I Tried This Countertop Indoor Smoker and Have Very Specific Thoughts

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

For those of you new to the smoking game, when we’re on this topic what we’re really talking about is low and slow barbecue that carries depths of flavor only wood can instill. For most of us, we Google "the best brisket or ribs in town" and head right over to stand in long lines often well worth the wait. That's because the idea of doing this ourselves requires too many YouTube tutorials, the outdoor space to house a smoker, and pounds worth of wood (and patience) to make it all happen. The investment alone can often be a deal breaker, until now. GE Profile has just launched the first countertop Smart Indoor Smoker that takes all the pain points and stresses out of smoking (for us novices) and delivers on the most important part: flavor.

Two years ago I went to Lexington, Kentucky to visit GE headquarters and got a sneak peak of all the product development happening inside their FirstBuild community space (an open, inventive, and free workspace for creators to create). This is where I was originally introduced to the indoor smoker in its earliest iteration and I, admittedly, lost my mind in all the best ways.

I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where my great grandfather had a two-story brick BBQ pit on part of his property. All social gatherings revolved around the food that came out of this massive cooker and there’s a bit of nostalgia baked in for me. My uncle and his son have carried on the legacy of being our extended family’s personal pit masters, but they are no longer a quick ride down the road.

So, I stalked GE and followed up endlessly to be the first to test this product at home. The new Smart Indoor Smoker measures 20.5"D x 16.5"W x 16.25"H, with enough room on a standard countertop to allow for air flow—the brand recommends it being four-inches away from the wall—and to house the counter guard that comes with it. Follow along, below, as I break down all the important details to know about this new indoor smoker.

[table-of-contents] stripped

How to Setup the Smart Indoor Smoker

Setup is super simple. First, download the Smart HQ app from GE. It’s an easy way to keep track of your cooking process, and based on my experience with their Café appliances, the app will automatically get updated with new, smarter features. It’s not necessary to have an app to operate this, but it’s free so why not?! Once you have decided where your unit will live in your kitchen (or bar area!) add in the cooking accessories, and it’s time to get the smoker ready.

First, you’ll "prime the auger." On the top of the unit there is a hatch where all the wood pellets go…this is the auger. For your first use, and subsequently anytime you change wood species, you’ll prime the unit by simply going to setup, tuning the dial to AUGER and pushing in the dial to start. I think of this like seasoning a cast iron before you cook in it. It essentially primes the machine for optimal smoking.

One other step that must be done is adding in water. During the cooking process used pellets are expelled into a bin under the control panel. Filling that bin with water will help extinguish those embers and make them easier to discard after use.

And that’s it. Literally. After that, all you have to do is decide what you want to smoke. I recommend starting with their included recipe book to get familiar with smoking. They’ve included options for ribs, brisket, lamb, prime rib, chicken, and salmon, as well as veggie friendly sides like Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, plus mac and cheese. They even threw in recipes for craft cocktail garnishes like smoked cherries and olives, likely to complement their Forge Ice Maker.

How to Use the Smart Indoor Smoker

To start, make sure the hopper, where the wood pellets go, is full, choose your protein, set the dial for smoke level (from 1 to 5), cooking temperature and internal meat temperature. The system will automatically start preheating to the desired temperature. Once preheating is complete, insert your meat thermometer into your protein, make sure water is in the waste bin and press start. Then walk away.

Within about fifteen minutes, the chamber will start to fill with smoke as it blows the smoke around your food to optimize its flavor based on the level you set. Once the food has reached the desired internal temperature you’ll hear a beep and then it automatically will go into a “KEEP WARM” setting. Dinner is done!

When you're ready to clean the indoor smoker, everything removable is dishwasher safe. The inside can be wiped down with a non-abrasive sponge and if the pellet shoot gets clogged, the included wire scrubber can help unlodge anything that is stuck.

The Pros and Cons

Other Need-to-Know Details:

• While the smoke definitely stays in the chamber, you might have the smell of a bit of hickory (or whichever wood variety you choose) in your home. It’s no different than cooking anything, even in your oven, that has a distinct smell.

• Just like with an outdoor smoker, if you have a long smoke you should rotate the meat halfway through the process. It will ensure the smoke is more evenly distributed.

What Comes With the Smart Indoor Smoker Unit

• The Smoker appliance

• Removable rack support and three removable shelves

• Drip pan

• Counter guard

• Temperature probe with magnetic holder

• Starter bag of 100 percent Wood Pellets by Kona (specifically made for this smoker)

• Wire scrubber

• Recipe book

• Instruction Manual

The most useful elements are the removable shelves as you can place them where they need to go (or take some out altogether) depending on the cut of meat you have. Racks of ribs or brisket can be cut down and put on different levels, while a prime rib roast, which is what I used in my smoker, can sit on one rack and cook upright. And, of course, the temperature probe came in handy, too, to ensure you don’t undercook or overcook your food.

My Final Verdict

If you love smoked meats, the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker is a no-brainer. My prime rib for two came out perfectly, with leftovers for the next day. I wanted a bit of char on top so I did undercook it (on purpose!) knowing I would finish it in the oven to brown the top, but the flavor was there and the temperature was right thanks to the probe. It let me know when my prime rib was at temperature to finish in the stove.

I’m planning to try some of the other options, including salmon, since that would require no additional browning time. While it’s not the least expensive countertop appliance you can have, it is in a league of its own. Any true BBQ lover will gladly push aside the crock pot to make room for this game changing unit.

Shop the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker

Why Trust Us?

Carisha Swanson has worked in the design industry for over fifteen years. Her first introduction to design was as a manager for five years at Crate & Barrel where she helped open two stores. She subsequently went on to work in media covering design trends for regional outlets before working at a products editor for House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and Veranda. She has spent years going to international trade shows to cover emerging design trends, interviewing interior designers, and selecting the best home products for her audience. Her specific expertise in all things home, including a focus in smart home, kitchen, bath, and building products has lead her to host panels and events for brands such as LG, Kohler, Thermador, Miele, Caesarstone, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore.

Her childhood, often focused on delicious meals, was spent waiting by her great grandfathers two-story pit for a rack of ribs to land on her plate. As an adult, she believes in true BBQ: brisket, beef ribs, smoked sausage…and does not believe in pulled pork but does believe in a whole smoked hog being placed in front of her. She’s yet to enter an American city without searching for BBQ. She takes smoked meat seriously and believes you should too.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

You Might Also Like

• 15 Home Bar Gifts Every Cocktail Enthusiast Will Appreciate

• 32 Low Light Indoor Plants That Can Survive in the Darkest Corners of Your Home

• These Are the 50 Best Paint Colors for Your Living Room