Smoky Delights, Anytime: Meet The GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker

A Texan’s Dilemma?

As someone who spent a decade in Texas, I reveled in the art of smoking meats. There’s a certain magic in the art of tending to a large smoker, stoking the fire, watching the wood transform into flavor-packed smoke while bonding with friends and family in a sprawling backyard as the meat slowly transforms into tender perfection. However, life has a way of shifting gears, and now I find myself living in the heart of the bustling and fast-paced city of Chicago where space and time are precious commodities. That sprawling backyard, a smoking sanctuary, has been replaced by a compact urban dwelling. Certainly, this is a familiar quandary that resonates with many displaced backyard smokers who have experienced this art that varies across the “BBQ Belt."

Enter the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker?

Imagine my delight when I discovered the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker - an ingenious solution born out of FirstBuild, a co-creation community backed by GE Appliances. This smoker brings the essence of barbecue right to my countertop! No more longing glances at open spaces or wistful memories of Texas smokehouses and acres of backyard real estate.??

But how did this innovative indoor smoker come to life? To unravel its story, we connected with Kevin Nolan, President & CEO, GE Appliances (a Haier Company) and FirstBuild co-founder,?gaining insights into the product’s inception. Nolan shared how the smoker’s origin stemmed from an employee's passion for BBQ, nurtured by the collaborative spirit of FirstBuild. And it’s not just about theory—we rolled up our sleeves and put the smoker to the test, experiencing firsthand what it’s like to cook with this compact marvel. There is no better way to experiment an innovation in cooking than by being surrounded with friends, which is exactly what I did, exactly like the community that FirstBuild revolves around.?

Before we dive into the smoker, a bit about FirstBuild - a dynamic community of makers, engineers, and designers, that thrives on co-creation. Its strength lies in focusing on specific user groups, creating products tailored to meet precise needs. By zeroing in on small, passionate communities, FirstBuild is rapidly developing innovative solutions that might not emerge from broader, more generalized corporate strategies. As Kevin Nolan put it, "FirstBuild runs like a fast, lean, risk-taking startup, where people can experiment and test new ideas free from typical corporate constraints." This creative hub operates within the larger framework of GE Appliances—a testament to how even large organizations can pivot swiftly, develop groundbreaking products through hardware incubators, and get to market fast.?

So, let’s dive into the sizzle and smoke of the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker, where tech meets BBQ in a delightful fusion.

GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker: Tech + BBQ?

Origin Story and Product Overview?

The Smart Indoor Smoker began with an innovative idea from an employee who had a deep love for BBQ. Despite initial skepticism by Kevin, the project quickly gained momentum within the FirstBuild community. The product combines the traditional allure of BBQ with modern technology, making it perfect for urban dwellers who want the authentic smoked meats experience within their indoor spaces.?

Industrial Design and User Interface?

At first glance, the smoker might appear boxy, but this initial impression quickly gives way to an appreciation of its sleek design, which fits seamlessly on any kitchen countertop. The bezel-less door, control panel and waste bin lend it a modern, streamlined look (photo reference A). The ridges on the sides add just the right amount of character to avoid a monotonous, boxy appearance (photo reference B). The smoker is equipped with preset options for various meats, including brisket, pork butt, chicken wings and salmon, simplifying the usability. It also offers the convenience of app connectivity. Through the SmartHQ app (photo reference C), users can control and monitor the smoker remotely. This feature allows you to adjust settings, track cooking progress and receive notifications on your smartphone, making it suitable for experienced pitmasters and novices alike.?

User Experience and Cooking?

While the overall design of the smoker impresses, this smoker isn’t just another plug-and-play appliance. Unlike most kitchen gadgets where you can plug it in and almost instinctively know how to use it, the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker demands a bit more from its users. Unlike a microwave, this is a new appliance category that most people are unfamiliar with. It is worth noting that users might need to spend some time with the instruction manual grasping the step-by-step process – prepping the smoker with the pellets and water, selecting the appropriate settings, installing the temperature probe, etc. Great BBQ is an art, and mastering the smoker is part of the journey. Consider the learning curve a small investment in time for a big payoff in flavor and palatable delights. When it comes to maintenance, the smoker is refreshingly straightforward. The “Clear Smoke” function helps eliminate the smoke inside the unit, keeping the indoor spaces smoke-free. Additionally, maintaining the waste bin is as easy as refilling a coffee maker. It is designed for quick removal and replacement; you just pull out the tray, strain and discard the used pellets, refill it with water and slide it back in.

