Best Smoker for Snack Sticks (Reviews and Buying Guide)

Are you on the market for a new meat smoker? These outdoor cooking devices are great for making snack sticks out of various cuts of meat – beef, turkey, venison, etc.

But with so many options available, this decision can be more complex than you thought. Though you probably have a budget in mind, this isn’t the only choice you have to make.

Electric vs. propane is one of the crucial decisions you’ll have to make when deciding on a smoker to make snack sticks. Both are excellent, but they also have their drawbacks.

Electric smokers are easy to set up and use and allow complete control over the temperature, but they require a power outlet. On the other hand, propane smokers don’t depend on electricity, achieve higher temperatures, but they don’t enable a precise temperature adjustment.

If this seems overwhelming and you can’t seem to figure out which one is the best smoker for snack sticks, don’t worry. I’ve gathered a detailed list of the five best smokers to help you narrow down your choices and decide which one is the best fit for your snack stick needs.

Best Smoker for Snack Sticks At-a-Glance

Best Smoker for Snack Sticks Reviews

1. Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker

There are many reasons why I consider this electric smoker to be the best.

First of all, let’s start with the outside. A digital panel allows you to easily turn the smoker on/off, control the temperature, and set the cooking time. This is one of the benefits of electric smokers – you are in complete control of temperature, and they’re easy to use.

In addition, since you can adjust the temperature, you can cook your meat evenly. The maximum temperature for this model is 275° Fahrenheit, which is more than enough to get perfectly smoked snack sticks.

Think again if you believe your snack sticks won’t get that smoky flavor with an electric smoker. This smoker has a wood chip system on the side, enabling you to add wood chips without opening the door and letting the heat out.

This smoker also has an impressive inside capacity with four smoking racks. You can fit six chickens, four racks of ribs, four pork butts, or two turkeys. With excellent insulation, this smoker retains heat, allowing you to precisely predict the cooking time.

Since it’s easy to use, this smoker is great even for novices in the snack sticks world.

2. Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker

If you’re looking for a propane smoker, this 40-inch one will blow your mind.

The temperature sensor allows you to adjust and maintain the heat, which is an excellent addition considering this smoker uses gas.

Propane smokers can potentially be dangerous if the burner is left turned on. That’s why this smoker has a safety valve that will automatically turn off the burner if there’s no flame.

One of the benefits of propane smokers is that you can take them anywhere since they don’t require a power outlet.

Now, imagine you took your smoker, went camping, and realized there’s no propane in the tank. That scenario will never happen with this smoker due to its built-in tank fuel level indicator.

Thanks to it, you’ll always know how much propane you have left.

If you’re a beginner, you might think propane smokers are harder to use. But this model’s temperature sensor allows you to stay in control without worrying about burning the meat. The smoker heats up in no time and produces a lot of smoke.

The inside capacity of this smoker is 961 square inches with four smoking racks, which gives you plenty of cooking space.

3. Cuisinart COS-330

If you’re on a budget, this Cuisinart smoker is an excellent option.

The electric smoker is easy to use, thanks to the thermometer that controls the temperature. It also features a heating coil that enables the heating element to produce temperatures between 100° and 400° Fahrenheit.

It doesn’t require constant ‘babysitting’ either – simply set the temperature and enjoy time with your friends while the Cuisinart smoker prepares the best snack sticks.

The interior is 548 square inches and features three racks. The racks are easy to remove, which allows you to quickly take them out, depending on the size of what you’re smoking.

They are also dishwasher-safe, so you’ll be able to thoroughly clean them in no time.

This smoker is perfect for your patio; it’s lightweight and easy to move around, thanks to the two side handles.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced smoker, this model is a good value option.

4. Cuisinart COS-244

Are you looking for a cheaper propane smoker? If yes, this Cuisinart model is definitely worth your consideration.

The interior offers 784 square inches of cooking space with four stainless steel dishwasher-safe racks. The smoker features two doors that seal with a twist of the handle and don’t let any heat out, thus ensuring a consistent temperature.

Having two doors eases access to the tray and meat without having to open the entire smoker. Due to its vertical shape, the smoker won’t take up a lot of space, which is why it’s perfect for smaller backyards.

The upper door features a thermometer that allows you to stay on top of the current temperature. The gas supply is adjustable, so you can control the heat.

You can also control the heat with the help of the back vent that can be opened or closed. That also lets you control the amount of smoke that leaves the oven.

The water and wood tray is made of steel with porcelain enamel that guarantees high quality and durability. Plus, the tray is easy to clean after smoking.

If you’re a novice to smoking snack sticks, you’ll appreciate the recipe book that comes with this smoker. The book also includes plenty of valuable tips for smoking all kinds of food.

A 40-inch hose and a regulator for the propane tank come with the smoker, so there are no hidden expenses.

Smoker for Snack Sticks Product Specifications Comparison

	Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker	Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker	Cuisinart COS-330	Cuisinart COS-244
Power Source	Electric	Propane	Electric	Propane
Number of Racks	4	4	3	4
Weight	45.9 lbs.	92 lbs.	51.5 lbs.	69.5 lbs.
Product Dimensions (L x W x H)	19.88 x 20.47 x 33.26	22.8 x 28.7 x 53	22 x 19 x 37.5	19.3 x 18.1 x 38.6
Digital Panel	Yes	No	No	No
Wood Chip Loading System/Two Doors	Loading System	Two Doors	N/A	Two Doors
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Smoker for Snack Sticks Buying Guide: Features to Consider

Electric Heating

When in the market for the best smoker for snack sticks, one of the first things to decide is what kind of power source you want.

As you might guess, electric smokers operate on electric power. The work is done by heating elements built into the smoker. Before smoking, you’ll need to heat the elements and wait until they reach the desired temperature.

