Cold smoking is a special way of smoking your food because it is done without the heat, and it doesn’t actually cook the food, but it does give it a special smoked flavor.
So, how do you cold smoke? Before I explain the process, let’s see what makes cold smoking so different from hot smoking.
The main difference between the hot and cold smoking process is that during hot smoking, your food is in the main unit as the wood chips, heating element, and other features.
That means that it absorbs high temperatures and smoke.
The food during hot smoking is both cooking and smoking it at the same time.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
 | Masterbuilt Cold Smoker Attachment
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 | Smoke Chief Cold Smoke Generator
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 | Bradley Smoker Cold Smoke Adapter
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So, how to use a cold smoker? They work a little differently. You have a separate cabinet for producing smoke (firebox) and for the food.
That means that the firebox pumps the desired amount of smoke into the cabinet with food, without any heat, thus making it cold smoke.
That means that the food in the cold smoker is only smoking (without the cooking part), adding yummy flavor to the food.
Table of Contents
Best Cold Smokers Reviews:
If you are looking for a true electric cold smoker, you won’t find it because there aren’t any cold smokers for sale.
Some smokers can smoke food at low temperatures, but they can’t produce a temperature low enough to call them cold smokers, and they don’t have two separated chambers.
The better solution for this situation is to get a cold smoke generator.
Those generators are actually cold smoker attachments that can turn your ordinary electric smoker into the best cold smoker in no time.
They are easy to install, and they are actually cold smoker boxes.
Today I want to focus on the best cold smoke generators that can turn your electric smokers into cold smokers and provide excellent results.
1. Masterbuilt Cold Smoker Attachment
The first smoker unit I will review is the Masterbuilt cold smoker attachment.
Since their smokers are only made for hot smoke, you can use this cold smoker kit to turn your Masterbuilt smoker into a cold smoker.
It is effortless to install to the main unit, but it doesn’t fit all Masterbuilt smokers.
Don’t worry, there is only one Masterbuilt smoker in that category, and that is their analog smoker because it doesn’t have a wood chip loader.
The hole for the wood chip system that loads the wood chips is the hole you use to add the electric cold smoker attachment to your Masterbuilt smoker.
It is easy to install and easy to use.
If you have a Masterbuilt smoker (not analog), this is the best cold smoke generator for you to use.
It is made by the same brand, which means it will fit like a glove.
This electric cold smoker has its own wood chip chamber, which you can fill up so it can smoke for almost 6 hours of consistent smoke.
You don’t have to think about the number of wood chips because this little cold smoker has its own continuous wood feed system.
All you need to do is fill the chamber up. This best cold smoker for Masterbuilt units produces temperatures 100°F-120°F, which is a good range for the cold smoking process.
This stainless steel little cold smoker generator can turn your Masterbuilt smoker unit into a cold smoker easily and fast.
That is why it is so popular. It is easy to use and easy to clean, which means that cold smoking with this cold smoker box is a breeze.
If you are interested to learn more about this Masterbuilt cold smoker.
I suggest you look at my Masterbuilt electric smoker page, where you can learn everything about Masterbuilt smokers and other accessories or related products like this cold smoker attachment and a Masterbuilt cold smoking kit.
PROS
- Once smoked this device up, it will continue to provide premium smoke to the food for prolonged hours.
- This device automatically heats wood chips; all you need to do is press a button!
- It comes in handy with a removable ashtray that makes it super easy for the users to clean this device up.
- This product produces high-quality results when used upon cheese or fish.
CONS
- Some of the users face issues in its prolonged smoking hour performance.
2. Smoke Chief Cold Smoke Generator
Another interesting cold smoke generator is made by Smoke Chief, and it is made so you can attach it to any smoker or grill on the market.
I am not completely convinced with that statement, so I would advise you to research before buying this electric cold smoker box because some generators ask you to drill a hole in your unit.
If you don’t have a problem with that, then great.
It has a small pipe which you have to fit in a hole of your smoker or grill. If you have that kind of hole, then you are safe, but some units require drilling that hole.
