Masterbuilt Electric smoker? Are electric smokers reliable and durable?

[BLACKJACK]

Looking at getting one of these from Cabelas, looking for input from anybody that has one. Would you buy another one?? Give me pros and cons of your unit. These aren't cheap, thought I should get some more imput!!

Also concerned about the electric part, had a previous electric smoker, it kept throwing breakers but unfortunatly it was past the warranty period when I found out. Have you had luck with your electric smoker?? Could go propane, or even charcoal, but I want something that I can start and walk away from for a few hours, don't want to have to babysit it.

Also, several of the reviews said that it won't throw smoke until it gets to 180 degrees, is that a problem??

[Leaky]

Blackjack - I purchased a digital one from Fleet Farm this past winter for $170.00. It's the one with the solid front (no window) Does everything I've wanted it to do. I use a heavy guage 25ft extension cord without any issues.

I guess I've never paid attention as to whether it throws smoke under 180 as everything I've done I preheat to 225, add chips and its smoking in a minutes.

I've been extremely satisfied up to this point.

[toughguy]

I have the one without the window too. I read online that they can have issues with the electric heat elements if you leave them outside in the rain day after day. There is a wiring connection that tends to rust. It can be fixed by removing a section on the back and replacing any bad wiring. I keep mine in the garage when not in use to prevent this. Great little unit. I love mine.

[Farley]

The MES has a big following on online BBQ sites. I cant comment on the MES, but I use a Bradley electric and would buy another Bradley or switch to the MES. IF you want to set it and forget it like a crock pot I think electric with the digital temp control is definetly the way to go, although the more you get into BBQ the more you babysit. I did a shoulder and a picnic last weekend and ran a consistant temp within 5 degrees (except for when I openened the door to check, spray, take out) for 15 hours. And I have the manual temp control on mine. But I know my smoker well and I check it about every 15 min for the first couple hours then let her buck after that.

[hockeybc69]

I had one.

I liked it for the most part.

It did die after a few years, but I used it a LOT. I think I got my moneys worth out of it.

As I have noted many times on here, it does lack smoke output, especially at the lower temps. I like heavy smoke flavor, but many dont, so its hard to say its a bad thing.

It also has "hotspots". Which means you have to move stuff around. Moving stuff around means you are opening the door and letting a lot of heat out and it needs to catch up again.

[SkunkedAgain]

I have the propane version and love it. You won't have to deal with the wind blowing out your flame if you go electric but you might (I heard) struggle to hold temperature in the winter.

As for just the Masterbuilt, it's a decent unit and does everything that I need. It seems from reading online that a lot of folks modify these cabinets to work better. I'm already working on my 3rd or 4th mod. If you want something that works right from the start and won't require tinkering, you might look at the more expensive smokers that are in the $300-$600 range. To each their own but I think that the Masterbuilts generally work just fine.

[Leaky]

Not to contradict Skunked, but this winter I started a butt @ -10 outside temp, got to 225 in a 1/2 hour and held for the next 10 hours.

Prior to purchase I had also heard about heating element issues. I figured if I use it 30 times a year and it only lasted 3 years, it cost me a buck eighty-eight per smoke. If the average smoke is 8 hours, that's twenty-three cents an hour plus whatever electricity I use. I could live with that.

[fischer69]

I agree with everything above. I would suggest that you take a look at bbqbrethren HSOforum. It is a forum not much different than this one. A lot of great people on there & you can get all the info you need and then some. I'm sure there is a thread about this on there somewhere.

[McGurk]

Geez Leaky, with a thought process like that, I could make a case that a Ford SVT Raptor would make a good commuter vehicle!

[otterman91105]

I also have the one without the window and love it. It works great and holds temp well even when it's cold out.

[SkunkedAgain]

Not to contradict Skunked

I don't mind. That's why I stated that it was just what I heard. I'm glad to hear from others that it's not the case. In fact, when I was looking that was the only thing that drove me to propane. Knowing that it's not much of an issue around here makes me think that electric is the best way to go.

[KEN W]

I am on my third one.Rusted out the elements after several years use each.It does have a hot spot in the rear right corner.That can be solved by mounting a fan in the corner.

I would defintely get another one.Heard good things about the Bradley.But don't want to buy their pucks all the time.

I've smoked hundreds of lbs of sausage over the years.I use it at any time of the year.I usually have to bring in the house for an hour in the winter to let it warm up.Then works just fine.

I have heard of propane smokers not getting low enough temps to make sausage.I never have mine set higher than 175 degrees for sausage.Any higher and all the fat renders out onto the bottom of the smoker.Leaves you with dry crumbly sausage.

It is so well insulated that one time I was making sausage and it snowed while I was inside the house.Went out and there was several inches of snow on top of the smoker.didn't even melt.

[lakeshoremunster]

I have noticed that it will lack smoke on the lower temps during the summer months because the inside temp is staying stable and the outside ambient temp is high. So your heater element is not kicking on as often. I much prefer to use my electric smoker in the other three seasons were the outside temps are cooler.

You could always use a cold smoke generator on your smoker to get more smoke inside the smoker.

[Leaky]

Geez Leaky, with a thought process like that, I could make a case that a Ford SVT Raptor would make a good commuter vehicle!

Right on McGurk!

[BLACKJACK]

I had one.

I liked it for the most part.

It did die after a few years, but I used it a LOT. I think I got my moneys worth out of it.

As I have noted many times on here, it does lack smoke output, especially at the lower temps. I like heavy smoke flavor, but many dont, so its hard to say its a bad thing.

It also has "hotspots". Which means you have to move stuff around. Moving stuff around means you are opening the door and letting a lot of heat out and it needs to catch up again.

hockey, if you had a Masterbuilt and liked it, why did you go with a different brand when you got a new one?? And what kind did you 'upgrade?' to??

[BLACKJACK]

I agree with everything above. I would suggest that you take a look at bbqbrethren HSOforum. It is a forum not much different than this one. A lot of great people on there & you can get all the info you need and then some. I'm sure there is a thread about this on there somewhere.

Thanks fischer, looks like a great site!!!

[eyeguy 54]

masterbuilt 30 incher here. works just dandy. :>)