Essentially, electric smokers function similarly to electric ovens, with the extra benefit of letting you add wood chips for that smoky flavor we like and want.

The upsides of using electric smokers are numerous. Firstly, you’re in complete control of the temperature. This especially goes for higher-end models that allow you to adjust the temperature by degrees. Less expensive models usually have temperature settings such as high, medium, and low.

Secondly, electric smokers save time. Once you set the temperature, you can do other chores or enjoy time with family and friends, and the smoker will do all the work for you. You don’t have to worry about burning the snack sticks or having to stand next to the smoker for hours to monitor it.

Another vital factor to consider is safety. There’s no possibility of gas leaks with electric smokers, making them safer than the propane ones. Plus, if you live in an apartment block, propane smokers are usually not allowed. In that case, electric smokers are an excellent and safe choice.

Finally, electric smokers are very easy to use. You just need a power outlet, and the smoker is ready. This is one of the reasons why electric smokers are excellent for beginners. But that doesn’t mean experienced smokers don’t love them, too.

Now that we’ve discussed the pros, it’s time to look at some of the potential drawbacks of electric smokers.

The most obvious one is that electric smokers require a power outlet. So, if you want to go camping for a few days, electric smokers aren’t a great idea. If you plan on keeping the smoker in your backyard, first consider whether you’ll be able to plug it in with ease. A potential solution is purchasing a generator, but that will require extra money.

Also, if the power goes out, you won’t be able to use the smoker. So if you live in an area with frequent power outages, this is something to keep in mind before purchasing.

Another potential drawback is the temperature. Namely, electric smokers can’t achieve the same temperatures as the propane ones. Depending on what you want to use the smoker for, this is an essential factor to consider.

Electric smokers can also be hard to repair. If you experience an electrical issue, the repairs are often complicated and more expensive. Of course, this isn’t universally true, but it’s often the case.

Propane Heating

Propane smokers mostly use propane tanks as the power source, while some use natural gas. This system allows the smoker to heat up fast. In addition, with the ability to regulate the gas, you have some control over the temperature.

Propane smokers resemble the charcoal ones and achieve similar results, which is why you’ll often find them in restaurants and barbecue places.

Like the electric smokers, the propane ones also have their pros and cons. Let’s check out the upsides first.

The best thing about propane smokers is that you can take them anywhere. Since they don’t require electricity, you can light them up anywhere you want. If you’re often on the road or like camping and want perfectly smoked food, propane smokers are a better option. Having no power is never a problem when you have a smoker that runs on propane.

Another advantage of using propane smokers is that the repairs are usually quick and less expensive. In addition, these smokers don’t feature electrical parts, so the repairs are often more straightforward.

You can achieve higher temperatures with propane smokers. Plus, it takes less time to get them to the desired temperature.

Most people argue that propane smokers are the best alternative to charcoal ones. Electric smokers do a great job, but they don’t achieve the same results.

Now, let’s take a look at the potential drawbacks of propane smokers.

The first drawback is that you’re not in complete control of temperature. Namely, electric smokers have built-in sensors that allow you to set the desired temperature. Some propane models have similar features, but they aren’t as accurate as the electric ones. Due to this, you’ll need to be around the propane smoker often to check and adjust the temperature.

Another possible downside is that they are usually not well-insulated. Although this may not seem like a big deal, it becomes a problem if it’s windy or cold outside. In those cases, the poor insulation will significantly affect the cooking time.

Propane smokers aren’t allowed in some apartment blocks. If you reside in one and you’re thinking about purchasing a propane smoker, check whether you’ll be able to use it there. Also, if you’re a novice, you may find propane smokers harder to set up and use.

Lastly, if you’re a tech fan, you might consider propane smokers outdated. High-end electric smokers offer Bluetooth connectivity and other features that make smoking meat more user-friendly. Propane smokers don’t feature these.

Dimensions

Although this may not seem important, smoker dimensions can be an essential factor to consider. First, think about where you’ll put the smoker. If you’re often camping, you don’t want a big, bulky smoker that won’t fit anywhere. The same goes if you have a smaller backyard.

On the other hand, if you have a large backyard and plan to put your smoker at a particular location in the yard, you want to ensure it fits.

Plus, if you want to hang the snack sticks when smoking, the smoker’s height can be a significant factor.

So, once you decide where and what you’ll use the smoker for, you’ll get an idea of the needed dimensions. Fortunately, there are dozens of available dimensions, so you can be sure you’ll find the right fit.

Wood-Loading System

Some smokers have a separate wood-loading system or two doors that easily add wood chips.

For example, the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker features a side wood loading system. This enables you to add wood to the smoker without opening the door and letting the heat out. However, once the heat is out, it takes time to get it to the desired level again, affecting cooking time.

An alternative is a smoker with two doors, like the Cuisinart COS-244. When adding wood chips or water, you simply open the bottom door. This isn’t as effective as the side wood loading system, but it still helps maintain high temperatures.

Best Smoker for Snack Sticks Summary

If you’re looking for the best smoker for snack sticks, I recommend the Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker. It’s electric, which makes it easy to use, features a digital screen for complete control, and has a side wood loading system.

The Masterbuilt MB20051316 Propane Smoker would be an excellent choice for those who prefer using propane smokers. It has a built-in safety valve and allows some temperature control, which is fantastic.

All in all, what constitutes the best smoker for snack sticks for you may not be the best for someone else. Therefore, it’s essential to set a budget and think about how you will use the smoker when purchasing one. Also, don’t forget to consider the dimensions and where the smoker will primarily be located.

Everyone has different requirements and preferences, but we hope this guide helped you find the right match. If not, it should hopefully have helped you narrow down your choices.