The Smoke Chief cold smoke generator runs on pellets, and you can fill the electric cold smoker with a cup of pellets that can last for about 3 hours.
It is not like the Masterbuilt cold smoker attachment, but it is still impressive.
It has its own power cord, which means you can plug it in, and in few minutes, it will start producing smoke.
Be sure only to use it when doing outdoor cooking.
This cold smokebox is great because it produces a lot of smoke which means you can cold smoke everything from cheese, seafood, and meat.
It is also easy to use; all you need to do is fill it up with your choice of wood pellet, install it on your smoker/grill, turn it on, and it will start smoking.
The Smoke Chief is a cold smoke generator made by Smokehouse products and if you are interested in the electric smokers made by the same brand, take a look at my Smokehouse Products post.
PROS
- Allow users to connect this cold smoke generator with any grill or any type of smoker.
- Made up in the United States, this device provides users with long-lasting durability.
- This cold smoke generator can easily be operated on 110 VAC or 12 Vdc.
CONS
- Some of the users believe that the design of this cold smoker isn’t an appealing one.
3. Bradley Smoker Cold Smoke Adapter
The Bradley cold smoker is an adapter you can put on your Bradley smoker, no matter what model you have, because it fits them all.
You can easily find it in stock on amazon.
The adapter is great because it gives you that extra chamber you need to can cold smoke ham, salmon, or even cheese.
The thing that makes this Bradley cold smoker adapter so interesting is its location.
It is located right between the smoking chamber and the smoking generator, and it can only fit the Bradley smokers because they have a special design.
As you can see in the picture, this cold smoker adapter has a tube that produces smoke in the smoking chamber without raising the temperature, and that is what cold smoking is all about – using smoke, not heat.
PROS
- Comes in handy with a cold smoke adaptor that attaches in between the smoke tower and generator, to provide quality results to the user.
- This cold smoke generator is highly compatible to be used with any other Bradley smoker.
- Features piping transmit within the package that provides a strong smoky flavor to your meal.
- This masterpiece produces the best results when used to smoke fish or cheese, etc.
CONS
- Some of the users believe that ducting this device comes in handy with getting unraveled after being used for a while.
4. Smoke Daddy Big Kahuna Cold Smoke Generator
This cold smoke generator by Smoke Daddy is considered to be one of the best cold smoking devices to existing in the market lately currently.
Coming in handy with a premium, well-balanced design, this cold smoke generator really doesn’t need to look for while operating.
Being highly versatile, this smoke generator allows users to cold smoke, or hot smoke within the system, that too with the ease of operation.
All a user might need to do is to pour the fuel into the hopper and attach this cold smoke generator to your smoker, and then wait for the productive result it produces!
What counts to be the best feature of this cold smoke generator is the premium quality pump it comes in handy with.
The pump comprises an adaptive airflow that makes sure that the smoke gets absorbed in the users’ meal to the fullest.
Providing long-lasting durability to the users, this product is worth using!
PROS
- Comes in handy with premium specifications that provide users with the ultimate airflow.
- This masterpiece is highly suitable for cold and hot smoking.
- The smoke this smoke generator produces is simply incredible.
CONS
- Some of the users believe that this device occupies a lot of space to place on.
- This device isn’t portable. Hence you won’t be able to take this smoker along with you.
5. A-MAZE-N Cold Smoker – Best value for the buck
Seeking a cold smoke generator that happens to be super easy to use? Then look no more as we have got you covered in this regard.
This best cold smoke generator comes in handy with a robust and sturdy built that ensures and promises the user to stick around them for a prolonged time.
In addition to that, if you don’t have any experience of using a cold smoke generator, then this device would suit best with your taste; all you need to do is to fill the stainless steel maze of this smoke generator with the fuel and light it up.
Now put your food in the chamber, and wait for the A-maze-n cold smoker to do its magic.
What counts to be the best feature of this cold smoker is that it produces smoke slowly, which therefore makes sure that the smoke gets fully absorbed within the meal of the user.
This feature really makes this cold smoker worth every penny!
