Masterbuilt smoker temp?

[Crow Hunter]

I got one of these for Christmas, it was purchased at the big C. I have a pork butt on it today. It is 80 degrees out today, I have it out of the wind, and i am not using an extension cord. I have it turned up as high as it goes, and can't get it above 205 degrees. I know there are a fair amount of things on that circuit, could it just be the electric circuit? How hot should i be able to get this smoker? Thanks for any advice.

[eyeguy 54]

strange... digital reaad at 205 or gauge inside?

[SkunkedAgain]

Yeah, my gauge on the Masterbuilt sucks so I bought a nice Maverick thermometer. Priceless. You should be able to get up to 300 degrees at least. I have the propane version at can get it to 450-500 degrees depending on the day if I'm burning off crud.

So as eyeguy2 said, it's either the dial thermometer is wrong or there is something wrong with your heating element. The amount of load on your circuit shouldn't make a difference. The smoker will either pull the power that is required or it will trip the circuit breaker. The circuit wouldn't dial down your smoker to adjust for load.

[Crow Hunter]

It is a dial gauge on top. Maybe I can stick in another gauge to confirm. I think it is right, because I can hardly get the wood (shredded, not chunks) to get hot enough to smoke.

[Crow Hunter]

I stuck the probe of my digital meat thermometer in the top vent, and it went to 260 degrees... if that thermometer is accurate at that temp, I don;t know. It appears that the temp probe is defective. Still does not explain the wood in the center of the pan not smoking... my buddy said the wood pellets are the best for this smoker, do you guys agree?

[eyeguy 54]

i have never used pellets I use the luhr jensen bags,sometimes shredded, sometimes chips. I dont use the side filler. i pull the pan out and fill it. an hour later I pull it out and fill it again. I smoke with the vent closed so the smoke stays in there. this has been working just dandy. maybe you have a faulty unit?

[otterman91105]

I have the electric version of the smoker. Mine will go up to 275. There must be something wrong with you thermometer. It should reach max temp pretty quick.