Cabela's 40" electric smoekr questions

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rob sicc

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
May 5, 2008
725
26
new jersey
Hi again,

So I still haven't pulled the trigger on a new smoker.  I keep wanting to order the MES 40 blue tooth but the capacity is only 900+ sq inches and size is very important to me.  

I recently ordered the Cabela's 160 liter dehydrator (should be here today WOOOO HOOOO).  So I went back to Cabela's site and found they have a Masterbuilt smoker that they sell with the Cabela name on it.  it is 40" no glass door which I like and it states that it has a 1400 sq in capacity.

Here are my questions.  It is built by Masterbuilt so it should be as good at the MEs 40, no?

Second,, why does Masterbuilt build a 1400 capacity unit for Cabel'a but not for them selves?

Can anyone explain this to me?  If the MES40 was 1400 capacity I would have ordered it a month ago.  I have been sitting on hold with Masterbuilt while I type to ask them but I knew I would get a better answer here.  lol

Thanks for reading my rant!  lol
 
I have this smoker.  Its a great unit.  The no-glass door is a huge plus IMO.  I also got it at a great price using discounted gift cards and a coupon etc ($285 all in).  The sausage hanger makes a great AMPS platform.  The 1 year Cabelas warranty is a plus.  You'll never use all the grates but I guess they're good to have.

Stop messing around and go get it!  You will love it!
 
x2 on Mummel's reply. I love mine though the BT is really limited - about 20-25' into the house. Works for me though as I can monitor things from our home office.....
 
I haven't looked that closely at the specs but I would guess the cooking capacity is not necessarily the cubic inch volume but the square inch of rack space. The Cabella's unit has two additional racks but since they are so close together they would only come in handy for jerky or fish. I have never used all 4 racks at one time in my MES 30" because there just is not enough vertical clearance between each rack. 
 
 
Hi again,

So I still haven't pulled the trigger on a new smoker.  I keep wanting to order the MES 40 blue tooth but the capacity is only 900+ sq inches and size is very important to me.  

I recently ordered the Cabela's 160 liter dehydrator (should be here today WOOOO HOOOO).  So I went back to Cabela's site and found they have a Masterbuilt smoker that they sell with the Cabela name on it.  it is 40" no glass door which I like and it states that it has a 1400 sq in capacity.

Here are my questions.  It is built by Masterbuilt so it should be as good at the MEs 40, no?

Second,, why does Masterbuilt build a 1400 capacity unit for Cabel'a but not for them selves?

Can anyone explain this to me?  If the MES40 was 1400 capacity I would have ordered it a month ago.  I have been sitting on hold with Masterbuilt while I type to ask them but I knew I would get a better answer here.  lol

Thanks for reading my rant!  lol
Very often MB makes 6-rack smokers to sell under retailers' nameplates. They're often better values than MB's line of smokers under its own name and are not offered in those configurations by MB. If you want a a 1400 sq in smoker look for the best deal from places like Cabela's and Bass Pro. They're usually the same exact smoker but carefully read the specs.
 
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Very often MB makes 6-rack smokers to sell under the retailers' nameplates. They're often better values than MB's line of smokers under its own name. If you want a a 1400 sq in smoker look for the best deal from places like Cabela's and Bass Pro. They're usually the same exact smoker but carefully read the specs.
Thanks Ricksta,  Iappreciate the reply.  I kinda thought that though it doesn't make sense to me.  

I don't understand why MB doesn't just add grates to their smokers.  I would have ordered the darn thing already. Do you know if the shelves can be moved?  In other words the space between the shelfes, is it flexable?  Can I order extra shelves for the MES 40 and stick them between the existing shelves?
 
 
Thanks Ricksta,  Iappreciate the reply.  I kinda thought that though it doesn't make sense to me.  

I don't understand why MB doesn't just add grates to their smokers.  I would have ordered the darn thing already. Do you know if the shelves can be moved?  In other words the space between the shelfes, is it flexable?  Can I order extra shelves for the MES 40 and stick them between the existing shelves?
Racks can't be moved. They slide into pre-attached tracks. Here's a photo of the inside of a MB Sportsman Elite.

You'll probably have to enlarge the photo but that shows you how the rack system inside all MB smokers. If you want a 6-rack smoker you have to buy it from one of the retailers I mentioned. I have no idea why MB doesn't offer a 6-rack other than they don't want to piss off the retailers by offering something that's always been an exclusive for those camping store guys.

I guess the way these things work is that if MB sold these same larger smokers under its own label there'd be no incentive for the big box retailers to offer them to their customers, especially if Amazon retailers could undercut the big box retailers pricewise.
 
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I have this smoker.  Its a great unit.  The no-glass door is a huge plus IMO.  I also got it at a great price using discounted gift cards and a coupon etc ($285 all in).  The sausage hanger makes a great AMPS platform.  The 1 year Cabelas warranty is a plus.  You'll never use all the grates but I guess they're good to have.

Stop messing around and go get it!  You will love it!
Done!  now it's time to find a couple of coupons and go for it.  I loved your explanation.  The only thing I'll disagree with is that I will use all of the grates.  I make beef jerk in it and I'm looking for a large capacity.  Thanks for the encouragement.  
 
 
I haven't looked that closely at the specs but I would guess the cooking capacity is not necessarily the cubic inch volume but the square inch of rack space. The Cabella's unit has two additional racks but since they are so close together they would only come in handy for jerky or fish. I have never used all 4 racks at one time in my MES 30" because there just is not enough vertical clearance between each rack. 
Thanks for the reply.  I am buying this specifically for jerky.  I sell jerky at a farmers market and needed a big boat as they say.  Thanks for the review.