PROS
- This cold smoke generator allows users to light this up from both of its ends.
- Once smoked, this masterpiece will continue providing premium smoking to the user for consecutive eight hours.
- This cold smoke generator is highly compatible with any container you have in your home.
- It comes in handy with a maze-like design which makes it super easy to pack sawdust in.
CONS
- This device doesn’t support blowing off smoke.
- Some of the users believe that it’s hard to get premium sawdust from this masterpiece.
6. Smokemiester BBQ Smokers
Being designed and textured to work on covered grills specifically, this cold smoke generator by smoke tester can really prove to be a great viable addition to your smoker’s closet.
What makes this product stand out from the rest of the average cold smoke generator is the fact that this generator leaks out the heat generated in the process of smoking.
However, it keeps the smoke locked in the generator for prolonged hours and ensures users with a great smoky flavor that they haven’t witnessed before.
This cold smoke generator happens to produce the best productive results when used with smokehouses and covered grills. It minimizes the risk of clogging the outlet tube of this machine and makes sure that the smoke is circulated within the chamber freely.
Coming in handy with a built of durable power-coated iron, this cold smoke generator can withstand even the highest temperature super easily.
For the long-lasting durability this product provides to the user, this product is worth every penny!
PROS
- Thanks to the large 4-inch diameter this device comes with, it makes it super easy for the user to fill it with pellets.
- It comes in handy with a compact design that makes it easy for the user to install this smoker.
- This device is capable of producing smoke that can last more than 8 hours.
- This masterpiece allows users to attach it to a smokehouse or a wine barrel.
CONS
- This device is really for beginners and on the off chance that you are a professional person, then this product isn’t for you.
7. Meva Smoker Gun Infuser Set
If you are looking for something that is super easy to get started with and provides a profound indoor experience to the users, this cold smoke generator can surely be your best viable pick.
What counts to be the best part of this product is that it comes in handy with a small hopper that gains its fuel by a powdered electrical heating unit to produce a productive smoky flavor result that a user hasn’t witnessed before.
All a user may need to do is to fill this cold smoke generator with fine wood chips, and burn them for about twenty minutes, then place their food in the chamber, and wait for this masterpiece to show its magic!
PROS
- This electric smoke generator is highly compatible to be used for indoor purposes.
- This smoker gun is highly versatile and can be used on numerous types of food.
- It comes in handy with ease of operation and can be used by a newbie with ease.
- Features a dome cover and a lid cover within its package.
CONS
- As being compact in size, this unit doesn’t allow users to fill it up with a lot of wood chips.
8. Pellet Smoker Tube, 12” Stainless Steel BBQ Wood Pellet Tube Smoker for Cold/Hot Smoking
Every other product in this list happens to provide users with the best smoky experience, but what makes this product stand out from the other products is that this cold smoke generator creates a flame within the pellet tube of the smoker.
This flame makes it easier for the user to cook their food and provides a great smoky flavor to their food simultaneously.
Being one of the cheapest products to exist in this list, this cold smoke generator allows users to convert any outdoor cooking vessel into a cold smoker with ease; all you need to do is to attach them with a pellet tube.
For the perks this product provides to the people, this can surely be your viable pick!
PROS
- Runs of wood pellets that are easily available in the market, that too in an affordable price.
- Allow you to convert any outdoor cooking vessel into a profound cold smoker.
- This masterpiece is highly portable and allows users to carry it along with them.
- It can be used for both hot and cold smoking with ease.
CONS
- According to some of the users, you may need a lighting torch to make your pellets ignite.
- This masterpiece doesn’t blow off smoke. Hence you need to put this device in the same container in which your food is present.
Best Electric Cold Smoke Generator – Buyer’s Guide:
As many people are switching to cold smoke their foods and enjoy their life to the fullest, many of the manufacturers have started producing some of the finest smoke generators in the market lately, which comes in handy with premium highlights that surely will provide you with a profound experience.
However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by having a glance over so many viable options being easily available in the market.
