7 Easy Steps on How to Smoke Meat on Electric Grill

Smoking meat needs two things. A lot of smoke and indirect heat are both needed to produce aroma-rich and flavored meat, but an electric grill can’t provide any of the two as the heating source is an electric element. If an electric grill can’t meet both of the requirements, then the question struck the mind with a question “how to smoke meat on electric grill?”.

Smoked meat is a great way to enjoy the taste of meat with all the fat that adds flavor and texture to your food. The problem is, it’s a lot of work to get it right. Most people don’t have the time or the resources to learn how to smoke it properly. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get that smoky flavor from an electric grill, then you’ve come to the right place.

Difference Between Grilling and Smoking

It’s important to understand the difference between Grilling and Smoking before we get into “how to smoke meat on electric grill?”. Grilling is done over direct heat, while Smoking is done over indirect heat.

What is Grilling?

In grilling, you’re using a grill that has a direct flame, usually from charcoal or gas. The heat is transferred to the food directly and is also the quickest and easiest way to cook food. It’s often done on a grill, but you can also grill it in a pan or on a hot stone.

What is Smoking?

Smoking is a process similar to grilling. The smoke is used to impart flavor to the meat. It is used for its aroma, which is believed to enhance the flavor of the meat. The smoke is usually created by using wood chips or sawdust, which are added to the fire. It takes place in a chamber or in a tight container like a smokehouse. The meat is usually placed on a grill or in a smoker box.

Can You Smoke Meat on an Electric Grill?

Yes, you can smoke meat on an electric grill. The electric grill has the same basic components as a gas grill. They both have a heat source and a lid. The only difference is that the heat source in an electric grill is a heating element.

Many electric grills come with built-in smokers. If you don’t have a built-in smoker, you may have to do a slight modification. First, you need to buy a good-quality smoker box or an aluminum cup or foil.

Next, you need to add some wood chips to the box. There are different types of wood chips available. Depending on your preference, you can choose between different kinds of wood chips. The wood chips are used to impart flavor to the meat.

How to Smoke Meat on Electric Grill?

To smoke meat on an electric grill, you need to follow these steps:

1. Make sure that the electric grill is plugged into a power source.
2. Open the lid of the electric grill.
3. Put the wood chips in the smoker box or in the aluminum foil and place them inside the electric grill.
4. Place the meat above the grill.
5. Close the lid of the electric grill.
6. Smoke the meat for the required time.
7. Let the meat cool down for about 15 to 20 minutes, then serve it with salad and bread.

How to Enhance Smoky Flavor with Electric Grill?

If you would like to add a smoky flavor to your food when grilling with an electric grill, you can do so by adding wood chips or chunks to the grill. Additionally, you can add a smoke flavor enhancer such as hickory, mesquite, or applewood chips to your grill, it will enhance the taste of the food.

1. Season the Grill Before Using

Grilling is a straightforward and healthy way to prepare food. If you don’t season the grill before use, you will not get the same results as if you season it. Seasoning the grill helps the metal conduct heat evenly and efficiently. It makes also makes the grill grates or plates a non-stick surface.

2. Preheat the Grill

You should preheat the grill for about 15 minutes. This is important to prevent the food from being burnt. It is recommended to use the grill with the lid closed and to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

3. Put the Wood Chunks in the Grill

Once the grill is preheated, you can put the wood chunks in the grill. It is recommended to add the chunks at the beginning, so they will start producing smoke till the grill becomes heated up. Wait for about 10 minutes before putting the food on the grill.

4. Try Soak Wood Chunks for More Smoke

To get a more intense smoky flavor, soak the wood chunks in water for a few hours. This will increase the smoke and the burning time of the wood chunks. Once soaked, remove the wood chunks from the water and dry them. When you are ready to smoke the food, you can put the chunks on the grill.

5. Smoke your Food at the Right Temperature

For the most delicious smoked food, the temperature of the grill should be set to 225°F (110°C). If you want to smoke food at a lower temperature, you can smoke it at 200°F (95°C).

You can check the temperature of the meat by using a meat thermometer. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can check the color of the meat. The meat should be a dark brown color but not burnt. Cook your food for the right amount of time. The time you cook the food should be adjusted to the type of meat.

6. Leave Enough Cooking Space.

The size of the cooking space is one of the most critical factors that will affect the quality of the food that you smoke. To ensure enough cooking space, you can place the food on the grill and leave some room around the food.

When smoking food, it is important to cover the grill. This will prevent the food from drying out and also prevent the food from burning.

7. Clean the Grill at the End

It would be best if you clean the grill after cooking the food. Cleaning will remove the smoke from the grill and make it easier to use the grill the next time. You can clean the grill by using a brush. If you don’t have a brush, you can use a piece of sponge or a dishcloth.

Conclusion

It is essential to know that there are different types of electric grills. Some of them have a high temperature, while others have a low temperature. If you don’t know which type of electric grill you have, you can check the grill’s temperature. It is recommended to use the grill with the lid closed and to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It is important to season the grill before using it.