🚗 Outdoor, Garage & EV
How Much Does a Electric Smoker Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.4¢/kWh (May 2026), a electric smoker costs about $26.85 per month at typical usage — 6 hours/day.
Per hour
$0.15
at 500–1,500 W
Per day
$0.88
6 hours/day
Per month
$26.85
146 kWh
Per year
$322
1,752 kWh
Electric smokers hold low temperatures with an 500–1,500 watt element cycling over many hours, so a long brisket smoke uses several kilowatt-hours. Still cheaper than a bag of lump charcoal in most states.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
$0.15
Per day
$0.88
Per month
$26.85
Per year
$322
Uses 146 kWh/month at 18.4¢ per kWh.
Cheapest and most expensive states
Monthly cost at typical usage, using each state's current average residential rate.
Cost in every state
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.4 | $0.10 | $18.09 | $217 |
| Utah | 13.0 | $0.10 | $18.97 | $228 |
| Oklahoma | 13.4 | $0.11 | $19.55 | $235 |
| Nebraska | 13.6 | $0.11 | $19.85 | $238 |
| Nevada | 13.6 | $0.11 | $19.85 | $238 |
| North Dakota | 13.6 | $0.11 | $19.85 | $238 |
| Missouri | 13.7 | $0.11 | $19.99 | $240 |
| Iowa | 14.1 | $0.11 | $20.57 | $247 |
| New Mexico | 14.1 | $0.11 | $20.57 | $247 |
| Louisiana | 14.2 | $0.11 | $20.72 | $249 |
| Arkansas | 14.4 | $0.12 | $21.01 | $252 |
| Tennessee | 14.5 | $0.12 | $21.16 | $254 |
| Montana | 14.7 | $0.12 | $21.45 | $258 |
| Wyoming | 14.8 | $0.12 | $21.60 | $259 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | $0.12 | $21.89 | $263 |
| Washington | 15.0 | $0.12 | $21.89 | $263 |
| Kansas | 15.1 | $0.12 | $22.03 | $265 |
| North Carolina | 15.1 | $0.12 | $22.03 | $265 |
| Arizona | 15.2 | $0.12 | $22.18 | $266 |
| Florida | 15.2 | $0.12 | $22.18 | $266 |
| South Dakota | 15.7 | $0.13 | $22.91 | $275 |
| Georgia | 15.8 | $0.13 | $23.06 | $277 |
| Colorado | 16.2 | $0.13 | $23.64 | $284 |
| Mississippi | 16.2 | $0.13 | $23.64 | $284 |
| South Carolina | 16.2 | $0.13 | $23.64 | $284 |
| Oregon | 16.3 | $0.13 | $23.78 | $286 |
| Texas | 16.4 | $0.13 | $23.93 | $287 |
| Alabama | 16.8 | $0.13 | $24.51 | $294 |
| West Virginia | 16.8 | $0.13 | $24.51 | $294 |
| Minnesota | 17.0 | $0.14 | $24.81 | $298 |
| Virginia | 17.6 | $0.14 | $25.68 | $308 |
| Indiana | 18.2 | $0.15 | $26.56 | $319 |
| Delaware | 19.4 | $0.16 | $28.31 | $340 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | $0.16 | $28.45 | $342 |
| Wisconsin | 19.7 | $0.16 | $28.75 | $345 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6 | $0.17 | $31.52 | $378 |
| Maryland | 21.8 | $0.17 | $31.81 | $382 |
| Michigan | 22.0 | $0.18 | $32.10 | $385 |
| New Jersey | 23.3 | $0.19 | $34.00 | $408 |
| Illinois | 23.9 | $0.19 | $34.87 | $419 |
| Vermont | 24.9 | $0.20 | $36.33 | $436 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | $0.20 | $37.06 | $445 |
| New Hampshire | 27.3 | $0.22 | $39.84 | $478 |
| Connecticut | 27.4 | $0.22 | $39.98 | $480 |
| Alaska | 28.2 | $0.23 | $41.15 | $494 |
| Maine | 28.6 | $0.23 | $41.73 | $501 |
| Massachusetts | 28.8 | $0.23 | $42.02 | $505 |
| Rhode Island | 29.5 | $0.24 | $43.05 | $517 |
| New York | 29.9 | $0.24 | $43.63 | $524 |
| California | 33.3 | $0.27 | $48.59 | $583 |
| Hawaii | 52.0 | $0.42 | $75.88 | $911 |
How to lower the cost
- Charge vehicles and batteries overnight if your utility offers time-of-use rates.
- Standby draw hides in garages — openers, chargers, and old fridges add up around the clock.
- Electric yard tools cost pennies per session; the battery’s lifespan is the real economics.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a electric smoker use?
A typical electric smoker draws about 800 watts in use. At 6 hours/day, that works out to roughly 4.8 kWh per day, or 146 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a electric smoker for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.4¢/kWh, one hour costs about $0.15. In Idaho (12.4¢/kWh) it's $0.10, while in Hawaii (52¢/kWh) it's $0.42.
How much does a electric smoker cost to run per month?
With typical usage (6 hours/day), expect about $26.85 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $18.09 in Idaho up to $75.88 in Hawaii. Rates are as of May 2026.
Does a electric smoker use a lot of electricity?
Yes — at typical usage it accounts for roughly 16% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption (885 kWh), which makes it one of the larger loads in the house.