🚗 Outdoor, Garage & EV
How Much Does a Electric Smoker Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.8¢/kWh (April 2026), a electric smoker costs about $27.43 per month at typical usage — 6 hours/day.
Per hour
$0.15
at 500–1,500 W
Per day
$0.90
6 hours/day
Per month
$27.43
146 kWh
Per year
$329
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
$0.90
Per month
$27.43
Per year
$329
Uses 146 kWh/month at 18.8¢ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.4 | $0.10 | $18.09 | $217 |
| Idaho | 12.7 | $0.10 | $18.53 | $223 |
| Nebraska | 13.3 | $0.11 | $19.41 | $233 |
| Oklahoma | 13.3 | $0.11 | $19.41 | $233 |
| Utah | 13.3 | $0.11 | $19.41 | $233 |
| Iowa | 13.9 | $0.11 | $20.28 | $244 |
| Montana | 13.9 | $0.11 | $20.28 | $244 |
| Missouri | 14.0 | $0.11 | $20.43 | $245 |
| Arkansas | 14.2 | $0.11 | $20.72 | $249 |
| Nevada | 14.3 | $0.11 | $20.87 | $251 |
| Louisiana | 14.4 | $0.12 | $21.01 | $252 |
| Washington | 14.4 | $0.12 | $21.01 | $252 |
| South Dakota | 14.5 | $0.12 | $21.16 | $254 |
| Wyoming | 14.7 | $0.12 | $21.45 | $258 |
| Tennessee | 14.9 | $0.12 | $21.74 | $261 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | $0.12 | $21.89 | $263 |
| New Mexico | 15.2 | $0.12 | $22.18 | $266 |
| Florida | 15.4 | $0.12 | $22.47 | $270 |
| Georgia | 15.4 | $0.12 | $22.47 | $270 |
| Arizona | 15.5 | $0.12 | $22.62 | $272 |
| Kansas | 15.8 | $0.13 | $23.06 | $277 |
| Oregon | 15.8 | $0.13 | $23.06 | $277 |
| West Virginia | 16.1 | $0.13 | $23.49 | $282 |
| North Carolina | 16.3 | $0.13 | $23.78 | $286 |
| Minnesota | 16.4 | $0.13 | $23.93 | $287 |
| Colorado | 16.5 | $0.13 | $24.08 | $289 |
| Mississippi | 16.8 | $0.13 | $24.51 | $294 |
| Texas | 17.0 | $0.14 | $24.81 | $298 |
| South Carolina | 17.1 | $0.14 | $24.95 | $300 |
| Alabama | 17.4 | $0.14 | $25.39 | $305 |
| Virginia | 17.4 | $0.14 | $25.39 | $305 |
| Indiana | 17.9 | $0.14 | $26.12 | $314 |
| Delaware | 18.8 | $0.15 | $27.43 | $329 |
| Wisconsin | 19.2 | $0.15 | $28.02 | $336 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | $0.16 | $28.45 | $342 |
| Illinois | 20.5 | $0.16 | $29.91 | $359 |
| Michigan | 21.4 | $0.17 | $31.23 | $375 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.5 | $0.17 | $31.37 | $377 |
| Maryland | 22.1 | $0.18 | $32.25 | $387 |
| New Jersey | 23.5 | $0.19 | $34.29 | $412 |
| Vermont | 24.6 | $0.20 | $35.90 | $431 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | $0.20 | $37.06 | $445 |
| New Hampshire | 27.2 | $0.22 | $39.69 | $477 |
| Alaska | 27.4 | $0.22 | $39.98 | $480 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3 | $0.23 | $41.30 | $496 |
| Maine | 28.4 | $0.23 | $41.44 | $498 |
| Massachusetts | 29.5 | $0.24 | $43.05 | $517 |
| New York | 29.5 | $0.24 | $43.05 | $517 |
| Connecticut | 32.2 | $0.26 | $46.99 | $564 |
| California | 35.3 | $0.28 | $51.51 | $618 |
| Hawaii | 46.6 | $0.37 | $68.00 | $816 |
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 18.8¢/kWh, one hour costs about $0.15. In North Dakota (12.4¢/kWh) it's $0.10, while in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) it's $0.37.
How much does a electric smoker cost to run per month?
With typical usage (6 hours/day), expect about $27.43 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $18.09 in North Dakota up to $68.00 in Hawaii. Rates are as of April 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.