Masterbuilt 7 in 1 advice please

[circuit theory]

I am new to the smoking world and am very eager to get started with smoking all kinds of stuff but currently have zero experience.

I picked up a Masterbuild 7-1 smoker Gas and Charcoal. I got it online on yahoo auctions and it appears that it does not have the gas burner or accessories, so I am assuming I will be smoking with charcoal and chips.

Are the thermometers on the masterbuilt units worth using for a beginner or should I automatically expect it to be junk?

Are there any recommended mods I should do to this bullet type smoker? I believe it is a 30" unit.

Can these units themselves be used as a cold smoker? I assume I would have to make a seperate fire pit and smoke pipe in order to cold smoke.

Ok thats all I can think of for now. I am doing the 5-day Ecourse but have not read through all of day 2 yet.

Thanks
Tom

 

[bbq lover]

we need pics and no the thermo is not the best get a nice pen or a mavrick remote its just a better temp checker

 

[ronp]

Test the therm with ice should read 32' and boing water 212' depending on altitude.

 

[circuit theory]

OK, It should be waiting for me when I get home from work. I will remove and test the thermometer and get some pics while I am at it.

 

[rickw]

Most likely the original therm will have cool/ideal/hot settings. I would just do as stated above and use a digital therm.

I smoked for a couple of years on one of those units. That's until I got here and read about the usd. Even so, good Q can be made from that unit.

 

[circuit theory]

Ok I got home and here is what was waiting for me.
It was stored outside as would be expected and seemed to have not been used or had the grates or anything cleaned for awhile so I gave it a quick clean just to remove any thing that I might not care to have smoked into future meats, etc.

The unit seems to only be a charcoal unit with no Gas option. It being my first unit I guess learning with charcoal is a pretty good way to start.

I tested the Thermo and it read 100 C when it was at boiling temp and responded fairly quickly to the boiling temps. However I later after I let it cool for a bit I then ran it under cool water and it went down to 0 C. I will be looking into what digital thermometers I can get here in Japan or if I will try to have one shipped out from the States. For the time being I thought I would give it some use as is while I search for a thermometer.

Ok enough talk here are some pics, the wifee let it in the house not know how dirty it would be hahaha. it got a bath and is outside now.

 

[raceyb]

Looking forward to seeing some qview from that unit! :)