In this review of the newly released GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker, I’ll cover how the appliance works, how much space it requires, what you can cook with it, how to keep it clean, and who will find the most value in the appliance.
If you’re like many people who love smoky-sweet plates of barbecued brisket, ribs, or chicken or you love topping your bagels with slippery ribbons of pink smoked salmon or serving a smoky burrata on a cheese board, you may have wondered how to make your favorite smoked dishes at home (as sadly, you can't really use the best barbecues inside).
Usually, smoking large items like meat, fish, vegetables, and cheese requires an outdoor smoker or grill. You’d also need special wooden pellets and to keep a close eye on your food as it cooks, which can take hours depending on the size and type of meal you’re preparing.
GE, a leading brand in the home appliance world, has disrupted at-home smoking with its first product release of 2024: The GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker. That’s right: indoors. This is a countertop appliance that looks like a large air fryer or small refrigerator. It turns wood pellets into warm air to slowly cook and smoke anything you like inside a controlled cavity that won’t fill your home with smoke.
As a trained chef and avid home cook who always keeps smoked salmon in the fridge, I had to try the new product for myself. Here’s how my tests went, and what you need to know if you’re considering investing in this indoor smoker from GE.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker review: price and availability
The GE Profile indoor smoker (model number P9SBAAS6VBB) is currently available in the US for $999 from GE, Williams Sonoma, Sur la Table, and Crate & Barrel. Sadly, it's not yet available in the UK.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker review: design and build quality
GE is renowned for its well-designed, high-quality home appliances, and the brand’s latest release is no exception. The smoker has a clean, minimalist design that doesn’t overdo it with unnecessary bells and whistles. The user interface features a prominent dial that scrolls left and right to select a cooking time, temperature, and other settings. The digital display panel clearly shows the smoker’s current and projected temperature, cooking time, smoke level, and probe temperature, if applicable.
The smoker has a very tight-fitting door that locks in smoke to keep your kitchen air clear. It uses “Active Smoke Filtration” to turn smoke from wood pellets into warm air that fills the cooking cavity to slowly cook whatever’s inside. The cooking capacity is large enough to fit up to three racks of ribs, a whole chicken, or a whole 14-pound pork butt. It’s designed with three removable metal racks that you can arrange to accommodate whatever you’re cooking. They’re also dishwasher safe.
Unlike with a large outdoor grill, I found the GE device to be so easy to set up and operate that I didn’t feel the need to cook in bulk. As much as I like brisket, it’s nice for my two-person household to not be drowning in leftovers. I was a bit concerned that using the appliance indoors would fill my apartment with smoke, but I didn’t see even a wisp escape. When I wanted to check on my smoked salmon partway through cooking, I used the “Clear Smoke” button to evacuate the accumulated smoke from inside the machine so I could safely open the door.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker review: features
The appliance is equipped with a few key features that make smoking a breeze. First, it has six preset cooking programs for some of the most common recipes, including brisket, salmon, pork ribs, pork butt, whole chicken, and wings. The smoker also has a “keep warm” setting, so as soon as the cooking time ends or the temperature probe reaches your desired temp, it will stop smoking and keep the food warm for hours. This way, you can set up a recipe in the morning and come home after work to a hot and ready dinner. Plus, the WiFi-enabled app lets you check on the smoker’s progress and adjust settings from afar.
The built-in temperature probe gives you precise control over your cook. I used the probe to make smoked salmon. After curing my fillets, I preheated the smoker to 275°F and stuck the probe into the thickest part of one fillet. I set the temperature probe to 145°F. The smoker automatically stopped when the salmon’s internal temperature reached 145°F and switched to “keep warm” mode, so my fish stayed moist and tender and I didn’t waste any pellets.
It’s worth noting that this device is only for hot smoking, not cold. The Active Smoke Filtration system that powers the machine requires heat.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker review: performance
As someone who loves all kinds of smoked food, from seafood and meat to vegetables and cocktail garnishes, but who also lives in a New York City apartment with no access to outdoor space for smoking, I couldn’t wait to put this indoor appliance to the test. I started with smoked sweet potatoes, which I seasoned according to a recipe in the GE cookbook that’s included with the smoker.
I selected a smoke level of 3 out of 5, and though the smoker did cook the potatoes fully and they were tender and delicious, I didn’t get quite the level of smoky flavor I was looking for. For a later test of hot smoked salmon, I cranked things up to level 5 out of 5, and I was not disappointed. The salmon had a rich smoky flavor all the way through. It was flaky and moist, not dried out at all, and just a touch sweet from the salt and brown sugar brine I used.
The entire smoking process took about an hour for two 4-ounce fillets, and I had restaurant-quality smoked salmon at a fraction of the cost from the local grocery store. Plus, I was able to season the salmon with my own spices and herbs. Next time, I’ll make a bigger batch and vacuum seal my fillets for the freezer.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker review: verdict
This indoor smoker is intuitive to use, thanks to a WiFi-enabled app and a clear user interface. It has a sleek, simple design with plenty of room for smoking large and small cuts of meat and more. The preset cooking programs make common recipes seamless, and the smoker produces great-tasting, lightly smoked foods with little effort on my part. I was impressed by the appliances’ versatility and smart design.
The device does require quite a bit of counter space and does not cold smoke, plus it’s a pricy investment meant for smoked food lovers.
GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker review: alternatives to consider
If smoking food indoors isn’t a priority because you have plenty of outdoor space, regular good weather, and the time to watch over your smoke, consider one of the best smokers.
If you like charcoal smoking, consider our overall favorite, the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560. Or, for a high-performing outdoor wood pellet smoker, we love the Traeger Ironwood 650 (which we compared side-by-side to the also great Weber Smokefire EX4).
