Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker Review

Masterbuilt smokers seem to dominate a lot of the discussion when it comes to Electric Smokers. And while they are definitely worth considering, Char-Broil quietly produce well sized, affordable electric smokers that could easily give them a run for their money.

In this review we take a look at the 725 Square Inch Deluxe Electric Smoker. This unit is on the larger side, but thanks to the cheaper price point for electric smokers it fits squarely into the value for money end of the spectrum.

Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker, 1000 Square Inch

Char-Broil deluxe digital electric smoker overview

The first thing you notice about the Char-Broil is the large glass door. While several brands of electric smoker come with a glass door option, Char-Broil makes it mandatory.

The glass on the front door is a plus for the most part. You can see into the entire smoker without having to let out the heat and smoke by opening the door. The seal on the door is tight, so when it is latched into place the smoke will not escape.

With 725 square inches of cooking space the interior offers more room than many models out there on the market, which means you can smoke a lot of meat at one time.

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The four racks are adjustable, which can give you a variety of cooking options ranging from racks of ribs, hams, or even smaller turkeys.

The smoker comes with the following components that can be removed for easy cleaning or use:

  • A meat probe with wire
  • A sliding grease tray
  • A Water Pan
  • A large smoker box for wood

Each of the four racks is able to handle 10-pounds of meat. You may find that you need to cut a couple of ribs off of a full rack to get them to fit inside the smoker. The wires on each rack are spaced far enough apart to allow for even smoking while still supporting the meat securely.

The video below gives you a good feel for how the Char-Broil works.

The smoke box that holds the wood chips is large. The greater capacity allows you to smoke from four to seven hours before you need to refill it. This frees you up to do other things besides standing near the smoker all day long.

The water pan is removable, but it should always be in place when you use the grill (even if you do not have water in it). Adding water to your smoker helps to keep the meat moist, and the pan is large enough to water for the job. It does have a max watermark that you do not want to fill over.

Manufacturer specifications

  • Interior Cooking Space: 725 Square-Inches
  • Number Of Cooking Racks: Four Adjustable Racks
  • Cooker Weight: 50.2 Pounds
  • Exterior Dimensions: 18.11 in. W X 32.52 in. H X 16.54 in. D
  • Thermometer: Internal And Meat Probe
  • Remote Control: Yes
  • Warranty: Manufacturing, Material Defects, And Perforation For One-Year

Main features and controls

The digital display is large, which makes it easy to read. It should be noted that the numbers will be harder to read if the display is in the sun. There are seven buttons for different features, including:

  • Power button – off/on
  • Up button – Increases temperature and time
  • Down button – Decreases temperature and time
  • Temp button – Switches to temperature input
  • Time button – Switches to time input
  • Meat probe button – switches to probe input
  • Chamber light – off/on

The remote control is a bonus feature that comes with the Char-Broil Deluxe. The control buttons match those found on the smoker, and the screen displays the information about cooking time and temperature. As mentioned previously, this is the least durable part of the package, so it won’t take as much abuse as the smoker will. Also, the signal seemed to sometimes drop after ten feet which kind of defeats the purpose.

The insulation between the walls helps to prevent the walls of the smoker from becoming hot to the touch (remember the glass on the front door does not do this). There is a built-in safety feature that will shut the smoker down if it goes over 19-hours in operation without interruption. Along with the one-year warranty, the manufacturer offers all replacement parts for sale from their website.

Feature Pros

  • Easy startup
  • Four racks
  • Meat probe
  • Large smoke box
  • Remote control

Feature Cons

  • Limited distance on remote
  • Remote is made from more flimsy materials
  • Digital readout hard to see in direct sunlight

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Build design and quality Of materials

The Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker looks tough. It comes with a dual-tone finish of black and metallic colors. The rounded edges of the top, the built-in handle, and the depressed digital readout give it a modern look.

The exterior walls are stainless steel, providing plenty of strength to hold up to the heat and regular use. The insulation between the dual walls of this unit does its job by keeping the heat inside the smoker. The inner walls of the Char-Broil Deluxe are made out of an aluminized steel.

Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker, 725 Square Inch

The glass on the front door is durable, but it should be noted that this is the one area that heat will radiate from. This glass can get damn hot, so watch it! A stainless steel latch secures the door tightly and provides a smoke-tight seal.

Its four cooking racks are made of chrome plated wire. The other smoker components are made from a material similar to the interior walls.

Construction Pros

  • Smoker is constructed out of stainless steel materials
  • The dual-wall with insulation holds the heat in well
  • Digital controls and readout are easy to use
  • Front glass allows you to see inside without opening the smoker

Construction Cons

  • Remote control is made from cheaper materials
  • Perforated holes and vents will require 36-inches of clearance on each side

Setup and use

You need to season the smoker before you use it for the first time. This will get rid of any residue left from the manufacturing process. The process is simple:

  • Press the power button
  • Press the temp button and use the “up” and “down” keys to set it at 275-degrees
  • Press the time button and use the “up” and “down” keys to set it at two hours
  • Once the time has elapsed allow the unit to cool down

Preheat

You will want to preheat the smoker before each use. This will allow the wood chips to begin smoking before you put the meat in. Remyember to keep the water pan and smoke box in place, even if you are not using them.

Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker, 725 Square Inch

To pre-heat, use the temp button and the directional buttons until the letters “PH” is displayed. This will start the automatic cycle which runs for about 40-minutes. When finished, the display will blink and you will hear audible beeps.

NOTE: No matter which way you use the smoker, you will need to set the temperature. The display is set on default to Fahrenheit but can be switched to Celsius. The temperature ranges between 100-275 Fahrenheit (the lower temperature is great for cold smoking your meats).

Cooking

You can set the timer from between 00:00-19:00 hours. The display will alternate between the timer and the temperature reading as the unit operates. When the timer is finished the unit will drop the temperature and emit audible beeps until you shut it down.

When using the probe, the unit will smoke until the meat reaches the desired internal temperature. When setting up in this mode you will have to adjust the level of the internal temperature you desire. When the target temperature is reached, the unit will cool down as before.

If you use the smoker box, not that you do not have to use water on the wood (all the water will do is make it take longer for the chips to start smoking). Follow the instructions that are included that indicate the amount of wood you need to use, as well as the type to use for different flavors. Remember to keep the smoker box in the unit, even if you do not plan to use wood chips.

We have another guide that goes into more tips for cooking with an electric smoker.

Wrapping up

The Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker has a lot going for it. From the moment you plug it in, you are less than an hour away from starting to smoke your favorite meats. A roomy smoker box allows you to visit with guests instead of hovering over your smoker.

A mix of state of the art electronics and durable design, this smoker will have you sitting with family and friends at the dinner table with less stress and more time than with your old smoker. As the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is a happy eater!

Get the latest price on Amazon.