As a self-proclaimed BBQ and smoked brisket aficionado, I give myself a certain level of credibility to test and critique this smoker. With that experience in mind, I put the smoker through its paces with brisket and chicken wings to evaluate its performance. For the brisket, I placed the thicker, fattier ‘point’ on the top rack and the leaner ‘flat’ on the bottom. The top rack produced near-perfect results, yielding tender and flavorful meat. However, the leaner cut on the bottom rack ended up a bit dry, which I suspect may be due to its closer proximity to the warmer airflow. This could have caused it to cook faster and lose moisture. The smoky flavor was present but on the milder side, which is a bit of a departure from the more robust flavors found in traditional BBQ. The smoky profile on the chicken wings, however, was more pronounced, enhancing the overall taste.??

It's worth noting that while the results were astounding for an indoor “smokeless” smoker, comparing them to traditional smokehouse BBQ might be a bit unfair. After all, this test took place in my Chicago apartment without my smoke alarm going off!?

Conclusion?

When I first heard about the indoor smoker, my inner Texan instinctively bristled at the thought of blending smoked meats with an electric kitchen appliance. However, after exploring the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker, I’m beginning to think it might be time to set aside my reservations. This product is a testament to the power of co-creation and the unique innovation model of FirstBuild. By focusing on small, passionate user groups, FirstBuild has demonstrated that even big companies can be agile and innovative. The smoker’s blend of technology and traditional BBQ culture is a perfect example of how FirstBuild is redefining product development, one innovative idea at a time.?

Continue reading if you would like to learn more about FirstBuild…?

FirstBuild: Focused on CoCreation

Origin story of FirstBuild?

FirstBuild was founded as an independent unit within GE Appliances, operating with the agility and innovative spirit of a startup. The setup allows FirstBuild to move quickly, test new ideas and concepts without being bogged down by the typical constraints of a large corporation – long product lifecycles, slow to market and inability to keep up with consumer trends. Kevin Nolan emphasized that “FirstBuild is built for speed. Opening our doors and engaging directly with the community at FirstBuild helps us decide whether people genuinely care about new concepts and then get to market quickly." This sentiment truly resonates with me and many of us here at PERL.??

How it operates within a larger organization?

FirstBuild enjoys a unique position within GE Appliances, allowing it to function outside their typical corporate structure. Nolan adds, “True innovation happens outside traditional boundaries. This is FirstBuild. It’s our secret sauce and our differentiator as a company. We believe in open doors and an open approach to innovation.” This independence gives it the flexibility to innovate freely, focusing on small, passionate user groups and tailoring its products to meet the specific needs of these communities. The ability to operate beyond conventional boundaries has become a key differentiator for FirstBuild.?

How products are designed within FirstBuild?

The design ethos at FirstBuild centers around co-creation. By engaging directly with a passionate community of makers and users, FirstBuild creates products that resonate deeply with their target audience. According to Nolan, "Our product design philosophy centers around co-creation, involving community feedback to ensure the products we develop meet real user needs." This approach allows FirstBuild to hone in on specific user groups, ensuring that the products they create are finely tuned to the needs of those communities.?

Importance of Rapid Development?

Constraints and speed to market?

One of FirstBuild’s key advantages is its ability to operate under constraints that would be challenging for a larger organization. This ability to embrace limitations and move quickly has enabled them to bring innovative products to market at a rapid pace. A perfect example of this is the Opal Nugget Ice Maker, which exemplifies how FirstBuild’s agility can lead to groundbreaking products.?

Benefits of being embedded in the maker community?

Being deeply embedded in the maker community offers FirstBuild a distinct advantage. The direct connection with users enables product development with a clear understanding of real consumer needs and desires. "There’s tremendous value in innovating openly with our users, rather than behind walls and badges," Nolan said, highlighting the importance of community input in the innovation process to ensure solutions are both practical and innovative.?

Design for small groups?

FirstBuild’s focus on designing for small, dedicated user groups is a cornerstone of its innovation strategy. The Monogram Smart Hearth Oven is one such example of FirstBuild’s ability to translate niche needs into high-quality, user-centric products. "Innovation starts small. This is the heart of FirstBuild—where engaging and co-creating with passionate user communities leads to products people love by solving needs often missed by broader corporate strategies," Nolan explained. This focus on small groups is key to FirstBuild’s success, allowing it to create products that truly resonate with their users.

Behind every product is a fascinating story that connects to our human world. Every month, our product experts will dive deep into the journey of a single product, bringing that story to life and connecting the dots between purpose, production, sustainability, and how it fits into our chaotic world. Join us as we unravel the exceptional mysteries behind seemingly ordinary objects.

This month’s post was crafted by Eligius Allan product expert with Kearney PERLab (Product Excellence Renewal Lab) , and editor Tyler Yang and a special contribution from Kevin Nolan , President & CEO of GE Appliances, a Haier company