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As well as meat, did you know that you can smoke fish beautifully using an electric smoker? Smoking fish can literally be done in a matter of minutes, making it the perfect meal after work or for an impromptu get-together. It’s also great for dinner parties especially when you never know how many guests will arrive.
So, let’s take a quick look at how to smoke fish in an electric smoker.
The hardest part of smoking a fish is knowing when it is done. Of course, the secret is to let the smoker take it’s time and do the work. So, here are some simple, easy-to-follow steps that will ensure your fish turns out perfect every time.
Step 1: Clean your grate.
Make sure the cooker’s grate is clean. Remove debris to avoid the fish sticking to the grate because a clean grate will also give your fish a better taste. Always use hand mitts and scrub the grate using a grill brush to completely remove any particles or debris, and to make the grill grates more non-stick, dip two folded paper towels in olive oil, use a tong to hold them, and rub them over the grill grates. Repeat the process of rubbing the grate with oil approximately five times to really make sure that your fish won’t stick to the grate.
Step 2: Get aluminum foil and cover the grate.
If you plan on using an electric smoker, it’s important to remember to use aluminum foil. Covering the grate with a layer of aluminum foil creates a protective barrier between the ingredients, and that results in better flavor. It also prevents food from sticking or burning and makes cleanup much easier. By taking this extra step, you’ll make sure that every time you use your electric smoker, it works like a pro.
Step 3: Clean the fish.
Squeeze the excess moisture with a paper towel or kitchen towel. It is important to remove the excess moisture because it will cause your fish to steam instead of sear. Put it inside the fridge until you are ready to grill it.
Step 4: Arrange the fish
Place your fish diagonally on the grate, skin side down, to create those famous grill marks.
For thinner and flakier fish, use a grill basket or wrap it with aluminum foil and olive oil, wine, or lemon juice. This keeps the fish from falling apart and retains moisture while cooking and flipping.
Step 5: Smoke dat fish!
When it is time to grill the fish, brush each side with olive oil or season it with salt. To add more flavor and keep the fish moist, you can brush it with melted butter or some fresh lemon juice while you are smoking. Remember to check your fish from time to time because using butter can burn the fish easily, so be careful. Using lemon juice over the fish can add to the show through the steam and sizzle created by it, plus the appetizing smell that could make everyone hungry and appreciate the meal.
Step 6: Adjust the temperature of the smoker down to low.
This is to prevent it from cooking too fast. Close the lid while cooking. Cooking will approximately take about 10 minutes for every inch of thickness of the fish. It is advisable to check your fish from time to time.
Step 7: Check if the skin of the fish has become seared and crisp.
Lift the edge of the fish using a turner, spatula, or tong to see if it easily moves from the grates. Do not move the fish when you see it is not yet done, for it could easily break up. If the skin is already seared, flip your fish over.
Step 8: Remove it from the grill.
When both sides are seared and the fish flakes easily when a fork is inserted, then it is done. Remove the fish from the grill, and you can now serve it to your hungry guests!
What’s The Best Electric Smoker For Fish?
Now that you know the correct way to smoke fish in an electric smoker, it’s time to find out what the best electric smoker is for fish.
So, <drum roll> here they are.
OPTION 1: MasterBuilt MB20071117 Large Digital Electric Smoker
However, since this smoker can reach up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s just right for smoking fish.
Insulated
Luckily, this one is, so no problems on that front.
Next up, is the display.
Of the two smokers being reviewed here, this one is the more affordable.
Construction
Being a MastersBuilt, the build quality is, as you would expect, top-notch. Made from high-grade steel with a durable black powder coating and fully insulated, this really is a unit built to stand the test of time.
- Digital panel controls on/off, cooking temperature and time
- Power source type: corded electric
- Fully-insulated body retains heat
- Thermostat-temperature control for even, consistent smoking
OPTION 2: Bradley BS611 Digital 4 Rack Smoker
Let’s get one thing straight – this is a fantastic smoker. Its side-loading hopper enables you to add wood chips without having to open the door thus you don’t lose heat during the whole smoking process.
Just like the Masterbuilt electric smoker above, the Bradley BS611 Electric Food Smoker also keeps to the perfect fish-smoking temperature range. It can maintain a temperature of 180 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and it also has a decent capacity with four racks. So why doesn’t it win? Well, its a bit more expensive, a bit heavier and, basically, just not quite as good value for money as the Masterbuilt. It’s a close-run thing though and, of course, if you like the convenience of the hopper system and have the extra budget then you can definitely recommend it.
No products found.
Best Electric Smoker for Fish – Final Verdict
It has all the features you need and is available at a very competitive price. Given the superb build quality, the large capacity of the smoker chamber, and the advanced digital controller, it will handle every kind of task that you can throw at it.
Smoking fish is one of the best ways to cook fish. Fish smoking takes time but, actually only requires a few minutes of your time, making it the best and easy to-prepare meal for your outdoor party or barbecue. Using an electric smoker make the entire process even easier than expected.
Related guides: How to Smoke Plums in an Electric Smoker · How to Smoke Pistachios in an Electric Smoker