Thanks to everyone for the comments.  I finally feel comfortable ordering this.  I'll put it right next to my 160 liter Cabela's dehydrator.  

I don't remember who mentioned the solid door being a positive thing but I totally agree.  I work by internal temp and I feel the glass door lets out more heat than a solid door.  Thanks again to all.
 
 
Racks can't be moved. They slide into pre-attached tracks. Here's a photo of the inside of a MB Sportsman Elite.

You'll probably have to enlarge the photo but that shows you how the rack system inside all MB smokers. If you want a 6-rack smoker you have to buy it from one of the retailers I mentioned. I have no idea why MB doesn't offer a 6-rack other than they don't want to piss off the retailers by offering something that's always been an exclusive for those camping store guys.

I guess the way these things work is that if MB sold these same larger smokers under its own label there'd be no incentive for the big box retailers to offer them to their customers, especially if Amazon retailers could undercut the big box retailers pricewise.
Good point and thanks for the picture.  Now I need to figure out if I can add a few more grates.  
 
Rob... you can buy stackable grates at wal mart... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Excelle-Elite-3-Tier-Cooling-Rack/42942802 ... the legs fold up and stack as well.. leaving plenty of room for jerky in between.. I have a set and use them often.... for that price it can't hurt to try them.... a lot cheaper than trying to buy grates from MB... I also use Q mats from Amazn products on them.... keeps smaller pieces from falling through....
 
Rob... you can buy stackable grates at wal mart... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Excelle-Elite-3-Tier-Cooling-Rack/42942802 ... the legs fold up and stack as well.. leaving plenty of room for jerky in between.. I have a set and use them often.... for that price it can't hurt to try them.... a lot cheaper than trying to buy grates from MB... I also use Q mats from Amazn products on them.... keeps smaller pieces from falling through....
Keith,

AWESOME!  This makes this unit perfect.  It's next to be purchased along with these grates and I will be set.  

Thanks again for your sugestions
 
Jeez, there's a ton of room in there. That thing is so big I bet it affects weather conditions throughout the area when you fire it up. It's so big that if you laid it on end the bottom half would be in a different time zone from the top. That's one big smoker.

Even though you'd probably never use all 6 racks it's still great to have more racks and options for placement. Mummel, I forget, what are you using for the AMNPS stand?
 
 
Jeez, there's a ton of room in there. That thing is so big I bet it affects weather conditions throughout the area when you fire it up. It's so big that if you laid it on end the bottom half would be in a different time zone from the top. That's one big smoker.

Even though you'd probably never use all 6 racks it's still great to have more racks and options for placement. Mummel, I forget, what are you using for the AMNPS stand?
ROFL.  Great reply Ricksta.  I need to make 200 lb's of jerky in 3 weeks.  I think I'll use all 6 racks and some.  lol  

BTW, let me know if anyone out there lives anywhere near northern jersey.  i will be at an event up there and think it would be great to meet some folks from here in person.  

Does anyone know if i am permitted to post a thread about an upcoming event?
 
 
ROFL.  Great reply Ricksta.  I need to make 200 lb's of jerky in 3 weeks.  I think I'll use all 6 racks and some.  lol  

BTW, let me know if anyone out there lives anywhere near northern jersey.  i will be at an event up there and think it would be great to meet some folks from here in person.  

Does anyone know if i am permitted to post a thread about an upcoming event?
I can be a funny guy...sometimes.

As long as there are no dirty words or nude photos of hogs and cows I'm not sure there are any rules against posting about events. Rob. Are you making all that jerky for the upcoming event? All one kind or different meats?
 
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I can be a funny guy...sometimes.

As long as there are no dirty words or nude photos of hogs and cows I'm not sure there are any rules against posting about events. Rob. Are you making all that jerky for the upcoming event? All one kind or different meats?
Yes, i am making all of that for the event.  I currently have 4 flavors, all beef and I'm trying to make a maple bacon jerky.  I haven't decided if I will be making it with Jalapeno or not.  i think the non Hot reach more people, and since it is bacon, i would think everyone will want to try it.  lol

Ricksta, Are you in the area?
 
 
ROFL.  Great reply Ricksta.  I need to make 200 lb's of jerky in 3 weeks.  I think I'll use all 6 racks and some.  lol  

BTW, let me know if anyone out there lives anywhere near northern jersey.  i will be at an event up there and think it would be great to meet some folks from here in person.  

Does anyone know if i am permitted to post a thread about an upcoming event?
Well sir, I just posted about an upcoming pro/am pig BBQ competition in my town in the Washington Smokers group. I bet there will be no problem with it remaining there. There are a few other Washington state guys here so I may post it in this group, too. Perhaps there's a Jersey smokers group you can post to besides posting it in whichever other group for which it might be appropriate.
 
 
Well sir, I just posted about an upcoming pro/am pig BBQ competition in my town in the Washington Smokers group. I bet there will be no problem with it remaining there. There are a few other Washington state guys here so I may post it in this group, too. Perhaps there's a Jersey smokers group you can post to besides posting it in whichever other group for which it might be appropriate.
First off, i'm going to assume your name is Rick rather than typing your profile.  I hope that doesn't offend you.  lol

Second, that is a brilliant idea.  I forgot all about the groups.  I think I belog to a new jersey smokers group.  I took off a while from the site.  I didn't do much during the winter so I forgot all of the subtle advantages of this site.  I will check.  Thanks for the great idea,  If you enter that competition, Lot of luck to you!
 
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