Masterbuilt Elite electric smoker-should I buy it?

mutterback · Nov 19, 2014

Hi all,

I just registered on this forum and posted my introductions as a newbie. I'm looking into buying this smoker on a Craigslist ad. I've read plenty of good and bad reviews about it, so I'm really not sure if I sure get it. It seems that most of the complaints are with the 2nd gen model and I'm not sure which this is. I haven't looked at it yet. This is the only picture posted with the ad. Should I buy it?

ladygt · Nov 19, 2014

That is the 2nd generation unit. I purchased a brand new one and it was defective out of the box. If you read the many posts on the forum, many of them had to be either repaired or modified. Of course the manufacturer will replace the parts, but do you really want the inconvenience? If you are serious about it, I would have the owner prove to you that it works properly. Be aware that the temperature probe probably is not accurate.

Personally, if the owner couldn't take the time to clean the unit while trying to sell, I would pass. That looks nasty.

pc farmer · Nov 19, 2014

Iamsmokemaster said:
Never buy a smoker with a circuit board.They all fail.Just get one with a dial switch

I wouldnt say that. My 1 st gen is 10 years old, board still good.

To the op, that is a second gen. I would stay away from that one.

mutterback · Nov 19, 2014

Thanks for the info. I was definitely intending on being sure it works. Even so, I'm kind of on the fence about it still.

mutterback · Nov 19, 2014

If I don't purchase this one can some of you please throw out some recommendations to me or perhaps steer me towards the pertinent threads?

mutterback · Nov 20, 2014

I should add my apologies for my vagueness when asking for recommendations. I've spent a lot of time browsing this forum and it seems like the more I read, the more confused I am as to what I want. So right now I have no idea.

themule69 · Nov 20, 2014

It depends on the price. As has already been said the first generation has a better track record. That is not to say that non of the second generations work. As far as using your oven to cook then finisihing it in a smoker and getting the same results I have a very hard time with that statement. Meat will take on a more smoke at the lower temperatures and a lot of people appy smoke the entire time me being one of them I also don't find much of a smoke ring with an oven.I would like to see this come out of an oven.

brisket 1.JPG

themule69
Nov 4, 2014

b 9.JPG

themule69
Oct 4, 2014

20140802_213518.jpg

themule69
Aug 2, 2014

Happy smoken.

David

themule69 · Nov 20, 2014

Iamsmokemaster said:
Hi Remember this is just a hobby.

There is a point when over smoking makes the food bitter and yes at some point eating smoking food ads too many carcinogens to be safe to eat.You can tell when food is over smoked as it leaves a film in your mouth that is worse then smoking cigarettes.It is not a good taste.

It is not recomended to eat smoked food daily as there are pages and years of research on the web that shows smoking meats contaminates foods and that people in euope wound up with intestinal tumors in ther later years..Everything in moderation.

Test it for yourself fully cook your meat covered and over smoke the crap out of it as much as you want.Now taste it.Now feel free to throw up.Now do it my way fully slow cook the meat in the oven at 250.00 and smoke it for less the 30 minuites.In some cases it may be too much.You will have safley smoked meat

Then do it my way.Smoking your food for less then 30 minuites is all you need.

My statements are posted not to insult your method.I just dont have time to make a production every time I want smoked food.

On the average i smoke meat once a week.

Please be careful .No one wants cancer.

I will stick with using a smoker for smoked meats and my oven for a pie.

Have a great day and happy smoken.

David

Bearcarver · Nov 20, 2014

themule69 said:
It depends on the price. As has already been said the first generation has a better track record. That is not to say that non of the second generations work. As far as using your oven to cook then finisihing it in a smoker and getting the same results I have a very hard time with that statement. Meat will take on a more smoke at the lower temperatures and a lot of people appy smoke the entire time me being one of them I also don't find much of a smoke ring with an oven.I would like to see this come out of an oven.

Happy smoken.

David

I Agree with everything David said.

Also: Smoking is a problem if people use too much smoke, but as you & most others on this forum know, it's not how long you smoke that is bad, it's how heavy you smoke. You could do most of your cooking in the oven, and then smoke for just a short time with too heavy a smoke, and it would still taste terrible like licking a chimney.

Also putting pellets directly on an MES element is not recommended by Masterbuilt, as we all know.

It's not how much or how often you smoke that is bad for you, it is "How" you smoke that could be bad for you.

The name of the Game is "TBS" !!! TBS !! TBS !

Bear

dave from mesa · Nov 20, 2014

If you are interested in buying a Gen1 MES30 they are still available from here http://astore.amazon.com/smokingmeat-20

Good luck in your selection.

dave

chef willie · Nov 20, 2014

I'd avoid any MES but that's just me. I'd advise looking into a Smokin' It line of electric. The #1 is pretty cost effective & there is a #2,3 & 4 now. They are clones of the Cook Shack line at about half the price. I have a #3 and am very happy as are others on here. Of course, budget is everything in most cases....Willie

rgautheir20420 · Nov 20, 2014

I'll agree with Chef, and if the higher end electric models are in your range you might try researching those first. But, my MES30G1 is the best thing that's ever happened to me for smoked meat. I do a lot of smoked sausage and the digital controls have made that possible. I got mine for $135 from Amazon as Use - Like New (it was spotless when I got it), and it's been amazing. Add the AMNPS and I can smoke whatever I want hands free for up to 12 hours and make some amazing stuff!

