Of all the cooking methods out there, one of the healthiest and most flavorful ways to cook is definitely smoking. While gigantic backyard barbecue pits have their appeal, for the modern home cook an electric smoker is definitely the way to go.
Here we’ll dive into the reasons why electric smokers are a healthy choice and by the end of this article, you just might be ready to pick one up for your home kitchen.
The benefits of an electric smoker go far beyond the health benefits; for more on that, check out our article on ten advantages of using an electric smoker.
Electric smokers are very healthy. First, we need to understand that these units primarily consist of different temperature controls since there are different types of meat, vegetables, and fish.
This means that the machine can also be used to warm up food.
Why is cooking with an electric smoker healthy?
According to the market demand, it is evident that the units are now being preferred as compared to other conventional smoking techniques. The digital smokers that use an infrared heating source are also effective in smoking food.
There is nothing as fulfilling as enjoying gourmet-quality food at a party in your back yard. Electric smokers are healthy and this is why they are used by novice and professional smokers in an effortless manner.
Unlike the conventional smokers, these units are in powered epoxy steel with an aluminum interior, adjustable racks to store food in large quantities, a hot plates, and an advanced system that’s easy to maintain and operate.
The health issue comes in when foods are either overcooked or undercooked. Well, that should not worry you when it comes to an electric smoker, the temperatures range from 180-250 degrees while cold smoking ranges between 60-80 degrees.
What can I cook in an electric smoker?
There are a range of foods you can make with this extremely flexible machine including:
- Meat
- Roasted corn
- Pork chops
- Turkey
- Vegetables
- Fish
- Steak
All these foods can either be made indoor or outdoor. What makes electric smokers a healthy alternative over conventional smokers is due to the fact that the units don’t need oil or other fats to make the food ready.
This makes the food healthy and nutritious. Since the temperature levels of this device are managed digitally, you don’t need to be worried about the vents to let out unhealthy smoke like in the case of gas and charcoal.
They are safe and healthy to use even around children since they do not emit any harmful pollutants in the air.
As compared to other options, you will notice that owning an electric smoker will save you on cash. You don’t need to purchase charcoal or wood on a daily basis like you would do in the case of traditional smokers.
How to smoke foods that are delicious and healthy
Apart from just having the right recipe, it is also important to understand that temperature plays a vital role in ensuring the food you eat is healthy. The good news is that electric smokers are extremely flexible in use.
Large meat will generally require a longer time to smoke as compared to medium-sized fish or meat like sausage and chicken. You can smoke shrimps and other smaller sized food items by placing them in containers so that they don’t become dry or hard.
To retain the moisture level and flavor of your meat or vegetables if you soak them in brine. With an electric smoker, you can make your food as healthy as you want it to be.