With that being said, some important factors are being provided below that you need to consider beforehand while buying the best smoke generator for yourself to avoid any inconvenience in the future.
Fuel:
Every cold smoke generator requires different types of fuel to operate on. Wood chips or chunks and wood pellets, along with wood powder, are considered to be one of the common fuels that are used by these cold smoke generators.
When it comes to the best type of fuel for your cold smoke generator, then the wood powder is arguably the best type of fuel to existing in the market lately.
Though that wood powder provides extreme heat to one’s meal and enriches the consumer’s food with the best smoky flavor, finding wood powder in an affordable price range in the market can tend to be a daunting task.
Hence, if not wood powder, then we would recommend you to go for wood pellets as they happen to be the best middle ground of wood powder and wood chunks and are best known to provide users with a profound experience.
Ease of Attachment:
Though the most basic cold smoke generator comes in handy with ease of operation and can be operated even by a newbie easily, you still can’t overlook whether your pick is easy to use or not!
The operation of a basic cold smoke generator includes pouring fuel in your machine and lighting it up, however on the off chances that you are opting for a modern and bigger cold smoke generator, then the complications of setting it up and adjusting the starting time come along with it, which can prove to be quite frustrating and irritating for the user.
Hence, while opting for your best pick, you need to make sure that the cold smoke generator is easy to use and comprises a comprehensive instruction manual that would help you out if you get stuck somewhere in between the process!
Smoking Run Time:
Most cold smoke generators promise users to provide long-lasting consecutive smoke to the users up to 8 hours.
However, to ensure your well-being, the maximum time for you to cold smoke your food shouldn’t be more than two hours.
Hence, smoking run time isn’t a factor that you should really look into. As long as your smoker can provide you with smoke for two consecutive hours, it would be more than enough for you!
Price:
Cold smoke generators are one of the most affordable bbq tools to ever exist in the market lately.
Some of the basic cold smoke generators may easily be bought for a value that lies under the figure of twenty dollars and yet proves themselves to provide users with all smokey goodness which will surely please any smoke fanatic.
However, if you are looking for a cold smoke generator that can smoke a good amount of food at once, then you may get a cold smoke generator with wide dimensions under two hundred dollars with ease.
Do let the people fool you; these are the standard prices you need to pay for your cold smoke generator; anything greater than these prices may count as your loss.
How Does Cold Smoking Work?
The temperature required for cold smoking is around 100°F, which is very low, so the food you are smoking in the cold smoker will remain raw.
You can’t prepare food at that low temperature, and cold smoking only gives the smoked flavor to the food; it doesn’t cook it.
That is why every food you intend to cold smoke, you have to cook before the process.
The simplest way to do that is to prepare any of your favorite foods, such as brisket, before (grilling, bake, roast) and then put it in the smoker for a final smoking touch.
Another thing you can do is to cure food before smoking. Curing is leaving the meat in a dry room so it can develop a pellicle.
When it is done, you can cold smoke it for at least 24 hours of continuous smoke because it has to get that smoky flavor.
Curing is a process that usually lasts for weeks or even months, which doesn’t make it suitable for homes.
Since the cold smoking process doesn’t prepare the food, scientists don’t recommend doing that at home, especially with meat or fish, because that is the best way for most bacteria to spread.
If you want to try cold smoking and get a cold smoker, I suggest you try it with less dangerous food like cheese or even jerky (after you dehydrate it, of course).
Smoking cheese is easy to do with a home cold smoker because it is a slow smoking process and will add lots of smoky goodness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Conclusion!
Cold smoking happens to be the best way to imbue his meal with delicious smoky flavor without even worrying about overcooking or eating your meal.
To witness the high quality and productive results, all you need to have is the right type of cold smoke generator by your side.
Once you get your hands on a supreme version of a cold smoke generator, then you would witness the perks it comes with, for sure!
With that being said, you can’t solely depend on your cold smoke generator for productive results, as the type of wood you are using to produce smoke also impacts your meal.
To make sure that the pick you have made for yourself suits best with your taste and provides you a profound experience, we would like you to go through our buyer’s guide once!