For the price, there isn't a better electric smoker on the market....there's just no getting around that fact.

Bearcarver · Nov 20, 2014

mutterback said:
I should add my apologies for my vagueness when asking for recommendations. I've spent a lot of time browsing this forum and it seems like the more I read, the more confused I am as to what I want. So right now I have no idea.

You're confused because so many people had trouble with the Gen #2 MES.

And others get confused & tell people MES smokers are bad, because they don't seem to know the difference.

Those of us who have MES Gen #1, like me (mine is 4 years old), or cfarmer (10 years old) love our Gen #1 MES units.

So if you want an awesome electric smoker at the best price you can get for the size & ability, get an MES Gen #1 smoker.

Bear

themule69 · Nov 20, 2014

Bearcarver said:
You're confused because so many people had trouble with the Gen #2 MES.

And others get confused & tell people MES smokers are bad, because they don't seem to know the difference.

Those of us who have MES Gen #1, like me (mine is 4 years old), or cfarmer (10 years old) love our Gen #1 MES units.

So if you want an awesome electric smoker at the best price you can get for the size & ability, get an MES Gen #1 smoker.

Bear

Happy smoken.

David

themule69 · Nov 20, 2014

For the people reading this thread I wanted to let you know that a few comments have been removed because we had someone posting stuff that should not have been posted. The Great staff at SMF removed their post but left what me and others said in reply to their childishness.

I hope everyone has a great day and as always

Happy smoken.

David

Bearcarver · Nov 20, 2014

themule69 said:
For the people reading this thread I wanted to let you know that a few comments have been removed because we had someone posting stuff that should not have been posted. The Great staff at SMF removed their post but left what me and others said in reply to their childishness.

I hope everyone has a great say and as always

Happy smoken.

David

--------And

Bear

rgautheir20420 · Nov 20, 2014

themule69 said:
For the people reading this thread I wanted to let you know that a few comments have been removed because we had someone posting stuff that should not have been posted. The Great staff at SMF removed their post but left what me and others said in reply to their childishness.

I hope everyone has a great say and as always

Happy smoken.

David

I was wondering where that post went

daricksta · Nov 20, 2014

mutterback said:
Hi all,

I just registered on this forum and posted my introductions as a newbie. I'm looking into buying this smoker on a Craigslist ad. I've read plenty of good and bad reviews about it, so I'm really not sure if I sure get it. It seems that most of the complaints are with the 2nd gen model and I'm not sure which this is. I haven't looked at it yet. This is the only picture posted with the ad. Should I buy it?

What's the asking price? For me, I'd stick with a new smoker and not a used one. You don't know if the used one had problems or if the owner might have misused it or what types of mods he might have made.

It also depends on how much you had planned to spend for a smoker.

daricksta · Nov 20, 2014

mutterback said:
I should add my apologies for my vagueness when asking for recommendations. I've spent a lot of time browsing this forum and it seems like the more I read, the more confused I am as to what I want. So right now I have no idea.

Mutterback, I've been saying for a long time that, in my opinion, Masterbuilt electric smokers are the best value at their price points. I bought my MES 30 digital Gen 1 over two years ago and it's worked great. I bought the barebones model--no window, remote control, stainless steel exterior--and I haven't needed or missed any of those features. I never comment about the Gen 2 models because I don't own one and I don't like making statements based on heresay.

Good customer service is essential when buying smokers or any appliance and Masterbuilt provides top customer service from my own personal experience. The last I heard a tech support guy was advising members on issues in this forum through private messages. He sure helped me a few times. As far as I know no other company is offering that here.

My Masterbuilt more than suits my needs but other guys have bought more expensive smokers like Smokin-It, Bradley, Landmann, and others. Check them out and read their reviews. I still say that the MES 30 Gen 1 is a bargain for a great electric smoker.

mutterback · Nov 20, 2014

themule69 said:
It depends on the price. As has already been said the first generation has a better track record. That is not to say that non of the second generations work. As far as using your oven to cook then finisihing it in a smoker and getting the same results I have a very hard time with that statement. Meat will take on a more smoke at the lower temperatures and a lot of people appy smoke the entire time me being one of them I also don't find much of a smoke ring with an oven.I would like to see this come out of an oven.

Happy smoken.

David

Thanks for all the replies. This thread has helped me figure it out in my head what I want. Now that I finally have a chance to respond myself. The price is $150. I'm guessing the finishing it off in the oven comment is in response to the deleted comment that I didn't see. That's not what I'm looking for either.

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