy to set up and operate. Everything we have smoked in it has been terrific. Save yourself the $$$$ and buy this Char-broil smoker - it is just as good as the expensive ones!
Julia A. : Dented upon arrival but still a good purchase . . .
After reading reviews from others that mentioned dents and dings upon arrival, I was prepared for the same. Sure enough, ours arrived with an edge dinged with chipping/peeling paint. Oh well - for the cost and ease of use I can get over the blemishes, which are merely cosmetic. This smoker is super easy to set up, use and clean. Our first several meals from this hot box have turned out well. The temperature gauge is accurate enough but for a true reading of the meat inside we also purchased a separate meat thermometer to use in conjunction. Compared to our previous gas smoker, this is far easier to use and the temperature is more consistent. We won’t be winning any state fair prizes for meat smoked with this, but for the casual backyard grill master, I would recommend this smoker. For the fair price and ease of use it was a good purchase, even with the dents and dings upon arrival.
GC1962 : Well made
I am impressed by the wall insulation on this unit. I was skeptical with only a 1K watt heating element vs 1.5K on many others. However it heats just fine due to the solid construction. The smoke output is minimal on this unit, which is fine for us since we don’t like heavy smoke on our food. Plenty of space for chickens or ribs on this unit.
Samantha L : Arrive damage but looks like it will be okay
Arrived damaged, the front door was dented on the side and a rivet was loose on the inside and a piece of the sheet metal didn't come all the way down in the back of the unit, looks like it wasn't cut to fit correctly. We haven't used it yet we bought it for smoking our Thanksgiving turkey. I will update this once we use it. I can't wait to start smoking stuff.
John T. : Doesn't smoke at lower temps and temp gauge inaccurate
I seasoned the smoker as suggested, and I'm trying to smoke some salmon. I put the smoker on high, the smoke started, and I turned it back to where my thermocouple showed 140. The smoke stopped. I have it up to 200 on the thermocouple, and it still isn't smoking. Also, the door temp gauge shows 250, when the thermocouple is 200. All temps in Fahrenheit. Might be a good entry smoker for the casual user, but not good for a person who smokes a wide variety of fish and meat.
Pamela Richardson : A Great Choice
I've read the reviews for electric smokers. I went from the least expensive to the most expensive and I settled on this one and boy oh boy, was this the right choice. Easy to assemble, it holds the heat well and it's easy to use. My family loves it when I smoke meat, it comes out moist and flavorful. A pointer: wrap your meat in butcher paper. It come out so tender its scary. I smoked a turkey and it literally fell apart when I opened the bag. It tasted great.
Darrell Hester : Great deal
I used a Lil Chief for years, Moved and had to leave behind. It was easy to use and light weight. This smoker is build strong and heavy duty. Easy to use and seals great. Love it. Good value and looking forward to using it lots soon. Will buy again once I wear this one out.
Glenn T : 100% Pleased!
Absolutely love it! Was worried that it wouldn't maintain and heat properly on my porch in 18 degree windy weather, performed like a champ on medium to medium low settings once the 16 pound turkey has heated up somewhat. I do recommend putting a blink camera in front of the temperature setting so you can keep an eye on it without getting your toes cold! :) highly recommend, built with quality!
Charlie : Great Smoker- easy to use, easy to control. Love this thing!
I really like this smoker. My 10 lb pork shoulder/Boston butt came out absolutely perfect on the very first try. If you are new to smoking, get an internal temperature probe for your meat so you can tell when the internal temp is reached. Other than that it was very easy to get this smoker working, and keep it at the temperature I wanted. Yes I wish it had a digital adjustment and not a turn knob, but it was actually surprisingly easy to adjust and I had no trouble keeping the temp exactly where I needed it for 12+ hours. I am extremely happy that I went with an electric smoker and not a traditional kind, this was so much easier and the results were fantastic.
Amanda : Huge dent
I gave it one star because it came with a huge dent on the side. No damage to the box so my guess is char broil is packaging them up like this. I don’t want to hassle with returning but for the price I pay I shouldn’t be getting something that’s damaged.
Clint : really good for the money
it is built really sturdy. It came with a big dent in the top corner and two small dings in the door. thanks UPS. I didn't complain about it cause it doesn't keep it from working at all. since it doesn't have wheels I put it in my wagon to pull it from the garage to my back patio. I have cooked sausages, chicken, and a pork roast. they all came out very tasty. one thing that I noticed is that doesn't start smoking until you get up close to 250F and if you try turning it down the smoke stops. I have only gone by the gauge on the door. I will test it with a probe and if that is the case I will have to rig something up to dampen the temp and keep the smoke.
Jeb Hoge : Hey ma, I got a smoker!
Bought this for myself as a birthday present, because I've never tried smoking meats and some local restaurants have opened my eyes to possibilities. This Char-Broil smoker is easy to use and works great even in cold and wet conditions. I ordered an extra chip tray direct from Char-Broil, which definitely makes it easier to swap out spent & fresh chips with minimal temperature loss. The smoker racks, floor, and pans are small enough to go in the dishwasher if needed, but you could also smoke two whole chickens at one time if you wanted. The thermostat/temperature control unit is simple and should be easy to replace if needed. Order a heavy-duty extension cord to go with it because the attached cord isn't very long.
So far we've done chicken thighs and wings, a pork shoulder, and a whole chicken, using cherry, apple, and hickory chips. Everything has come out delicious.
Steve : Great smoker, so far
I bought this to replace 2 Masterbuilt smokers, which failed due to burned out heating elements. On one, the element was not replaceable, and on the second, I bought a new element and replaced it myself., What a long hard effort! This element also burned out after 6 months or so. I will never buy another Masterbuilt smoker again! As for this Char-Broil unit, I am impressed with its heavy duty construction, and most of all, the heating element which is easily replaceable if it should fail. I smoked a turkey breast yesterday, and it came out wonderful! The heat control is analog, which takes a little getting used to when setting the temperature (the Masterbuilt digital control has an edge here). Also you can add more smoke chips without opening the door on the Masterbuilt, but you have to open the door on the Char-Broil to do so. The Char-Broil is also better insulated, and has 2 heavy duty door latches, compared with the Masterbuilt. Even if the price were the same I would definitely buy the Charbroil over the Masterbuilt, but the Charbroil is also much less expensive. Win-win!
LARRY WHITNEY : Good for price.
Assembled easy (neighbor did it). Holds heat consistently. One problem (one of the poprivets on one side holding the waterpan and chip pan rack was missing, so had to put a new poprivet in). Will try to smoke some pig wings today. No smoke escaping other than vents. Would like to have closeable vents, but that's just me. Good product for price.
Darrell Hester : Great deal
I used a Lil Chief for years, Moved and had to leave behind. It was easy to use and light weight. This smoker is build strong and heavy duty. Easy to use and seals great. Love it. Good value and looking forward to using it lots soon. Will buy again once I wear this one out.
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you