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I’ll be honest—I was nervous about getting into smoking meat.

Every time I looked into it, I felt overwhelmed. The equipment seemed expensive. The learning curve seemed steep. And the last thing I wanted was to invest hundreds of dollars in something that would end up collecting dust in the garage because I couldn’t figure it out.

But I also really wanted to try it. There’s something about smoked meat—that deep, rich flavor you just can’t replicate any other way—that kept pulling me back to the idea. Plus with our new dietary lifestyle, making deli meat from scratch is a must. Between EJ’s ham addiction (it’s serious!) and my love for all things beef, buying pre-made deli meat is no longer something which interests us. I mean, have you ever read the ingredient label on traditional store-bought deli meat?👀

So I finally took the plunge. And I’m happy to report: it went way better than I expected.

Down the Rabbit Hole of Smoker Research

Before buying anything, I did what I always do—researched everything. And wow, did I underestimate how many types of smokers exist.

Pellet smokers. Electric smokers. Gas smokers. Charcoal smokers. Vertical smokers. Offset smokers. Ceramic smokers. Cabinet smokers. Who knew there were so many options? (I certainly didn’t.)

As a complete beginner, I was able to rule out several types pretty quickly. Offset smokers require a lot of hands-on fire management—not ideal for a first-timer. Charcoal and wood-burning options seemed intimidating. I wanted something more forgiving while I learned the basics.

But as I narrowed things down further, another factor came into play: the weather.

Hubby and I live in New York. We love it here, but “love” comes with cold winters and plenty of snow. The idea of standing outside monitoring a smoker in January didn’t exactly thrill me. And I didn’t want smoking to become a “summer only” hobby that I’d lose momentum on every fall.

That’s when I discovered indoor electric smokers were a thing.

Why I Chose the Weston 2-in-1 Indoor Smoker

After more research, I landed on the Weston Brands 2-in-1 Indoor Electric Smoker & Programmable Slow Cooker.

Here’s what sold me:

  • Indoor use – I can smoke meat year-round regardless of weather
  • Beginner-friendly – It’s programmable and comes with a temperature probe, so I’m not guessing
  • Dual function – It works as both a smoker and a slow cooker, which is great for a small kitchen
  • Easy cleanup – The crock is dishwasher safe
  • Reasonable price – I paid $110.99, which felt like a manageable risk for a first smoker

The unit is 6 quarts with a 3-tier smoking rack, and it’s designed for meat, cheese, and more. For someone just starting out and wanting to experiment without a huge investment, it checked all my boxes.

I also picked up a three-pack of wood chips from Mr. Bar-B-Q (hickory, apple, and mesquite) for $34.49. More on those in a bit.

My First Smoke: Hickory Beef Roast

For my inaugural smoke, I made a Hickory-Smoked Beef Roast—a simple recipe that let the smoker do the heavy lifting.

I loaded up a 4-pound beef roast, filled the chip well with hickory chips, inserted the temperature probe, and set it to the combo setting. Then I waited.

About two and a half hours later, I had the most beautiful, tender, smoky roast I’ve ever made at home.

The hickory flavor was rich but not overpowering—exactly what I was hoping for. The meat was tender enough for sandwiches (we’re talking Beef on Weck and Smoky French Dip territory), and the aroma that filled my kitchen was absolutely incredible.

I had EJ crack the windows to vent a bit, but honestly? We didn’t mind. The smell that permeated the downstairs was the kind of thing that makes you feel like you really accomplished something in the kitchen.

What Surprised Me

Here’s the thing—a lot of reviews claim that electric smokers don’t impart much smoke flavor. That had me a little worried going in.

But my experience was the complete opposite.

The smoke flavor on this roast was unmistakable. Not too heavy, not too faint—just right. Maybe it’s the enclosed indoor environment, maybe it’s the wood chips, maybe I just got lucky. Whatever the reason, I was genuinely impressed.

I’d also worried about the compact chip well. It only holds about a palmful of chips. But here’s the pleasant surprise: that was plenty. I didn’t need to refill it once during the entire 2.5-hour cook. For a beginner, not having to manage chips mid-smoke was one less thing to stress about.

Honest Pros and Cons

No product is perfect, so here’s my honest breakdown after using the Weston:

What I Love:

  • Genuinely imparts great smoke flavor (despite what some reviews say about electric smokers)
  • Temperature probe takes the guesswork out of cooking
  • Compact and fits easily on my counter
  • Programmable settings make it beginner-friendly
  • Dishwasher-safe crock means cleanup is a breeze
  • Year-round smoking regardless of New York weather
  • Chip well is small but efficient—no refills needed for a 2.5-hour smoke

What to Keep in Mind:

  • Limited capacity—it held my 4-pound roast comfortably, but don’t expect to smoke for a crowd
  • You’ll need to vent your kitchen (I cracked a couple windows)
  • It’s a starter unit, not a forever smoker

That last point isn’t really a criticism. I knew going in that this was about learning the basics, not outfitting a pitmaster’s dream setup. For where I am right now, the trade-offs are completely acceptable.

A Note on the Wood Chips

The Mr. Bar-B-Q variety pack includes hickory, apple, and mesquite. I’ve only used the hickory so far, and it delivered beautifully—deep, classic smoke flavor without being harsh.

I’m looking forward to trying the apple (supposedly sweeter, great for pork and poultry) and mesquite (bolder, more intense) on future smokes. Once I’ve tested all three, I’ll put together a proper comparison. For now, I can say the hickory alone was worth it.

And because the chip well is so compact, this three-pack is going to last me quite a while.

Who This Smoker Is For

This is a great fit if you’re:

  • A beginner who’s nervous about the learning curve
  • Someone who wants to smoke year-round without being weather-dependent
  • Living in an apartment or smaller space without outdoor setup
  • Looking for a dual-purpose appliance (smoker + slow cooker)
  • Testing the waters before investing in a larger smoker

You might want something else if you’re:

  • Planning to smoke large quantities or for gatherings
  • A purist who wants traditional charcoal or wood-fired flavor
  • Already experienced and ready for a more advanced setup

The Verdict

For around $111, the Weston 2-in-1 Indoor Smoker exceeded my expectations.

I went in nervous, half-expecting to fumble through a mediocre first attempt. Instead, we pulled out a perfectly smoked roast that rivaled anything we’ve had from a deli. The learning curve was gentler than I anticipated, the cleanup was easy, and I’m already planning my next smoke.

Will this be our forever smoker? Probably not. I’ve already got my eye on a larger outdoor model for someday. But for learning the basics, building confidence, and enjoying smoked meats year-round from my kitchen? This little unit is doing exactly what I needed it to do.

And honestly, that’s more than enough for now—though EJ’s already put in his request for smoked ham.

What I Used:

Recipe: Hickory-Smoked Beef Roast

Note to self: take photos before eating. I got so caught up in our first smoke that I completely forgot to document it. For now, you’re looking at a stock photo of the actual unit we bought. Next smoke, I’ll have real photos to show you—assuming I can resist the smell long enough to grab my phone.